Meditate on Your Health

Here in the northeast we have had a very mild winter. Since it hasn't been very cold, the colds and flus have been very tenacious.

My husband and I fell prey to a very nasty stomach bug that had us shut in the house for two days shades drawn, phones off, and taking in only Gatorade. We felt hungover for days after. 

I really dislike being sick. I miss work, I miss teaching, my mood may become foul - much to my husband's chagrin, and Scarlet doesn't get nearly the attention she deserves. What I do appreciate about being sick is doing nothing and getting rest, which a lack of is probably why I get sick.

When I finally started to feel "normal" last Friday, I opened my mudra book to give me inspiration for my meditation class on Saturday. I came across a practice that I had forgotten about that I shared with my students and will share with you.

The most important part of healing is to nurture yourself and  to listen to what your body needs. This will be different for everyone. While being sick may be inconvenient and feel awful, it is a good reminder to take care of ourselves and accept that we don't always have to be super heroes.

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Part one can be skipped if you are in the throws of sickness. Part two and three can be done lying down or seated.

Part One: Throwing Illness Behind You:

• Stand with feet hip width apart, knees soft and bent. Clasp the hands in front of the heart. Inhale and open the arms wide as shown and look over your right shoulder keeping the knees bent. Keep repeating this for at least 10 times or until nicely warm.

Part Two: Linga Mudra

• Linga mudra is one dedicated to Shiva to dispel negative energy and promote healing, especially cold and sinus symptoms. This raises the temperature in the body to burn off bacteria. It can be done 3 times a day for 15 minutes. More than that may drain the much needed energy to heal.
• Interlock the fingers and encircle one of your thumbs with the opposite forefinger and thumb. Extend the thumb that feels most comfortable.
• Send the breath into the belly which will help to soften the body. Monitor the quality of your breath. If your breath feels shallow, try to encourage it to deepen. Don't force the breath though, you don't want to create additional tension. Allow the meter of your breath be your mantra.

Part Three: Nadi Shodhana

• Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breath, is a wonderful way to balance and sooth energy. The left (ida nadi) hemisphere of the energy body is governed by the moon and the feminine, the right (pingala nadi) is governed by the sun and the masculine. Both nadis criss cross the sushuman nadi which runs from the base of the body to the crown of the head. When these energy channels are running smoothly we feel healthy and strong.
• Bring the right hand in front of your face, middle and fore fingers folded into the palm. The ring finger will be used to block the opening of the left nostril and the thumb the right.
• Take several cleansing breaths.
• Inhale, close off the left nostil, exhale right, inhale right and close, exhale left. That's one round. 
• Start with 3 rounds if you are new to the practice and work up to 12.

Optional Mudras for left hand while right hand is working Nadi Shodhana (yes the pictures are of my right hand, but the left is meant to be used):

Apan (energy) Mudra: to help build energy. 

Mahasirs (maha = large, sirs = head) Mudra  to relieve tension and headaches. This really does work!

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What's you're favorite thing to do when you're sick?

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(drawings courtesy of Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi)