A wonderful way to celebrate the joy of yoga is to share the experience with your friends. Working together with a partner to create yoga postures involves many key aspects of yoga practice, such as respect, balance and true listening.
Try the following project with a friend or sibling who is interested in yoga. Follow the three easy steps to build a friend ship.
Step One: Setting the Foundation
Sit face to face, look into each other’s eyes and acknowledge your commitment to help each other without pushing or pulling. Take a couple of deep breaths while lengthening your spine. Be aware of your center as you breathe down into your belly. Let your eyes be soft and peaceful.
Step Two: Sole to Sole
Hold hands to create the sides of the ship. Have a firm, steady grip without squeezing too tightly. Hug your shoulder blades onto your back and fully open your heart so that your chest is broad and lifted. Carefully connect the soles of your feet to your partner’s, and begin to lift your feet into the air just below eye level. Spend as much time as you need on this step to find balance. Feel the center of your body getting stronger as you breathe smoothly and deeply. Notice if your upper back begins to hunch over. Keep your heart space full and shiny.
Step Three: Raising the Sails
When both partners feel steady and ready, slowly press your feet up to the sky, stretching and firming your leg muscles. Continue to draw the shoulders back and lift your heart towards the tips of the sails. Enjoy a few moments of breathing and sailing your friend ship. Imagine all of the places you and your partner will visit in your ship.
Patience is essential for this yoga exploration. Allow your self and your partner as much time and practice as you need to master the posture. It takes lots of trust to build a strong friend ship that can withstand the ebbs and flows of the sea. Notice if any unhelpful emotions like irritation or overeagerness arise during this project. Make it a part of the practice to transform those feelings into constructive, positive energy by shifting your thoughts to what is good about the situation. Focus on what is working and remember that yoga is a process to be nurtured and honored.
photography by jasper johal - jasper-art.commodels - Sage Forest Whitaker and Isabella Hutchinson
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