Poised for Possibility: Turning toward New Perspectives

by Beth Reese

My dear friend, Becca (right),
helps me see new perspectives.

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.  ~Henry Miller

One of my favorite ways to practice yoga off the mat is to explore new sites, sights, and cites. Today I am traveling in Eastern Europe, and I find it helpful to practice many of the limbs of yoga to increase the joy of my experience.

Yogiños Instructors-in-Training practice
Seated Twist with a friend at a recent training
at Yoga for the Peaceful.

In terms of asana, and also wanting to engage several of the chakras (see recent postings, Hero at Home), I choose seated twist with a friend.

This pose reminds us that we can help each other see things from new perspectives. Plus, it is an incredible pose to practice often while traveling. It helps to release the spine and relax the nervous system, and it brings fresh blood to our organs and digestive system-- things we definitely need after sitting in planes, cars, or boats.

To do Seated Twist with a friend, first sit criss-criss, facing your partner with your knees touching. (See instructions below video).





1. Introduce yourself to your friend.
2. Sit with your spine straight and tall and clasp your partner's wrists on both sides.
3. Inhale and bend your left elbows (both partners) straight back as you twist to your left.
4. Exhale and turn your head toward your left shoulder, twisting a little deeper.
5. Think about keeping your knees and hips facing your partner and twisting your spine instead of your hips.
6. Take several breaths here, deepening the twist on each exhale.
7. Inhale to come back to the middle and then repeat on the other side.

Seated Twist in Croatia on the Adriatic
Sea. An entirely new perspective.

If a partner isn't available, do this twist on your own. Instead of clasping hands with a partner, inhale and reach one hand across your body to your opposite knee. Exhale and twist your spine toward that hand. Hold for several breaths and then repeat on the other side.

As you twist, notice something new that you haven't seen before.