Humble Beginnings – The Lotus Flower
Many of you have probably noticed the lotus flower as a symbol of yoga. You’ll see a yoga studio advertised with a lotus flower graphic or a yoga-inspired quote overlaid in a pond of lotus flowers.
For those who have taken a yoga or mediation class know that there’s such a thing called “Lotus Pose” or in it’s Sanskrit root referred to as “Padmasana.”
Physically the pose is a very grounding. With your feet crossed over your opposite thigh, your seat bones are press firmly and completely into the earth. Naturally your spine is elongated from sacrum to cranium allowing a smooth passageway for blood and energy to travel through the most vital and delicate parts of your body.
The metaphorical symbol of the lotus flower is what attracts my focus. The lotus flower grows in canals and swamps. You’ll find it’s beautiful blossom in some of the most polluted waters.
The lotus flower comes from very humble beginnings. The seed is planted at the bottom of these mucky waters, takes root and then starts it’s search for the sun.
Once the journey to the surface is complete, the blooming lotus is careful not to let it’s enamouring petals touch the mucky water – always reaching for fresh air and the sun’s empowering light. Looking up and rejoicing that the journey has led it here. A place where it can demonstrate to the world it’s inner blossom/beauty .
We all can look to the lotus flower for inspiration. Most of us, I’m sure, have come from humble beginnings – pasts mistakes and maybe even dark moments. And at some point we decided (or will soon decided) to take root in that muck, recognize this is where you are and then start to shoot for something more, reach higher. Sometimes that light at the surface may look so far away, but you keep growing with your head held high, focusing on the good fortune headed your way.
I don’t know about you but I’ve been through this journey a few times – in a few different stages of my life. Sometimes I feel someone has cut me off halfway to the surface and I want to lose hope. But…. This is life’s journey. This is what makes you keep looking up. Keep striving for more light, more air, more strength.
Remember the lotus flower next time you need inspiration, on or off your yoga mat. You’re a beautiful blossom finding your way.
With gratitude and excitement,
Namaste
Special Note: Other physical benefits of lotus pose include opening up your hips, encourages corrected posture, calms the brain, stretches the knees and ankles, and yes, can even ease menstrual discomfort for us who have that going on…. However, please be mindful of your knees in this pose. Anyone with knee sensitivity or have extra tight hips which put more pressure on your knee joints, will need to work on various and progressions (i.e. simple crossed legs, ½ lotus pose, sit on a block or cushion). Take care of your body – you only have one! Please contact me if you have any questions regarding how to reach this physical pose safely. Metaphorically I know y’all are smashing it out there.
