Power Mudras: Yoga Hand Postures for Women [NOOK Book]

Read an Excerpt

Nature and You

I was born a child of nature. I would look at every tree very carefully. Is it easy to climb onto? Will I break a branch and hurt the tree? I knew that if a tree branch breaks, the tree cries. I could actually feel the pain and tears of a tree. There was no greater joy for me than climbing to the very top of our apple tree and observing the birds for hours. I wanted to fly and be one of them.

My family and I would go into the forest on the weekends and walk for hours. The trees were much higher there and impossible to climb. The forest ground was soft; every step would sing with the sound of fallen leaves. At one end of the forest was a large hillside covered with wildflowers. My brother and sister and I would roll down the flower-strewn hill and roar with laughter. Occasionally we would see a deer or a rabbit. We never wanted to leave the forest, and it would take our parents quite a while to get us back into the car and drive us back home.

We also had a lot of animals. My mother was always rescuing baby birds that had fallen from their nests and for a while we lived with a special pet: a magpie. Many dogs and cats ruled our household, and I loved to collect snails and observe them for hours as they ate salad in slow motion. Then there was the time my brother and I salvaged fifty frogs from a dry puddle. They lived in our tiny play pool until they were full-grown. Watching them was like a watching a different universe.

I tell you this so you know what a fan I am of nature.

Simply put, I love nature, and all living creatures. Therefore writing about mudras and nature has been a privilege and the fulfillment of a great desire.

Imagine a glorious red rose.

See the velvet petals open up to the sun. It's perfect.

Take a few deep breaths and let its fragrance permeate your body.

The essence of the rose is now with you.

You are now the flower, every flower in nature.

You have connected with Mother Nature.

Learn to enjoy the moment. When you experience the inevitable dormant cycle, keep in mind you will blossom again.

The Goddess of Nature is with you every step of the way. She nurtures you throughout your childhood and is with you when you breathe your last breath. Do you remember your days as a little girl? How you enjoyed running outside? You adored your pet (or always wanted one) and could play for hours in the grass, sand-or mud!

Would you like to feel that closeness to nature again? Would you like to laugh again from the depths of your soul?

You can. . . .

Mother Nature hasn't changed; you have. You may have forgotten to listen to the birds, lie in the grass, and look up at the clouds. When was the last time you really smelled a fragrant flower or sat at peace daydreaming and gazing into the distance?

I will guide you back to that inspired feeling. I will take you on a journey that will remind you where you came from. You will find the happy childhood laughter that you lost and become a Goddess of Nature yourself.

You will travel the sea, hug trees, and become a bird for a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime. You will feel the raindrops on your cheeks and hear the roar of the ocean. You will breathe again, and become a picture of tranquility. You will learn to experience mudras, the ancient hand gestures that unlock the powers within, while you embrace and remember the heal- ing powers of nature. You will remember your essence, connect again with Mother Nature, and regain that glow of the child who played in the yard all afternoon. She is filled with nothing but laughter and joy. She is you.

Reconnecting with Mother Nature will also remind you of your Goddess sisters. They are everywhere . . . running about, taking care of families, giving birth to babies, having trouble with husbands, and taking care of their parents. They are competing with you at work, they are looking at your man, and they may hurt you in order to save themselves.

The old tribal survival instincts and fears, the nervous glance at the clock ticking, and the never-ending mind games. The world today as we know it has forgotten about our feminine Goddess essence. We have forgotten who we are.

All women are your sister Goddesses. They go through similar experiences as you do, and they feel at times alone, as you do.

Now you will remember who you are and remind them who they are.

We are in this together; we're all connected, the Goddesses of Creation and Nature. Connecting and embracing your sisters will be your gift to yourself.

By reclaiming your power you will empower everyone around you and teach them how to listen to Mother Nature again.

This is your journey to becoming a true goddess on earth. It began when you picked up this book. You do realize there are no coincidences in life. Something attracted you to this book and now you are here. I hope that the pages will turn like the leaves of creation and I believe and pray that this journey will bring you joy.

Mudras in Nature

You are now familiar with all the important aspects of the mudra practice. I would like to take you even deeper into the healing experience and reconnect you with nature while you practice mudras.

How to Practice These Chapters

The nature chapters are an additional tool for your self-healing and rejuvenating mudra practice. The visualization journeys are short and easy to remember. At first you may want to record your own voice into a tape recorder and take yourself on a journey when you so desire. Or you can read the chapter, close your eyes, and visualize the journey. You can practice the mudra depicted with each chapter or you may choose any of your favorite mudras to accompany the particular exercise.

The nature chapters will expand your awareness of nature and remind you of your everlasting connection with every living essence of our world.

With these visualizations, you will easily achieve inner peace, a tranquil mind, and self-healing. With the power of your mind, you can transport yourself in a matter of seconds to heaven on earth. In your mind anything is possible. No matter where or when, if you imagine the glorious ocean and see the waves, your breath will slow down and your mind will expand. Transport yourself to a natural paradise. Drink the healing power of the environment and replenish your soul.

What use is living in a flower garden when you never smell the flow- ers? Learn to enjoy the treasures of nature and the healing effects that they offer. Rekindle your sensitive, delicate feminine energy and invigorate your spirit.

Be aware that the food you consume, your environment, and the people you surround yourself with affect your state of health in body, mind, and spirit. Be selective, protective, forgiving, and generous with your source of love and life.

1.

Animal Think about all different kinds of birds.

Choose one that is your favorite.

Is it an eagle, a seagull, a dove, a swan, or maybe a peacock?

See the bird standing in front of you.

It is beautiful, standing perfectly still and looking at you.

Look into its eyes and connect with its soul.

Imagine becoming the bird you see.

With ease, look around and observe the world through birds' eyes.

Take flight and lift yourself high up toward the sky.

You're flying above treetops and buildings, higher and higher.

The human world seems farther away and smaller with each second.

Now you are flying way above the city, underneath the clouds.

You are free of worries and fears. You have no responsibilities or deadlines.

All you do is fly wherever your heart desires. Fly above cities, meadows, mountaintops, and rivers. When you need to, rest on a treetop and sing a beautiful song.

Hear other birds answer you.

You feel light and fast and you love soaring in the sky.

Fly for as long as you wish.

When you're ready, return to your home. Look at it from high up in the sky and see how small it is. See your human self sitting below. You are ready to return.

You are back, feeling content, light in your heart, and expanded in your mind.

Now you know how small the problems are in the small world of yours.

Your vision has expanded. By changing your perspective you have changed your world. Vast possibilities are available to you. All you need to do is lift yourself out of your world and look at everything from your bird's point of view.

Feel free and know all possibilities are open.

You are creating your life and every day has the potential for innumerable adventures.

Feel free.

Mudra of Two Hearts and Two Wings

Sit with a straight spine and form a circle with each index finger and thumb, keeping your other fingers spread out. Lift your arms up in front of your heart, left over right, palms facing outward, and cross your hands at the wrists. Hook your pinkies together, keeping all fingers extended, and hold for at least three minutes. breath: Long, deep, and slow.

From the Trade Paperback edition.