I have found great relief...

In the folly of my youth

I injured the sacroiliac joint

of my lower back

with a dead lift:

poor of form

and quite ill timed.

Although numerous physicians agree

that once injured

those ligaments do not heal

I have found great relief:

avoiding all exercises involving waist torque,

and blending Yoga’s bridge pose

with an easy Taoist meditation.

First I lower myself to the floor,

knees bent,

feet flat upon the floor,

arms under my back,

parallel to the spine

with fingers laced,

chest puffed out,

and shoulder blades closed.

Gently, I push with my heels

allowing the shoulders and upper arms

to bear this body’s weight.

During the FIRST inhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“Grin to gut…”

during the FIRST exhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“relaxing!”

During the SECOND inhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“Grin to feet…”

during the SECOND exhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“relaxing!”

During the THIRD inhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“Grin to hands…”

during the THIRD exhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“relaxing!”

During the FOURTH inhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“Grin to scalp…”

during the FOURTH exhalation

I silently and mentally recite,

“relaxing!”

These four rounds of breath

constitute a single set.

And practicing thus

for one or two sets at a time

has given me much relief.

Perhaps it could benefit you

as well.

Let us conclude

with a simple

call to action

In the Tibetan tradition Lamas are supported

not by monasteries but by students

as such the production of these webinars, and videos, and livestreams,

and podcasts, and blogs, and class materials is supported

by the generosity of viewers, and listeners, and readers

just like you.

Join our nightly livestream.

Download FREE practice materials.