By Cayla (Mangala) Allen, Yogaratna

My favorite pose is a seated pose.  Asana means to sit.  I sit for meditation, the practice that gives me my Self.  Of all the seated poses, I am most drawn to Swastikasana, Auspicious Pose.  I feel grounded, and my body and mind come into balance.

I am settling into Swastikasana right now.  I closed my eyes for a moment and experienced the ease with which I become aware of who I am.  My eyes are open now.  In this moment, I know who I am.  I am Me, a unique expression of the One.  I am grateful for the gift my Guru has given me — Me!

Gurudevi has asked me to sit in Sukhasana with three blankets to address some tension (kyphosis) in my spine.  I heed her advice when I am sitting for meditation.  I also do so when seated for longer periods of time.  This is when I’m sitting at my Guru’s feet in retreats and trainings.  Yet I am drawn to Swastikasana. 

In YTT, we learn to have a “Sitting Pose” and a “Working Pose.”  My sitting pose is Sukhasana.  I am working toward Swastikasana.  When I sit in Swastikasana, I make sure to pull in a wedge (the edge of a folded blanket under my sitbones).  

I “level up” through my sitbones and notice my spine relaxing easily upright.  I ask myself, “Is the top of my head over my tailbone?”  It is.  

I widen across my collarbones, soften my shoulders, settle in and enjoy the soothing, calming benefits this pose offers me.  I dive deeper for a moment, or more.  Then I open my eyes, aware of this beautiful life and so much more…