Waking Energy 7 Timeless Practices Designed to Reboot Your Body and Unleash Your Potential

physically set up the pose with your body, moving to a range where you feel a significant stretch. This
is one that walks a fine line between intense challenge and acceptable discomfort. If you’re unsure of
what is acceptable discomfort, move gently into the position. As you become more familiar with the
sensations of your body over time and with practice, you’ll understand better how to find the right
initial stretch for you—and you’ll be able to go deeper after you’ve held that position for several
rounds of breath.
As you establish the pose, tune in to how you are feeling on that specific day, in that very hour and
moment. Decide where you want to begin, cultivating empathy for yourself on the spot, so that you can
give yourself exactly what you need. Staying open and listening to your inner wisdom are at the heart
of the practice.
For the duration of the practice, make a point to keep your array of props close at hand. As I give
the instructions for each specific pose during the setup, I’ll recommend which props to use, but if you
need even more support than I’m suggesting, feel free to avail yourself of as many props as you
require. Consider your props your best friends. Rely on them to make your position as comfortable as
possible before you go on to Step 2. The building of your pose should be whatever you need it to be.
Every pose is meant to be designed around your own unique personal needs, so feel free to plump up
your “nest,” as it were, before you really settle in.
I can’t emphasize enough just how important this part of your practice is. In order to feel safe
enough to surrender and go within, you need to establish yourself in an optimal starting position. The
level of challenged comfort you feel in the positioning of your body, either with or without props, is
what sets the stage and makes this possible.
Once you establish your pose and after you do any “housekeeping,” such as prop adjustment and
general futzing around (which is really resistance in disguise), try to stay true to your initial position.
Even if you’ve done everything in your power to ensure your maximum comfort before you begin, if
you still feel challenged (not in pain, but pushed beyond your comfort zone), stay with it, committing
to your position and trying it out for just a breath or two before you make any other decisions that are
likely to be informed by anticipatory anxiety and not led by what you are truly capable of. You won’t
know until you try, until you breathe and start to “go deep,” so take a leap of faith and allow yourself
to be surprised at how well you are able to settle into the pose. You’ll feel greater comfort after you
start to breathe into it. You want your initial position to be tolerable, so here is where you can test the
waters, checking in with your breathing to guide you and reinforce that you are pleased with your
decision. If for any reason you are not, this is the ideal opportunity to make adjustments.
Of course, your body and your props are yours to do with as you please. Your position can be
adjusted at any time, if necessary—it’s not considered cheating, but self-honoring. Congratulate
yourself when you’ve heeded your body’s wisdom and acted upon it. It’s an act of self-love and selfcare.
Step 2: Greet the Pose
The next step, before you surrender to gravity and start the melting process, is to introduce yourself to
the pose and vice versa. There are a few versions, or “expressions,” of any given pose. Each is just
as valid and effective as the others, and which one is right for you can change from day to day. On