Eka Pada Rajakapotasana--say that 10x fast

I vividly remember looking at a photo of a woman doing Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (king pigeon), a couple of years ago while thumbing through a yoga book. The image stuck with me. It is such a  graceful expression of the human form. While marveling at the beauty and complexity of the posture I recall thinking to myself  'My body will never be able to do that'. Another image of that pose was brought to my attention the other night. My friend had posted a photo of her in king pigeon on facebook. The spirit of the pose, the energetic brilliance of it just exudes beams of love shooting out of your heart center. So obviously I immediately wanted to test the limits of my body and hop right into that pose. Now that I have a strong yoga practice I assumed it was a done deal. I grabbed my nearest yoga mat, rolled it out on my kitchen floor and tried to shimmy my way into it. Right leg, left leg, nothing. Utter failure. I took a deep sigh and went back to my computer.  The next morning I went to class, chipper as always, not thinking anything of trying to revisit the pose anytime soon. My teacher happened to be the same friend that posted the photo on facebook. Without even requesting or asking her to work our way into the pose that day, she did. Without knowing it we were warming our bodies up to eventually get into the fullest extent of that pose our bodies are capable of. By being patient, using props, and moving with my breath I was delighted and astonished that I could actually touch my foot to my head! Less than 24 hours before I thought couldn't. I could all along, I just needed to use all the tools I have gained through my yoga practice to get to that point. King pigeon was such an important reminder that anything is possible. As long as you are willing to do the work and not get caught up in today's need for immediate gratification.

I am so grateful for this body, mind, and spirit that guide me though my practice.