Crow

I took a ferry to the highway
Then I drove to a pontoon plane
I took a plane to a taxi
And a taxi to a train
I've been traveling so long
How'm I ever going to know my home when I see it again
I'm like a black crow flying
In a blue, blue sky

                      Joni Mitchell

Stand straight and bend from the waist, placing both  palms on the ground, pointing ahead, bending the elbows slightly. Bend and lift the the knees, keeping the eyes turned skywards (!) and place them  on the upper part of each corresponding arm, as close into the armpits as possible. The feet should be in line with the elbows and below the hips. While we stay balanced on the hands, we keep breathing normally, while holding the position as long as is comfortable with effortless effort ! Exhaling, we put the feet back down.

This asana improves concentration and balance, strengthens the wrists, arms and chest. 

Happiness is your nature.
It is not wrong to desire it.
What is wrong is seeking it outside 
when it is inside.

                                Ramana Maharshi

Wheel

From shavasana (total relaxation or corpse pose) we bend the knees, feet resting flat on the floor close to the hips. Hands are placed at shoulder level, elbows up, palms flat on the floor, fingers pointing towards the feet. We inhale and exhale, relaxing in this position. While inhaling, we use head, hands and feet to slowly push up in a backward bend. We maintain the position, breathing and relaxing. With every inhale we push the backwards stretch just a little bit further, gently, without forcing. Exhaling we lower our head and body.

This exercise confronts us directly with our fears. We easily bend forwards but to bend backwards is uncommon and causes fear and apprehension. With this exercise we build our self-confidence and willpower and we learn to see the world from another perspective.

This exercise tones the back and the legs completely. It strengthens and makes flexible the chest, stomach and waist, as well as the neck, hands, legs and feet. It gives excellent control over the body. 

 

'Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence'

"Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence"(Quoting Patanjali, Indian sage who lived more than 2000 years ago)

Standing in mountain pose, the back straight, as if connected by a gold thread from the crown chakra to the heavens, the head slightly inclined in Jalandhara bandha ( chin lock ) proud and humble at the same time, we pay our respects to the rising sun. We greet a new day and rejoice gratefully.