The yoga mat ode

"Be equal minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga". The Bhagavad Gita.

The ever inviting, calming shades and qualities of you

My lemon, canary, yellow shaded yoga mat

Sit there beckoning, inviting me to tranquility and inner peace

I look at you and visualize the tantra energy that lies within my body

At my navel and the base of the spine

You wish to allow me to activate and channel my chi upward through spiritual perfection

To release kundalini energies in different parts of my body

Which are active, yet does not require awakening

You adhere to the power of the divine feminine, Shakti.

Thus awakening kundalini energies of

Mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, laya, haṭha

Of meditation, and even spontaneity

Yoga mat, you encourage me to undertake in

Physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which aim to control and still my mind

To improve posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief and relaxation in asanas

Sometimes to just enjoy traditional yoga, focusing on meditation and release from worldly attachments

There are times I just sit and stare at you

While you wait patiently

Knowing full well that your presence

Is always an invitation to come enjoy

A healthier, better and freer version of the me

And so I arise and begin

I bow my polite acknowledgement of your purpose

And that of the universal union with the Supreme

That concentration which you embody in your two roots:

yujir yoga (to yoke) or yuj samādhau ("to concentrate"). in the context of the Yoga Sutras

You are then ready to accommodate

My breathing rituals as I sit in yoga lotus pose

I breathe in

I breathe out

And I begin.

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Associated with the divine feminine, Shakti. Kundalini yoga as a school of yoga is influenced by Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism. It derives its name through a focus on awakening kundalini energy through regular practice of mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, laya, haṭha, meditation, or even spontaneity.