Regardless, I went along with someone who'd benefited from the stretching and thought I'd just give it a try. It was very relaxing and felt so good to stretch and release some tension. I was even sore the next day, which means there really is some physical benefit. Due to the warnings, I was prepared for the end of the class when the instructor did, in fact, lead through a process of "emptying the mind." I didn't follow her instructions, well not completely anyway. I did choose to stop thinking about the issues I'd been trying to resolve all day and began secretly rehearsing every Scripture passage that came to mind. While the stretching was beneficial and stress was relieved, I believe it was the focus on God's Word that ultimately left me feeling refreshed and energized for the next task of the day.
Recently, I was challenged again to "...meditate day and night...(Psalm 1:2)" on a particular passage of Scripture. I forced myself to read it over and over, say it out loud, quote it without looking, and as any good teacher would...add some motions! The verses have become precious to me and have come to mind even when I'm not purposing to think about them. They have proven to be "...profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the [wo]man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16)."
I believe that Scripture teaches us to fill our minds with "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, ...excellence, ...anything worthy of praise...(Phil. 4:8)." So, whether or not I continue to stretch in various poses that improve posture and balance, I will continue to fill my mind with Scripture while emptying it of all other thoughts tempting to consume me. I will choose to meditate day and night on His Word, lifting my hands in praise, bowing to the Divine who lives within me. Namaste.
