I Went To A Shala

I went to a shala

to stretch and explore,

bend and let go–uttanasana–

let my will become a river–

We rose for the sun

then stood on one leg trying

to meet concern with aplomb

–balance-the ongoing desire,

glimpse of freedom's soft field–

Are we made in the image

of the Divine?

What is this Divine wobbling–

my spirit supinating?

What is before and beyond

inherited traits?

In the shala we straighten our straits–

I may really be a fish

slapping about my mat.

My mild gift of mild scoliosis–

my curve my body's creative.

We moved on–I went upside down–

graced at last by less work.

Light lifting me up–my crown in my feet–

breath breathing, shoulders seeing.

Finally we lay back as fish–

I let my throat out long–

Whoever you are, give the beauty

of your lengthened neck. Listen

to what you need to say

then lie down and die for a while.

—Kathleen Kraft leads yoga and writing workshops.

#yogacitynycblog