Happy Easter! During this season, the Christian community celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a season that fills our hearts with Peace and Joy. We begin the week following Jesus into Jerusalem, mourn His crucifixion, and then rejoice with His Rising! It's a comforting feeling to have hope in eternal life.
As with the highs and lows of this week in remembering the life of Jesus, my family is currently experiencing some highs and lows. Today (April 15) marks the one year anniversary of my mother's new marriage to her husband Ervin.
Next Friday (the 21st) we celebrate my youngest daughter, Kymber's, 14th birthday.
This week we also feel pain in our hearts as one of Kymber's dear friends ends a struggle with brain cancer. She fell into a deep sleep earlier this week and ended her earthly journey early this morning (April 16). Throughout the last 8 years of her cancer battle she's been the most amazing young lady! Surgeries, Radiation, Chemotherapy and Holistic treatments have been an ongoing part of her life from the age of 6 to 14. She always had a smile on her face, an awesome attitude, and a sweet personality everyone fell in love with upon meeting her. We are praying Peace and Joy for her family as they endure this difficult time. Peace as they endure being without her on this earth, and Joy as they know she is in the arms of Jesus and can anticipate their reunion with her in Heaven. Her family has been very peaceful and faithful throughout her entire journey. Donations may be made to a foundation in her honor at -
Landry Robinson Foundation
5358 Western Plains
Abilene, TX 79606
It's easier to feel peace and joy in times of rejoicing, but much more difficult in times of trial. I find yoga helps me to create peace and joy when it's not easy to feel them naturally. My beautiful daughter, Kymber, filmed a video of me creating peace and joy with yoga poses.
Here is a picture of some of the poses shown in the video -
These peace and joy poses begin by creating a strong Mountain, flowing with the breath into a standing Cat/Cow to create gentle movement in the body. Then stepping into Warrior 2 to feel strong and grounded. Opening into Dancer pose to allow the heart to lift and expand. Lengthening into Goddess pose to bring energy and openness throughout the body. Feeling focus and strength as we lift into Crow pose. Lowering to a seated position to feel tension release out of our hamstrings and hips as we fold into a Seated Forward Bend and Seated Pigeon variation. Finally, relaxing into Reclined Butterfly to allow Peace and Joy to fill the body as we rest and restore.
Many times we use mantras with poses to reaffirm the feelings we are cultivating. One of my favorite Bible verses reminds me of the peace I feel through Jesus speaking to His disciples - John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." To simplify the verse, repeating "I feel peace; I feel joy" opens our hearts and bodies to find rest and relaxation as our body feels at ease.
Feel free to share your variation of these poses with me or any other poses you enjoy that allow your body to feel peace and joy!