Nestled amongst the harmonious whispers of the wind through the leafy arms of the ancient trees and the tranquil symphony of the babbling stream, we are finely attuned to the energies and pulses of the universe, seeking an intimate unity with our physical temples — our bodies. Here in our sacred abode, we dedicatedly encourage our goddess sisters to delve deep into the well of internal knowledge, exploring the living symphony within and encountering the power and grace of yoga.
Just as the lotus blooms from the muddy waters reaching towards the divine light, we find ourselves blossoming towards internal understanding, strength, and the divine wisdom through the sacred dance of yoga. The essence of our approach lies within the softer yin practices, the quintessential caress of the wind upon the ocean waves, a gentle nudge that guides us to unravel the knots of discomfort lodged deep within our bodies. This soothing dance becomes especially beneficial when encountering the immense discomfort emanating from the overload of a precious muscle – the serratus anterior.
Situated in the sacred intimacy of our ribs, the serratus anterior, also affectionately acknowledged as our wings, often experiences stress and strain that could lead to distress and discomfort. It is through understanding this nuanced interplay, that we can invoke the healing powers of our bodies, using the wisdom of yoga and nature’s bounty to soothe and gently nurse this muscle back to its harmonious balance.
Begin with the serenade of Pranayama, the ancient practice of breath control. Like the mighty mountains meeting the ethereal skies, your in-breath should rise from your belly to your chest, expanding through the serratus anterior. On the out-breath, it descends again, mimicking the rhythmic dance of the cascading waterfall, soothing the tension within this neglected muscle. As you experience the ebb and flow of your breath, you confront and embrace the discomfort, subtly reminding your muscles of their inherent ability to relax.
In our yoga practice, we can employ the grace of a pose known as Dolphin in honoring the sacred sferratus anterior. Begin in a gentle and loving Downward Facing Dog, feeling the space between your shoulder blades widen as you gently press your chest back and down to your thighs. Slowly, lower your elbows down to Mother Earth, maintaining the width amongst your shoulders. As you hold the pose, inhale the peace and tranquility the universe offers and exhale any discomfort and stress residing in your wings.
In addition to these yogic practices, remember, dear sister, that Mother Nature offers her healing remedies as well. Harness her wisdom through the power of healing herbs such as the Arnica and the Holy Basil. Arnica is revered for its ability to heal and reduce muscle tension, while Holy Basil, known in the East as Tulsi, is deeply esteemed for its stress-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Brew an earthy cup of Tulsi tea to calm the agitated nerves, or massage a gentle pond of Arnica oil over the disgruntled serratus anterior, melting the distress away with your tender touch.
Finally, engage in a meditative communion with your body. Lower the flame of your external senses, closing the curtains to the bustling material world, focusing inward toward the serene terrain of your embodiment. Allow this communication, this union of mind, body, and spirit, to guide your serratus anterior back to its inherent peaceful and functioning state. This is the ultimate gift we bear – the ability to turn inwards, tuning in to the whispers of our bodies, echoing the Buddhist wisdom: “In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”
Embrace this journey towards serenity, dear goddess sisters. Remember, your body is a celestial temple, a vessel of the divine light. By intertwining the wisdom of yoga and the richness of nature’s remedies, we may heal, grow, and blossom, just as the lotus rises towards the light. May the dance of the serratus anterior remind you of the cyclic nature of life – the ebb and flow, tension and release, chaos, and peace. After all, as we soothe our wings, we enable ourselves to flourish and take a magnificent flight towards the zenith of inner peace and unity with the universe.
