The Balancing Series… Love on One Foot. Part 3: Dekasana… Airplane!

Back from Thanksgiving and, Idon’t know about you, but I’m finding the need for balance, in diet- navigating my way from abundant meat and cheese (until Christmas, creamy fondue and Calabrese salami!) and back to hot rice cereal, greens and lean protien…    and practice!  Whew! Moving on in the series we find ourselves moving from grasping our toe as though for dear life long, extended and upright, into Dekasana, or Airplane Pose… I’m guessing (cuz I don’t really know) a modern, 20th century evolution of Virabhadrasana III, or Warrior III.  Regardless, a welcome relief from the intensity of Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, or Extended Hand-to-Toe! From the extended leg, hand-to- toe, the leg is brought forward briefly yet again where the toe is released, controlled of course, not dropped… the hands grasp the hips and that extended leg is lightly, strongly extended forward from the hip.  Alternatively, that leg can be supported by the hands, fingers intertwined below the hamstring- my preference, in fact. It’s held here for only a few breaths, before bending the knee towards the belly and as the torso extends, led by the heart, forward and the leg extends, quads and toes active straight back from the hip.  In the posture the heart reaches upwards encouraging a slight backbend as the toes and foot draw the leg, hips square to the floor, quadriceps engaged, back, long and strong. The arms are extended parallel to the torso, palms facing the floor with fingers long and active pointing to the wall behind.  The hands can also be brought to heart centre, eyes soft and focused on the floor slightly ahead or extended forward either in namaste or straight ahead, again palms down, fingers active. Breathe.  Breathe.   And yes, breathe! This is a strong, lovely posture and, as the chest and heart reach forward and slightly upwards, allows for a wonderful sense of length and grace.  Even, depending on the day(?!), a sense of ‘aaaaaaahhhhhhhh‘ as the body settles, comfortably yet actively, enthusiastically, into the pose.