{"id":1920,"date":"2015-12-16T11:28:05","date_gmt":"2015-12-16T17:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/?p=1920"},"modified":"2023-04-27T10:09:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-27T16:09:37","slug":"a-yoga-poem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/a-yoga-poem","title":{"rendered":"A Yoga Poem"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Twas the Night Before Christmas A Cool Yoga Poem<\/strong><\/h2>\n

DECEMBER 9, 2015\u00a0BY\u00a0JULIE LUSK <\/span>and December 15, 2015 by PEG JOHNSON<\/p>\n

Adapted by Julie Lusk in 2013 from \u2018Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) and from Alex Newport-Berra\u2019s rendition titled\u00a0Bikram\u2019s Torture Chamber<\/a>\u00a0in 2009.<\/p>\n

\u2018Twas the time before Christmas, and in yogi\u2019s place,
\nNot a muscle was moving, \u2018twas all filled with grace.
\nThe mats were lined up on the floor straight, with care
\nIn hopes sweet relaxation would quickly be there.<\/p>\n

The students relaxed, all snug on their mats,
\nWhile life sped\u00a0by outside, like some silly\u00a0cats.
\nBodies were moving, they\u2019re this way and that.
\nFinding just the right pose, not too curvy nor flat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Tadasana! Now, Chandrasana! Virabhdrasana! and Bridge!
\nOn, Cobra! On, Bow! On Locust and Fish!
\nTo the top of your head! And the bot\u2019m of your heart!
\nNow breathe away! Breathe away! And please, please don\u2019t fart!\u201d<\/p>\n

When up in my brain there arose such a clatter,
\nI fell out of posture, to worsen the matter.
\nWhen what to my wandering mind should appear,
\nBut a big plate of chocolate and a six-pack of cheer!<\/p>\n

With a mental mirage so clever and quick,
\nI knew in a moment, \u2018twas a monkey mind trick!
\nMore calmly and deeper my breathing I made,
\nTo ensure that distractions so quickly would fade.<\/p>\n

Breathing mindfully now, making ocean sound noise,
\nI found balance and focus to bring my life poise.
\nAs I turn\u00e9d my head, I lost sight of myself.
\nCaught a brief glimpse behind me, of Santa\u2019s small elves!<\/p>\n

She was dressed in an outfit, all green and all red,
\nA tall pointy cap to cover her head.
\nHer back-bending looked strained, \u2018twas most likely due,
\nTo her crafting and building, \u2019till her knuckles were blue.<\/p>\n

At last they were all stretched out and about,
\nTheir stout little bodies about to break out,
\nFrom the crown of her head to her cute little feet,
\nHer positions were perfect, oh my, she was neat.<\/p>\n

Their\u00a0energy cleared, their circulation was merry,
\nTheir cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry.
\nDuring downward dog pose, blood rushed to my head,
\nMy brain filled with oxygen, turning me red.<\/p>\n

It was then that I realized, that much like the elf,
\nI created a gift, yes of peace, for my Self.
\nYoga postures and breathing, no cell left untouched,
\nNow the body at peace, and the mind just as much.<\/p>\n

Each posture creating a wonderful feeling.
\nT\u2019was real, yes, I knew that I couldn\u2019t be dreaming.
\nEach part of my body I learned now to treasure,
\nA true gift of \u00a0love, and far beyond measure.<\/p>\n

In final shavasana I heard not a word.
\nI felt I was soaring, on golden winged bird.
\nMy body at peace, and so too, my mind,
\nReleasing my Self from the stressors that bind.<\/p>\n

Never too poor, and never too sick,
\nNever too healthy, or fat, like St. Nick.
\nAll life is yoga, it\u2019s certainly true,
\nHealth and vitality is right here for you.<\/p>\n

And when as you leave, flown to a great height,
\nHere\u2019s one phrase I hope that you get just right.
\nIt expresses the feelings of yoga\u2019s great light:
\n“Peace and Joy to you all and to all a Good Night!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adapted by Julie Lusk from Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) and from Alex Newport-Berra\u2019s rendition titled\u00a0Bikram\u2019s Torture Chamber<\/a>\u00a0in 2009.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018Twas the Night Before Christmas A Cool Yoga Poem DECEMBER 9, 2015\u00a0BY\u00a0JULIE LUSK and December 15, 2015 by PEG JOHNSON Adapted by Julie Lusk in 2013 from \u2018Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) and from Alex Newport-Berra\u2019s rendition titled\u00a0Bikram\u2019s Torture Chamber\u00a0in 2009. \u2018Twas the time before Christmas, and in yogi\u2019s place, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"A Yoga 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