The Water element, called Jala in Ayurveda, is an exploration of flow in all its forms. Associated with emotions, intuition, creativity, release, and playfulness, jala is an invitation to struggle less and flow more.
To embrace the water element, we must learn to allow, release, & trust.
Release the need for things to be how you want them to be; allow things to be as they are. Trust in your own inner wisdom & release self-doubt. Stop fighing your feelings; name them, feel them, and allow them to exist. Release anger & resentment by practicing the gentle art of forgiveness. Allow yourself to be playful, release the need for perfection, and watch your creativity flow.
Like water, our circumstances are not always calm & clear. Learning these lessons as a human being in real-time can feel challenging, if not impossible. But who better to teach you about water than a mermaid?
The components of Mermaid pose align perfectly with the different aspects of the water element: its association with the sacral chakra stimulates creativity, the heart & hip opening promotes the flow of emotions, the gentle twist encourages release, the playfulness awakens the inner child, the and the challenge of the pose itself is a practice in releasing expectations and going with the flow.
How To Enter Mermaid Pose:
Start in Tabletop.
Come into Pigeon pose by sliding one knee behind the same-side wrist, and angling your shin slightly toward the long edge of your mat.
Bend your back knee so your foot comes toward your glutes.
Lean into your front hip, and twist your torso toward your back foot.
Grab your back foot with the same-side hand, and slide your foot into your elbow crease.
Turn your torso slightly forward, and square your hips by subtly leaning into the hip of your back leg.
Engage mula bandha by drawing your knees together energetically & pressing your back thigh gently into the mat.
Reach overhead with your free arm, see if you can link your fingers with the back arm.
Squeeze your shoulder blades together while actively lifting your heart forward and up. Press your foot into your elbow crease to deepen your backbend to a comfortable level.
Modifications:
If getting your foot into your elbow crease feels like too much, use a strap around your foot.
For less of a quads stretch, come into pigeon pose with both hands on the mat & try flowing through some cat/cow movements in your chest.
Of course, make sure you are warmed up before attempting this pose, and if you have significant hip or shoulder injuries, it might be best to avoid it altogether.
You know your body best. There's no award for getting into this pose, so listen to water and let go of the need to force it!
