Advent Action

"People, Look East" was written by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) and was first published as "Carol of Advent" in Part 3 of "Modern Texts Written for or Adapted to Traditional Tunes" in The Oxford Book of Carols, 1928. Farjeon, a native of London, was a devout Catholic who viewed her faith as "a progression toward which her spiritual life moved rather than a conversion experience." (The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion, p. 323) She achieved acclaim as an author of children's nursery rhymes and singing games, and is best remembered for her poem "Morning Has Broken." BESANÇON, an ancient carol, first appeared in Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871, as the setting for "Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep," and was titled CHANTONS, BARGIÉS, NOUÉ, NOUÉ. https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/people_look_east.htm

As you prepare for Christmas, try this carol with some yoga moves!

1. People, look east. The time is near 
Of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able,

Trim the hearth and set the table.

Table Pose:  knees under hips, hands under shoulders
Your spine stretches and your back, wrists, arms, and shoulders strengthen.  Also, as the chest is under less pressure, you increase lung capacity for deep breathing.

People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

Heart Mudra:  thumbs together, interlace fingers, hold in front of your chest
This hand gesture may help you welcome your thoughts and feelings!

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, 

Seed Pose:  hips on heels, lean forward, reach forehead towards the ground and hands back to feet

calming for the mind, great for digestion, stretches the back, and opens the hips

That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.

Flower Pose:  Keep your back lengthened as the soles of the feet meet, slide hands under calves and lean back to balance on your sit bones

When you "bloom" in flower pose,  you strengthen your core and improve your balance and coordination skills 

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.

Warrior 3 Pose:  Solidly connect one foot to the ground, then reach your belly button forward and down, lifting the opposite leg up and long like a tailfeather and your arms out to the side like wings. 

Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.

This pose strengthens the whole back side of the body.  It tones abdominal muscles and improves balance, posture, and full-body coordination.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.

I call this Viniyoga sequence "Twinkling the Star."

5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.

Whole World Mudra:  touch the tips of the fingers and thumbs together, leaving a ball of space between extended fingers

This hand gesture encourages skills for focus, concentration, remaining in the moment, and mental clarity.

Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

 Triangle Pose is my go to pose when I think about God.  The three sides and corners of the triangle make me think about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. You are balancing, strengthening, and s-t-r-e-t-ch-i-n-g when you work your triangle.

Stand like your feet are balancing on railroad tracks, then take one toe out to the side.  Lift arms into a letter "T," then breathe in.  As you exhale, push the arm over the extended toe and cartwheel towards the toe, reaching the other arm high as you reach low. You should feel a line of energy from fingertip to fingertip.  You can take the legs wider, reach lower, but the idea is to open and expand the chest. This standing posture is strengthening and stretching knees, ankles, hips, legs, core, shoulders, and back, creating balance, relieving stress. #preparation #zipaDeeBee #moveandbreath #findpeaceandcalm