The Dance of Shiva: Transformation

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

Shiva is one of the primary Hindu deities. In many ways, Shiva is the quintessential Yogi. He is often depicted with a trident staff in his right hand and a crescent moon behind his head. The energy around Shiva scintillates with an electric blue hue, the color of deep meditation. To engage with Shiva’s energy through song, mantra repetition or worship, is to invoke the energy of transformation. Shiva is known in Hinduism and in the Yogic scriptures as the great transformer. He is said to have the ability to illuminate that, which holds back a seeker, both on the material plane and on the spiritual level of existence. 

To engage in the process of transformation, it is first necessary to clarify what you would like to transformation. You may a certain level of dissatisfaction or unease with certain aspects of your life. Or you may long to fulfill longstanding dreams or goals that have yet to be accomplished. In order to transformation the external circumstances of your life, it is necessary to excavate the underlying beliefs that are holding you back. It is also often necessary to come to terms with any number of painful or otherwise unresolved emotional experiences, which are preventing you from moving forward in your life. 

In business organizational terms, the health of a business can be defined as an organization’s ability to truly align itself with its highest aspirations and to implement the steps necessary to achieving those goals. In the same way, you are the leader of a micro- corporation, your own life! The first step to restructuring the business of your own life is to clarify what needs to be transformed. Although there is a great deal of emphasis on being in a constant state of “doing” in our culture today, sometimes it is necessary to slow down in order to drop into the fertile, creative void within; the place where inspiration naturally arises. 

During the flowing series of Yoga postures that comprise a balanced Yoga class, you will most likely move from a series of Sun Salutations to standing postures, balancing poses, backbends, inversions, and seated forward folds. In many vigorous forms of Yoga, the emphasis is frequently placed on the strengthening standing asanas and core exercises, instead of the more internal seated forward bends. However, invoking the transformative energy of Shiva is also quite powerful in the practice of the more internally focused, seated Yoga postures, such as Tortoise Pose. 

* Tortoise Pose or Kurmasana

Kurmasana is also known as Tortoise Pose because it resembles the position of a tortoise when it contracts into its shell. In the same way, by allowing yourself to withdraw your senses from external stimuli during your practice of Tortoise Pose, you will enable yourself a few moments to drop into the creative void within your own heart. From this place, you are afforded the opportunity to witness a spontaneous welling up of inspiration and wisdom from the depths of your own being. 

The physical benefits of Tortoise Pose include profoundly stretching out the shoulders, upper back, neck and groin muscles, in addition to gently stimulating the processes of digestion. Tortoise Pose may also relieve some headaches, as it facilitates the flow of fresh blood and oxygen through the brain. Kurmasana, or Tortoise Pose, is usually practiced towards the end of a Yoga class and prior to Shavasana. As a counter-pose to Kurmasana, it is advisable to practice a back bending Yoga posture, such as Fish Pose, either prior to or just after your practice of Tortoise Pose. When you are ready to practice Kurmasana, come to a comfortable seated position on your Yoga mat. 

If your hips are tight, place a folded blanket underneath you for support. Place your legs in a diamond position with the soles of your feet gently touching. With an inhale; raise your hands over your head in Prayer Position. With your next exhale, bend forward and place your lower arms underneath your calves with the palms of your hands flat on your Yoga mat. If this is not possible today, simply place your hands flat on your mat on the outside of your knees or calves. If you have the flexibility to bind in this pose, clasp your hands behind your back. Hold Kurmasana for three to five complete, full breaths. When you have completed your practice of Tortoise Pose, release the posture and come back to a comfortable seated position on your Yoga mat. 

Virginia Iversen, M.Ed, has been practicing and studying the art of Yoga for over twenty years. She lives in Woodstock, New York, where she works as a writer and an academic support specialist. She is currently accepting Yoga and health-related writing orders and may be contacted at: enchantress108@gmail.com.