Last week I had the rare opportunity to be a student and practice yoga in a group class. The instructor made the emphatic point that we do not pray in yoga. I was immediately intrigued. "When we put our hands together it is considered a mudra (gesture) and not 'prayer' hands".

The mudra or hand gesture of two hands pressed together is called Anjali mudra in Sanskrit. The word Anjali translates to offering. The instructor went on to say that when we come to our mat we are offering something to the group. I appreciated his explanation, not because it was satisfying but because it made me wonder. It made me curious, and investigative. What is a prayer?

What is a prayer if not an offering of your hearts desire? An offering of humility, of gratitude, love, respect, beauty, and grace. When we come together as hands do to pray, we offer fuel to the fire that illuminates our deepest longing. When we place our eyes upon our beloved are we not engaged in a prayer or an offering? In conversation, when we lay our words next to the words of a friend, or beside the inquisitive question of a child can we recognize that connection as a prayer, a practice, an offering?

I long to live a luscious life! My prayer is that I can offer all that I have when we meet. I pray that I can relinquish my fears and love you.
Remain curious, investigative, and intrigued by this beautiful embodied experience we call life.

Peace,
Stacy