A Poem for Star Pose
"To be in star pose is to stand with your heart so open it could feel worthy of taking up any space it needs. ... " from Star Pose by Corie Feiner
This is one of those poems I want to read to random people on the street. And if you know me… you know I have. (Right Kristin?)
At a recent health expo, I read it to vendors working at booths all day, to fellow holistic health practitioners looking to heal what ails you, and to anyone else who seemed like they needed a boost in the form of remembering that they are more than a tired brain taking in information.
At poetry readings in bookstores, I ask the audience to stand up and open their arms to receive the poem. This is often a funny moment, because it is not usual to move at all at bookstore poetry readings.
And when I am lucky enough to share my work at yoga festivals and local yoga studios, I read star pose to rooms full of people on their beloved mats, embodying stars and taking the poem in through their hearts.
Why do I love to practice Star Pose?
I love to practice star Pose because it is my antidote to playing it small. It is my answer to any part of me that feels unworthy. Although there are times in my life when I felt like I had to safeguard my heart, I inadvertently stayed locked in self-protection and it became stifling and lonely. But to learn to open your heart to safety, when you habitually feel unsafe, is a practice. This is where Star Pose comes in…
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.” — ” Marianne Williamson from A Return to Love.
When My Heart First Opened Up
Right around 2001, I was living alone in a sunless apartment in Queens, NY. I worked full-time as a teacher serving students with special needs, had terrible adult onset acne, and had less than a thousand dollars in the bank. With all that, I was in a good place. I had just quit smoking (hard… so hard) and swore off dating to only include men I thought I would want to marry. I got a cat to help with this. She was my snuggle buddy. She peed on the couch and thought my bed was sometimes a litter box, but she was cute and purred in a way that made me smile.
Most importantly, though, and I really want to share this — is that one of my dear writer friends was studying shamanism at the time and continuously invited me to sample sessions. I had never heard of anything like this, done anything like this, but after the first time I worked with her, I realized I needed it.
Maya guided me gently through journeys where I was able to forgive my abortions, forgive my toxic relationships which were tragic imitations of my parent’s young and erratic marriage, and forgive myself. I realized I could heal, truly heal and begin my life again with a heart that could love fully.
I began a love affair with myself that is still going on to this day… and just so you know, a few months after working with Maya, I met my soulmate. He had been there all along… I just had to be ready for him.
I still learn and relearn how to love more deeply every day and take the time to get continuously get to know this Corie creature that I am. But I am worth it. And so are you.
Star Pose
I am not a yoga instructor, so this is not an instruction on how to take the shape of Star Pose. This is an invitation to try your version of taking up space as you read this poem — (But if you do want to learn more about Star Pose, you can read about it here or watch this video.)
Whether you stand in Star Pose or not, I hope you receive this poem in a way that reminds you to take up some space today—
and that you matter.
Star Pose
By Corie Feiner To be in star pose is to stand with your heart so open it could feel worthy of taking up any space it needs. It is to hold your body upright, to spread your arms and legs so wide you can swear they twinkle, your breath shimmering with light. It is to remember that you, too, are made of the same stuff as all star bodies that guide even the most storm-tossed ships back to shore. We have seen the beginning of time over and over again and, each time, it seems like the end, but know this, as you stand there, that you are a wish in someone else’s sky. Sanskrit Name: Utthita Tadasana
“Move how you choose to be, stand how you choose to live” – Mark Walsh
Audio for Paid Subscribers
For my dear paid subscribers, you can listen to me reading Star Pose here.
For my other dear free subscribers, consider upgrading to become a paid subscriber. But if that is not in your script right now, no worries, I am grateful for you all!
Shout out to people who were your wishes in the sky here!
What a wonderful, moving, ending. Thank you for sharing this.
I read this on a rainy day and put it aside. But then, when the sun came out and I was out walking, I found myself in star pose remembering this poem.