Camel Pose
Every now and then a generation / leaves its home to start something anew / even if the path seems too hard / or too long.
Hello yogis, poets, and seekers of inspiration!
I am super excited to share my poem about Camel Pose today! First off, I just love camels. I mean, the long legs, the lumps, the lips… my whole body shivers with joy and warmth when I think about them. Secondly, I love the idea of embodying a camel. They are strong and sassy and serve as a reminder that life is a journey, not a race. (Even though these tough creatures can run up to 40 mph!)
The Pose
Camel Pose is a dynamic backbend pose that requires mindfulness and care to avoid injury or strain. But when you do consciously move and breathe into this pose with your entire mind, body, and spirit – your spine lengthening fully and your heart opening towards the sky– it can feel…divine.
The Process
I have written so many drafts of this poem, and even as I pulled out what I thought was the final version of it, I went back two drafts and chose that one as the final version instead. I look forward to your thoughts and visceral reactions after you read it. Here you go…
Camel Pose
We stand on our knees and drape
our bodies back into camel pose,
our arms stretched behind us like hindlegs,
our hearts yielding into the humps
that store all the water and fat we will need
to last for days.
On this journey, we cannot be thirsty
for all we do not have, but only love
all that there is to love—
everything we carry, a treasure,
every breath we take a practice
in how far we can go.
Every now and then a generation
leaves its home to start something anew
even if the path seems too hard.
or too long.
Drink now, for every stop along the way
is an oasis, and everything we think we see
may or may not be true.
Since these poems are for you, I would love to hear from you. What journey are you on these days? In what way can you embody a camel?
The Publication Process
I have not sent out my manuscript, A Pose for Every Poem, yet, but, instead, am testing the waters here on Substack and enjoying the process of building this community where I can interact with you all. I am considering monetizing this newsletter and offering a paid subscription. Paid subscribers would, perhaps, gain access to something like audio recordings of the poems, broadsides they can hang in their yoga studios or homes, or to pdfs of certain poems. Is this something you think would be of interest to you or worth it?
More than a book publication, I want these poems to reach you and to help all of us live a more inspired life. So if you know a fellow lover of yoga, poetry, or seeker of higher consciousness, please share:
Also, if you are not subscribed already, to receive these poems and ponderings in your inbox, consider subscribing for free:
Lastly, I am an at-home yogi, so, although I have taught poetry workshops for years, I have not yet ever taught yoga (except to my kids). So, if you are not familiar with Camel Pose, here are two of my favorite websites/journals that explain it beautifully:
Also, here is a link to a Yoga with Adriene video teaching how to practice Camel Pose. Yoga with Adriene is how I got started on my yoga journey. How about you?
I love this poem. I remember doing this pose many years ago (in my 30s) when I practiced and went to classes. Recently I noticed how crooked my body looks (I have a curved spine) and started to do simple stretches reaching/upward motions. I feel that the camel pose would be a great challenge but if I move slow and gently, I may find the way on the journey -- as your beautiful poem does.
"Drink now, for every stop along the way
is an oasis, and everything we think we see
may or may not be true."
I just love this ending! The reminder to pause and take it all in, the reminder to rest and nourish yourself, the hint that maybe what's bothering you isn't even really there ... so much to glean from a single stanza.