Candle Pose + bonus poem

" I hold the heat of a small flame / that can guide the way / through any darkness—" -- Corie Feiner, Candle Pose

Hello yogis, poets, and seekers of inspiration! 

I am particularly excited to share my poem, Candle Pose today. Perhaps it is because here in the northeast, we are still in the tail end of winter and the days are still cold and dark. Or perhaps it is because I sense that we are in a transitional time of rebirth and turmoil and on every level we could use some more light. And then… there is just the beauty of the candle which can turn most any dark moment into one of ceremony, safety, and contemplation. 

Shoulderstand vs. Candle Pose

Although the Sanskrit name for Shoulderstand translates into ”'all body parts pose” it can also be referred to as Candle Pose. When sitting with this poem and looking for how to “enter” it, the metaphor of a candle resonated with me. As I carefully moved my body  into Candle Pose, I asked myself, What would it feel like to embody a candle? What would my anatomy be? How can I embrace what a candle means in both a physical and spiritual way? 

The Pose Itself

I am…