Karen Watson Reeves demonstrates Archer’s Pose while anticipating the upcoming solar eclipse. Photo by Fred Padilla.
By Karen Watson Reeves
As this edition of The Springs Magazine is out for distribution, the Total Eclipse of the Spa will be just days away, an event we have been anticipating and planning for many months. Signs, posters, flyers, eclipse glasses, and conversations all build up the excitement. I hope our residents and visitors have heeded the advice of our city leaders and stocked up and prepared accordingly.
Another name for this month’s featured yoga pose is Shooting Bow Pose, as the body is in a position of a bow, readying to release the arrow toward the intended target. It seems many thousands of people have set their aim for Hot Springs National Park to witness the totality of the sun’s eclipse.
Just like we prepare and plan and set goals for big events, our body must prepare to practice Archer’s/Shooting Bow Pose. Poses that stretch the hamstrings and open the pelvis aid the practitioner in opening the hips and pelvic regions enough to get into the posture.
Other benefits include strengthening the core and improving flexibility in the legs and arms. Deeper breathing is another perk of practicing and holding this pose for several breaths, as the chest is opening and the lungs have room to expand.
Practice, practice, practice is what is required to get into yoga poses. We set our goal, we take aim at what we desire, and we stick with it. Practice and patience are required for many of our lofty goals. Think about what you desire, set your goal, aim high. And then in the words of Kacey Musgraves, “Follow your arrow wherever it points.”
As your eyes point toward the sky on April 8, be safe, wear protective glasses, and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. For more information about her studio and her schedule of classes, www.theyogaplacehs.com.
