Gazing out over Lake Atitlán, the horizons are far and wide and dramatic. They engender wider perspectives on life and the world beyond immediate view.
In floaty San Marcos, the air is eclectic, and perspectives are many, manifesting themselves in mind and body healing modalities such as cranio-sacral, chiropractic, shamanism, yoga, Mayan Temascal, Ayurveda, Samatha, Vipassana, Reiki, Shambala, Chi Nei Tsang, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Tarot, even Kambo (frog secretion), and more...
With no disrespect to adherents of such practices everywhere, at least whilst here on the lake I prefer to practise my karma closer to home with a casual and very flexible morning routine. Swivel stretches work for me, prompted by deep inhalations, deep exhalations... Starting with the toes, through heels and ankles, knees, sexual core, hips, solar plexus, hands, elbows, shoulders, chest, neck, face, brow, and finally head, the energy of the outside world enters the body from the earth below. It is channeled through its length and breadth and, after its journey through the body's energies, is released through the top of the head to the sky above, all through swirling motions along the way. En route, the outside world cleanses and motivates the body, and enlivens mind, spirit and soul. Ancient cultures know that all living things carry a life force with them; they call the centres of energy that move inside of us the seven chakras. They are the Root, the Sacral, the Solar Plexus, the Heart, the Throat, the Third Eye, and the Crown.
A wonderful way to start the day immersed in this magnificent landscape - with profound gratitude and integration.
