I don't know if Senator McCain would be into trying yoga. Meditation and self-observation tend to create some awareness and make it harder to tell lies. It would be good for him though. For people getting on in years, a regular yoga practice is a great way to stay limber and strong, and keep the brain sharp.
You can tell a lot about a person by the way they act and move in their bodies, both on and off the yoga mat. From the looks of this picture, John McCain could use some yoga time.
With all the stress of the past few weeks and the ones to come, a little daily unwinding and relaxation would be great for Senator McCain. So I've put together a short yoga routine for him that has a restorative focus, good for anyone who has a lot going on, is stressed, or just needs to hit the reset button. Be careful . . . a nap may sneak up on you!
Seated Spinal Twist
Twists are great multi-tasking poses. Twisting lengthens the spine and gets everything moving as far as digestion is concerned. Picture your torso as a towel, with the twisting action wringing out all the bad stuff, leaving you refreshed. Good stuff, my friend.
If you have a hard time focusing in life, you'll also want to practice some balance poses and challenging sequences. Awareness and focus will start coming to you. And if you have a hard time trusting yourself, work on a few tough poses like crow and handstand. It's never too late.
Now for the twist. Place yourself in a comfortable seated position with one leg crossed over the other. Press the foot of your top leg into the ground, and make sure both hips are evenly on the ground. Inhale, lift your opposite arm straight up, and then bring it down as you twist around your leg. Breathe deep into the twist, and exhale as you twist deeper. Stay here for several breaths.
Imagine McCain just wringing out any of those accidental lies or false accusations he might have made, so he can feel better and start fresh. Each time you inhale get a little taller. Added height is good for all political figures. As you exhale, twist deeper.
Restorative Goddess Pose
The name of this position might make the Senator's skin crawl with discomfort on a few levels, but don't worry. This pose isn't referring to a false God or lesbianism. It actually refers to whomever our female hero might be. Like Tina Fey.
We all need restorative yoga, especially now with everything going wacko in the world. There are a lot of simple things you can do in five minutes or less that will leave you feeling de-stressed and recharged. This pose is one of my favorites.
Roll up a blanket and place it lengthwise behind you, starting at the base of your spine. Very carefully lie back on the blanket, letting your arms rest out to the sides of your body. Now bring the soles of your feet together, and let the tension release from your hips. This position is safe and easy for old-timers, and great for everyone to relax those tight muscles.
Nap Time
It's probably getting close to nap-time now, so go ahead and take a break, letting your body ease into sleep. You'll wake up refreshed, cleaned out, and ready to face all the excitement of the next few weeks!