Presence

Joana Oliveira

Matsyendrāsana, the Lord of the fishes pose “The deep twisting of Matsyendrāsana works out karmic kinks. It calls your to “do a 180” where you’re facing the completely opposite direction as your original position. The story of Matsyendra is one of profound reversals where an abandoned boy is raised by the divine itself, where deprivation, denial, and destruction are rendered useful, supportive, spiritually-nourishing qualities. The fullness of this twist renders your vision complete as you gaze directly into your blind spot, with eyes in the back of your head, as it were. This symbolizes diving into the unconscious, as does submergence under water. Matsyendra’s radical transformation is something we’re all capable of, given effort, focus, and right seeing.”