Uprightly

You might be familiar with the traditional representation of the Shiva Nataraj, which depicts the Ananda Tandava, the divine dance of Lord Shiva that represents the five ongoing universal processes: creation, maintenance, dissolution, concealment and revelation.

There’s also a rarer version that portrays Shiva upside down, balancing on one arm:

One interpretation of this form is that it represents ultimate freedom. Shiva, as the principle of absolute consciousness, isn’t constrained by the relative world. He embodies the all-pervasive reality that transcends time, space, and even the laws of physics.

Consider how your practice supports you when life feels like it’s turned on its head.

I have always relied on yoga’s supported inversions like Legs up the Wall and Supported Shoulderstand for their soothing, replenishing effects. By reversing gravity’s force in passive, restful way, supported inversions activate the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response. They can also positively impact the endocrine system.
 
Active, effortful inversions like Handstand and Forearm Balance challenge your bones and muscles differently than when you’re working upright. Mentally and emotionally, they help cultivate focus, persistence, and patience, training the mind to stay centered in moments of uncertainty and fear.

Beyond physical postures, yoga’s inward and contemplative practices offer so many ways to develop self-reliance and a healthy detachment from the twists and turns of daily life.

At times, we might even glimpse the freedom embodied by the upside-down Shiva – touching the transcendent reality that lives within us, independent of polarities like up and down, or right and wrong.

All this helps us to live more uprightly - not just physically, but in character. Yoga empowers us to live in integrity and alignment with our values, stay connected to our purpose, and remain motivated to contribute to the betterment of the world.
 
When reality feels upside down, there’s nothing more valuable than knowing how to keep yourself upright.