Walk like an Egyptian

I have long held a passion for Egyptology. When I was a girl, I couldn't get enough novels about Ancient Egypt, loved reading historical accounts, and imagined myself on an archaeological dig with Indiana Jones. I fancied standing at the base of the Sphinx, and gazing up at its magnificence. I wanted to visit the site of the former library of Alexandria. I pictured being in the presence of the Pyramids and exploring the Valley of the Kings. In short, I daydreamed about all the good, completely letting go of decades of war, inherent violence, slavery, Biblical plagues and political unrest. I simply pictured myself in a beautifully embroidered white tunic, eating dates under a canopy, while Egyptian music played in the background. In short, I imagined myself as a modern day Cleopatra. Not that being Cleopatra ended well for her, that is.

A book I just finished was an extraordinary glimpse into the imagined childhood of Cleopatra and her two half-sisters, Charmian and Iras. Jo Graham's insightful novel, "The Hand of Isis", was an extremely quick read. In less than a day, I felt as if I'd been able to visit with these three young girls, as they imagined their fates, and had been able to be a witness to their undying loyalty to one another as they grew up. Not only was this novel exceptionally entertaining, but since so little thoughts, even fictional ideas, have been written about the young Cleopatra, "The Hand of Isis" gives an intriguing, and entertaining, perspective as to what life might have been like for three sisters. While this book is very much a work of fiction, it also employs historical elements, and 'borrows' bits of the 'traditional' train of thought brought to us, mainly by William Shakespeare. It's my opinion that so much of the writing about Cleopatra has been from the perspective of the men in her life; her father, her brother, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony...even her son's name of Caesarion gives us a medical term that happened to Cleopatra: but was given in terms of the male influence. "The Hand of Isis", though a much shorter read, does for Cleopatra what Marion Zimmer Bradley was able to do with the fictional characters of Helen of Troy and Cassandra in "The Firebrand" (the retelling of the Iliad) and for Morgan le Fey and Guinevere in "The Mists of Avalon" (the retelling of the Arthurian legends). It's always fascinating to take an extremely well known story, and change its perspective. "The Hand of Isis" does just that...given us the women's point of view: not only Cleopatra's, but those of her sisters, as well.

In my Yoga classes, I try to balance the "yin" and the "yang" based poses in our practice. Many classes find themselves with a great deal of one, and very few of the other. Yin based poses are the ones most traditionally associated with men: Warrior I, II and III, Triangle, Crescent, Downward Facing Dog, Eagle, Camel, Saddle, Yogi Squat, Hero, using Ujaii breath and many others that are meant to strengthen one's body and stretch deeper into ones' joints. In Yin poses, we hold the strengthening pose for a longer period of time, and gain endurance. Yang poses are generally more meditative and restorative, yet they can also be evocative of the importance of the female dynamic. So, one may see Half Moon as a more dynamic yang pose, while others like reclining Goddess, Child's pose, Legs up the wall, Savasana, using Kumbhaka Pranyama breath retention, and others, are more restorative. The Yang poses are often inward focused. The Yin poses are outward focused. Therefore, a balance of the two is vital to a well balanced Yoga class. Sphinx pose is one of those special asanas that employs most Yin and Yang elements. The Yin requires back strength and flexibility. The Yang requires a peaceful breath pattern, and a sense of ease.

Wherever we find our passion lies, whether it's yoga, or books, or sports, or cooking, or politics or volunteering, it's always important to look for balance. If we allow our perspectives, and experiences, to be skewed to far in one direction, we will find ourselves without a sense of center. Additionally, we'll be unbalanced in our point of view. Looking at each area of our lives from 'another perspective' can be a life changing process. Of course, life is far more rich when we allow ourselves to have the broadest understanding and range of experiences.

So, take one area of your life, and investigate if you can explore this area from another vantage point. You never know: you may find yourself with some wonderful new insights in your entire being. If nothing else, enjoy the journey.


Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self control. Energy within and energy without. ~Ymber Delecto