Finding My Way
A Compass for Life
Lately, I’ve gone through a lot of changes, and there are times when I feel a little lost. I get discouraged, doubt myself, and wonder if I’m making the right choices. I start seeking advice from others, but often that only leads to more confusion and frustration. Then, I realize, the most important thing I can do is reconnect with my inner guide—my true north.
The two practices that always point me in the right direction are meditation and yoga. They remind me that all the answers I’m searching for are already within. It’s about reorienting myself, returning to my center, and trusting that inner compass.
One of my favorite poses that symbolizes this is Compass Pose (Surya Yantrasana, or "Sun Instrument Pose"). It’s not only a beautiful and powerful posture but also a reminder of the guiding force in our lives. A compass, after all, always points north. It’s a symbol of purpose—a goal, a dream, or a sense of direction that moves us forward. So, what are you aiming toward?
In Compass Pose, we are invited to stay balanced, open, and aware of all four cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west. This reminds us that everything is interconnected, and we are constantly finding a balance between different areas of our lives—from our work to our relationships to our self-care. The more we practice balance, the better equipped we are to navigate whatever comes our way.
There’s also something so comforting in the idea that, no matter where we’re headed, there’s always a guiding force within us. Even if the path ahead feels unfamiliar, the compass reminds us that there is always direction, always a fixed point we can return to. It’s a beautiful reassurance that, no matter where life takes us, we can always find our way back to ourselves.
At the end of the day, the compass is a powerful reminder that we already have an inner guidance system—our intuition, our heart, our soul—that can help lead us through life’s toughest decisions. When we trust that inner compass, that’s when the real magic happens.
Step-by-Step Guide to Compass Pose
Start with some sun salutations to warm up the body.
Move into standing straddle forward fold and add a twist to each side. Hold the twist for at least five breaths, then fold to center and hold for another five breaths.
Come around to your right leg and into a lizard pose. Then slide your right arm under your right leg out to the side and your left arm out to the side for airplane pose.
Release your hands and shorten your stance straightening the front leg into pyramid pose.
Come back around into straddle pose. Then turn to the back of the mat and repeat lizard pose, airplane, and pyramid on the left side.
Come back to straddle one last time and stretch to each leg (keeping feet facing forward).
Make your way down to sit. Take seated straddle pose, head to knee pose, revolved head to knee pose, and seated spinal twist.
Compass flow Next, come into bound angle pose for five to eight breaths.
Finally, pick up your right bent knee and cradle it in your arms. Then swing the thigh over your shoulder, place your right arm high up underneath (like the airplane pose), and press your right hand into the mat out to the side. Take your left hand, hold onto the right foot from above, and try and extend your leg as you twist your torso to the left and look under your left arm. After 5 breaths let the leg go and try the other side.
Compass pose can feel challenging at first, but with time, it becomes more natural and open—much like the journey of returning to ourselves. As we practice, we learn to trust our inner guidance and listen to our authentic voice. Our compass will always point us in the right direction, as long as we stay aligned with our true north, lead with good intentions, and remain focused. With this approach, we’ll continue moving toward our dreams.
Love this post. And the pose!! Thank you!!