Yogic References in Madonna's "Frozen" Video

So why did I post Madonna's "Frozen" video? Well, any yogi can see the more obvious yogic references. And anyone listening can hear the message, which is very yogic as well. I, frankly, am obsessed with this video, and here's why: it has all my favorite things...Madonna and her enviable musculature, mehndi, mudras, music, plus the Doberman, the black, the hair, the art. I recently told a friend that if I had to choose one video to represent me, this would be it.

But let's delve a little deeper into the symbolism of this video from a yogic perspective. There are a lot of things going on here:

• Gyan mudra throughout (first instance at 4:14). And it appears she does variations on other mudras in which the fingertips are held in Gyan mudra as part of another mudra.
  
  
• Madonna in Marichyasana (3:48). Not easy to see with the long skirt, but she very gracefully moves right into it. If you click Marichyasana above, you can read more, but here's an excerpt of the history behind this asana:
  
  "Marichi is the son of Brahma and chief of the Maruts, the warlike storm gods. He's one of the seven seers (rishis) or lords of creation (prajapatis), who intuitively "see" and declare the divine law of the universe (dharma)." An interesting choice, of all the asanas out there.
  
  
• Madonna in Child/Balasana (at 1:49) before revealing a hennaed OM in the palm of right hand (1:36), in a semi-Varada mudra. What's interesting about this? Varada mudra is a gesture of giving, of bestowing blessings. OM symbol in the palm of the right hand...a gift to us? Say what you want about her, but she really brought yoga to the forefront, enlightened the masses about it at a time when it wasn't on every street corner.

There's probably a lot more going on than even this, but it's getting late and I'm getting sleepy. But before I go, here's a cool tidbit I learned in doing this research...you can find this info at http://hinduism.about.com/od/omaum/a/meaningofom.htm:

To type an OM symbol on your computer, open MS Word and key in backslash ( \ ) in Wingdings font. It works!

For more information on mudras, see these posts:

• http://theyogaphile.blogspot.com/2007/02/mudra-power.html
• http://theyogaphile.blogspot.com/2007/02/im-in-mudra.html
• http://theyogaphile.blogspot.com/2007/03/mudras-in-christian-imagery.html

While I'm on the Subject of Sting...

Did anyone catch him on the Grammys? He opened the show with the Police (who are reuniting to tour...very cool). He looked fan-freakin'-tastic! Damn! This is a man who is in his mid-50s! He was taught, toned, and on his game. Now, sure, there's no telling if he has partaken of any facial plastic surgery or Botox, but no plastic surgery can produce perfectly sculpted biceps—he and his wife Trudie are admitted yoga fanatics—and have been practicing for years.

Video of Sting at the 2007 Grammys

All I'm saying is, if that's what yoga can do for a man who's had his share of fun and wild living, imagine what it can do for those who live life on the simpler side? It seems to be a key tributary of the fountain of youth. Like Sting, I love that it is a practice that will be with me the rest of my life. Something to balance me, challenge me, inspire me, ground me.

Read more about Sting and yoga:

• Spotlight: Sting, The Soul of the Man, July/August 2002
• The Hollywood Yogis, March 2006
• Sting Writes Foreword for New Book, Yoga Beyond Belief, January 2007

PS: Sting's love of yoga isn't just lip service, either. You can now do a yoga retreat at his lovely little castle in Tuscany, Il Palagio. How cool is that? Note to self: Add that to my list of things to do before I die.