Victory!

I absolutely love this pose when one raises up their arms in the air in a victorious V.

I enjoy the immediate feeling of power and confidence. It is a potent sign for winning athletes, and I didn’t realise I was doing it until one of my students wrote to me: “Nina, your arms are always up in your pictures. Why?”

It wasn’t this way before my illness. It grew in me as I recovered and felt more powerful. When I felt my body reject the cancer, the healing power of the universe swept through me as a beacon of hope and triumph.

I believe that when we listen attentively to our body from the windy precipice of mortality – that far edge beyond which life is either a distant, receding echo or as powerful as spring rains rushing to a sparkling sea – then, in that precarious balance, a voice will speak to us; it will tell us what to do and what is best for us.

Back in the early days of darkness, instead of curling inward and wrapping myself in despair, I opened my chest wide and threw my arms up in the air. In that instant, faith and joy and hope coursed through my poisoned body. That gesture, the simple raising of my arms, released in me the unstoppable energy of the ever-expanding universe.

I welcomed back bravery and courage with a heady determination to live that felt so good, I repeated it again and again. It was magic, my magic, the dimly remembered face of self-power coming into sharp focus, and it flowed through me as unstoppable as any waterfall or river, or the rising of the sun and the moon and stars.

Life finds a way, and I welcomed it! I channelled it through the rising of my arms, a gesture as old as human history.

I began researching this body language phenomenon.

Body posture can easily indicate the emotional and mental state of a person. Arms overhead symbolise victory, joy, power, excitement and pride. Arms and shoulders down in a slumped posture with narrowed chest indicate loss, low energy and a lack of both power and confidence.

I combine the uplifting victory pose with deep breathing and include it in my Qi Gong and laughing yoga classes. It is called the heart to the sky practice. It is simple and easy to do. My clients and students love it. They feel the Qi of power and courage within themselves and they go on to meet the day on their own terms, accomplishing goals they felt were insurmountable.

Stand with your legs wider than your shoulders with your palms together in a prayer position. Your chin is down on your chest. Breath in deeply, and slowly bring your arms up in the air in the V for victory position. Look up, opening your heart to the sky.

Stand tall and strong. Smile and shine your light. See the world before you as full of opportunities. Breathe out all your tension, worries, and stress.

Breathe in the Qi, or energy of the universe.

I like to do this wonderful practice on the edge of our turquoise ocean. We open our arms and see the endless opportunities in front of us, we feel the power to reach the far horizon, we feel bravery to start a new journey.

We enjoy the fresh, salty wind and follow the dance of the longtails, the warmth of the sun and the crash of waves. We breathe in energy, freedom, beauty and opportunities. We find the power within ourselves.

Dear readers, rise up to the blue Bermuda sky and give the V sign for victory!

Nina London is a certified wellness coach, Qigong teacher and laughter leader. Her mission is to support and help cancer patients and survivors and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Contact her at www.ninalondon.com and on Instagram: @coachninalondon