The Altar has a serious feel to me. I have taken the connection of natural rocks and feathers from my mother, who also uses Byzantine icons. The Altar has room for items that can be contemplated before really starting. Incense lit, gratitude sent to teachers. 

There is a very deliberate sitting that happens for me. The light has its own beauty, through the lines, and on the wall. I can fall into the metal-ness of the metal right away, but I’m just that way. I run the course fast the first time, sometimes. Next, I take a breath at each mark and pace that breath accordingly. I go from top to bottom and then to the top again. Other days I go top to bottom and then bottom to top. Some days I’m fussy in my head and make a complicated system. I will look at all dots first, or all lines first. Sometimes I’m all about the craggy edges and make a full circle around each shape, even if at first it looks more linear that circular. Some days I notice the screws and somedays they are so functional I don’t even see them. I settle into the uncut space on the bottom. There are grinding marks that allow me to move deeper into the metal. When I use the altar, I usually involve yoga, don’t ask me why.