|
Home > Archive > Yoga > January 2006 > My new...thing
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
|
|
| Dave K 2005-12-31, 11:04 am |
|
Ok this is NOT a new years resolution. Nobody keeps resolutions....
So, it just happens to be something I'm going to start doing every day
starting tomorrow. And if I tell all you folks then I have to do it.
Starting at 5:00 am (this hurts for me!) I'm going to do 30 minutes of
yoga type stuff followed by 30 minutes of zazen. Man.. how wonderful
it would be to do this every day.
I think I will start with the standing pose (whatsitcalled?) and some
pranayama breathing.
Then I will progress into some sun salutations. Not sure exactly how
many. 5 or 10 or more. Slowly and carefully.
Triangle Pose, Hero pose, Back Stretch and Hamstring Stretch(I don't
know the official name. You lie on your back and pull your leg towards
you, then up). Boat pose, Tree pose. Then I will do some
Shoulder/headstands. I'm ultimately aiming for a good headstand, but
can't do that for long, so shoulder stands will do in the meantime. I
guess that's how it starts out right?
Then 30 minutes zazen.
| |
|
|
Dave K wrote:
> Ok this is NOT a new years resolution. Nobody keeps resolutions....
> So, it just happens to be something I'm going to start doing every day
> starting tomorrow. And if I tell all you folks then I have to do it.
do it in a natural way... Don't force it....
In yoga we have no resolution... It looks like we are taking the place
of God.
It's the opposite, we are quite aware to what God is triyng to tell us,
and just open the door
>
> Starting at 5:00 am (this hurts for me!) I'm going to do 30 minutes of
> yoga type stuff followed by 30 minutes of zazen. Man.. how wonderful
> it would be to do this every day.
Don't FORCE yourself to be awake at 5:00 AM
If it HURTS you, well, it's NOT yoga....
Be with your tempo....
Buddha said, take the middle path....
Don't be very comfortable (lazy), but don't force yourself too much
either...
>
> I think I will start with the standing pose (whatsitcalled?) and some
> pranayama breathing.
tadasana
>
> Then I will progress into some sun salutations. Not sure exactly how
> many. 5 or 10 or more. Slowly and carefully.
>
> Triangle Pose, Hero pose, Back Stretch and Hamstring Stretch(I don't
> know the official name. You lie on your back and pull your leg towards
> you, then up). Boat pose, Tree pose. Then I will do some
> Shoulder/headstands. I'm ultimately aiming for a good headstand, but
> can't do that for long, so shoulder stands will do in the meantime. I
> guess that's how it starts out right?
>
> Then 30 minutes zazen.
I am trying to understand your program, but I am not able...
Have you taken it from somewhere?
| |
| Dave K 2005-12-31, 11:04 am |
|
moon wrote:
> Dave K wrote:
>
>
> do it in a natural way... Don't force it....
> In yoga we have no resolution... It looks like we are taking the place
> of God.
> It's the opposite, we are quite aware to what God is triyng to tell us,
> and just open the door
>
>
> Don't FORCE yourself to be awake at 5:00 AM
> If it HURTS you, well, it's NOT yoga....
When I say "hurts" I am speaking figuratively as I do not like waking
up. But if I do not establish a regular time it won't happen for me,
and morning is the most logical. I don't really care if it's not yoga,
it's just what I'm going to do.
> Be with your tempo....
> Buddha said, take the middle path....
> Don't be very comfortable (lazy), but don't force yourself too much
> either...
When we speak of the Middle path you have to understand the extremes
the Buddha had been at when he spoke of it. He had faced the extreme
ends of asceticism and indulgence in sensual pleasure.
But also, what we consider the "middle" today would still be indulgence
to him. Consider that I get up, the coffee is made automatically, I
use toilet which is in my nice warm house which takes all the nasty
stuff outside away from me. Nice warm shower. Most of us are living
like a king.
So, understand that this is not a matter of force, but making a
commitment to do something.
>
> tadasana
>
>
>
> I am trying to understand your program, but I am not able...
> Have you taken it from somewhere?
The basic rationale behind the routine is that it is something geared
towards making zazen more natural. tadasana and Sun salutes seemed to
be a basic and natural part to start off with.
The next few poses were just things I found that I seemed to like.
The balance poses seem to help with concentration. You have to pay
attention in order to maintain balance.
And as we've discussed before, inverted poses seem to help with the
concentration aspect.
When I'm doing zazen, I just sit! 
-DaveK
| |
| NBennett 2005-12-31, 11:04 am |
| very cool dave. i think you'll like your new routine. i get up at 5am and do
20 minutes of yoga each morning. that's all the time my busy morning will
allow. i found that it makes a huge difference in my day. i face the day
more grounded, calmer and, despite what the day throws at me, i always know
that i had 20 minutes all to myself, doing exactly what i wanted to do. i
guess its a control thing, but it works for me. a typical 20 min for me
consists of breathing/centering my thinking, bit of chanting, cobblers pose,
a small cat/dog, downward dog, child's pose vinyasa, half bridge, some
twists and a few minutes savasana with lavender eyebag. sometimes i do one
VERY slow sun salutation, balancing, then the savasana. i do shoulder stands
too, hoping one day to get to headstands.
seriously, that 20 min makes such a difference in my day. when i decide to
give myself a treat and sleep in instead, i seem to be off kilter for my
whole day.
your routine sounds great. a whole hour would be great. let us know how you
feel when you settle into this routine.
nancy
"Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1136040362.500293.265150@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> Ok this is NOT a new years resolution. Nobody keeps resolutions....
> So, it just happens to be something I'm going to start doing every day
> starting tomorrow. And if I tell all you folks then I have to do it.
>
> Starting at 5:00 am (this hurts for me!) I'm going to do 30 minutes of
> yoga type stuff followed by 30 minutes of zazen. Man.. how wonderful
> it would be to do this every day.
>
> I think I will start with the standing pose (whatsitcalled?) and some
> pranayama breathing.
>
> Then I will progress into some sun salutations. Not sure exactly how
> many. 5 or 10 or more. Slowly and carefully.
>
> Triangle Pose, Hero pose, Back Stretch and Hamstring Stretch(I don't
> know the official name. You lie on your back and pull your leg towards
> you, then up). Boat pose, Tree pose. Then I will do some
> Shoulder/headstands. I'm ultimately aiming for a good headstand, but
> can't do that for long, so shoulder stands will do in the meantime. I
> guess that's how it starts out right?
>
> Then 30 minutes zazen.
>
| |
| Dave K 2005-12-31, 11:04 am |
|
NBennett wrote:
> very cool dave. i think you'll like your new routine. i get up at 5am and do
> 20 minutes of yoga each morning. that's all the time my busy morning will
> allow. i found that it makes a huge difference in my day. i face the day
> more grounded, calmer and, despite what the day throws at me, i always know
> that i had 20 minutes all to myself, doing exactly what i wanted to do. i
> guess its a control thing, but it works for me. a typical 20 min for me
> consists of breathing/centering my thinking, bit of chanting, cobblers pose,
> a small cat/dog, downward dog, child's pose vinyasa, half bridge, some
> twists and a few minutes savasana with lavender eyebag. sometimes i do one
> VERY slow sun salutation, balancing, then the savasana. i do shoulder stands
> too, hoping one day to get to headstands.
> seriously, that 20 min makes such a difference in my day. when i decide to
> give myself a treat and sleep in instead, i seem to be off kilter for my
> whole day.
> your routine sounds great. a whole hour would be great. let us know how you
> feel when you settle into this routine.
> nancy
Yeah, it really doesn't take that much, does it? 30 minutes is more
than enough. I will also be sipping coffee during that time! The key
is to start moving without thinking as soon as I get out of bed.
Otherwise I start thinking of reasons why NOT to do it.
It will probably change after awhile, but I think I have a good start.
| |
| omjaroo 2005-12-31, 12:58 pm |
| Hi Dave,
>I'm going to start doing every day starting tomorrow.
I hope you meant "now". We all know that tomorrow never comes :-)
Good luck!
Jared
| |
| Dave K 2005-12-31, 12:58 pm |
|
omjaroo wrote:
> Hi Dave,
>
>
> I hope you meant "now". We all know that tomorrow never comes :-)
>
> Good luck!
>
> Jared
Well I'm at work until 8:00 and it takes me an hour to get home, so I
have a good excuse today.. I'll do some stuff tonight but not the full
hour.
| |
|
|
Dave K wrote:
>
> When I say "hurts" I am speaking figuratively as I do not like waking
> up. But if I do not establish a regular time it won't happen for me,
> and morning is the most logical. I don't really care if it's not yoga,
> it's just what I'm going to do.
then it's ok. if you feel that 5:00 is your tempo...
>
> When we speak of the Middle path you have to understand the extremes
> the Buddha had been at when he spoke of it. He had faced the extreme
> ends of asceticism and indulgence in sensual pleasure.
>
> But also, what we consider the "middle" today would still be indulgence
> to him.
.....yes, but. Yoga is an individual path. You have to see it at YOUR
middle path. Not Buddha's middle path...
We can' be following the destiny of someone else....
> Consider that I get up, the coffee is made automatically, I
> use toilet which is in my nice warm house which takes all the nasty
> stuff outside away from me. Nice warm shower. Most of us are living
> like a king.
>
> So, understand that this is not a matter of force, but making a
> commitment to do something.
>
>
tadasana is good to start
[vbcol=seagreen]
sun salutation is a set of a complete program. carefully designed. It
has also the benefits of warming up....
[vbcol=seagreen]
Boat pose = Navasana ?
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/489_1.cfm
try to call the same names of this site. It would be easier us to help
you...
and then insert links....
[vbcol=seagreen]
>Tree pose. Then I will do some
>
>
> The basic rationale behind the routine is that it is something geared
> towards making zazen more natural. tadasana and Sun salutes seemed to
> be a basic and natural part to start off with.
>
> The next few poses were just things I found that I seemed to like.
>
> The balance poses seem to help with concentration. You have to pay
> attention in order to maintain balance.
>
> And as we've discussed before, inverted poses seem to help with the
> concentration aspect.
>
> When I'm doing zazen, I just sit!
>
> -DaveK
Its ok your feelings. the order is also ok
But, there are three important group of asanas I am not able to see
there.
Would you like to introduce them?
- forward bendings
- back bendings
- twistings
the ideia is to help to unblock the energy along the spine...
| |
| Dave K 2006-01-01, 11:01 am |
|
moon wrote:
> Dave K wrote:
>
>
> then it's ok. if you feel that 5:00 is your tempo...
Woohoo! I did it.
Actually 5:00 is when my body seems to want to get up. But I always
(used to) sleep in for an extra hour or so, then I feel miserable. So
it worked out.
>
> ....yes, but. Yoga is an individual path. You have to see it at YOUR
> middle path. Not Buddha's middle path...
>
> We can' be following the destiny of someone else....
For me it is the same thing. We have to appreciate what we have and
realize that many of us are living like a king 90% of the time.
>
> tadasana is good to start
>
>
> sun salutation is a set of a complete program. carefully designed. It
> has also the benefits of warming up....
>
>
>
> Boat pose = Navasana ?
>
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/489_1.cfm
Yes, that's the one.
>
> try to call the same names of this site. It would be easier us to help
> you...
> and then insert links....
So, after the sun salutations:
Triangle: Utthita Trikonasana
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494_1.cfm
(Mine doesn't quite look like that yet..)
Warrior Pose (I said Hero, meant warrior): Virabhadrasana I
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1708_1.cfm
Supta Padangusthasana (I was calling it back and hamstring)
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/483_1.cfm
Tree:Vrksasana
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496_1.cfm
Supported shoulder stand:Salamba Sarvangasana
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/480_1.cfm
Supported Headstand: Salamba Sirsasana
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481_1.cfm
Whew. There they are.
<snip>
> Its ok your feelings. the order is also ok
> But, there are three important group of asanas I am not able to see
> there.
> Would you like to introduce them?
> - forward bendings
> - back bendings
As far as I can tell this is part of the Sun salutation, isn't it?
Because when I begin it I am bending back, then bending forward, etc.
> - twistings
Yes, I guess I am missing that. What should I try?
> the ideia is to help to unblock the energy along the spine...
Makes sense.
Thanks for your help people. One day down. It actually took about 20
minutes, 30 is a bit much. So I did zazen for 40 which is better for
me anyway.
-DaveK
| |
|
|
Dave K wrote:
> So, after the sun salutations:
>
> Triangle: Utthita Trikonasana
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494_1.cfm
>
> (Mine doesn't quite look like that yet..)
>
> Warrior Pose (I said Hero, meant warrior): Virabhadrasana I
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1708_1.cfm
>
> Supta Padangusthasana (I was calling it back and hamstring)
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/483_1.cfm
>
> Tree:Vrksasana
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496_1.cfm
>
> Supported shoulder stand:Salamba Sarvangasana
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/480_1.cfm
>
> Supported Headstand: Salamba Sirsasana
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481_1.cfm
>
> Whew. There they are.
>
>
here's another link
http://www.santosha.com/asanas/
the hero is another pose:
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/490_1.cfm
but my concept of it, is something diferent, similar to this one (just
the legs):
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/689_1.cfm
As you can see, there lots of misunderstandigs.
That's why I proposed to insert links....
>
> <snip>
>
>
> As far as I can tell this is part of the Sun salutation, isn't it?
> Because when I begin it I am bending back, then bending forward, etc.
>
>
>
> Yes, I guess I am missing that. What should I try?
>
>
> Makes sense.
>
the purpose of yoga is to help the kundalini arousal, if it happens....
I would say most people won't never experience it...
Or experience it painfully, because they have too many blockages.
If it happens, you have to make sure, all the energy along spine is
unblocked.
in my opinion, those groups of poses, are the core of hatha yoga, to
unblock spine.
could be in this order:
- lateral bendings
- forward bendings
- back bendings
- twistings
- inverted
and of course you'll have also balancing etc...
don't you want to try that book of Satyananda?
| |
|
|
| Dave K 2006-01-01, 11:01 am |
|
moon wrote:
> Dave K wrote:
>
>
>
> here's another link
> http://www.santosha.com/asanas/
>
> the hero is another pose:
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/490_1.cfm
>
> but my concept of it, is something diferent, similar to this one (just
> the legs):
> http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/689_1.cfm
>
>
> As you can see, there lots of misunderstandigs.
> That's why I proposed to insert links....
>
>
>
> the purpose of yoga is to help the kundalini arousal, if it happens....
> I would say most people won't never experience it...
> Or experience it painfully, because they have too many blockages.
>
> If it happens, you have to make sure, all the energy along spine is
> unblocked.
> in my opinion, those groups of poses, are the core of hatha yoga, to
> unblock spine.
> could be in this order:
> - lateral bendings
> - forward bendings
> - back bendings
> - twistings
> - inverted
>
> and of course you'll have also balancing etc...
>
> don't you want to try that book of Satyananda?
I will! It is one of the things on my list of books to buy. I got
some christmas money so I might get it soon. I haven't bought any
books yet. I have just been looking at stuff for free online and
asking you folks.
More twisting as you say will be good. I'll develop this as I go
along. It's just good I got started doing something. It was so much
easier to sit this morning after the whole routine.
| |
|
| considering, that the most important goal of yoga is to let energy flow
along the spine.
let's define a rule...
while practicing asanas, have in mind it....
focus your spine, while perfecting each asana
try to maintain spine straight, when possible, but don't force much,
let the energy flow
look at spine as the main axis of everything, from coxyx to the top of
your head...
| |
|
| On 2006-01-01 08:29:42 -0800, "moon" <moon_lune_lua@yahoo.co.uk> said:
> considering, that the most important goal of yoga is to let energy flow
> along the spine.
> let's define a rule...
>
> while practicing asanas, have in mind it....
> focus your spine, while perfecting each asana
> try to maintain spine straight, when possible, but don't force much,
> let the energy flow
> look at spine as the main axis of everything, from coxyx to the top of
> your head...
The most important goal of yoga is cessation of the fluctuations of the
mind. It says so in the second sutra of the Yoga Sutras. It seems to
be the subtext of all yogic writings I have read.
The spine is important, but one needs to take a holistic approach. All
parts of the body are integrated into the whole. For example if one
takes Tadasana without proper attention to the position of the feet,
the spine will be compromised, as will be other parts of the body.
Its all a giant complex interconnect. An adjustment to the feet can
affect the lungs for example.
To focus on the spine is to miss the point of hatha yoga, which is
literarily translated as sun-moon integration. Once the equanimity of
the pose is found, integration takes place. The mind settles.
Rather than focusing on the spine, a better indicator is the breath.
An open balanced spine will allow the breath to move effortlessly.
With this effortlessness in the breath (even in "difficult poses)
tension in the jaw, eyes, and shoulders will release. Alignment of
all the bones in the body (not just the spine) contribute to this
creation of space.
--
~Stu
| |
|
| On 2005-12-31 10:16:25 -0800, "Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> said:
>
> omjaroo wrote:
>
> Well I'm at work until 8:00 and it takes me an hour to get home, so I
> have a good excuse today.. I'll do some stuff tonight but not the full
> hour.
Your routine is very close to mine. I don't always do exactly the same
poses though. I break them up into standing poses, sitting, inversions
and backbends and twists. In that order. In the morning I find myself
"spacing out" when do anything on my back, like those bent knee to
chest stretches so I stay away from that.
An excellent "course" of sequences can be found in the back of
Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". He mixes them up nicely.
The yoga times out to be a full hour with at least 20 minutes of
meditation. If time is a problem, I cut down the asana time. I very
rarely miss my meditation. My teacher stresses the importance of no
letting the routine become a routine. She feels it is important to mix
up the practice often, to see the body from different perspectives.
I find that coffee or tea has an adverse effect on my meditation practice.
I always meditate again in the afternoon. Very often in the evening I
will do restoratives and pranayama before bed for 30 to 40 minutes.
This has been my routine for over 30 years.
--
~Stu
| |
| Dave K 2006-01-03, 1:11 am |
|
Stu wrote:
> On 2005-12-31 10:16:25 -0800, "Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> said:
>
>
> Your routine is very close to mine. I don't always do exactly the same
> poses though. I break them up into standing poses, sitting, inversions
> and backbends and twists. In that order. In the morning I find myself
> "spacing out" when do anything on my back, like those bent knee to
> chest stretches so I stay away from that.
>
> An excellent "course" of sequences can be found in the back of
> Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". He mixes them up nicely.
>
> The yoga times out to be a full hour with at least 20 minutes of
> meditation. If time is a problem, I cut down the asana time. I very
> rarely miss my meditation. My teacher stresses the importance of no
> letting the routine become a routine. She feels it is important to mix
> up the practice often, to see the body from different perspectives.
>
> I find that coffee or tea has an adverse effect on my meditation practice.
>
> I always meditate again in the afternoon. Very often in the evening I
> will do restoratives and pranayama before bed for 30 to 40 minutes.
>
> This has been my routine for over 30 years.
> --
> ~Stu
The main thing right now is establishing the habit, getting up early,
and doing something. So as the year progresses I will polish things
and develop and refine the routine. Right now I'm just happy that I
did it two days in a row. I'm really enjoying this morning time, when
everything is peaceful, still dark even.
| |
|
| On 2006-01-02 16:19:53 -0800, "Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> said:
>
> The main thing right now is establishing the habit, getting up early,
> and doing something. So as the year progresses I will polish things
> and develop and refine the routine. Right now I'm just happy that I
> did it two days in a row. I'm really enjoying this morning time, when
> everything is peaceful, still dark even.
There is a terrific book about the Holyman Krichanamacharya written by
his son called Health, Healing and Beyond. He would begin his rituals
at 3 in the morning and be done with them by 8 am when he started
receiving students. Sounds like your on the right track.
--
~Stu
| |
| Dave K 2006-01-03, 11:02 am |
|
Stu wrote:
> On 2006-01-02 16:19:53 -0800, "Dave K" <dkotschess@yahoo.com> said:
>
>
> There is a terrific book about the Holyman Krichanamacharya written by
> his son called Health, Healing and Beyond. He would begin his rituals
> at 3 in the morning and be done with them by 8 am when he started
> receiving students. Sounds like your on the right track.
> --
> ~Stu
Yikes. 5:00 is plenty!
| |
|
|
Stu wrote:
> On 2006-01-01 08:29:42 -0800, "moon" <moon_lune_lua@yahoo.co.uk> said:
>
>
> The most important goal of yoga is cessation of the fluctuations of the
> mind. It says so in the second sutra of the Yoga Sutras. It seems to
> be the subtext of all yogic writings I have read.
the only way to stop fluctuations of the mind is to have NO goal.
Fluctuations of the mind are only cessed, when there is no pretention,
to reach anything...
I don't memorize yoga sutras. that's a mental work
I try always to talk about my own experiences, and then I compare them
by reading something else
>
> The spine is important, but one needs to take a holistic approach. All
> parts of the body are integrated into the whole. For example if one
> takes Tadasana without proper attention to the position of the feet,
> the spine will be compromised, as will be other parts of the body.
> Its all a giant complex interconnect. An adjustment to the feet can
> affect the lungs for example.
yes
but by paying to much attention to the details, will be dispersing
attention.
if we focus spine, all the rest comes naturally. That's my experience
about the subject.
>From time to time I check some detail, but no more that that.
When I say focus the spine, is just when we are perfecting the asana;
till we reach a stable point. After feeling the spine is aligned
(depending on the pose), we may feel free to focus whatever we want to.
>
> To focus on the spine is to miss the point of hatha yoga, which is
> literarily translated as sun-moon integration. Once the equanimity of
> the pose is found, integration takes place. The mind settles.
> Rather than focusing on the spine, a better indicator is the breath.
> An open balanced spine will allow the breath to move effortlessly.
> With this effortlessness in the breath (even in "difficult poses)
> tension in the jaw, eyes, and shoulders will release. Alignment of
> all the bones in the body (not just the spine) contribute to this
> creation of space.
> --
> ~Stu
Each of us will focus, what him/her is best to focus. If there is need
to focus anything.
In my case, I don't find natural to focus on breath. Because it already
comes naturally.
I feel that focus my breath is to go one step back... I would prefer to
feel the space i have already inside me, enjoy the pose, instead of
focus anything.
| |
| Dave K 2006-01-04, 6:03 pm |
|
moon wrote:
> Stu wrote:
>
> the only way to stop fluctuations of the mind is to have NO goal.
> Fluctuations of the mind are only cessed, when there is no pretention,
> to reach anything...
> I don't memorize yoga sutras. that's a mental work
> I try always to talk about my own experiences, and then I compare them
> by reading something else
>
>
>
> yes
> but by paying to much attention to the details, will be dispersing
> attention.
> if we focus spine, all the rest comes naturally. That's my experience
> about the subject.
>
> When I say focus the spine, is just when we are perfecting the asana;
> till we reach a stable point. After feeling the spine is aligned
> (depending on the pose), we may feel free to focus whatever we want to.
>
>
> Each of us will focus, what him/her is best to focus. If there is need
> to focus anything.
> In my case, I don't find natural to focus on breath. Because it already
> comes naturally.
> I feel that focus my breath is to go one step back... I would prefer to
> feel the space i have already inside me, enjoy the pose, instead of
> focus anything.
I think you are right moon. I also think there is really no conflict
between what you and Stu are saying. I think you're talking about
means and he is talking about ends.
It's the same as in my zen practice. I can't stop my thinking, but I
can put all my attention, my entire being into my breath, and in doing
so the thoughts will stop on their own. I think in your case, working
on the spine is just another means like working on the breath. The
thing is to put all your attention into something. Breath, spine,
work, running, it really doesn't matter what you do.
Speaking of the spine, I think I am starting to feel what you are
talking about. Mostly my lower back feels better. It feels like less
of a burden. Usually I feel like I am carrying my back around with
me... like it's in the way of my body. But now it's kind of
disappearing. It feels lighter, like it's not in the way. I hope that
makes sense!
| |
|
|
Dave K wrote:
>
> I think you are right moon. I also think there is really no conflict
> between what you and Stu are saying. I think you're talking about
> means and he is talking about ends.
>
> It's the same as in my zen practice. I can't stop my thinking, but I
> can put all my attention, my entire being into my breath, and in doing
> so the thoughts will stop on their own. I think in your case, working
> on the spine is just another means like working on the breath. The
> thing is to put all your attention into something. Breath, spine,
> work, running, it really doesn't matter what you do.
>
here the "focus" may have many meanings.
In my case, i used the term focus, in two ways:
- paying attention to the perfection of the pose. It means that yoga
is not just stretching. We have to be aware that most of our energy
runs up the spine, and we are unblocking all the knots. By paying
attention to the spine while we are perfecting the pose means that you
are letting energy flow....
- focus the energy of the spine going up; is also a "technique", that
helps the proper flow of energy; either you believe or not. Just the
fact of trying to visualize it flowing, it is already a way to help iy
flow. That's just one more technique like focus the flow of the breath.
We may try either to focus the breath or visualize the energy, it
depends on people.
Not everyone is equal. There are people that have better results,
either:
a- focus the breath;
b- visualize the energy flow;
c- focus the vibration of sound; or
d- feel the energy
In my case, I feel better c- and d-, but sometimes I also try to
visualize.....
Here's a book a I have:
(and I have been in a workshop about the subject)
Prana, Prananyama, Pranavidya
http://www.yogamatters.com/acatalog..._top_texts.html
Pranavydia is an advanced practice, in which we visualize the energy
going up through Pindala, since mooladara to ajna chakra, and then down
via sushuma; together with the breath... (visualization together with
breathing --> two powerful practices together)
But that is an advanced practice, I am not meaning you should do it...
That's just to show you the power of visualization.....
> Speaking of the spine, I think I am starting to feel what you are
> talking about. Mostly my lower back feels better. It feels like less
> of a burden. Usually I feel like I am carrying my back around with
> me... like it's in the way of my body. But now it's kind of
> disappearing. It feels lighter, like it's not in the way. I hope that
> makes sense!
Still talking about that book, and the power of visualization.....
The power of pranavydia, in its advanced practices, means we are able
to "send" good energy to an area with some disease, and heal it....
Just by visualizing we are sending the energy....
It looks like you are in your way, to heal yourself....
| |
|
| "Speaking of the spine, I think I am starting to feel what you are
talking about. Mostly my lower back feels better. It feels like less
of a burden. Usually I feel like I am carrying my back around with
me... like it's in the way of my body. But now it's kind of
disappearing. It feels lighter, like it's not in the way. I hope that
makes sense! "
Seeing it from another angle:
It looks like you are unblocking the "knots" of you're lower back...
Are you doing, forward, backs ant twistings?
(I presume: YES....)
| |
|
| |
|
|