Self-adjustments
Naturally, if we wish to increase sensitivity not only to the world around us but ot our inner biopsychic workings, it follows that brain, body and world must be correctly attuned. Sensitized being is called for. Without such Self-purification we find ourselves unreceptive and dulled toward the subtle but vital activity of world and Self. The vibrant symphonic dialogue between them goes unheard. Eventually lack of responsiveness and sensitivity leads to neurosis, psychosic, or outright schizophrenia. And what goes for an individual inevitably goes for society at large. -- Michael Tsarion (Disciples of the Mysterium)
Yoga is about marrying, yoking, or unifying body, mind, and soul. "Being" infers this unification. In Muata Ashby's book, he speaks of it as a liberation from the bondage of human existence. As a tantrika, I have learned that what is meant is not liberation from the existence as sophisticated animals co-habitating with flora, fauna, and elements of the Earth in an ascenionist flee. No, we can enjoy Nature. Liberation is from the ideas we overlay upon Nature-reality that imprison our minds. Michael Tsarion (from the quote above) calls this the "Mysterium". Mind-trappings prevent us from our true liberation found here in Nature. It is a unification, reconnecting, or self-realization that we are an extension of It (and then beyond it).
So, the classes I teach are not about merely "working up a sweat" or simply "getting a good stretch on". I teach yoga, which may mimic at times but is not an exercise class. As Muata Ashby writes, yoga is comprised 5 main disciplines:
- Yoga of Wisdom (Jnana)
- Yoga of Devotional Love (Bhakti)
- Yoga of Meditiation (Kriya)
- Yoga of Selfless Action (Karma)
- Tantric Yoga (includes Hatha, Kriya, Kundalini)
When I teach at studios or retreat centers, the classes are designed around the expectation of the clientele attracted to that space but always address, even if subtly, all disciplines that comprise "Yoga". This is in an effort to give reverence and respect to the many millennia old tradition and to keep a personal integrity as a wisdom keeper in passing down the tradition. This differentiates being a teacher of yoga versus a fitness instructor. Plus, it is the subtlety which is the magic that transforms your life and the gift of yoga practice.
As you may know when you go to a movement based yoga class, like other fitness classes, the teacher gives instructions. Some of the instructions I give are of a more subtle nature with some being conceptual or possibly requiring imagination until your body breaks through a barrier and actually experiences the subtle instruction.
Here are some of the phrases I tend to use most often.
Self Adjustment "Suggestion" Terms Used:
Midline of the Body -- Think "your spinal column". Sometimes I will give a direction to say "keep your elbows in toward the midline of the body". For that particular case I could say "keep them in by your ribs", as an alternative, but I like to teach the "midline of the body" as a concept. This helps with concepts like "moving from the core" aka "starfish" movement.
Lead with the Heart -- I like to teach this specific suggestion as it applies well "off the mat" in addition to "on the mat" (as it should if you want to adopt yoga as a lifestyle).
That Self, smaller than small, greater than great, is hidden in the heart of this creature here -- (Katha Upanishad)
Breathe from the base of the being up -- this is a concept I teach in class that is better understood after I have taught a few specific breathing exercises and mostly concerning: Ashwini, Uddiyana breath, and Oujai (aka "Ocean or Bliss" breath).
Soften into your new length -- In my classes I will sometimes bring you into a series of adjustments that will help you find an overall new length or openness. Sometimes in order to "hold" this new position we are tense. Asana (the Sanskrit word for the yoga postures) means "comfortable and steady". So, I like to remind that the final adjustment once we find a new subtle positioning of the body that is often times more expansive than you were used to holding is to actually relax into it. This can be achieved, like many subtle adjustments, by asking your body to relax and being mentally receptive to the intelligence of your body to answer the request outside of the limitations of your normal mind or previous belief parameters.
Squaring --- Typically if this is suggested it is in relation to "squaring the shoulders" or "squaring hips". What is meant is that you want to have a mental image connection with the shoulder bones and hip bones. This can be first achieved by placing fingers on these points so you can use your mind to assit you later. Squaring means you want to have these points facing forward on your mat so that if you drew a line between them they would create a parrell lines to the top of your mat. Sometimes we are unconsciously turning one shoulder or hip in towards the midlie of the body when we want to rather open, expand our space by rotating that shoulder or hip or all toward the front of the mat, "squaring" them.
Hinge from the Hips -- Many people fold forward by rolling their shoulders to get down. Although this can feel good and may be practiced for it's own benefits, this is not the yogi way to fold. Proper folding that will help you achieve more flexibility over time requires understanding the mechanics of the body. Our hips are a hinge. This is where leading with the heart can also be useful. To fold, we want to lead with the heart (to keep it open and avoid rounding the shoulders), keep a straight back/spine/midline of the body long, as we hinge from the hips. There are specific drills I use to easily teach this technique.
Strike a Mudra -- I will dedicate a full post to "mudra" in the future. For now, what I mean when I say this is that you may wish to find an intentional position with your hand, spontaneously. Most commonly in pictures we see index finger touching the thumb (either the bed of the nail to the side of the thumb or finger tip to thumb tip). This particular mudra symbolizes the connection of Self to Universal Spirit.
Unlike a cardio class, what I would say we are doing in any kind of movement based yoga class is this: Finding length. Making (new) Space. Breathing into Being.
