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Relaxing with Asana
Asana is the use of very
specific physical postures. This is the foundation from which
everything else is built. In fact, without the other techniques
being applied, Hatha Yoga is little more than step or gymnastics.
Only through the use of asana,
vinyasa, bandha,
pranayama, and
drushti can the ultimate
benefits of yoga be gained.
In yoga there are hundreds of postures. This is essential in order
to penetrate the complex, and subtle depths of our neuromuscular
system. Basic postures work more superficially. The more complex the
posture, the more deeply you work. It is counter productive to try,
and master the more complex ones before the basic tensions have been
released by the more simple Asanas.
Sure, you might be able through strength, or flexibility,
determination, or relentlessness to attain the shape of the pose. But
this like everything, has its price. You will never obtain the
freedom that is so much a part of the yoga experience. You are
simply imposing new patterns of force, hardness and tension on old.
It is essential that you work the other way: layer by layer,
stripping away wall after wall that we have built up throughout our
lives.
Every muscle, every organ, joint, and nerve is likely to be
impregnated more, or less, with some kind of tension. Everyone has
their own particular pattern. But, almost all of us suffer from some
sort of restricted functioning of our bodies. Mentally this can
manifest itself as anxiety, worry, obsessiveness, and the like.
On a physical level you can experience hardness in the muscles,
tightness in the joints, dullness in the nerves, stagnation in the
capillaries, and veins. All combine to limit our range of physical,
perceptual, emotional, and intuitive responsiveness. It is imperative
to dissolve the restricting tensions in order to make available
responsiveness,
Asana will challenge the muscles, and joints to access their full
potential. When that potential is realized, blood, and nerve impulses
can flow freely. Each Asana challenges a different network of cells
in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and organs. One by one they work
systematically into every part of the body.
To master a specific Asana means to release a specific pattern of
neuromuscular relationships from all tension. It also means to
supply certain muscles, glands, and organs with oxygen, glucose,
minerals, and energy through the blood flow.
To release even one of these patterns takes time, and constant,
consistent repetition. Repetition of the actions of the Asana,
including asana, vinyasa, bandha, pranayama, and drushti, over, and
over again. It takes time to replace old habits with new. If there
is discontinuity in this repetition the old pattern will reassert
itself. Consistent means to activate the Asana always in the same
manner, involving the correct, judicious use of asana, vinyasa,
bandha, pranayama, and drushti.
As tension begins to leave us, we have an epiphany. Something of
great magnitude is revealed. This is that the body, and mind cannot
be functionally separated. What we find is that each area of
physical resistance, (tension, stagnation, dullness, hardness,
weakness, irritation) embodies an emotional pattern. When the
habituated, physical pattern begins to be released, the emotional
pattern begins to emerge. This means that Asana can, and inevitably
will, bring about an emotional release.
If we do not apply all the techniques this very important process
can also be hindered by our practice. If concerned only with
alignment, developing heat, or powerful breathing, it is easy to
override this process which forces the emotional pattern deeper.
Approach the postures with the deliberation of asana (alignment),
the fluidity of vinyasa, the subtlety of bandha, the rhythm of
pranayama, and the attentiveness of drushti. Then the underlying
emotional pattern will be challenged and released.
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