Blog
7/13/11
Yoga is the process of ending the… there isn’t a direct translation of this word- vrtti-the fluctuations, turnings, disturbances- in the chitta- the mindstuff, the fields of consciousness. The image for the unfluctuating mind is like a candle flame in a windless place. Steady, still, unwavering. The control over the body in the poses leads to control over the breath and then to control over the mind.
I like randomly take yoga classes. Or I should say I used to. Now sometimes I get annoyed and the fluctuations in the mind start spinning and that is counterproductive. You know what annoys me when I take a class? When ‘teachers’ use words that no one understands. What is the point of saying engage the mula bandha if half the class has no idea what you are talking about?Why mention the counter-nutation of the sacrum if you’re not sure that everyone in the class even knows where their sacrum is?
I don’t know if it is laziness in not wanting to explain or a feeling of superiority or what. I feel like if a thing is worth mentioning then it’s worth taking the time to explain or at least make sure that every one knows what you are talking about. But then again I have found that most teachers don’t like for their students to ask questions in class. What is up with that? How is one to learn without asking questions? I think a yoga teacher should encourage a dialogue in class, otherwise, stay home, save fifteen bucks and watch a yoga video.
4/14/11 yoga works in mysterious ways
It’s funny the things that the practise of yoga makes easier. I’ve been a part-time actor since high school and the level of physcial control that I have over the body because of the asana translates into the expression of character. When you think about it it makes sense, but I didn’t get into yoga to be a better actor.
Repetitive stress injury is a job hazard of any industry. I’ve been bartending off and on since college. I have a terrible bad habit of locking my legs and arching my lower back while making drinks- leaning into the ice well and over the bar. We all have default patterns that we rely on to get us through stressful situations. The practise of yoga has given me the awarness to realize when a default pattern is working or not and also the ability to change, though I certainly didn’t get into yoga to be a better bartender.
Then there’s the breath. It’s not rocket science. When your pissed off, scared, or anxious it affects your breath. Who would argue that your mental state affects the way you breathe? Yoga works the other way, so smooth even breaths can reset your entire outlook, subtly changing every interaction you have with others and even how you ineract with yourself.
Yoga, it cures what ails ya!
12/23/10 observation
Observing is a tricky thing. As soon as I see something I am apt to think someting about it. Then what I think colors my observation, filtering out somethings and highlighting others. Granted, thinking is a good thing; however, there is a great use in being able to turn the mind off, too.
Watching the breath is a great way to learn to observe. There can be a great deal of technique in mastering control of the breath, but one of the best, hardest things to do is to fix your attention on the breath and the breathing apparatus and wach it go for five minutes. There is a ton of ‘work’ involved in watching the breath. Don’t try to make the breath smooth and long or anything- when you get the urge to take a deep breath do so- but other wise see if you can kontrol your mind enough to make it watch the breath. You will see the monkey mind wants to bounce around and think about other things.
As long as you are still alive and not passing out you are breathing ‘correctly’–so there is no judgement involved in watching the breath. No trying to do anything except watch yourself breathe. You can do this at work, standing, sitting, on the bus, in bed, anywhere except for driving.
Let me know how it goes!
11/17/10 Chairs and Toilets have their drawbacks, too.
Squatting is basic human position. Everybody* should** be able to put their knees in their armpits. There is standing and lying down, and then there is squatting. After a long day walking or standing the squat is perhaps the best antidote, considering every joint in the lower half is doing the opposite of both standing and lying down. The chest is by the thighs- flexion in the hips, the heels are by the ass- flexion of the knees and the shins somewhat closer to the foot- flexion in the ankle.
This full flexion, the hair pin turn of the hips and knees are a part of ‘normal’ range of motion of which chairs and toilets have robbed us! Join me in my Crusade Against Toilets! Just kidding. But do see if you can throw some squatting into your life. Kids? Pets? Looking under the kitchen sink?
As always in the squat, try not to let the knees drift in toward your mid-line, press them out so they point the same way as the toes. And as always always, don’t forget to breathe.
*not really everybody **you shouldn’t say should
11/11/11 I think I think too much
There are so many reasons to practise yoga. I really don’t care very much about flexibility. People always say to me ‘I can’t even touch my toes.’ And I always wonder, why can’t you touch your toes? How do you put your shoes on without touching your feet? All you have to do to touch your toes is bend your knees.
I spend a lot of time in my head. Thinking this and thinking that. Then I think, sometimes all this thinking isn’t really doing me any good. I think if I thought less I’d be better off. Sometimes the brain wants to do it all; however, really most times I want my brain to be quiet. I think I actually only need to think a couple times a day.
The physcial part of yoga, the poses- the asana, is there to give us a chance to control the monkey mind. It’s hard to have free floating anxiety when you are standing on one foot. The poses give me a chance to get out of my head and into my body. They clear the mind of junk and clutter, at least for a little while. It all goes hand in hand, the mind feels better the body feels better.