That workshop with Ramaswami clarified to me the importance of practicing all limbs of yoga in each practice and so, I've been modifying things.
When I say "the importance", what I mean is that the goal of yoga, eternal utter peace, is achievable, but the concentration (6th limb), followed by longer and longer abilities to keep the mind focused on an object (7th limb) until merging with it (8th limb) will not just happen, it needs as much practice as kurmasana, marichasana D, the drop backs, or being kind to others.
And so yesterday my practice consisted on primary plus intermediate to laghu, but no attempts of dropbacks, for which I was later slapped in the wrist while reading Matthew Sweeney
(what a great book!).
Matthew says that the drop backs need attention, every day, and I knew that. Even James was suggesting we use the futon and he would hold my feet in place -since my legs are probably already strong enough-. But that is for another post.
Then came a longer savasana.
I found out through experimenting that a savasana of over 30 minutes actually restores me to being a bit more balanced, rather than exhausted which is where the practice sometimes leaves me...
Then Pranayama (4th limb), where James and I are doing kapalabathi, neti and some tongue stretching/neck relaxing exercises for preparation and then anuloma or alternate nostril breathing with retention and bandhas (post to follow on that). Reading the pranayama book
from Andre Lysebeth has given me quite a bit of good pointers and inspirations.
Then came pratyahara (5th limb). I am only doing the mudra where you cover your ears, eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Here on the right is Grimmly demonstrating. That is how Ramaswami taught us to do it. There is really not that much to do other than hear the internal rhythms and hopefully go in.
After all of that the mind feels a lot more centered and reading for the 6th limb, dharana, or focusing on an object without memories or fantasies, just what I see. I have been changing the focus from the breath (as I used to do in Vipassana) and into a chakra, but the breath is actually what works better because of force of habit, I believe. So the breath it is.
I get angry sometimes that my focus can only stay single-pointed for no more than one breath. But I trust that with practice it might eventually remain there for longer and longer periods of time, maybe leading me to dhyana (7th limb)... we shall see. Like Goenka (Vipassana) says:
Monday early right now and excited to go at it again. Here we go!
Do you incorporate the other limbs of yoga into your practice?
---
See Also:
Do We Really Need to Prepare Before Pranayama?
32 Unusual Ways to Practice Pratyahara
9 Reasons Why Vipassana is the Best Meditation School Out There These Days
10 Things to Know About Dhyana (Meditation) From B.K.S. Iyengar
When I say "the importance", what I mean is that the goal of yoga, eternal utter peace, is achievable, but the concentration (6th limb), followed by longer and longer abilities to keep the mind focused on an object (7th limb) until merging with it (8th limb) will not just happen, it needs as much practice as kurmasana, marichasana D, the drop backs, or being kind to others.
And so yesterday my practice consisted on primary plus intermediate to laghu, but no attempts of dropbacks, for which I was later slapped in the wrist while reading Matthew Sweeney
(what a great book!).Matthew says that the drop backs need attention, every day, and I knew that. Even James was suggesting we use the futon and he would hold my feet in place -since my legs are probably already strong enough-. But that is for another post.
Then came a longer savasana.
I found out through experimenting that a savasana of over 30 minutes actually restores me to being a bit more balanced, rather than exhausted which is where the practice sometimes leaves me...
Then Pranayama (4th limb), where James and I are doing kapalabathi, neti and some tongue stretching/neck relaxing exercises for preparation and then anuloma or alternate nostril breathing with retention and bandhas (post to follow on that). Reading the pranayama book
from Andre Lysebeth has given me quite a bit of good pointers and inspirations. |
| Grimmly2007.blogspot.com |
After all of that the mind feels a lot more centered and reading for the 6th limb, dharana, or focusing on an object without memories or fantasies, just what I see. I have been changing the focus from the breath (as I used to do in Vipassana) and into a chakra, but the breath is actually what works better because of force of habit, I believe. So the breath it is.
I get angry sometimes that my focus can only stay single-pointed for no more than one breath. But I trust that with practice it might eventually remain there for longer and longer periods of time, maybe leading me to dhyana (7th limb)... we shall see. Like Goenka (Vipassana) says:
"Work ardently, work diligently, you are bound to be successfull".
Monday early right now and excited to go at it again. Here we go!
Do you incorporate the other limbs of yoga into your practice?
---
See Also:
Do We Really Need to Prepare Before Pranayama?
32 Unusual Ways to Practice Pratyahara
9 Reasons Why Vipassana is the Best Meditation School Out There These Days
10 Things to Know About Dhyana (Meditation) From B.K.S. Iyengar
yeah I try to, sometimes forget pratyahara though, which is strange because I've always suspected there's something to that Cinderella limb. The senses so dominant in our lives yet the withdrawal of them gets scarcely a nod.
ReplyDeleteRamaswami said something interesting re dharana, concentrating/focussing, it seems chanting or study of an appropriate text can count, so sometimes I'll chant a little of the yoga sutras, read a few of the notes or the beautiful yogayajnavalkya perhaps rather than just sit. My evening practice tends to have more of a pranayama and sitting meditation focus.
Something to be said for ashtanga chucking everything in the blender, covering all the bases in an hour with the busy lives we lead but if we can find the time it's good tos pend some quality time with the different limbs individually
yeah it is nice... I am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteNever heard that Cinderella comparison for pratyahara, like it. Also like what Ramaswami said, it is true that reading spiritual texts helps, good point.
Great post Claudia. Thanks for inspiring us to think beyond just the asanas. Plus, I had the good fortune of taking a workshop from Matthew, and thought he was fabulous. Thanks for the reminder, I am going to have to dust off the book.
ReplyDeleteHi Domestic Yogi, lucky you that you took that workshop, you are welcome on the reminder, really good book to look at, I go in cycles and always find something new when I come round to it. :-)
ReplyDelete