When you are trying a deep twist or a pose you don't particularly like, do you get your mouth in strange positions? twisting the tongue towards the bottom or side of your inner mouth?
If you do, you are not alone, I used to do this quite a bit. One time in particular I was in Thailand at Teacher Training when an assistant teacher caught me twisting my mouth while in Mari D. I have no idea how he knew I was doing it, x-ray vision? In any event, he saw it, and he told me that was a big no, no.
Tension in the mouth is very much linked to tension in the internal organs. Next time you have a stomach ache (hope you don't but if you do) see what happens to your mouth, it may do a number like the one Rhyanna is doing in that photograph which she probably thought was sexy, or appealing, but from a yogi point of view it clearly shows discomfort of the stomach.
Holding tension inside the mouth is the same as holding it anywhere else in the body, and sometimes we can get tempted because nobody sees the inside of our mouths...
But now we know, secret is out.
Its best to keep the mouth and tongue relaxed, closed lips, ceiling of the palate open.
And as per Rhyanna' we hope her tummy feels better.
Also:
Some Changes to the Primary Series
If you do, you are not alone, I used to do this quite a bit. One time in particular I was in Thailand at Teacher Training when an assistant teacher caught me twisting my mouth while in Mari D. I have no idea how he knew I was doing it, x-ray vision? In any event, he saw it, and he told me that was a big no, no.
 |
| Rhyanna's stomach is probably hurting |
Holding tension inside the mouth is the same as holding it anywhere else in the body, and sometimes we can get tempted because nobody sees the inside of our mouths...
But now we know, secret is out.
Its best to keep the mouth and tongue relaxed, closed lips, ceiling of the palate open.
And as per Rhyanna' we hope her tummy feels better.
Also:
Some Changes to the Primary Series
I didn't realise this until recently but I lick my lips when I'm struggling in a pose. I know I've had a tough session when my lips are red and raw by the end! Got to work on noticing and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteHi Brija, isn't that amazing? I do that too, catch myself in the act! I call it, for me anyways, "going unconscius", as in when I am not giving my full attention... now I make it a point to remember to relax the mouth.. I got to work at that too! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first noticed myself doing this I came up with a mental reminder where I would say to myself in a you-silly-girl tone, "your face is not going to help you get into this posture" :) It would help me laugh at myself, which is always a good way to relax.
ReplyDeleteGood one Jen... and yes humor always works... :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for this. At various times I bring my attention to my tongue, but more commonly I focus on my tense neck and jaw, and I should probably add shoulders to that list. I am sure I tense up my tongue as well, though, and I bet it is causing some of the other tension. Thanks for mentioning this. I am definitely going to pay more attention.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca, good points! :-)
ReplyDelete