Yoga For The Dancer: The Various Yoga Disciplines XVIII
Lucid waking is far more important than lucid dreaming. This is the art of living with mindfulness, of being present in each moment throughout the day. Actually, lucid dreaming is an extension of lucid waking. If you become aware in your dream state and not in your awakened state, there is no gain. Lucid waking is achieved in Yoga when you have full awareness of penetrating the illusions and delusions of your ordinary life. Once your mind is cleared of misconceptions and biases, you are free to experience non-ordinary states of consciousness whether awake or asleep.
Power Yoga is the Western World’s interpretation of Pattabhi Joiss Ashtanga Yoga. He and his mentor, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, were studying Sanskrit text in the musty archives of a Calcutta University library in the early 1930's. It was believed all knowledge of the great Sage Patanjali system had been lost. A collection of verses on hatha Yoga was written on a bundle of palm leaves. The manuscript, Yoga Korunta, appeared to be between 500-1500 years old and contained hundreds of Sutras describing different postures and how they should be linked together. The two men reconstructed the six series that are known as Ashtanga Yoga. Krishnamacharya encouraged his student to devote himself to the practice and propagation of the newly uncovered sequences. Power Yoga developed from this Ashtanga Yoga, making it more accessible in the Western World.
Pattabhi Joiss’ slogan is: “Yoga is 99 percent practice and one percent theory.” Teacher David Williams explains, “Before you practice, the theory is useless. After you’ve practiced, the theory is obvious.” The core of the practice consists of six series that get progressively more difficult. The series of linked postures is anywhere from 90 minutes to three hours. A student must be proficient with a series before moving to the next. The first and second are taught in group classes which are becoming more available. To learn the third through sixth you will need private classes. Only a handful have mastered all six, so be careful and check out a teacher’s credentials before studying with them. The series of sequences work like a combination lock. The right poses in the right order automatically open the mind and body.
Each series unlocks particular parts of the body and mind. The first series is referred to as Yoga therapy as it realigns and detoxifies the physical body, in particular the spine. It builds a foundation of physical strength. This is helpful to balance the overly flexible. The intermediate series are cleansing as they purify and strengthens the nervous system and the subtle energy channels that link the seven chakras. The four advanced series relate to divine stability. Originally just two series, these advanced routines were divided into four to make them more accessible. The sequences give higher levels of strength, flexibility, concentration and energy flow than the first two series. The ultimate goal of the six series is to draw the prana (breath) up the central energy channel in the spine to the crown chakra (top of the head). At this point, radical changes in consciousness culminate into an ecstatic meditative state. Here’s To Your Dancing Health!
The Bow
The Bow is an energizing posture for the body. It works the upper body and at the same time the lower body. It makes the spine flexible and tones the abdominal organs. It can also help relieve back problems. The Bow opens the chest and creates flexibility in your shoulders and thighs. Make sure you pull your feet away from the trunk to get your lift and your stretch. Dancer and I disclaim any liabilities or loss in connection with the exercise and advice herein.
1. Begin on your stomach and reach for your right foot with your right hand. Rest on your left forearm as you pull your foot away from the trunk, your right hand is still holding your foot lifting the upper body. Hold 10-20 counts, rest and repeat. Try identical movements with your left side.
2. When you are ready, try holding both feet. Pull the legs away from the trunk lifting your upper body up off the floor. Hold 10-20 counts. Relax and repeat. When you are finished roll onto your back and tuck your legs into your chest to stretch the back out.