Audio Relaxation Jan 2016

Why do Dog Pose?

I love the Sanskrit names for yoga postures. Adho Mukha Svanasana is one of the better known postures, often, dare I say it, referred to as Down Dog. Aah the sacrilige! Its like calling your beloved "the wife". Lets open ourselves to these sanskrit names after all how many times have you worked hard in the pose in class? Is not the name part of the life of the posture?

There is a Classic Book on Yoga by Mr BKS Iyengar. It is called Yoga Dipika, translated as Light on Yoga. It has 600 photos of classical yoga postures with instructions and the benefits. Here is what is written for one of the most practiced postures in modern yoga.

Adho Mukha Svanasana Benefits

"When one is exhausted a longer stay in this pose removes fatigue and brings back lost energy. Thisnpose is especially good for runners who get tired after a hard race. Sprinters will develop spees and lightness in the legs. This pose relieves pain and stiffness in the heels and helps to soften calcaneal spurs. It strengthens the ankles and makes the legs shapely. The practice of this asana helps to eradicate stiffness in the region of the shoulder -blades, and arthritis of the shoulder joints in relieved. The abdominal organs are drawn towards the spine and strengthened. As the diaphragm is lifted to the chest cavity the rate of the heart beat is slowed down.

This is an exhilarating pose.Those who are afraid to do Sirsasana can conveniently practice this position. As the trunk is lowered in this asana it is fully stretched and healthy blood is brought to this region without strain on the heart. It rejuvenates the brain cells and invigorates the brain by relieving fatigue. Persons suffering from high blood pressure can do this pose."

In the Introduction of Light on Yoga it is written that Yoga is a union of our will with the will of God. How do we get from Dog Pose to God?  More musings coming soon- still getting my head/body around this one.

JAI MA

Gentle Home Practice, 10 mins

A
Sit cross legged
Upright, chest lifted and broad
Feel each breath as it moves in the body

1. Interlace fingers and stretch arms up turning palms to face the sky
Repeat changing the interlace

2. Twist
Left hand to right knee, right hand on floor behind
As breathe out turn to right
Repeat twist to the left

3. Forward Bend
Sit tall and reach arms forward along the ground, stretch body forward. Feel your body breathing.

Sit up and repeat steps 1-3 with the other leg crossed in front.

B
Kneel

1. Interlace fingers and turning the palms to face the sky stretch arms up.
Repeat change the interlace

2. Twist
Left hand to right thigh, near the knee
As you turn to right stretch right arm back behind you
Centre and repeat turning to left

3. Forward Bend
Separate the knees comfortably and stretch both arms forward along floor. Rest your head. Keep the arms straight.
Feel your breathe move in the stillness

C
Downward facing dog posture

Be on all fours
Tuck toes under
Lift your knees off the floor lift hips to the sky
Straighten legs
Press hands into floor to stretch up and back towards legs
Press legs back
Breathe
And bend knees to come down
Rest in the kneeling forward bend of B3.

D Relax
Sit or lie flat and feel your breathing.

Expanding and softening, breathe in and breathe out

Breathe into the heart and out through the limbs

Hari Om