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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 23 2009 : 4:48:25 PM
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Man, have I been missing out.
I recently started doing asanas again, after a... several year... hiatus. It's been about 2 years since I've taken a hatha yoga class, and maybe 4+ since I've had a regular (daily/weekly) practice. My body's been craving asanas for a long time, but I've kept myself busy with other things and kept procrastinating on starting up again.
In the meantime, I watched my physical health and diet go to hell over the last 3 years or so. I couldn't ignore the craving any more, so I've been doing some asanas every day. Trying to do about 30 minutes a day, or at the very least, several postures before bed.
And they feel sooooooooooooooo good 
I won't even try to articulate how glorious it is.
But I feel like the mssing piece of the puzzle has been re-discovered. DM and the other sitting practices I do have been wonderful, but there was a physical component I needed in order to integrate my spiritual path.
Fortunately, self-pacing is not an issue right now. But if it becomes one, I'll do whatever I can to keep asanas in the mix. And DM and SBP, of course 
Anyone else been in a similar place?
Thanks for reading 
With Love
cosmic |
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stevenbhow
Japan
352 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2009 : 6:28:01 PM
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Hey Cosmic,
My wife and I recently dusted off the old Yoga DVD after about a 4 years of Asana-less meditation. It feels great, though I'm about as flexible as a lump of concrete. Years of Martial Arts training without properly stretching having taking their toil, but I think Yoga will help me get back some of what I've lost. |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2009 : 7:01:17 PM
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Hi Steve,
Good to hear. Just curious, which martial art(s) do you practice?
quote:
Originally posted by stevenbhow
Years of Martial Arts training without properly stretching having taking their toil, but I think Yoga will help me get back some of what I've lost.
I think you're right. There is an Aikido place near here that also teaches Hatha Yoga on the side. I imagine they'd go very well together.
Love
cosmic |
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Victor
USA
910 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2009 : 7:11:41 PM
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| Yep, I am in a similar place as well. Went several years ignoring asana and focusing on pranayama and meditation and my body suffered. To get back in shape I have been taking a Northern Shaolin kung fu class and practicing asana again and i feel like my old self again and better in some ways. Don't ignore the more physical when your internal practice goes deeper, they are both important. |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2009 : 03:57:16 AM
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Hello Victor
quote:
Originally posted by Victor
Don't ignore the more physical when your internal practice goes deeper, they are both important.
Yes, this is what I'm learning from the experience. It's also what I hope people will take away from this discussion.
Did it take long to feel like yourself again?
Looking back several years, I noticed that the periods when I felt totally in love with Life, were times my DM and asana practices overlapped. They're both wonderful, but it feels like something is missing when only one or the other is being practiced. I feel like they're a package deal. For me, anyways... I know everyone has their own inclination.
Blessings
cosmic |
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christiane
Lebanon
319 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2009 : 05:47:15 AM
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Hi Cosmic :)
I'm in the same situation right now..
Only today did I decide to grab the bull by the horns and twist the "whole house" again!
Though I always do cat stretch before the practices (it is part of them anyway), it's been 2 years since I stopped my daily routine of asanas..
Today, I only did 4 Suryanamascar, sloooowly, focusing on each tiny physical/energetical sensation...
The prana started to bubble up again after ...2 weeks of emptiness and total absence of energy.....
It is essential at this stage to deeply connect to the body, through any physical activity.. it helps removing energy blockages and make the silent practices more intense and deep.
The more we do asanas watchfully, slowly, the more we benefit from them..
It's not only a way to relax the bodymind.. it has further benefits as well, on the level of subtler energies..
So..back to twisty postures |
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stevenbhow
Japan
352 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2009 : 07:28:18 AM
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| Hi Cosmic, I practiced Issen Ryu and Goju Ryu Karate, a mixed martial art hybrid, and Hapkido on and off for about 17 years until various injuries convinced me it was time to quit. One of the biggest mistakes I made was doing a lot of grappling in my late 20's without being in good physical shape. I ended up with a lot of back and joint pain. I was never very patient or smart when it came to moderation and stretching. |
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2009 : 11:06:02 AM
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Hey Cosmic....
Yup, asanas "fill out" an already quite full AYP routine.....
If you are "re"-starting your asana practice after some time off I would suggest that you consider putting the Anusara principles of alignment into practice....I have been to several different styles of yoga while out here doing my teacher training this month and have observed many teachers teaching in ways that could be extremely detrimental to their students...in fact I am quite surprised that there aren't more lawsuits and injuries due to this. It is vitally important in my mind that the body is properly aligned while doing postures....I personally have nearly destroyed my knees in doing postures the "wrong" way for several years....and I have learned the postures (many of them) from some pretty reputable teachers. There are very few certified Anusara teachers out there as it can cost upwards of $15,000 to $20,000 USD plus expenses and a LOT of time to become one. Fortunately my teacher is an ex-anusara teacher (he became dis-enfranchised with the franchise) and I have been able to learn these "Universal Principles of Alignment" from him for free. These alignment principles add an entire new dimension to asana practice, and make it much safer and easier on the body then doing asanas without proper alignment. (not to mention you can get into some crazy postures without hurting yourself....my new favorite is Koundinyasana 3... http://hillarysyogapractice.files.w...asana-ii.jpg ) The basics of the Universal Principles of Alignment can be read about here: http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic....OPIC_ID=6651
I will try to explain in greater detail when I am home sometime after Thursday if you need any clarification.
Good luck and enjoy your stretches!
Love,
Carson |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 12:28:07 AM
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Hi Christiane
quote:
Originally posted by christiane
It is essential at this stage to deeply connect to the body, through any physical activity.. it helps removing energy blockages and make the silent practices more intense and deep.
This is so true. The body connection is really wonderful. It feels like emotions are starting to move and flow through the body again. Sometimes during postures where the upper torso folds over the legs, laughter comes up. I'm not sure what their Sanskrit names are, but Child's pose and Pigeon bring a lot of laughter.
Enjoy every twist and turn
With Love
cosmic |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 12:49:08 AM
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Hey there Carson,
Thanks for the Anusara information. I read your post about it the other night and gave it a try. Not sure if I got the inner and outer spiral right, but once my feet and legs felt rooted, my body started doing its own thing. I found myself breathing energy up from the ground and into my abdomen, for several breaths, and then breathing it out through my hands. I don't think I understand Step 5 though... 
How's the training going? I hope it's an amazing experience. I'm looking forward to hearing about it when you're "back" back
All the best
With Love
cosmic |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 06:57:10 AM
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Carson wrote:
"my new favorite is Koundinyasana 3... "
Wow, that's cool stuff Carson. For dance I've been practicing balancing on the arms like that, but I doubt if I could get one leg out to the side! Right now it's all I can do to get the legs in frog position or straight out. |
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 10:35:13 AM
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Hey Cosmic...Etherfish
quote:
Originally posted by cosmic
Thanks for the Anusara information. I read your post about it the other night and gave it a try. Not sure if I got the inner and outer spiral right, but once my feet and legs felt rooted, my body started doing its own thing. I found myself breathing energy up from the ground and into my abdomen, for several breaths, and then breathing it out through my hands. I don't think I understand Step 5 though...
Inner Spiral is a pulling back and out with the inner thighs...when it is done right you will get a bit of an extra curve in the lumbar spine...then keeping inner spiral engaged, to balance out that extra curve, you pull your pelvis through (down)......This fully engages all the muscles in the legs....It is easy to feel in Downward dog....Go into DD and then slightly bend your knees....The rotate your inner thighs back and apart....then tuck the tailbone. This can be done to some degree in every posture. Using Organic Energy is mostly a metaphor for pushing out/extending. Muscular Energy is a hugging in of the muscles, Organic Energy is a stretching back out.
quote:
Originally posted by cosmic
How's the training going? I hope it's an amazing experience. I'm looking forward to hearing about it when you're "back" back
The training is over tomorrow morning after I teach my last class....sad to go but happy to put all this into action now. I posted some photos yesterday which you can see here: http://www.facebook.com/#/album.php...85382&ref=mf Will post a few more later today or tomorrow too.
Talk to you soon.
Love,
Carson |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2009 : 8:21:06 PM
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Thanks Carson; good pics.
I see you do the balancing on arms the same as me! Those side ones are hard for an old guy like me; if I don't do them for a while I have to practice for a couple weeks to get back in them.
Can you balance on one arm in your tummy?
Of course we call them "B-Boy Freezes", and you call them yoga, but same thing!
I'm still working on bridge walk; I can't believe how much emotions I had stored in the back.
I can't hold hand stand very long without a wall; but working on it. |
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christiane
Lebanon
319 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 08:02:27 AM
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Hi again..
today, I was strongly, urgently, definitely inclined to do the whole set of asanas I've been taught 2 years ago..
To my great surprise, the body was as flexible as if I had been practicing those postures on a daily basis! Though it's been almost a year I dropped them..
BUT, it's almost miraculous the effect it had on the heart/blood circulation and overall mood..
And it's not by coincidence that I fell on this thread 2-3 days ago..
thank you for that!
PS: nice pictures Carson 
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Edited by - christiane on Nov 26 2009 09:02:12 AM |
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 10:03:17 AM
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Hi Christiane....
quote:
Originally posted by christiane
And it's not by coincidence that I fell on this thread 2-3 days ago..
Hope you didn't hurt yourself Hahaha.....
Going home today....will see you (officially) soon
Love,
Carson
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 10:10:06 AM
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Hey Etherfish
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I see you do the balancing on arms the same as me! Those side ones are hard for an old guy like me; if I don't do them for a while I have to practice for a couple weeks to get back in them.
Can you balance on one arm in your tummy?
I can see why it may be hard for "an old guy like you", but really, if the Universal Principles of Alignment are used it isn't about strength at all....I've seen some really really skinny girls and some very fat old men doing some incredible arm balances and more....I encourage you to read my thread on Anusara Yoga and try applying these principles next time you are trying postures like what I linked to. They really make all the difference!
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I'm still working on bridge walk; I can't believe how much emotions I had stored in the back.
Yes for sure...very common indeed. Some of the people in class have been crying and having some insane emotional responses to some of the deeper backbends....it happens. Personally I have found that my daily practices have eliminated most of these emotions beforehand so it hasn't been very emotional for me....but that's just me and everyone is different....I'm sure you will have bridgewalk down soon....
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I can't hold hand stand very long without a wall; but working on it.
Practice makes perfect!
Love,
Carson |
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Metta
Sweden
24 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 12:04:27 PM
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If training makes perfect and noone is perfect, then why train? :-)
Well, we are all perfect. We just dont know it yet!
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adamantclearlight
USA
410 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 12:49:39 PM
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| Physical health is very important; one needs balance. Walking, hatha, fresh vital food, even mindedness are needed. |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2009 : 3:04:59 PM
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Carson wrote:
"Practice makes perfect!"
Metta - you're a literalist joker like me! "Consistent practice leads one steadily on the path of more perfection" just doesn't sound as good.
Thanks Carson - we are required to walk across the room on our hands; it'll be a while!
I will re-read your anusara post; I can't understand it yet. Fat old men doing arm balances? That's encouraging. I don't see how that can not be about strength; I do them and it's awfully stressful on the arms and doesn't work at all until you find the right balance; but I'll try to understand alignment.
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Metta
Sweden
24 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2009 : 12:25:48 PM
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Etherfish: Hehe...I agree :-)
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 12:29:46 AM
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Carson,
How long do you hold those poses?
This is amazing to me - I searched the net and found the anusara (at least near here) requirement for taking a higher level class is bridge with straight arms, and handstand against the wall, which is exactly the poses I am working hardest on for dance! my teacher doesn't do yoga; he comes from dance, gymnastics and martial arts. Small world! |
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 12:50:14 AM
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Hey Bro....
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
Carson,
How long do you hold those poses?
Some longer then others but I can hold most of them for about a minute...that's an average posture length.
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
This is amazing to me - I searched the net and found the anusara (at least near here) requirement for taking a higher level class is bridge with straight arms, and handstand against the wall, which is exactly the poses I am working hardest on for dance! my teacher doesn't do yoga; he comes from dance, gymnastics and martial arts. Small world!
Yes indeed....it is a small world when we are all One
Urdva Danurasana (Bridge) with straight arms is very possible (I can do it fairly easily now)..... I found it became possible when I began praticing it with a wall....meaning, hands pressing into the bottom of the wall, thumbs and index fingers bracing against the floor with your arms wider then usual. This allows you to push against the wall and straighten your arms....it also allows you to push your heart through (towards the wall)....this allowed me to "feel" the pose before actually being able to do it without the wall. It is also important to keep "inner spiral" (I.S. from now on) engaged as it keeps your knees from splaying out.....then with I.S. still engaged, pulling the tailbone through the extra space created by I.S., causing extra "lift" and allowing the arms to become straighter....this again takes time.....Also try to remember to keep your shoulders "on your back"...meaning pulling the scapula closer together on the back....all these things will make it much easier to straighten the arms in bridge.....
Handstands are difficult to get the balance for...I actually hurt my right shoulder this month doing them, but was able to heal it by cutting out arm balances for two days and then slowly working back into them. What I found was key (I no longer need a wall at all and rarely fall over) was learning to take the focal/balance point from the hips to the heart. I found learning to go from Prasrita Padottanasana with arms fully engaged and straight (not lowering the head to the floor at all, just keeping the torso parallel to the floor), and keeping the legs fully engaged, I could just lean forward onto my toes and slowly start to lift my legs up, and slowly pull them up to the ceiling.....no wall, just lots of core muscles engaged...no "jumping" into it, just a slow controlled lift.... you would think it takes a lot of strength but really it is all about alignment and taking the balance point and shifting it from the hips to the heart. It is difficult to explain with mere words and no demonstration, but.....that's how it has to be at this point so, I will do my best to explain it through words.....
Oh....don't forget that the creases of your wrists should be parallel with the end of your mat and your hands should be shoulder width apart with your fingers equally spread out, and all four corners of your hands need to have equal pressure on them.
Hope this helps a little....if not I will gladly try to explain better....(I need the practice)
Love,
Carson |
Edited by - CarsonZi on Nov 28 2009 01:01:13 AM |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 02:10:22 AM
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Thank you very much Carson!
I think that will help a lot; it certainly gives me a lot to study and try.
Yes I think my knees splay out in bridge, and my arms aren't straight yet. I'm getting closer, and your tips should help. We do bridge push-ups which help also.
I do hand stand half a minute with the wall. In class we have to hand walk across the floor - we press up, walk a couple steps, and when we come down we have to keep our hands on the floor, and keep trying until we are across. I notice small improvements, but still only do two or three steps at a time. There's only one guy out of 12 who can go all the way (plus they're all younger than me), but I'm determined.
I read your principles of alignment but couldn't figure out how to apply them to these two, so this is exactly what i needed.
Thanks so much for your help.
PS- I've been practicing bridge without a wall, with "sticky gloves".
They make them for football receivers, and soccer goalies. Before your arms are straight they tend to slide out, and the gloves help them stay in place. Plus we have to bridge walk, so you can't use the wall for that.
Here is how those kind of poses work into dance, one of Madonna's dancers B-Girl Sofia Boutella is awesome! Right at the beginning she does a bridge walk down stairs!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQvd_KbsCw |
Edited by - Etherfish on Nov 28 2009 02:30:21 AM |
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CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 4:25:21 PM
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Hi Etherfish......
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
Thank you very much Carson!
 ...it's nothing...really
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I think that will help a lot; it certainly gives me a lot to study and try.
Indeed.....I have spent over 300 hours in the last month alone putting into practice these "principles", and I am still nowhere near adept at them, so....there is plenty to study and practice for sure.....for both of us
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
Yes I think my knees splay out in bridge, and my arms aren't straight yet. I'm getting closer, and your tips should help. We do bridge push-ups which help also.
Honestly, try bracing your hands against the bottom of the wall like I explained above.....in this position you can rock forward (pushing your heart towards the wall) using the power of your legs and stretch open the pectorals and other upper torso muscles that may be inhibiting your ability to straighten your arms...this really really helped me.
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I do hand stand half a minute with the wall. In class we have to hand walk across the floor - we press up, walk a couple steps, and when we come down we have to keep our hands on the floor, and keep trying until we are across.
Sounds great! BUT, it is much harder (IMO only of course) to walk on the hands then it is to stay straight and upright.....if you can balance without a wall in handstand for a whole minute, you will have little difficulty learning to walk on the hands.
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I notice small improvements, but still only do two or three steps at a time.
Give it time and seriously....practice with a wall as described in my earlier post....if that doesn't help you I will eat my hat (or something of equal disgusting-ness )
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
There's only one guy out of 12 who can go all the way (plus they're all younger than me), but I'm determined.
Your bhakti is admirable E-fish.....if you put half the effort into your sadhana that you obviously put into your dance classes you'll be "enlightened" (I'm almost scared to use that term on the forum after reading the on-going discussions in the Wayne Wirs and Levels of Enlightenment threads ) in no time!
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
I read your principles of alignment but couldn't figure out how to apply them to these two, so this is exactly what i needed.
Thanks so much for your help.
Seriously it is nothing.....I am honored to be able to share with you.
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
PS- I've been practicing bridge without a wall, with "sticky gloves".
They make them for football receivers, and soccer goalies. Before your arms are straight they tend to slide out, and the gloves help them stay in place. Plus we have to bridge walk, so you can't use the wall for that.
Sure, I get it....But seriously, to fully be able to extend the arms straight in Bridge posture you need to open the heart completely (meaning the pecs and other related upper torso muscles, as well as all the arms muscles). This is why I recommend practicing with the wall....it will help I promise!!! I bet that if you spend 5 minutes a day (not all at one time, perhaps a minute at a time, 5 times a day) practicing the "wall technique", in a couple weeks (perhaps after some serious emotional releases, so please pace yourself as you feel the need) you will have straight arms and will be walking across the floor in Bridge like a pro dancer/yogi!
quote:
Originally posted by Etherfish
Here is how those kind of poses work into dance, one of Madonna's dancers B-Girl Sofia Boutella is awesome! Right at the beginning she does a bridge walk down stairs!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQvd_KbsCw
Wish I could see it man! Still no ability to watch YouTube videos! I think I may have seen the video a long time ago on Much Music though....seem to remember a Madonna video with a girl bridge walking down some stairs....could just be my imaginiation though! Can't say for sure.
Good Luck and be safe!
Love,
Carson
P.S. I should really mention that not everone will be able to fully strighten the arms in Bridge....the bone structure of some people will not allow it.....some people will hit a point of bone on bone compression between the Humorous (upper arm bone) and the Achromium Process (the hard bone on the top of the shoulder that is connected to the scapula in the back and the collar bone in the front)...if you are not getting a muscle tension stretch in your arms and upper torso muscles while doing Bridge, yet still cannot straighten the arms, then there is likely bone on bone compression happening. This is rare, but it happens. There is a video by Paul Grilley called Yoga Anatomy (I believe) that explains this very well....may be worth looking into if you are not getting a stretch in Bridge but still cannot straighten the arms. Not likely, but still a possibility. Just thought this was worth a mention regardless. |
Edited by - CarsonZi on Nov 28 2009 4:35:05 PM |
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Etherfish
USA
3615 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 8:42:33 PM
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I AM using the wall too.
In the video Sofia does hella hard stuff and makes it look easy; bridge walk down stairs is really hard. Then she does a handstand with arched back so her feet hit her head!. She mixes various moves like hand plants, elbow stands, air tracking, needle scale, back roll to handstand, macaco, walkovers. A true athlete.
I doubt if I have any bone structure problem. It just takes older people longer. no big deal though because this stuff makes you live longer!
Thanks.
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Edited by - Etherfish on Nov 29 2009 12:33:42 AM |
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cosmic
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2009 : 9:56:47 PM
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Carson, thanks for the clarification a few posts ago. I'll give it another shot with Downward Dog.
Blessings
cosmic |
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Asanas = totally rad
