We can observe three sets of opposition — earth and sky, east and west, north and south. Every posture is a vessel to awaken the oppositions. We set intention consciously. We deliver breath. With breath delivery we enter nervous system and all the systems of the mind and body. These initial practices of breath (pranayama) and physical poses (asana) discipline the body. the further guidance of the mind and body base in the ethical guidelines for actions in the world (the yamas) and actions of the heart (niyamas). These four —yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama— comprise the general expression hatha yoga, the yoking of sun and moon, of oppositions.
Start with simple moves and breath.
What is needed for hand balances? How do they build? How do we enter and exit? Where is shtira?
Beginning again means asking familiar questions and looking for the answers in the posture, observing what doesn’t work, and what does. Learning twice, and twice again in Beginners Mind.
I recorded this last night because I must be on the road during our usual time. Here we observe three planes of functional spinal movement with breath. I invite you to recall warm-ups of this past week and to practice from whatever you can recall. If you cannot recall, then reboot yr favorite livestream recording and use that.
This week marks the start of a new endeavor at the SAMURAI INTI Martial Arts Studio in Frisco. I’ll be teaching i a group class there at Sendai Sebastian Mejias ‘ dojo on Monday and Wednesday mornings.