Lesson - Yoga Etiquette
Welcome to the new millennium. Welcome
to the Rat Race. Although somehow we seem to just barely
keep this phenomenon we've created called "modern
society" from exploding, imploding or simply toppling
over, the effort it requires, takes an enormous toll
on our minds, bodies and spirits. If you live in or
near a city or not, you can't really avoid the rat race.
It's also hard to avoid the people in your life who
are heavily affected by the stresses of mere survival,
let alone "getting ahead".
Sometimes people even practice yoga in a manner that
feeds this perpetual stress syndrome - you know, competitively,
critically or reactively. But in corpse pose it's hard
for perpetual stress syndrome (PSS) to penetrate, although
it can! I'll explain. Thoughts, dreams or fantasies
come with feelings that have an effect on the body and
this effect is stress. Obviously the more intense the
feeling, the more stress. Thoughts of negative experiences,
past, present or future; exciting or scary dreams or
fantasies can all affect the mind and body stressfully.
Thought alone can facilitate the secretion of hormones
and chemicals into the bloodstream that provoke a mental
or physical reaction. The heart rate may rise, blood
pressure become elevated, (hypertension), stomach may
secrete acid, the muscles may tighten, etc... So within
this corpse pose there is a practice happening, of course.
You didn't think you were just going to get to lay there
and fantasize or dream? Come on, you know better than
that by now. It's not that easy, even though it is simple!
There are two practices that I like best (although there are probably many I do not know about):
1. Scanning the body in a 4 to 6 inch
increments from head to toe and back to head. At each
increment visualize white, healing light penetrating
the area and eradicating all decay and disease and softening
any tension. Then move on to the next 4-6 inch segment
of body. Miss no part of your body. What you are doing
is bringing together consciousness, intention and visualization,
a potent mix of healing energy. PSS will try to divert
your attention, but when you catch yourself drifting
off in thought, just bring yourself back.
2. Simply observing the natural breath. This technique
called Ana Pana, will calm your mind and keep you here
- present - and prevent thoughts from stimulating stress.
Again you will have to be watchful. Thoughts will sneak
up on you. When you catch yourself drifting toward thoughts,
you must bring yourself back to natural breathing.
So corpse pose is in itself a powerful tool against
PSS; it is simple yet potent meditation, as well as
a time of relaxation, recovery and renewal after a potent
asana (physical) practice. Corpse pose is a buffer zone
between what I was doing and what I will be doing. Like
after surgery, you just don't walk out of the hospital,
you spend some time in recovery. Similarly, after yoga
asana we do savasana ( the last asana). Somewhere I
heard that corpse pose should be practiced for one third
the length of time you practiced asana I know that's
asking a lot but minimally rest 5 solid minutes and
if you practice longer than 1 1/2 hours, rest 5 minutes
more for each additional 1/2 hour you practice.
People really have trouble with this one. They just don't get it. The ego, anxiety and "antsyness" just won't allow them to be here. Remember, you are still practicing yoga. Don't react to that stuff; keep breathing and come back to your breath flowing or scanning the body. Remember, it might not be egotistically gratifying, but it's the pose we need most, not just after a substantial practice, but before or after a long day!!!
Sources:
Bryan Kest & www.PowerYoga.com
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