The Power of Repose
When in doubt, lay down.
Asana Practice: I attended Jason Bowman’s Alignment class at Movement Climbing and Fitness. (See http://movementboulder.com/fitness/yoga/ for a list of yoga classes at movement, and check out Jason’s blog at http://www.evolver.net/user/openeyes).
The class is designed to be slow in order to focus on a few key actions or poses. Tonight the class focused on Warrior III, or Virabhadrasana 3, Shoulder Stand, or Salamba Sarvangasana, and Corpse Pose, or Savasana.
My favorite part of the class was Jason’s attention on savasana and bringing the class’s attention to the nadis or meridian lines, which are the energy lines that move through the body.
Jason started and ended the class with a deep savasana, inviting us to check in with the pads of the feet and bringing our attention to different points throughout the body. He reminded us to feel the body from the inside, and to keep our attention on as many parts of the body at the same time as possible. Additionally, he brought our attention to the brightness generated wherever we bring pointed focus.
Starting and ending the class with savasana increased my receptivity and made my entire body glow. This exercise increased my body awareness and allowed me to hold attention in more places of my body simultaneously.
Lesson Learned: Try starting a yoga practice with savasana. Bring attention to each body part individually and then try to hold all of the body in your mind’s eye simultaneously. Notice if your receptivity is increased throughout the rest of your practice.