Shmini-Asana

A passage from my yoga journal

4/6/13: Tiffany @ BlackDog

Heard interview w/scientist studying the mind. He said "You are what you think." Recurring thoughts create pathways and become natural, unintentional way of thought. So if always have negative thoughts, then you become a negative thinker about everything, even novel situations. On the mat we move to realign so that over time our bodies are naturally aligned the way we want them. In meditation, we observe thoughts without reacting; Like watching clouds passing by. Don't try to fix the clouds into different shapes. Just notice the shape and let it pass by. By noticing the shapes and recurring patterns of the clouds, you will mull over it in a healthy way until you see possibilities to create new shapes. (Caution not to obsess & be unhealthy). Bringing thoughts to consciousness is a great motivator for change even though it’s seemingly such a subtle action. On the mat I notice physicality of my body. I become aware of how my body is physically at the moment without trying to change it. The poses are an exploration for me. The consciousness motivates change. I become aware of new possibilities off the mat.

Examples:

I observe on the mat that my head does not reach the ground in savasana, neck is not aligned in triangle, & crescent. Then I become motivated throughout the day to press my neck into alignment. I find that the pillow behind my head is not always serving me.

If I become conscious on the mat that I don't have inversion balances, then I become motivated to explore and dissect why that is. I begin to adjust my balance and posture off the mat. Standing against a wall in my office, playing with head/hand stands in the tv room and bedroom. Holding military press in the weight room. Floating legs up from down dog. Pressing ribs to thighs, etc .

Tiffany brought several twists throughout today's practice. Twists take an incredible amount of effort. They invite the creation of new mental and physical pathways because they exercise the mind as well as the body.

Today is 26th Torah portion of the year. Shmini in Leviticus involves kashruth. I'm reflecting on being midway of the spiritual year. Like a fulcrum, the perspective illuminates balance. Observe the past 1/2 of the

year. To become newly conscious of where I am now, at the 1/2 way point, and to look the other direction toward the future 1/2 of the year. Does becoming conscious of the past 1/2 year motivate any change for the next 1/2 of spiritual year? On a teeter totter, the fulcrum is consciousness at the present. The board is time, with 1/2 on each side if the fulcrum. What is on top of the board? How about the mitzvah of kashruth. Food, what better subject to weigh the spiritual with the physical? The religious with the secular. The ethical with the pragmatic. Food is so rich in its multiplicity. Sustainability, nutrition, indulgence, body image, comfort, labor, treatment of animals, treatment if earth, treatment of labor producing the food, wine, economy, cheap/subsidized/expensive, drugs, medications, starvation, gluttony, waste, and taste. Ethical decisions are difficult and often conflicting. What is the path to holiness? When is what we digest sacred, when is it profane? Consciousness subtly motivates change.

Interestingly, Bek wants the least to do with religion these days, but she’s also the holiest person I know regarding the mitzvah of kashruth.

I think twists are like balance poses - exercising the mind and body. The entire class was huffing and puffing. The experienced, the strong and even the 'bendy' people were challenged. I think twists are the great equalizer in our society.