Meditative Yoga, hatha yoga

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OSHADHI MEDITATION

Meditative Yoga

encompassing hatha yoga, meditation,

relaxation and breathing

Movement a Meditation

If yoga is seen as only a series of postures, the point of yoga is lost. The practice of yoga is for spiritual growth. I always call the yoga I practice, meditative yoga as I incorporate meditation into its practise, using:

being fully present in the moment, in the body
focus on the breath, to eliminate mind chatter
exhaling to release tension in the body
relaxing after each posture to allow cleansing and healing
most importantly inward focus

Attending a yoga anatomy course for yoga teachers has opened my horizons to the work of Vanda Scaravelli, who saw yoga as working with the body from inside out, instead of just attending to the surface shapes.

Movement in yoga is a meditation, closely working with the breath and the gravitation force of the Earth, creating space between the joints. Effort is eliminated reducing tension and strain. We have each different bodies, yoga is getting to know our own body and intimately working with it. We do not need to set up a rigid practice which can halt growth. Yoga needs to be an exploration of how our bodies can unfold; fluidity and freedom need to be encouraged.

Effortless yoga is the aim, creating space between the joints so that the body can move freely without constriction. End gaining and pushing the body need to be dropped, to be able to release old set habits of doing the asanas and develop new explorative ways so seeing how the asanas can be expanded. Our joints float so if we increase the space within, there develops lightness in the body (think of a cat).

The body has a natural intelligence of its own, we need to tune into that again. Trust in the therapeutic quality of yoga to work with that body’s intelligence. Feel it from inside out. The body is continually striving towards wellbeing, work with it. Let your practice unfold, renew it moment to moment, have a freshness to it, do not allow it to become repetitive or stale or there will be no room for growth.

It is a journey of undoing and self discovery, by practising yoga we are creating peace and presence in the moment allowing the spirit to grow. Working in the moment, releasing tension as you go. Not falling back into old habits, thinking you know it. Enjoy and explore, be curious with an element of fun.

If you stay fully in the moment, in the movement, working from inside out, you can consciously open the joints and creating space (by not engaging muscles). Sit with the spine upright, exhale and feel your crown being pulled up by a single thread; down each vertebrae space in being created. As you exhale feel more space flowing in to each one. What does it feel like to have that space there, rather than compression? Vanda Scaravelli has written a book called ‘Awakening the Spine’ detailing this process.

The secret is not to engage unnecessary muscles but expand, not creating any tension. It is more a process of letting go than doing. Anatomy has given me a deeper knowledge of how the body operates what the tendons are capable of, using them instead of muscles conserves energy. The feet can be strong and alive with their contact to the ground and due to their connectivity effects the whole body; the practice does not isolate just one area.

Our body is our temple to worship in, let your body become your teacher, work in partnership with it. Work towards wellbeing and harmony, allowing the body to regenerate itself and bring you back to wholeness.

Frequently asked questions

Why all four aspects?

Yoga is all about bring harmony to the body, mind and spirit. No single aspect should be eliminated. Postures exercise the physical body as well as squeezing the internal organs to revitalize them. Breath is used to cleanse and energise the body, as well as aiding relaxation. Relaxation itself paves the way for serenity and leads to meditation, which allows contact with our spiritual essence. To get the most out of the practice all four aspects are needed to maintain a healthy body and harmonious mind.

Origins

Yoga is a very ancient technique; it is much more than a series of exercises, it is a system designed for maintaining wellbeing and peace of mind, that is why it is necessary to include all aspects of it breathing, relaxation and meditation. To live a fulfilling life you need a healthy body and a harmonious mind.

This hatha yoga taught by the Integral Yoga Institute founded by Swami Satchindanda, who received it from his guru Swami Sivananda. It is a flexible combination of specific methods designed to develop every aspect of the individual – physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. It integrates all six branches of yoga of which hatha yoga is one.

Hatha yoga

Is a gentle form of exercise, using specific postures (asanas) that are designed to work on the whole body increasing strength and flexibility. As it is non-competitive you work to your own capacity, whereby beginners and more experienced can work together. The main focus of the postures will be to work on the spine, which contains both the physical and energetic centres to the body. This being the information channel to the body it is important to keep it in optimum working condition. Self-practice is also encouraged.

Breathing (pranayama)

As our breath carries our life force on it (prana), it is important to breath properly whilst doing the postures and relaxing. Time will be spent learning different techniques, which can also be incorporated into daily life.

Breath and mind are inextricable linked so that when the breath is slowed down the mind quietens naturally. The breath exhalation will be used to calm the body and to eliminate tensions and toxins, which have been released by the postures.

Relaxation

Will take place after each posture, by using the breath the body will be able relax and the mind will quieten. In a totally relaxed state, when the restrictions of the postures have been released, fresh blood and nutrients flow into the area worked; cleansing and purifying. In a relaxed state your body will naturally slow down, decreasing blood flow and blood pressure which will enable you to go deeper into the postures.

Meditation

Over the session your body will become more relaxed and your mind quieter with less thoughts/mind activity. At this point it will be natural to take this further into a meditative state for a short period, which simply means resting in the stillness and silence that has been built up during the session.
Bring the body and mind in this way into balance enables healing is able to take place.

What do I need?

A yoga mat is ideal, if not a blanket and a cushion to sit on.