August
News & Events
The schedule for August is now online. Thanks for your
continued support.
Article-
Prana, Breath
Rarely in class do
I discuss the chakras or moving energy through them, however we effectively
do this in each and every class. With
every breath we move the energy. The breath is the energy, the force that
moves prana through the many Chakras or energy centers found within the body.
The word Prana
originates from Sanskrit and means vital energy or life-force, depending on
the translation. Every thing around us including the earth, sun, moon, trees,
plants, animals, air all contain internal energies or Prana.
There are four major sources of Prana- solar prana from
the suns energy, ground prana from the earth’s energy, and water prana from
the energy absorbed from the elements in and around the water, and air prana
from the atmosphere. For now, since our focus is on the breath, we will only
be concerned with air prana absorbed into the body through breathing.
You have
undoubtedly heard me refer to breath as the link between the mind and body,
but when I say breath it goes beyond just the air taken in or the physical
action. It’s the prana that really is the link- the breath is the conduit
prana rides on.
Prana activates
the body- allowing movement and vital bodily functions, such as digesting
food, eliminating waste, and respiration; and activates the mind- allowing us
think and register our senses, such as taste, smell, feel, sight and
hearing.
Once absorbed this
energy begins to spread around.
“Watching through the minds eye, feeling the breath as it rises and
falls…” sound familiar? We focus on
the breath from the minute class begins until the end- each and every class
we absorb and manipulate prana.
Prana is essential
for life. Free flowing prana is essential for overall good health and
vitality. Each Chakra represents a different area along the spine from the
genitals up through the crown of the head. When the prana is not flowing
evenly and fully through each one of these chakras it affects different
aspects of our body manifesting itself through illness, pain, etc. and it
also affects different aspects of our minds manifesting itself through
habits, fears etc.
Through asana and
pranayama we develop, refine and enhance our breath to promote,
control and direct the flow of prana. It’s all about the “breath”.
.
Pose
of the Month
Siddhasana One or Easy Cross leg–
This pose strengthens and tones the pubic region,
the abdominal muscles, and lower back. Aids in development of flexibility and
strength of the knees and ankles. Circulation of oxygen and blood is
increased into the lower spine and abdominals. Therapeutic for stress relief.
From a seated position with the legs extended to the front,
bring left foot up and place heel near the perineum and rest the sole of the
left foot against the right thigh. Bring the right foot up place over top of left
leg and rest heel against the pubic bone with the sole of the right foot
between the thigh and calf of the left leg (almost as if tucking the foot
between them). Sit up tall with the heart lifted and relaxed shoulders. Keep
the weight back over the hips not on the legs. Hold this position as long as
you can and then release the feet and repeat bringing right foot in
first.
Variations will be added to the pose directory on our
website at afterthemasters.org
AfterTheMasters.org
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