Tag Archives: Erich Schiffmann

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Freshness

by Ambro

Keeping with this weeks’ theme of cultivating energy from our practice, it seems the discussion of freshness should come next. Have you become used to the practice you keep, and do you feel that it is sort of static or typical? Keeping a sense that the poses are fresh, and that your attention is sharp with each of the movements you do can help to raise more energy in the body and give you more benefits as you practice.

So how, when we are practicing, do we keep a sense of freshness to the poses? Notice the lines of energy moving from your center, out through the tips of the fingers, and out through the legs to the toes. Allow yourself to remain aware of the connection along all of the lines in the body. If it sounds like a challenge, a little difficult, no worries. Practice on the mat will show that this can be easier than expected, and after a few times of working with this focus, it can become easier to remain aware of the sensation of openness and alertness to all the lines in the body, and the exertion that you are applying.

It is important to remember that this sense of applying energy along the  muscles of the body would be balanced with a sense of ease, joy, even comfort. It should feel good to you to put in this effort. Erich Schiffmann writes extensively about this concept in the seventh chapter of his book Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness. He reminds the reader to think of the morning stretch. A pleasant feelings should move through the whole body as you apply this force which is balanced with calm and comfort. If your body doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t quite right.

Move from watching yourself in a mirror or using the eyes to gauge how you are doing towards feeling the sensations in the body and the natural sense of joy that arises from finding out what you are capable of doing. This is naturally going to grow and develop into a sense of confidence as you continue to work. It is a natural state of being that you can tap through your practice on the mat.

Yoga Pose of the Day: Ardha Chandrasana – Half Moon Pose

Yogic Concept of the Day: How does it feel to apply a little more effort, balanced with comfort, as I stretch?

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Finding Stillness

by: ponsuwan

This morning I awoke with a pleasant sensation of newly cleared out sinuses. It seems my cold is passing!

And then I realized it had moved into my throat.

It actually made me smile. On a day when I need to teach class and conduct some business, the body seems to have spoken up. It is asking me to be still, be quiet. I feel the message. And I am actually taking it as a nice enforced rest. I can rest most of the day, fortunately. I will still be able to teach, since I actually feel a ton better than I have, but I will care for myself today and use this as an opportunity for less talking, more focus within for the students. My own practice of ahimsa (non-harming) can still provide something of value in the class. Rather than a limitation experienced as a problem, I can enjoy a different way of working, of harmonizing with my students.

Erich Schiffmann, author and amazing teacher, writes in his book Yoga, the Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness:

” Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement. Stillness is dynamic. It is unconflicted movement, life in harmony with itself, skill in action. It can be experienced whenever there is total, uninhibited, unconflicted participation in the moment you are in – when you are wholeheartedly present with whatever you are doing (p. 3, emphasis mine).”

I understand this feeling in my throat to be one of the body attempting to isolate a problem and care for itself. The natural immune system is working (thank goodness) and would like me to practice stillness. This will mean quietness, but more than that – I think it means remaining present to being in harmony with the body throughout the day. I don’t want to just push my throat as it heals. Talking can be done as needed and with care. Not bad advice at any time, if you think about it. :)

Yoga Pose of the Day: Mountain Pose (held for a full minute- see if you can remain present to the body, in stillness)

Yogic Concept of the Day: Where is my body giving me signals to pay attention and act in harmony with its process of healing or support? Can I remain aware in stillness with this experience?