Yoga #3

Yoga #3, Body Image, the spine.

When you close your eyes and just BE, what does it feel like?

When you "follow your breath" what does it feel like? What can it feel like?

Overview: The BODY is made up of a spine with appendages. First you work the spine, all else is secondary. Breathing "following the breath" "works" the spine.

Detail: The spine is an "S" curve. The Top of the curve is the head, the Bottom curve is the rib cage. When breathing there are only TWO "basic" movements: the ribs "expand" (rolling forward), and the head "tilts" upward (felt along the back of the neck). That's it!

HowTo: The most simple way to feel this is lying on your back, with your legs resting on a chair. Breath with the heart beat (3in/3out), VERY SLIGHTLY roll the back of the neck up and down (feels like EXTENDING the neck in the back, feels like dropping the chin to the chest). FEEL how the spine curves. The trunk of the body will "set up" the lower section below the neck. The ribs will FEEL fully connected down the body, and ALSO feel like they are FLOATING all my themselves. Doing "ballet arms" is the most basic way to get those appendages out of the way (like holding a real big beach ball).


'nuff