Helpful hints for starting and improving your Assan.

[Guest guest]

Prior to meeting Shree Maa and Swamiji, I had only been practicing

hatha yoga with some breathing for about 2 years, 20 minutes each

morning and evening. So some flexibility was there, but my first

attempts at sitting in a formal assan felt like medieval torture. I

could barely sit erect and still on my own bed for 10 minutes, let

alone the 2-2 1/2 hours that it takes to chant the Chandi in one assan.

Needless to say, I deduced that this "discipline" was going to take

continual persistance, infinite patience, regular daily practice, and

the ability to disassociate(?) from one's body. Some things that

have helped along the way:

1) initially, regular yoga postures that emphasize stretching the

legs, backs of the knees and thighs, lower back, and ankles for

flexibility.

2) initially, sitting on enough padded surface to cushion the ankle

bone when it hits or eventually slides to the floor. Refrain from

using fluffy things or pillows to sit on that will topple you over.

3) taking the hottest bath you can stand for a minimum of 15 minutes

while sitting in your assan position on two towels in your bath

tub, or taking a hottub if that's available while practicing the

assan. This stimulates blood flow, and allows more flexibility

in the muscles and joints. Doing your favorite mantra and pranayam

(controlled breathing) helps to take your mind off your body, and

you will relax more while practicing your assan in the hot water.

This should enhance your success in maintaining short periods of

sitting, if you do it right before your sadhana begins. From

personal experience and with regular practice, this usually extends

my assan an additional 40 minutes, which gives the body more time

and experience to stretch and adjust to the new contortions.

4) Try NOT to use props (pillows, blankets, etc) under your rear end

to push and extend your sitting. It will only delay the inevitable

and take you longer to train your body to sit up straight. I

second all that Parvati shared in her post on assans, especially

the importance of sitting with the back straight. When we have an

open channel in the middle, then Her energy can rise and have full

expression. This may be a life time goal for many of us, but as

Swamiji often says, "the rewards are out of this world"! May

abundant patience and blessings be yours for your efforts. Kamala