to Nanda, Kalia and Devanath on Chanting in an asan

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

from your response I gather it is preferable not to give up on

perfecting the asan too soon. Like you, Nanda, so far I have tried to

sit correctly and then, when the discomfort (or let's call it pain)

gets too much, break off and change position to just sitting

cross-legged. But even then there comes a point where the back starts

to hurt too much, so that's why I thought of the cushion. When I just

started, I used a meditation-cushion to support the back, but

gradually and not by any doing of mine, I started to slide off it, and

ended up on the floor (you are right, Devanath, when you said that you

will find yourself in the asan). So, despite the temptation of using

the cushion now and then (yes, Kalia, I know what you mean when you

mention the 'dog-position'), and prompted by your recommendations,

I'll stay on the floor, unless Swamiji says otherwise. But thank you

for the concern for my physical situation, Nandaji, giving me the

sound advice to consult a local expert when in doubt. I do imagine

there are some conditions which would make it inadvisable to persist

and I appreciate your prudence.

I am not clear about the vajra-asan you recommend, Devanath. Research

on the internet told me that it is the kneeling position with the legs

underneath the buttocks. How is that going to help getting you in the

recommended position, which I understand is Siddhasan? But I thank you

for your advice and encouraging words, and I trust our Divine Mother

will give me what I need when I need,

 

with love,

 

Henny

 

P.S. your perception of the black dog struck me as meaningful, Kalia,

because last Saturday I saw a beautiful (if somewhat disconcerting)

black murti representing our Lady Kali, accompanied by a black dog.

Just thought I'd tell you, I have no idea what the black dog means.

 

 

, Kali Kali <kaliananda_saraswati@y.

...> wrote:

> Dear Henny and Nanda,

>

> I read this post with much interest and would like to share

something.

>

> Most times on awakening, I do stretch the body as I should mainly

due to time constraints and wanting to do a specific worship in a

given time before hustling off to Go-On-Duty; but then the lower spine

becomes very painful. The pain was so intense last night and into

this morning that it was difficult to sit but I tried to move the mind

beyond the pain.

>

> This morning while doing puja I got a flash of a black dog with a

pretty shinny coat, the dog was standing with his head was slightly

drooped and hind slouched in - would you believe that that is exactly

the posture that this body had unconsciously assumed due to the pain.

> The asan was off and so was the pranayam, so it was if I was just

reading the scripture aloud.

>

> This is by no means indicating that either my asan or pranayam is

any where near good but I try to sit correctly and breathe correctly

for as long as possible.

>

> Jai Kali Maa

> Jai Guru

>

> Nanda <chandimaakijai> wrote:

> Henny said :

> I wonder if it is advisable to first learn to recite and understand

> the text, for which a minimum of comfort is required (for instance,

> sit on the edge of a cushion to keep the spine straight and keep the

> weight of the heel) and concentrate on maintaining the correct

> position later, or go for the whole package in one and try to recite

> in the correct position for as long as you can stand it (and break

> off if necessary or learn to deal with discomfort). What is your

> experience?

>

> Dear Henny,

> Again thanks for a good question and I will forward to Swamiji for

> his input.

>

> What I have been doing is to try to sit in a good position for as

> long as I can and then break off when needed , but I keep the

> chanting alive. Shree Maa and Swamiji do not advise cushions to prop

> ourselves up (please see a post in early Dec 2003 by Nitya Maa

> called "No Pillows") . A yoga expert in the Mandir does advise

> propping the lower back with a cushion so as not to hurt the back.

> So it is difficult to give a "correct" answer...

>

> My input here would be - since we are all long distance here - get

> practical advice from a local yoga expert based on your specific

> body condition. Unless the Chris'es and the Jayadevas(where ARE you

> these days) and the Suryas can help here...

>

> Ultimately there are atleast three aspects and all equally

> important -

> a)the chanting

> b) the asan

> c) the pranayam.

>

> and pranayam depends on the asan, so it is time well spent trying to

> improve one's asan.

>

> Hope this helps.

> NAnda

>

 

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/05 2:31:58 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, HvI (AT) SoftHome (DOT) net writes:

I am not clear about the vajra-asan you recommend, Devanath. Research

on the internet told me that it is the kneeling position with the

legs underneath the buttocks. How is that going to help getting you

in the recommended position, which I understand is Siddhasan? But I

thank you for your advice and encouraging words, and I trust our

Divine Mother will give me what I need when I need,

Namaste Henny,

Personally from the middle ages :>) with a soul beyond. The

stretching in the kneeling position and other hatha yoga positions if

used as a preparation for meditation keeps the physical form supple.

The secret is to adjust the energy or awareness to smoothly

transition between positions. My introduction to a system of this

nature ( 24 positions ) was in Rajasthan, India in 1972 and a

practice to this day.

With Love

Om Namah Sivaya

Kanda

[Guest guest]

Dear Kanda,

 

what you describe:

>The stretching in the kneeling position and other hatha yoga

>positions if used as a preparation for meditation keeps the physical

>form supple. The secret is to adjust the energy or awareness to

smoothly transition between positions,

 

is just what I am looking for. I have been doing some research on the

internet because I am thinking of signing up for yoga classes, not to

learn how to 'fold myself up like a pretzel', but to keep my body

healthy and support my sadhana. Is the system you're practicing one of

the systems taught around the world? There are so many, I don't know

which one to choose. Any recommendation would be most welcome,

 

with love,

Henny

 

 

 

 

, kandaaran@a... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 6/9/05 2:31:58 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

> HvI@S... writes:

>

> I am not clear about the vajra-asan you recommend, Devanath.

Research

> on the internet told me that it is the kneeling position with the

legs

> underneath the buttocks. How is that going to help getting you in

the

> recommended position, which I understand is Siddhasan? But I thank

you

> for your advice and encouraging words, and I trust our Divine

Mother

> will give me what I need when I need,

>

>

>

> Namaste Henny,

>

> Personally from the middle ages :>) with a soul beyond. The

stretching in

> the kneeling position and other hatha yoga positions if used as a

preparation

> for meditation keeps the physical form supple. The secret is to

adjust the

> energy or awareness to smoothly transition between positions. My

introduction

> to a system of this nature ( 24 positions ) was in Rajasthan, India

in 1972

> and a practice to this day.

>

> With Love

>

> Om Namah Sivaya

>

> Kanda

[Guest guest]

namaste henny

this is exactly what i intend to do. i have taken classes in the past

and always found that yoga greatly improved my flexibility (don't know

why i stopped doing them). i really want to limber up--i can't even

sit back on my heels (when on my knees) and want to know how and what

to stretch out. so, i'll be interested in recommendations, too!

henny_v_i wrote:

> Dear Kanda,

>

> what you describe:

>> The stretching in the kneeling position and other hatha yoga

>> positions if used as a preparation for meditation keeps the

>> physical form supple. The secret is to adjust the energy or

>> awareness to

> smoothly transition between positions,

>

> is just what I am looking for. I have been doing some research on

the

> internet because I am thinking of signing up for yoga classes, not

> to learn how to 'fold myself up like a pretzel', but to keep my

body

> healthy and support my sadhana. Is the system you're practicing

one

> of the systems taught around the world? There are so many, I don't

> know which one to choose. Any recommendation would be most welcome,

>

> with love, Henny

>

Be Love,

Berijoy

http://www.egyirba.net

`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/

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