Moving from the Organs Basics

Moving from the organs will enable the Yoga practitioner to perform familiar Yoga postures in a new and healthy way.  By stabilizing the bones and muscles in an Asana (Yoga posture) the student then can move the body purposefully to open or close (energetically heating or cooling the body) the upper or lower Kunda (the bowl shaped vessels) where the organs reside.

You may have heard the pelvis being described visually as bowl.  You can use this visualization to help you when you are tipping the pelvis forward for a backbend.  The same can be said for tipping the pelvis backwards when bending forward.  So when you are in an anatomical neutral position, the pelvic bowl rim should be level with the floor.  

More specifics about the pelvis can be stated in class, though I would just recommend that you not stand upright in neutral position with the sacrum perpendicular to the floor.  When you are standing upright with the sacrum basically parallel to the wall in front of you, it is called tucking of the pelvis which is not natural and flattens the lumbar spine which can lead to a multitude of problems up and down the spine if you were to keep that as your neutral position of the spine.  There is nothing wrong with the movements of the spine and body (tucking backwards or spilling forwards) but, as you may know, the more natural the positioning of the body the safer and healthier your body stays.

So while many Yoginis and Yogis are aware of the idea of the pelvic bowl, they might be less aware of the inverted bowl that the ribs create that house the lungs and the heart.  That bowl, let us call it the rib bowl, can be manipulated to backbends and forward bends just by tilting the inverted bowl forwards or backwards.

Of course, there is sidebending as well, but I just want the reader to visualize the pelvic bowl and the rib bowls for now with the backwards and forwards motions.

Got it?  So that's it.  Part of what Yoga is about is just paying attention at this particular moment in time.  All you really have is this present moment.  It is a present.....a gift.  Pay attention to the bowls.  Notice when the rib bowl is sticking too much out in the front (slight backbend) or tipping back too much (forward fold).  When you get out of neutral position or the natural, anatomical position of the body (misalignment) then the muscles have to work harder to compensate.  That is where Yoga helps the most.  Stretching and strengthening are great but it is also just nice to know how to hold the body so that no harm (Ahimsa) is caused. 

And then there is that exciting part where you allow the organs to lead the movement in the pose.  Now that is truly amazing.  Strong bones with supple and strong muscles are great, but if the organs aren't healthy neither is the individual.  By considering and gently manipulating the organs in the Kunda, a student can also have a healthy endocrine system.  Bonus!

Please carry the above information with you throughout your day.  Pay attention to the rib and the pelvic bowls.  Notice how much harder it is to sit when the chest is collapsed and the rib bowl is tipped backwards (folding forward).  When you lift your chest but allow the bowl to be level with the floor you may feel space opening so that the lungs have the ability to fill fully.  What a wonderful feeling!

I hope that helps.  

For my Yoga class listing and prices please check out:  catofoz.blogspot.com

Namaste`

Cat