"The very ideals of religious inspiration, the proposed alternative realities to our present state, create conflict."
Some of us might have bodies that have become crystallized due to daily living, the spines stiffened, and the fascia constricted. Others might have bodies that are too open, too flexible, and too free. Whichever the reason, our actual experience of consciousness, being in our Earth body, might feel limited or unstable. We might have fleeting glimpses of the expansive nature that is our essence when we look up at the stars with wonder, or gaze at a sunset with awe. By grace, we are granted these opportunities to see beyond the veils of the worldly, and yet we usually arrive right back into our mundane existence.
The supreme mystery that is the human condition is such that we are left constantly questioning Who We Are and what we are doing here. It is through the Tantrik Yoga path and The Art of Surya Namaskara that we discover our eternal identity within that of the limited, until the two are inseparable. There is no alternative reality - there is only this One. The question then becomes - how do we get the most of it? For some of us, these practices can be the bridge to a more permanent experience of daily ecstatic living.
The technical aspects of this practice are simple. Our spine is built to move in certain ways, and when we lose range of motion in the spine, we lose mobility of the central nervous system. The CNS (Central Nervous System) is the axis of our body, both physically and energetically. It is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. Information comes into the body from the environment and travels through the nerves to reach the brain, our central processing unit, where the data is decoded and a response is formulated as an output then from brain back to body. A concept we suggest here is that the ability of the spine to transmit information 'cleanly' is a key aspect for our individual capacity to perceive reality, beyond the lens of our personal conditioning. If our spine is stiff, then due to the blockages, the incoming and outgoing information is obstructed. As a consequence, we are receiving an incomplete picture, or one that is fuzzy or vague, or one that is in some way colored or imprinted by our past. The yogis would suggest that our main antenna, the antenna of the spine, needs to be cleaned and purified in order for us to receive a more clear picture; to directly perceive reality, beyond our conditioned limitations.
If we add a little movement each day, some forward flexion, some backward extension, some asymmetrical movements of the hips to create a twisting effect on the spine, we are well on our way to purifying the actual structure in our body that houses our organs of perception, and thus opening up our channels to life. These are just a few of the scientific conclusions that can be experienced through regular practice of the Sun Salutation, a simple method for opening and closing the spine, and expanding the range of the nervous system. If any of this resonates, it is strongly encouraged that the reader begin to take up a regular practice of surya namsakara, beginning with the establishment of a consistency for the practice - i.e. one solid round upon rising every morning, and building up over time. At BTGY, we offer workshops and specialty classes to dig deeper into this sacred dance, so as to supplement one's personal practice and bring additional insight to their sadhana.
In our series Art of Surya Namaskara, we seek to discover the true origins of this ancient practice. Learn how to cultivate a deeper connection to the source of these teachings, unlocking the inherent wisdom that lies at the root of our being. It is our genetic birthright, to maximize gene expression. To live a fearlessly embodied life. Our DNA contains the essence of evolution and species advancement; we have naturally been built to evolve and expand our consciousness. It is our wish with this series that every practitioner will walk away from each session with a greater appreciation for the divine mystery of which we are all a part, and from a more grounded perspective, to provide the individual with the practical tools to take one's own spiritual path - sādhanā - into their own hands. It is through the practices of Surya Namaskara, as supported by the Tantrik texts, that we discover our limitlessness. The invitation stands.
Please send an e-mail to grant.ifflander@gmail.com to inquire about dates for our next series, The Art of Surya Namaskara
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