The Timeless Journey of Yoga: A Prelude
Yoga, carried down to us from the great civilizations of the Indus, is not mere physical culture but a system of spiritual and mental training as well as physical well-being. It is a discipline of body, mind, and soul which originated in India over 5000 of years ago.
At its heart, though, yoga seeks to integrate the body, mind, and spirit to promote a state of equilibrium and self-actualization. The word yoga means union or integration in Sanskrit, a philosophy of life advocating a balanced life involving union through poses, breath control (pranayama), meditation, and ethical living.
Yoga, as it has been practiced through the ages, has been guided by the revelations of sages and saints whose revelations are set down in timeless scripture.
The sage Patanjali systematized the practice and put it into its present format, an eightfold path of practices that offers the way of transcendence and enlightenment expressed in his Yoga Sutras, a classic text of yoga for all traditions today.
As we embark on this exploration of yoga and embodiment, we honor the ancient roots of yoga while embracing its evolution into modern practices. This journey is not just about physical health; it is an invitation to a transformative experience that harmonizes the mind and body, guiding us toward a more conscious and connected existence.
In the pursuit of wellness, the ancient practice of yoga and the modern concept of embodiment and somatic practices converge to create a holistic path to health that resonates with the rhythm of our lives. This fusion is not just physical exercise; it is a profound journey towards self-awareness and harmony.
Embodiment: A Modern Companion to Yoga
Embodiment’s aim has much in common with yoga; just as we begin to practice yoga with awareness of the physical sensations in our body, the schools of embodiment extend this to ‘the integration of sensory-motor and mental-emotional states.’
It is another way of saying that we should live in our bodies because the body knows, and by accessing this ‘felt sense’ our movements can help us release trapped emotions and traumas. It encourages us to live, not as bodies – though this is a crucial aspect of practice – but instead to live in our bodies, integrating and feeling our physical and mental existence.
Intuitive Movement: The Embodied Response
Intuitive movement is the body’s instinctive response to the systematic application and, what follows, the deconstruction of asanas. It is the possibility of allowing the body to move the way it wishes, of flowing from one asana to another, moving in sequences not previously predetermined, and thus of being able to ‘speak’ with his or her body, free the emotions pent up in it, and heal through doing so.
The Fusion: A Dance of Ancient and Modern
Yoga and embodiment dance along a line between the old and the new; between stillness and fluidity, between form and spontaneity. It offers to relearn the ability to enter the inner world, release tension, and integrate balance.
Yoga Asanas: The Foundation
The foundation of this fusion lies in the traditional yoga asanas. These postures build strength, flexibility, and balance, preparing the body to become a more receptive vessel for the mind’s intentions. As one moves through poses like the warrior, the tree, or the lotus, there is an opportunity to explore the edges of one’s physical capabilities and mental boundaries.
Breathwork: The Link Between Mind and Body
Breath is the thread that binds the body and mind together. Breath gives you something tangible to lean into and breathe through. It allows you to deepen asanas, follow energetic inclinations, and quiet the mind; breath becomes a vessel for navigating emotion and thought inward.
Somatically Informed Yoga: The Embodied Path of Gentle Awareness
Somatically informed yoga, a gentle yet profound practice, marries the principles of somatics with yoga. It is a nourishing practice, which makes yoga accessible and sustainable to people of all age groups who can sustain even light physical activity. This is a gentle way of aligning the body in yoga postures through breath and precise internal movements – held for as long as is comfortable, without strain or long durations being held in one pose. It can be exercised sitting on a chair or standing and is somatically aligned, cultivating relaxation, tension release, and reconnecting with the body.
Chair Yoga: Embracing Accessibility and Mindfulness
Chair yoga, a variant of somatically informed yoga, makes the practice accessible to all. It encourages exploration of movement and breath in a supportive manner, fostering relaxation and muscle release.
Benefits of Somatically Informed Chair Yoga
Relaxation: Eases muscle tension and habitual patterns that cause discomfort.
Sensory Exploration: Promotes exploration of sensations, feelings, and intuition.
Embodiment and Agency: Enhances embodiment, personal agency, and self-awareness.
Trauma Healing: Supports healing from trauma by reconnecting body and brain pathways.
Improved Well-being: Boosts mobility, strength, posture, balance, and overall health.
Mindful Practice: Develops a mindful, contemplative, and creative practice.
Meditation: The Journey Inward
Meditation, on the other hand, is the movement inward, the pause that allows a person to listen to the voice of the soul. Through the complementarity of yoga and embodiment, meditation allows a person the space to express deeper feelings within the self – to weave together the specific gestural language of yoga with the personal revelations of a deeper connection to the mind and body. Meditation grants us access to the inward journey – those moments to connect more deeply with the self.
The advantages of marriage are multitudinous: body, spirit and mind are bound by a silken bond of harmony. Through practice, not only strength and flexibility, but also balance is improved. In melding the mind to the ritual, stress is decreased, and focus is intensified.
Emotionally, there is reticence toward feelings of disturbance – anger, anxiety, jealousy. Yet with yoga, a serene heart is always close at hand. The spirit is inspired, and the soul is enthused. Absolved and renewed, our soul self-soars. Thus, spiritually, yogic meditation offers a path to self-discovery and personal growth.
Living Yoga: Beyond the Mat
In the tapestry of wellness, the threads of ancient yoga and modern embodiment are interwoven to create a rich mosaic of self-discovery and harmony. This fusion is a testament to the timeless relevance of yoga and the innovative insights of embodiment practices.
A Path to Harmony
The fusion of yoga and embodiment is a path to harmony, a way to navigate the complexities of life with grace and balance. It is a practice that honors the wisdom of the past while embracing the insights of the present, a journey that is as individual as the practitioner.
As we continue to explore the depths of this fusion, we find that the harmonizing of mind and body is not just a concept, but a lived experience, a testament to the transformative power of yoga and embodiment.
In our next two episodes of Embodiment with Chair Yoga, we’ll explore The Gentle Power of Chair Yoga: A Journey to Wellness and Navigating the Path, Overcoming Obstacles in Chair Yoga.
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Bonnie Sheldon, an EFT Master Trainer and Somatics expert and guides professionals in achieving stress relief and mindfulness through body-mind integration. Her programs promote self-care, ensuring workplace wellness and success without sacrificing personal well-being or relationships.
