September 2021 – Karmuka Yoga

Foundations of Yoga Asana “While you are disturbed by your body, your nerves will become disturbed and you cannot concentrate the mind” (Vivekananda Patanjali Sutras, 2: 46-48) Yoga Asana is one part of the 8 limbs of Yoga. It is often interpreted as Yoga posture. These Yoga postures are built upon spiral and arch forms. Learning how to maintain the integrity of these spirals and arches of the muscular and skeletal structure within Yoga postures (asana) is fundamental for Yoga beginners and advanced practitioners alike. This somatic knowledge is what makes Yoga therapy and Yoga for beginners and recovery effective while ensuring all levels of Yoga practitioners avoid injury. On a psychological level, during the practice of Yoga Asana, the body becomes a doorway to the present, a tool for focusing and releasing past impressions (Samskaras) stored in the mind and body (Patanjali Yoga Sutras 4:26). As students focus upon the minute details of each pose the Vrittri (activity) of the mind quiets, the nervous system begins to relax, physical pain starts to dissipate while the past and future disappear into the the here and now of internal observation (Pratyhara) of each pose. Asana is often interpreted as posture though it literally means ´stable seat´. The practice of Yoga postures ie. Asana should be focused upon stability NOT complete external execution of a pose. In the practice of Yoga Asana and Pranayama, even the most minute adjustments can help a student more fully enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of Yoga. Pain and discomfort should be communicated and modified. Remember, the very name ASANA means stable seat NOT nose to toes. The purpose of Asana is to prepare the body for Pranayama and the experience of Dharana, Dhyana and Samahdi. At first there might be great resistance as the mind and body are forced to create new neuronal pathways and clean up past tension and pain stored in the body. Nonetheless, as a student perseveres in their practice, stability in the body will increase and consequently greater stability in breath (Pranayama) and mind (Dhyana, Dharana, Samahdi) will manifest. How is the stability of Yoga Asana achieved? The strongest and most stable form found both in nature and architecture is the arch, hence the name, Karmuka Yoga. Karmuka means Arch in Sanskrit. The geometric form of the arch achieves strength and STABILITY by creating a perfect balance between two forces in opposition. In all her great engineering wisdom, nature created the human body with 6 main arches that sit one on top of another and support each other through opposing (isometric) action. Foot Arches Pelvic Arch Inferior Thoracic Cage Arch Superior Thoracic Cage Arch Arch of the Occipital/Pallette Cranium In observing the human skeleton the 6 arches are placed in a way to create more space through the central channel of the torso where the internal organs of digestion and assimilation, breath and the nerve channels of the spinal column and vagus nerve complete their functions. When one of these 6 arches becomes misaligned or flattened as a result of accidents, traumas, stress, genetics or postural habits, the consequence is a lack of space which results in various forms of discomfort and pain and an over all reduced functioning of the organism. These 6 arches of the skeletal system are supported by the spiraling internal isometric action of the muscular system and begin in the feet. The stability in the feet will create stability in the pelvis, the fulcrum of our movement and balance. Stability in the inferior arches of the feet and pelvis will then translate into fluid and stable movement further up the channel of connection in the superior arches of the thoracic spine, occipital lobe and the cranium. The strength of these arches is achieved through internal spiral movement, creating a perfect balance between two opposing tensions. Spirals: The building blocks of nature “There is no such thing as motion in a straight line” (Vivekananda Patanjali Sutras) Spirals form the basis of stable movement and is a pattern that is repeated throughout all of nature from the golden ratio found in flowers and shells to our very DNA. Prana moves up along the shushuma (spine energy channel) in spirals along the negatively charged energy channels of the ida and positively charged pingala. The serpent of Kundalini sits spiraled up at the base of the spine, waiting to unwind via the practice of Yoga. For example in Uttita (EXTENDED) Trikonasana (Three angles) spiraling tripod action of the feet press down and out in opposing directions lift the arch of the foot and then bring the energy up into the arch of the pelvis. This opening of the pelvis opens the sacrum (the seat of vital energy) to allow the student to then lengthen up along the spine through the arches of the ribcage then into arch of the skull. It is this lengthening of the spine and the opening of the ribcage into 360 degrees of internal space that removes tension, improves breath and creates clarity in the mind. In Yoga Asana the concept of opposing tensions to create both flexibility and stability is found in all poses (asana). The main goal of each Asana is to create more length and extension along the spine and width through the arches of the thoracic spine. The purpose of this daily practice of extension and width in the physical form of the body allows for deeper fuller breaths, a more relaxed nervous system as well as a more stable and flexible physical structure. The end result is an overall better functioning of the entire mind/body complex. This improvement in the physical and pranic (breath) structure enables the practitioner to sit for meditation without distraction and translate this practice of focus relaxed attention into their every day lives. Internal Action vs. External Exposition Thanks to social media and a pop cultural obsession with the beauty of external physical forms, the real transformative power and therapeutic benefits of Yoga are often lost as students are quickly guided between one

Integration with Yoga Therapy & Fasting Psychedelics, Yoga Therapy & Trauma – Integration of the Shamanic Journey: After the trauma of loss I had been through when leaving Spain, as I described in part III of this blog, and the resulting deep subconscious work that I had done in the Yucatán with psychedelics, I could tell that I was reaching saturation point and needed space and time to integrate these experiences of trauma and psychedelics with yoga therapy. After finishing the last Ayahuasca ceremony, I had originally planned on exploring the effects and benefits of Peyote in an overnight ceremony in the desert near Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí. I was intrigued by this cactus for three reasons: It´s use dates back 6000 years It´s main hallucinogenic agent is mescaline rather than DMT Its cultivation and consumption is deeply associated with the pre-Hispanic culture of the Huichol. The Huichol is a culture that still exists outside of the main stream Mexican culture. Though dwindling in number, they continue to maintain their original language, art, beliefs and ceremonies that have been in existence long before the Spanish arrived and the Catholic faith took over. One of the rituals central to their belief system is a pilgrimage taken into the desert where, under the guidance of a mara’a kame – the huichol term for shaman which can also be translated to mean singer – they gather and ´hunt´ peyote. The fruits of this hunt are consumed in the desert as part of a healing ceremony and the surplus is then packed up and taken back to their village. You can learn more in the video below: It is through the ritualistic consumption of peyote that the Huichol believe that they can both heal and commune with the Gods – a divine pantheon that consists of 120 gods with Tatemari, grandfather fire, at the head. This moment of divine contact via the vehicle of peyote allows them to perceive for themselves a parallel world of colors and pulsating connection which is represented and illustrated in their beautiful fantastically intricate, spiritually significant and brilliantly colourful bead and string art known as Nierikas. In the process of this pilgrimage, offerings are left for the Huichol Gods and spirits. These offerings can be seen along the path to the desert and if you do decide to take this journey, please leave them in their place. They are sacred gifts left for another world, not for the density of three dimensional humanoids. After completing my own self-imposed fasting retreat of Yoga therapy to integrate the previously described traumas and psychedelic experiences, I had the chance to walk through the cerro (mountain) and visit one of these sacred Huichol spaces as well as speak with a Huichol family that lived there guarding the area. However, the plans for the peyote ceremony fell apart at the last minute – and probably for the best. First of all, I learned in this trip to the cerro that the Peyote Cactus is an endangered species and and Mescaline can be found in other non-endangered species such as the fast growing San Pedro Cactus. Secondly, I do think it was the universe, or if you like, my own organizing source energy, that decided that after the integrating my psychedelic experience with my self-invented, private Yoga therapy retreat, it was time to rest and just enjoy my new grounded sense of peace and clarity. Fasting Fasting is an integral and long standing practice within the discipline of Yoga as well as its medicinal counterpart of Ayurveda. I have fasted many times throughout my Yoga trainings and use it often when I have felt low on energy, my digestion is not cooperating with me or I perceive that a cold or flu are coming on. Modern science confirms the great benefits of fasting as a way to increase resistance to stress, improve longevity and decrease the incidence of disease. It´s practice, often termed intermittent fasting, has recently become greatly popularized in the western world. Nonetheless, in all my experiences of fasting I have never exceeded more than three days. This is because the focus of these fasts was mainly to improve the functioning of the Annamaya Kosha (Physical Body), Pranamaya (Energetic Body) and Manomaya Kosha (Mind Body). In fact, Ayurveda discourages pro-longed fasting as its primary focus is living day to day life with greater ease and energy, rather than delving deep into the wisdom and bliss bodies of the Vijananmaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha. This is where the more austere practices of Yoga (such as long-term fasting) start to play a part. Consequently, since I wanted to explore these more subtle Koshas, especially after my previous experiences, I decided to undertake the task of a 7 day water fast. The practice of fasting to integrate and delve deeper into other worlds of perception is not exclusive to Yoga and is practiced by Muslims during Ramadan, the Jews during Passover, by various Christian sects and is a intricate part of the cleansing practices of the Peruvian Shipibo. Preparation Before undertaking this water fast I consulted with my friend Ian who had years of experience in the healing art of fasting. Ian discussed how on average, every third day I would probably experience some unpleasant detoxifying effects. To reduce these symptoms and make the fasting process more enjoyable I prepared myself for the 7 day water fast with three days of eating just fruit. More citric, watery fruits such as grapefruit and red grapes were recommended. Red grapes were a bit hard to come by where I was so I opted to substitute them for prickly pears. The Experience – Integrating the experience of Psychedelics, Trauma and Yoga Therapy The first two days of the water fast were fantastic. I felt a great surge of energy and clarity in both mind and body for the first couple days of the fast. I was amazed by the sense of great strength and space I observed in all three aspects of my Yoga practice

Month: September 2021

Yoga Foundations: Spirals, Arches and Yoga Asana

Psychedelics, Yoga and the Shamanic Journey Part IV: Integration