Makarasana: Crocodile Pose

In the last post breath awareness was mentioned as a priority. This last week my focus was on establishing a daily active practice that specifically targeted breath. Makarasana is a yoga asana and it’s often described as ‘the most relaxing pose’ in the prone position. The shape and form of the body in this position resembles the form and posture of a crocodile lying on it’s belly with head slightly lifted. In fact, ‘makara’ in Sanskrit means crocodile. We’ve seen movies and pictures of the stillness of the animal just before the explosive leap towards the unsuspecting prey. Makarasana brings stillness to the body and the mind. It restores rhythms and revitalizes our sacred constitution. This position is especially useful for engaging the diaphragm in breathing. When practicing this asana one immediately observes the deepening of the breath low in the pelvis. The breath slows down, and establishes a rate and rhythm that calms the mind. This asana, while it impacts all physiologic systems in varying degrees it is especially helpful in strengthening digestive, cardiovascular, and spinal health. As I relaxed into the posture I reflected on the meaning of vitality in stillness. What is the vitality and expressive gestures of Stillness? How does a relaxed face express joy and cheerfulness? What’s the vitality of the diaphragm during inspiration and expiration…during the incoming spirit and the exiting spirit? What is the vitality of the organs and glands as the spirit moves through them? As I focused on the movement of the diaphragm the mind calms and become alive. In fact, I live a life full with vitality in the stillness of Makarasana. 

Taking this stillness into daily life activities… well that’s another post. Daily activities now become ‘daily life obserables.’ What is the vitality I bring to this lived experience? How am I interacting with peers, friends, clients, neighbors, family, assignments, readings, writing this post etc. How purposeful am I in these interactions? What voice am I using; conversational, directive, professional, scientific, rhetorical etc. How is my breath changing during these interactions? What is the vitality of the pause and silence between breaths? Pretty heavy stuff too be thinking about as you are observing yourself.

The next week is full of discoveries for us explorers of HEALing. I look forward to our group presentation on Education; our discussions on vitality, mind body connections, interactive flow, becoming horse and to the new games we’ll be playing.

Namaste to all

Stay safe until the next post.