Perfect (in’ the) body that does not need constant attention. |
My Hungarian master, Adam Baktai use to say that he’s doing yoga (asana) to not have any „body-feeling”. (it sounds much more creative and funny in Hungarian though)
It means having a healthy body within the life force can flow easily and freely.
Then I read Gregor Maehle’s book, Pranayama: the breath of yoga, and he’s writing about the same:
„In yoga the body is transformed into such a perfect vehicle. In Patanjali yoga the aim of asana (and its ancillary techniques) is to create a body that does not need constant attention because it is sick, or signals pain or discomfort. This is because pain, discomfort and disease force us to deal with the body more and more to the extent that identification with it increases. If you constantly have to go to the doctor, have medical procedures undertaken, swallow daily multitude of chemicals, all of this will make it more and more likely that you think you are the body. Without giving up this concept, spiritual freedom is not possible. For this reason, yoga loosens the identification with the body more and more by not giving you any reason to identify with it. The body is simply there, functioning and supporting you perfectly, without constantly asking you to attend to its needs.”
In the last 8 years, I experienced so many blessing effects of yoga, included the asana. The physical postures doing in the right way are a genuine healing therapy for the body, even my scoliosis curved spine is more straightened.
Even though modern yoga looks like a body-centred fitness industry suggesting that all yoga people have beautifully proportioned, perfect beach-body, the truth is yoga, even the asana is not for a six-pack or well-shaped buttocks. For that aims, there are other industries e.g. fitness and bodybuilding, etc. which can be also a real commitment with a real need of a constant, 0-24, 7/7 attention: on the body.
It’s easy to be confused – but do not be.
Yoga asana is
yes – physical, it is a sequence of body postures,
yes – for the body, but not to beautify it but to purify its channels.
yes – beautifully shaping the human body
yes – challenging, just as any sports activity (dynamic sequences)
yes – dangerous, if you use it as a sports racing and don’t respect your physical condition
yes – preparing you to attain higher spiritual experiences
yes – for you, and not inversely (keep it in mind when mastering a nice-looking pose)
The point is that asana is one important part of yoga, but just one slice of the whole system, not the goal of the system. Asana’s main role is purifying the body channels, inside.
As Gregor Maehle says in his book: „development will take place by itself once the so-called impurities are removed”.
Yoga asana is definitely for all people with imperfections and imbalances but with a firm willingness to change and develop.
For most of us, I believe.
I feel every day extremely thankful to all of the Sages, Gurus and Teachers who have kept it alive and make it accessible to us, in the 21st century. This is a real gift for modern people.
Are you ready to accept this gift?
It’s time to choose your attention.
Let’s find your teacher!
Please note: do not blame you if you’re practising asana and noticed those beauty-characteristics mentioned above; they can be the side-effects on the way to reach the ultimate-eternal goal. ;)
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