When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. When the breath is calmed the mind too will be still.
~ Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Befriend your breath. The first step in pranayama is training ourselves to use the entire range of our physical breathing apparatus. This means experiencing full yogic breathing coordinating the lower, middle, and upper parts of the breath process as well as learning to attenuate the outgoing breath. When we take full, slow, deep breaths through the nose, using all three sections of our breathing apparatus and drawing out the exhalation longer than the inhalation, a number of important things start to happen in our body. First, nose breathing filters the air, warms it, and keeps it moist. Thus the air arrives in the lungs in the best condition to provide efficient transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In addition, full breathing through the nose also stimulates some of the subtle nerve structures, beginning the process of bringing light and aliveness to our inner realms. A full breath with the exhalation longer than the inhalation has significant impact on the processes of the abdominal cavity, where all of our main organs are located. As the diaphragm moves up and down, each of our abdominal organs moves also, sliding against one another, changing shape, tugging on its attachment tendons and fascia, and sloshing around any liquid or food it contains. These physical actions are crucial to the health of our organs, and thus to our quality of life.
Saturday, 6/29, Beginners Yoga, 9:30-10:30am
This class will focus on the foundation of the pose and benefits interspersed with connecting to the vitality of the breath. Reserve a spot required 24 hours in advance of class at eastbankyoga@gmail.com or 605.759.7459. If you have a current punch card you may use it for this class, drop in rate $12.00 for this class. Cash or check accepted.
Saturday, July 27, 1:00-3:00pm Meditation Group will travel to Blue Mounds State Park. Artist Greg DenOtter once more will be gifting participants with a walking stick to keep. We sit still, we observe the sensation and we breathe into the sensation. In this manner we observe that feelings and thoughts manifested as sensations arise and pass away. In this way we are able to separate our sense of self with the thoughts, feelings and sensations that arise. All things arise and pass away. Hardness softens. The mere act of observation changes the observed. As we continue to practice this observation of self we are better placed to separate the emotion and thought from our sense of self.
Reserve your attendance at eastbankyoga@gmail.com or 605.759.7459
Please see website calendar for additional class offerings.
With warmth and light
Jill Moncur
