ALIGNMENT IN YOGA
Our bodies and our brains are like programs downloaded from the Internet that affect how our computer operates. We download programs from parents, teachers, television, and so on – from the day we are born and before we can understand language or even speak. Some we are aware of – others manage to download themselves under our radar. All these programs get installed on the “hard drives” of our brains and in our connective tissue, and can even rewrite the code of our operating systems. If we download and install a virus it can take over completely, forming a limited view that it seems impossible to escape. Through Alignment In YOGA we are cleansing ourselves of programs that do not serve us anymore and reprogramming ourselves with the truth.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means “to join”. We unite BODY + MIND/ HEART + SPIRIT and bring it to alignment.
Living everyday lives we tend to forget that there is more to us than just a physical material body and that we are truly powerful, intelligent beings, made of subtle energy body with psychic abilities (we’ve all had that experience of walking into a room and sensing someone’s energy – or an energy of particular place or circumstance. …it can be very powerful..) .Practising Yoga brings us to this place of UNION, bringing out the best in us and placing us in a place of flow with nature in every area of our lives. When we align with nature healing happens. – you will know that very well after spending some time somewhere at the seaside or in the forest.
THE THREE LEVELS OF ALIGNMENT
1. BODY
Have you heard about YOGA THERAPY? Pain is very often a wakeup call and often a path to freedom. Did you know that 30% of doctors’ visits are for muscular or structural issues? We go to the doctor and often we come to yoga as a last resort or too late – we identify with our conditions or injuries. But I think it is never too late. I am observing that people who tried everything are finding hope again through YOGA and become unblocked and free from pain.
I really think that YOGA should be something we do from a very early age and on regular basis.
So what happens on a strictly physical level is that practising YOGA corrects postural problems, healing injuries, strengthening body and stretching muscles and releasing physical pain… it really works if you apply it correctly. It can work for everyone – an 80 year old grandmother or a 25 year old can experience inner illumination and healing. Stepping onto the yoga mat we learn how to put our muscles and bones in a particular relationship which is safe and enhances our energy flow, clearing blockages. When energy begins to flow the toxins are removed from the system. What we looking for is the strength of steel but with steel’s flexibility.
Each body has its own Optimal blueprint- the master design for the body potential for physical and energetic health. The optimal blueprint varies from one person to another. Depending on age, life style, health conditions- you can change your optimal blueprint.
Each body is different. – once the body’s blueprint become optimised then the healing starts happening and energy improves, creating an overall sense of wellbeing. Once we are aligned properly the body senses it – the connective tissue becomes stronger and more flexible. OPTIMAL BLUEPRINT is AVAILABLE IN EVERY POSE. My job is to align with the OPTIMAL BLUEPRINT FOR ME. I want to become the RAD-est RAD possible. THE ROB-est ROB possible. The STEVE-est STEVE possible etc.
Your frequency is unique to you. Refine the pure light of your own frequency and you will be luminous and unstoppable and we can get closer to our individual matrix, to our optimal blueprint.
2. HEART/ MIND
What are we aligning to? Some of us carry tremendous pain in our heart – living unfulfilled lives. Doing jobs that we don’t care about, being in relationships that are not working and being disconnected with who we really are and what we really want.
The universe has made a lot of effort to make us exactly as we are. We all have something unique and special to offer to the world. Alignment is when we recognise our gifts and talents and offer them to others, we feel joy, we feel happy.
When we are in alignment, with our essence at our heart’s desire, we feel happy, connected to ourselves. We are connected with our CORE- with the ESSENCE of who we are….and the world around us. We feel free, – we start loving life again. We are kinder, sweeter, we have greater vitality. When we are out of alignment we feel contracted, alone, stuck, not free. Being out of alignment is manifested in our lives through pain and suffering. When you know what it feels like to be in alignment, you also learn what it feels like to be out of alignment – you feel contracted, stuck or in pain, you know there’s another possibility. It is empowering to know that you can always re-align yourself, to know that you can get unstuck when you are stuck.
We want to awaken within; we want to connect with our heart’s desire. – ultimately we become our own best friend…we learn to love ourselves and love each other…and this is why we learn alignment. It is the most natural thing on the planet. The problem is we are so used to being out of alignment that we have to relearn how to do this; we need to relearn the patterns.
If you don’t know what your true talents are this is the place to be – the answers will come. We practice yoga so the deeper essence of the heart can reveal more.
3. SPIRIT
The highest reason for alignment is to awaken and recognise Supreme Consciousness in ourselves. To get the idea of ONENESS – that we are all the same – we share exactly the same tendencies, the same patterns in our bodies. At the same time we are all different – each of us is given different talents and unique skills and no one will ever be exactly as we are.
The patterns in our bodies are the same patterns in nature. The whole universe and every cell replicates itself in the same patterns aligned with SUPREME POWER. the leaves on the tree grow in the same pattern. There is a template. The UNIVERSE has self- similarity, like a snowflake or a fractal, with the same patterns repeating on all levels – As above, so below – as without, so within – as here, so elsewhere.
ALIGNING we recognise that we are manifestation of divine. and we awaken to the Source within – when we recognise we are the universe…every cell of us is divine…then we experience a profound shift…our fears and pettiness drop away as we fall into the dance of life energy, realising that we have been the only one who has ever limited our potential and there is nothing to do, nothing to achieve other than fully experience the divine powers that seek to manifest through us in each moment.
Remember that every form springs out of the formless – out of the one comes the MANY and each of us has gifts that are really special. What we want to do in the yoga community is to support each other’s gifts. Let’s bring my gift and your gift – and yours too as there is enough space for all of us. Let’s bring it all together and make an offering, staying fully aligned with GRATITUDE and LOVE – this is my biggest wish.
A Message From The Spirit Of Ma’at
The Hopi Elders Speak
We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
—The Elders Oraibi
Arizona Hopi Nation