Balance In All Things

As I learn, my understanding grows and my questions get more demanding. I continue to find depth and completeness in the Ghosh system and specifically in Tony's approach to the yoga.

Today I am appreciative of the balanced physical approach to the body. Two things: the strength and flexibility of all areas of the body, and the therapeutic compression and extension of the internal organs and structures. These two focuses, which are significant in and of themselves, make what I perceive to be a complete physical practice. They will make the body healthy and strong.

Of course, physical practice, physical health is only one part of yoga. One of the first steps. Ghosh/Tony also focus on stillness, and I am now realizing that the stillness is less for the physical benefits than the mental. Creating stillness in the body calms the mind and connects it to the body. This is Pratyahara, turning the focus inward.

What of the breath? During posture practice, Ghosh does not emphasize the marriage of breath and movement the way that other traditions do. There are specific Pranayama exercises for this, but it is not at the center of the posture practice. I am beginning to think of Pranayama (breath/energy awareness and control) as linked to Pratyahara (inward awareness). Our breath is something we can observe or we can control. When we observe it, Pratyahara. When we control it, Pranayama.

As I move forward with my practice, I think about what to present to students of yoga as I become a teacher. What of the physical aspects, the anatomy and physiology? What of the breathing, inner strength and focus? What of the calm mind? What of the integrating lessons from yoga into life at large?