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Do you value repose?
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I have recently been re-reading Dr Paul Brunton's exceptional 'A Search in Secret India' and once again am struck by the pertinence of chapter V: The Anchorite of the Adyar River.
In this chapter he describes meeting with a 'yogi of the body'...a man who is dedicated to the practices of Hatha Yoga - the very same yoga that we practice in class today.
In the following excerpt the yogi, Bramante, has been asked to explain his yoga to Dr Brunton...and so he begins:
' "Let us begin with the art of repose. We can learn something of this matter from the cat. Our master places a cat in the circle of his pupils and gets them to notice how graceful the animal becomes when in repose. He instructs them to observe it carefully when the midday heat sends it to sleep. He tells them to watch it closely when it crouches in front of a mouse hole. He makes it clear to them that the cat sets a perfect example of true rest, and that it knows how to store and keep every bit of strength.
You imagine that you know how to rest, but really you do not. You sit in that chair for a while, then move from side to side, then fidget, and then sprawl your legs out. Though you do not rise from the chair and outwardly you seem to be at ease, one thought after another races through your brain. Can you call that repose? Is it not still a way of being active?" '
The discourse continues and he guides Dr Brunton to try a few simple seated postures before explaining savasana to him. Dr Brunton is not immediately convinced by the subtleties:
' "Really, your exercises seem to consist of nothing more than sitting still in some way or another!"
"Is that nothing? You westerners thirst to be active, but is repose to be despised? Do calm nerves possess no meaning? Repose is the beginning of all Yoga, but it is not our need alone; it is also the need of your world." '
Dr Brunton then concedes:
'Brama's words are not without justification'
~ * ~
Attending regular yoga classes and attending retreats offer us the time, knowledge and opportunity to experience this kind of rest. Because whilst lying on a mat in savasana may not seem like a 'peak pose' it is arguably one of the hardest to master.
~ * ~
If you would like to spend more than the usual 90 minutes class with me then I have a few more retreats coming up this year.
Two are with Stretching the City...a 3 nighter at stunning Brooklands Barns near Arundel from 26th to 29th May and a glamping one at my favourite woodland venue, The Green Escape, on the last weekend of July. Booking is through www.stretchingthecity.com and if you mention my name you will receive a discount for the May weekend.
~ * ~
SAVE THE DATE
I am also thrilled to announce that I have just confirmed the venue for this year's Women's Winter Re-set Retreat. I am planning a weekend of deep immersive yoga practices; asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, philosophy and of course...time for repose.
More details will be released soon but the dates are confirmed as 24th to 26th of November.
~ * ~
Namaste
Charlie x
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