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Namaste Yogis & Yoginis,
I recently read this sweet story in a book about Swami Vivekananda.
“There is a pretty Indian fable to the effect that if it rains when the star Svati is in the ascendant, and a drop of rain falls into an oyster, that drop becomes a pearl. The oysters know this, so they come to the surface when that star shines, and wait to catch the precious raindrop. When a drop falls into them, quickly the oysters close their shells and dive down to the bottom of the sea, there to patiently develop the drop into the pearl. We should be like that. First hear, then understand, and then leaving all distractions, shut your minds to outside influences, and devote yourselves to developing the truth within you.”
It got me thinking. All of the texts tell us that practice takes time; “dirgha kala” a long time. We are told just to keep going, and not to focus on the results (know the goal, but then focus on the task at hand). We know that trees take time to fruit, that flowers take time to bloom, that a cake takes time to cook. Everything has a time for growth/process and a time to ripen/yield a result. But we have become impatient in modern times. In spite of time-saving devices, we seem to have less time, and so we want things fast. Travel, food, letters – it has all sped up. Similarly, we seem to want our knowledge and our awakening to match out food – fast! But like fast food, we don't digest it as well; in the long run it can be less sustainable, and the results less than satisfying.
I believe in slow. It takes time to accumulate knowledge and experience, it takes time to get to know someone, it takes time to build foundation, it takes time to prepare a nourishing meal. When we slow down, we are stronger, calmer, and the results are more sustainable and rewarding. We are in the habit of taking time, so we also take time to enjoy the fruits as well as the labour. Things are not missed, corners not cut, cries for help are heard because we take time to listen.
There are so many benefits in Slow... for our digestion, our relationships, our buildings.. but most importantly for our spirits. Slow allows us to be truly present to all that is, to joy, to sorrow, to love, to illumination. Slow allows us to digest food and integrate knowledge, leading to health and wisdom. Going slow slows down time. Days regain their length, not flash by. Slow allows for the natural rhythms of life to play out harmoniously. Slow is inclusive.
Join us in going slow. Taking time. To develop and explore practice; to get to know yourself, to build connection and community, to listen, to deepen, to be. Each one of us individually slowing down enriches the whole, and brings the whole into presence. Then when and if we speed up (temporarily) – it can be for joy, for fun, from exhuberance, because we have loads of energy, because we enjoy the challenge, because we love the feeling of strength and power in our bodies– not because we are running for our lives 24/7.
Much love,
Suzanne
<3
COMING UP AT GCYC...
BOOKED OUT!!!
GCYC Winter Springbrook Retreat
Friday 3rd August to Sunday 5th August 2018
Our Winter Springbrook Retreat has sold out, so we have opened our expressions of interest for the Summer Tyalgum Retreat in February 2019. Come and chill in the hills with GCYC this summer at the private and spacious accommodation at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat overlooking Mt Warning. The retreat will feature daily yoga and meditation, delicious vegetarian cuisine, special guest workshops, bush-walking and cooling off in the swimming pool! Email the office yoga88@goldcoastyogacentre.com to avoid disappointment and stay up to date on all of the details!
SAVE THE DATE - Saturday 18th August 2018
Ashtanga Led Full Vinyasa Primary Series with Mark Togni
Replacing the 4pm Ashtanga Led class that Saturday afternoon, Mark will be guiding students through the full Vinyasa Primary Series in this special Ashtanga Led class. This 2.5 hour class will be dynamic yet demanding - best for experienced Ashtangis only. Tickets will be $25 - more details and start time to be announced in the coming week.
One-Day Silent Zen Meditation
Sunday 16th September 2018
Master Classes with Nicky Knoff
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October 2018
The 3 Locks / Bandhas of the Body
By Cameron Storey
Each and every body can be viewed as having three Bandhas (locks). These 3 Bandhas maintain the integrity of the body and enable efficient functioning and the channelling of energy, blood and bodily fluids into certain areas of the body. These bandhas are: 1) Jalandara Bandha (Chin Lock), 2) Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock) and 3) Mula Bandha (Root Lock).
The Chin Lock requires flexibility from the back of the neck to perform fully and many yoga practitioners can only partially apply this lock at best. Richard Freeman, Iyengar or Krishnamacharaya are good examples of how it is applied fully. Shoulder stand and plough with all their numerous variations facilitate preparing the neck muscles for Chin Lock. In these poses the blood is channelled into the upper torso where it flushes the thyroid, parathyroids and the thymus glands keeping them vital and healthy while stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and compressing the carotid sinuses.
In poses like Downward–facing dog pose the Chin Lock along with the narrowing of the glottis trigger the Abdominal Lock during inhalations. The effects of this lock are that all the internal organs, including large and small intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen, and bladder (hence no drinking in class) are massaged and the sympathetic nervous system is toned. This requires substantial practice and after which the Abdominal Lock can be applied to numerous other poses.
The Abdominal Lock can also be performed at the end of exhalation and held statically for periods of time or the abdomen can be oscillated back and forth 10 to 30 times after exhale. All of these variations have differing effects on physiological systems and beyond the scope of this article but the one effect of interest at this time is on the Root Lock. The Abdominal Lock draws back and simultaneously draws the Root Lock toward the diaphragm. So the Chin Lock triggers the Abdominal Lock which in turn triggers the Root Lock. This three part action is called tri-bandha or Maha Bandha and is an essential part of using the internal energy body rather than just relying on the external physical body.
The Root Lock draws the energy upward, the abdominal lock draws energy inward and the chin lock draws energy downward all of which increase the pressure internally have both a cleansing effect and a stimulating effect upon the body tissues and cells. The Root Lock also stimulates and balances both the parasympathetic and more subtly the sympathetic and the hypothalamus. If the body is inverted and the internal organs move under the influence of gravity toward the upper torso AND Root Lock is inactive the body can take in air into the vagina or the anus or both. Although there are yogic cleansing techniques designed to do just this the difference is in our intension. If taking air inwards through the pelvic floor is our intention then fine, if not then we failed to apply the root lock when it was required. While the sounds of air entering and subsequently exiting our body may embarrass some people the important issue is developing the awareness and strength around the Root Lock and pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor contains not just the Root Lock but also the two accessory mudras (symbolic gestures): 1) Vajroli Mudra is related to the external muscles of the urethra preventing urination and 2) Ashwini Mudra relates to the external anal sphincter preventing defecation. The contraction or relaxation of either Vajroli Mudra or Ashwini Mudra are much easier to master, and can be practiced initially, than the subtlety of the Root Lock.
The male Root Lock is a subtle upward contraction just above the perineum and not particularly deep. The female Root Lock is the subtle upward contraction at the area of where vaginal canal ends and around the cervix and much deeper internally. The female Root Lock and pelvic floor, less so for males, are prone to numerous problems, pressure during pregnancy, prolapsed uterus, light bladder leakage, perineal tearing during birthing, lack of muscle tone and/or being overweight and so require more attention and training.
Differing poses, differing pranayamas and differing meditations require differing applications of the locks, some applications are for ease in poses, some for lightness, some for safety to prevent excess downward pressure on the pelvic floor or deleterious upward pressure on the brain or to turn the awareness more inwards. This has been a cursory overview of certain aspects of locks not including chakras, vayus, sushumna or the awakening of kundalini.
Cameron Storey is a senior teacher at Gold Coast Yoga Centre, and also runs classes at The Dharma Centre and Medicinal Gardens on Lillifield Community and at Birth and Beyond, Nimbin.
Love and blessings <3 <3 Suzanne
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