A Lesson on Breath
The other morning I was having a terrific yoga practice in my living room. I was really "in the zone," and felt strong in my asanas and fluid in my movements. My attention went to my breath, and the fact that it was so strong, it seemed to command my body into the postures. In yoga we realize the breath as a catalyst for "prana" or energy. The deep yogic breaths allow the prana to disburse throughout our bodies, cleaning toxins and aiding circulation.
I realized that rather than listening to my body's whims, or the demands the senses make on my brain, I want to listen to my breath. The thought of the senses being of this material world, and the breath being a channel into a more dynamic dimension inspired me further. As I moved through the motions, my concentration became so intense on allowing my breath to call the shots, that I ignored the tiny cry in me that said, "Need rest!" My zeal towards this epiphany soon turned into fatigue, and I was overcome with a flood of nausea. I immediately stopped my practice, and gulped a bottle of water down.
As I sat on the floor, panting with my empty bottle, I had to laugh at myself. Of course my body would put me in check. Of course I can't push myself so hard without water in my system. And of course I am not able to transcend the delicacy of my body's systems...at least not yet.
I realized that rather than listening to my body's whims, or the demands the senses make on my brain, I want to listen to my breath. The thought of the senses being of this material world, and the breath being a channel into a more dynamic dimension inspired me further. As I moved through the motions, my concentration became so intense on allowing my breath to call the shots, that I ignored the tiny cry in me that said, "Need rest!" My zeal towards this epiphany soon turned into fatigue, and I was overcome with a flood of nausea. I immediately stopped my practice, and gulped a bottle of water down.
As I sat on the floor, panting with my empty bottle, I had to laugh at myself. Of course my body would put me in check. Of course I can't push myself so hard without water in my system. And of course I am not able to transcend the delicacy of my body's systems...at least not yet.