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A question about Asanas

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Mysticism
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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    mark0987
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

    I am sorry is this is a 'beginner' question but what do you exactly do when sitting in asana? Crowley mentions in liber E vel Excitorium (probably not spelt correctly) that you tense every muscle in the body when sitting in the asana. Now I have tried the God and Dragon asana yet when I tense every body my body shakes, I cannot breathe properly and its pretty painful.

    Am I doing it right? Or have I misread what the instructions are asking me to do?

    Any help is much appreciated.

    Love is the Law, Love under Will.

    C J M S Q 7 Replies Last reply
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  • C Offline
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    Corvinae
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #2

    i personally believe that the sitting postures are very difficult for most people, and that it would be best for many to do a variety of postures over a time, building flexiblity, tone, and alignment.

    i also suggest using props, a folded blanket is a very good tool to have on hand, I also like to use straps to help condition the body.

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  • J Offline
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    Jim Eshelman
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #3

    @mark0987 said

    "I am sorry is this is a 'beginner' question but what do you exactly do when sitting in asana?"

    As little as possible.

    "Crowley mentions in liber E vel Excitorium (probably not spelt correctly) that you tense every muscle in the body when sitting in the asana. Now I have tried the God and Dragon asana yet when I tense every body my body shakes, I cannot breathe properly and its pretty painful."

    He spoke merely clearly of this in Eight Lectures on Yoga. The word "braced" is more accurately descriptive (kind of a semi-involuntary gentle isometric of everything).

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  • M Offline
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    mark0987
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #4

    Thanks for the help,

    I shall try the folded blanket it may help my legs due to the hardness of the floor.

    So Semi involuntary isometric of everything I am taking as the in-between of tensing the muscles and relaxing them, so that the body is firm and not limp but not shaking involuntary from over tensing.

    93's

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  • S Offline
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    Swamiji
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #5

    Yes; be careful with the idea of "tensed"; in my own experience a lot of practitioners start out being far too tightly rigid, when what you really need to be is still.

    93!

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  • Q Offline
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    Q789
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #6

    When i was young i belonged to a magickal order. In order to pass a certain grade i had to sit in the dragon asana and balance a saucer of water on my head for 30 mins. You should learn to push through the pain- it will come to you over time.

    I now sit in the dragon asana to meditate regularly.

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  • M Offline
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    mark0987
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #7

    Wow ten years old..........

    I understand what you mean but once I can sustain for long periods I will be a lot happier than I am now, perhaps I'll get to the point when I don't dread practising it lol.

    93's

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  • Q Offline
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    Q789
    replied to mark0987 on last edited by
    #8

    The idea, which btw i forgot to mention, is to teach you discipline. the discipline to meditate with total concentration- a most valuable tool in magick.
    The discipline to focus intently on a single point- to focus the mind- and not to allow small distractions to lead you away from your aim.

    Most valuable- and i appreciate the work i put into it. As i did achieve what i set out to do.

    Nowadays, i recognize that some of the energies that need dealing with, also require a well trained magickain.

    Just a side note anyone here from OPA ???

    Q

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