You and Your Asana.
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@fraterlvf said
"Am I on top of them, similar to how one is while crouching, or are the tops of my feet on the ground?"
I have been wondering this for a while because I don't think the Book 4 or even A Master of the Temple photos are at all clear on this. If I recall, the description is vague. Nice clarification!
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Thank you, Vod-Vil. That clarifies things.
If I may ask, where did you learn that from?
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The Dragon position is more commonly referred to as "Seiza".Do an internet search and you will get a ton of information on the position.
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@rzk said
"Within the context of tantrism/yoga, why use the japanese word?"
Because if you do a web search for "seiza", you get lots of instructions, tips, and pictures, whereas if you do a search for "dragon asana", you don't
Incidentally, I notice that the Japanese seiza is different for men and for women, with the women's legs held closer together and the posture altogether less relaxed. I had the impression that the yogic "dragon" posture, regardless of your sex, was like the female seiza. -
Recently, I have been doing most of my meditation while walking. Trying to keep my spine in alighment as I meander about my day.
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Savasana. Simple but effective. And highly underrated.
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@RifRaf said
"I have recently realized how difficult it is for someone to get back into an Asana, even after using one for years, after being idle with Yoga for a certain amount of time. For the past few months I have been working so strenuously with my Ceremonial work that I have not practiced meditation at all (which is the first time I have stopped doing my daily positions for nearly a year and a half). I started today and it was completely worse than when I first started, and doing Pranayama cycles like I used to would be a joke, too much "worshipping Hadit"."
Interesting isnt it - its like your muscles that were developed atrophied and needs to be rebooted. Concentration can be the same way (although I feel that is more like riding a bike)
IAO131
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I am not sure if this is an Asana described elsewhere or if it is my own. I haven't seen it described elsewhere anyways.
What I do is sit on the ground, taking my left foot and placing the heel of that foot over the genitals as if going into the Lotus. I then take my right leg and stretch it out completely in front of me, the right foot sticking straight up perpendicular to the ground. The toes of the left foot are then resting on the right calf. I place my left hand, palm down, on my left shin and my right hand over top of my right knee. Back, neck, and head straight.
I originally used this as a stretching technique in preparation for using the Lotus Asana, but came to realize that it is a viable position in its own right. I have had much success with it, if you call such discomfort success...
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First and foremost, let me just say this: what a fascinating thread - it is quite interesting to hear of the variety of asanas people are working with; even to hear of peoples trials and tribulations, for that matter.
Thus, I suppose it is only fair that in reading these responses I should respond in like kind. That said, I use/have used about a handful of asanas throughout my life:
Padmasana
Vrikasana
Siddhasana
Ardha PadmasanaFor the most part, I use Ardha Padmasana (half-lotus) precisely because it is - relatively - comfortable and, thus, facilitates forgetting the body during concentration and meditation exercises. ...I used to use full-blown Padmasana when I was younger, however since I have been biking alot it simply isn't possible anymore; my leg muscles simply will not allow such bending. Initially, I had switched to Siddhasana but decided to give Ardha Padmasana a go and have found it to be quite decent. Vrikasana (tree pose), however, I use for centering myself in the physical body when I need to - in having to balance the body, the mind is immediately centered and concentrated therein.
As a continuation of this thread, I am wondering: do any of you use any hand mudras while in asana (given the asana allows it); if so, which do you use and why; what has been your experience w/wo?
Thanks for your time,
QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.
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93,
"Dragon Asana" is identical with vajrasana, "thunderbolt pose", which may seem confusing since Crowley called a different Asana (which I can never wrap my head around) "Thunderbolt".
In vajrasana the tops of the feet are on the ground, toes pointed backwards.
Hanged Man is great for about everything aside from pranayama IMHO