Chaturanga - CHECK

The pose I have secretly hated for 5 years felt different last night. I love these moments in my practice when I try something new….in this case doing Chaturanga Dandasana from my toes instead of my knees….and if feels like I am strong in the pose. I made a mental note that wasn’t so calm or quiet. I have to admit it was some pretty intense mind chatter…..monkey chatter. It went something like:

“HOLY CRAP! That was easier!”

Then I did it again. And more chatter, of course.

“I did it again! It wasn’t just a fluke!”

Then I noticed I was chattering too much and stopped.

Now what I looked like in it…….I have no idea.  I may have had the sloppiest chaturanga. Doesn’t matter! I did it and with ease. Of course, I couldn’t keep it up through the whole practice. Baby steps…..it’s all about the baby steps.

What felt different? Well I could actually feel what it feels like to press out through my heels. I didn’t feel like all the weight was in my shoulders. It felt stable and easy.

Who knew??

 

On a side note: The words ‘I can’t do that’ have officially been deleted from my vocabulary!

The Fourth Bandha ala Jeff

Really there is only 3 bandhas.

Mula Bandha

Uddiyana Bandha

Jalandhara Bandha

But there is a secret bandha that only a few, very connected people know about…..the fourth bandha. Now I can let the cat out of the bag or you can travel to Victoria, BC and learn all about the fourth bandha.

Alright! Here it comes!

The fourth bandha is the superior movement of the Labium superius & the Labium inferius. The lips, of course. To create a smile. Yes that is it…..it makes you smile, doesn’t it?

I didn’t create this but I heard it from one of my Gurus, Jeff. He won’t claim it as his own either. He heard it from his Guru, Sri O.P Tiwari. He talks about the fourth bandha often and it really helps to lighten the mood. Most people have heard it before and just smile right away. But the new people, they are like, ‘What!!! There is another one I have to figure out how to hold?!!!”.

It makes sense, really. As a yoga teacher I see people hold their mouths in some of the angriest faces. But they are enjoying themselves, right? I mean they are coming to the yoga class because they enjoy it, right? Doesn’t look like it.

I like to use humor in my classes.  A few jokes here and there will turn those frowns upside down. The fourth bandha is engaged and the postures seemed to become a little bit lighter; a little bit easier. It’s the easiest bandha’s to connect with and engage.

Finally something that is effortless effort!