To relax is not to collapse

To relax is not to collapse, but simply to undo tension.  This tension has been accumulated in the body and in the mind by years of forceful education.  Tension is the result of will, effort, and prejudice.

We have been trained, during the first part of our lives, to struggle to achieve.  Now we have to work in the opposite direction, by letting go, giving place to a different action (if we can call it action), an "un-doing action".  This will stop the habitual process of doing which has become mechanical.

The body in itself is healthy, but it has been ruined by all sorts of negative, destructive, guilt feelings.  If one can avoid going in this negative direction, a positive attitude will take over and the body will then be able to start its recuperative function, its natural way of existing.  There is nothing to be done.  It is not a state of passivity but, on the contrary, of alert watchfulness.  It is perhaps the most "active" of our attitudes, going "with" and not "against" our body and feelings.

There is beauty in the acceptance of what is.
Scaravelli p. 54                  



   

Gravity relaxes the brain

When the abandonment to gravity comes into action, resistance ceases, fear vanishes, order is regained, nature starts again to function in its natural rhythm and the body is able to blossom fully, allowing the river of life to flow freely through all its parts.
Scaravelli p.115

Gravity relaxes the brain.  This will be possible only if you let the pull of gravity reach the top of your skull.
In this process the many nerves along the channel of the spinal cord will also find relief.
p.123

therapeutic yoga podcast

http://www.liberatedbody.com/bo-forbes-lbp-017/

This is a great podcast about the benefits of adding mindfulness to a yoga practice.  It has a lot of information about ideas I use to create the classes I teach.