Wednesday, November 08, 2006

How to keep balance in yogasana?

By Kavita Maharaj
[Red Door Yoga]

A concept common to most eastern philosophies, of which yoga is no exception, is the concept of the balanced existence of male and female energy in the universe.

Most of us are familiar with this concept within Taoism, which is represented by the Taijitu or Yin-Yang symbol: a circle containing a balanced swirl of black with a white dot and white with a black dot. Not as many however are familiar with the concept as it appears in yoga, where the concept is represented by a sun and moon together (see illustration).

In yoga, male energy (the sun), is referred to as Shiva, and is the form of the universe. Male energy is the domain of the right side of the body. Whereas female energy (the moon), is referred to as Shakti, and is the force of the universe. The female energy is the domain of the left side of the body.

During yoga practice, the goal is to observe and understand the dance between Shiva and Shakti. In this dance Shiva and Shakti flow in balance with each other bringing balance to the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the yogi.

In yoga, the concept of male and female energy continues on into the categorization of poses as well.

Female poses draw energy into the body and often physically close the body into itself, such as in a forward bend. Male poses on the other hand, expend energy and often physically open the body, such as in a backward bend.

Poses also need to be balanced by male or female breaths.

The exhale of a breath is considered the male aspect of breathing while the inhale of the breath is considered the female aspect.

When practising a male pose, a female breath (inhale) should be used to move into the pose.

If the pose is held for more than one breath, the inhale is then used to deepen a male pose.

When practicing a female pose, a male breath (exhale) should be used to move into the pose.

Likewise, if the pose is held for more than one breath, the exhale is then used to deepen a female pose.

Male and female poses should ideally be practiced in balance with each other.

Interestingly, the pose Savasana, or corpse pose, which is practiced at the end of a physical yoga class is actually neither male nor female, but rather a balanced combination.

After your physical practice, during which Shiva and Shakti have danced in a balanced way, they come to rest together in Savasana.

Thus, while in Savasana, one should focus on a breath balanced through both an inhalation and an exhalation to maintain the flow of both male and female energy.

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