Sahasraara
This past weekend, "Weekend #4," was a very excellent yoga weekend. It was timely, if not overdue.
Since I returned from the holiday I neglected my practice completely focusing all of my energies on readings and flash cards. This was a good thing and a bad thing; good because I did better on the exam Saturday January 9, 2010, than I did on the December 12, 2009, but bad because all the studying stirred up my anxiety. That stirring combined with a long practice has rendered me very sore in the back. Luckily when I spoke to Tom he confirmed my thoughts that it is just knots from stress, not any major injury like a pulled muscle. He encouraged me to do a slower practice, and pick poses that address the area of my back that is hurting specifically. That area is a line that goes from my left shoulder down along my spine to my lower back. I predict there will be lots of Threading the Needle and Rabbit poses in my future.
There were lots of amazing things that we learned this weekend. I really enjoy learning the mythology that lies beneath yoga. Tom showed us some really awesome images, and explained the imagery.
The story of Ganesha was the
first one Tom told us in our training. I am pretty sure it is probably also the first one I have ever heard, except for hearing second hand via "The Little Princess" the story of Rama. Ganesha rides a rat named Mushika. (bet he gets all the ladies)
The next three are goddesses associated with S'hiva. I am attracted to their power elements, i.e., tridents, swords, and fireballs. Alright, the first goddess is Paarvatee sitting with Shiva and Ganesha, her baby. Then comes Shakti, Shiva's goddess on the side and below her is Kaalee, she is quite angry.
Power and strength are such special words, that is
why I think these goddesses are so special. I find it almost impossible to talk about, or define power and strength without providing a context. Caution, do not think I am speaking of these two words together because I think they are interchangeable, no, that is not the case, but I do think that they share the characteristic of being hard to define.
Maria seems to support this thought in The Sound of Music when, at arguably the most pivotal moment of the film, during the song "I Have Confidence," she sings,
Strength doesn't lie in numbersStrength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up -- Wake Up!
I am still not entirely sure of what in the hell this means with respect to defining strength, but like most things, when you can identify what it is not, you can begin to get an idea of what it is.
(This is Durgaa. Love at first sight. Girl rides a tiger, AWESOME!)
Power and strength are such special words, but hard to know. I find it almost impossible to talk about, or define power and strength without providing a context. Caution, do not think I am speaking of these two words together because I think they are interchangeable, no, that is not the case, but I do think that they share the characteristic of being hard to define.
While we are on the topic of Goddesses, Julie Andrews included, I wanted to include this picture of Lakshmee who is associated with Krshna, and a goddess that I look forward to learning more about.
And finally for an explanation of Sahasraara, it is the 7th Chakra, one I felt very deeply during yesterdays meditation. It was a big frightening. More to come on the Chakras.
P.S. Sorry this post looks a mess.
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