Earth and Water Retreat brings a focus on the special connection between Yoga and Water
Yoga is a creative opening that leads it self into spiraling illumination. Sensitivity harmonies the actions of the limbs so they work safely and offer stability…. The wide experiences peter has had from inspiring teachers has left him open to broad interpretation of the scope and practice of yoga.
Central to all his experiences Peter finds the breath. There is no situation more likely to highlight the power and significance of the breath than being in water: Being in water creates awareness of breath as the weight of water resists the movement of the lungs. Then there is the added buoyancy of the lungs when full and the ballast of the body when the lungs are emptied.
Many of us have enjoyed exhaling the breath out and sinking to the bottom of the bath, resting in the calmness that arises. This is put into context by the yogi perception that the movements of the mind and breath are interlinked (chita). Sustenance for the thoughts is the movement of breath, when the breath is interrupted the mind is affected.
Water covering the head helps to internalize the senses: Sound changes dramatically, the eyes usually close, our attention starts to flow inwards; turned towards the breath and mind we observe experience as it arises in consciousness. The yogi also understands the power of the senses to stimulate the movements of the mind. (pratyahara) Sinking to the bottom of the bath puts the mind and senses at rest for both these reasons. Playing in water with breath and awareness brings a lighter touch to the asana on land.
In “pauses” one finds a perspective to observe unconscious tensions. The expansion of awareness from the calming of the mind offers us space to let go holding on, if only temporarily. A sense of liberation comes from the direct experience of the reduction of limitations.
Yoga and Water Connection
Earth and Water Retreat brings a focus on the special connection between Yoga and Water
Yoga is a creative opening that leads it self into spiraling illumination. Sensitivity harmonies the actions of the limbs so they work safely and offer stability…. The wide experiences peter has had from inspiring teachers has left him open to broad interpretation of the scope and practice of yoga.
Central to all his experiences Peter finds the breath. There is no situation more likely to highlight the power and significance of the breath than being in water: Being in water creates awareness of breath as the weight of water resists the movement of the lungs. Then there is the added buoyancy of the lungs when full and the ballast of the body when the lungs are emptied.
Many of us have enjoyed exhaling the breath out and sinking to the bottom of the bath, resting in the calmness that arises. This is put into context by the yogi perception that the movements of the mind and breath are interlinked (chita). Sustenance for the thoughts is the movement of breath, when the breath is interrupted the mind is affected.
Water covering the head helps to internalize the senses: Sound changes dramatically, the eyes usually close, our attention starts to flow inwards; turned towards the breath and mind we observe experience as it arises in consciousness. The yogi also understands the power of the senses to stimulate the movements of the mind. (pratyahara) Sinking to the bottom of the bath puts the mind and senses at rest for both these reasons. Playing in water with breath and awareness brings a lighter touch to the asana on land.
In “pauses” one finds a perspective to observe unconscious tensions. The expansion of awareness from the calming of the mind offers us space to let go holding on, if only temporarily. A sense of liberation comes from the direct experience of the reduction of limitations.