Connection. Would you agree that the foundation of a building is crucial? Especially if the building wishes to stay upright, you might say. So here I post an image of the roots of a corn plant. Notice the strong roots that encircle and connect to the stalk and pin it down into the earth. So too is your foundation important in yoga asana practice.
And not just your foundation is important. In each yoga asana you practice you must feel a connection to your skeletal framework in order to find the strength to acheive the asanas.
Today in class with David we learned the importance of shoulder blade connection to the back body and the connection of the arms firmly extended in the asana Virabradhasana III. In this pose you end up standing on one straight leg, while you stretch the other leg straight behind you and the arms straight ahead of you. The lifted leg must extend and not interfere with the position of the hips. The hips remain as level as possible. Of course, none of this is possible without the strength of the standing leg firmly rooted to the floor.
So in your own yoga asana practice, if you feel a bit of a challenge as you attempt a pose, check your foundation. Check your connection. Are you hanging out and relying on your inherent flexibility? Do you feel connected to your entire body? If not, where does your connection stop? If you are in a standing pose, are your feet firmly rooted? Become aware of yourself, and take this feeling with you as you walk out of your practice space and enter the rest of your life.
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