Ouroboros (part one)

I almost conclude three rough training weeks with shaky limbs and a stiff/sore ilium-sacrum-lumbar complex. With Kungfu and jiujitsu still ahead (dread).  This morning in Ashtanga Yoga I focused on the breath like never before. Came to rely on it. As far as it was willing to take me. For, I am struck by a sticky sense of exhaustion. I focused on making the breath calm and even. Four counts exhale, concentrating on the lower body, the abdomen, the soft torso (few bones, but big ones). Four counts inhale, concentrating on the upper bony torso (ribcage etc.) Faced with the repercussions of the torso on the limbs, hips to legs, shoulder complex to arms. Eight counts per two asanas plus transition while breathing slowly in or out. Movement riding on the breath. Body moving to the rhythm of the breath. Or attempting to. I was stuck many times in Chaturanga (low plank) on the floor or in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) recovering a calming, soothing, balanced breath. The hardest was by far inhaling in Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana), chest pressing forward, pulling spine-to-toes, head curling back, compressing the front of the body as it is stretched apart. Even breathing into the thoracic area has its limitations. I found the inhale generally helpful in lifting the winged cage with air balloons. Moving the upper torso forward with air power is different than moving it up. Going up, it tends to float, which is quite soothing. Going forward the thoracic spine appears to press on the fleshy air balloon (diaphragmatic radius). Do the arms’ efforts (serratus) to hold the body up as it pulls forwards restrict upper torso inflation? What makes it more difficult to calming-soothing-breathe four gentle counts?

All of the torso inflates. It takes great focus to hold the bottom of the exhale while inhaling in a manner that accentuates the expansion of the upper torso, preferably in the back. Can the chest muscles, too, restrict the breath expansion in the front? Which is why breathing into the back is significant. The aim is, of course, to expand the whole thing, like a balanced balloon. Shaping the balloon consciously (evolution). Muscles are pliable. Bones are not. Joints help bone pliability, giving some flexibility. Ribs can expand. Vertebra can bend. Breath with a muscular embrace (biological balloon).* Bones can comply to some extent. Awareness is crucial. Proceed with conscious care and curiosity. With great awareness of breath. As it is. And as it can be.

I shall focus on the breath in a similar way in my other trainings and see what happens. There is no other way, tired as I am. Go only as far as a balanced breath will take me. This is so much easier said than done! It takes great focus. Fatigue makes it harder to focus. But what focusability is left, let it be primarily on the breath. And see what happens.

Image: Internet Circulation

 

*biological balloon: breath with a muscular embrace
globo biologico: aliento con un abrazo muscular
Bioballon: Atem mit Muskelumarmung