11th Step Meditation. Pranayama. 5.19.11

tadasana

shiffman hokey pokey sytle wake up

uttitha tadasana with side bending
uttanasana variation with shoulder opener and hamstring stretch

malasana

windshield wiper

eye of the needle

supine pranayama feeling the movement of the breath in the nostrils

sukasana side bending
sukasana neck rolls
OM

Sit (20 mins)
9 OM's

read sutra 2.49-2.51 (pp. 105-107 in Ravi Ravindra's The Wisdom of Patanjail's Yoga Sutras)

discussion (What is pranayama was asked and 'isn't it one of the limbs of yoga'). Briefly discussed the 5 yamas, 5 niyamas and the other 6 limbs (8 total) for context.

We really liked "When the breath is focused on different parts of the body, those parts are energized with the subtler and subtler comoponents of prana, producing subtle sensations inside. We have a priviledged postiion with respect to the processes which take place within our body and we can become aware of the subtle changes which take place inside". We as a group expereinced this firsthand in our practice.

For people recovering from addiction, this is an exciting find indeed, as active addiction takes one as far away from feeling the body as humanly possible!

We also marveled that the word 'breath, life force, and spirit' are the same in many languages.