Asana practice and unresolved issues from past

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

(yes, I misspelled this great pose I tried to use as my name. I registered a while ago and wanted to post now and not wait 24 hours or whatever for a new login name…)

I’ve had an almost-daily asana practice in flow yoga for a little over a year. I know there are 8 limbs and I am slowly expanding my practice.

This has still affected me really deeply. I feel more calm, I care for myself more, and I am more open than I ever thought I would be to things like starting a meditation practice.

About 10 years ago I had an eating disorder and I cut myself pretty regularly. Those behaviors stopped and I guess I dealt with it mainly by moving on and not thinking about it.

Today, I am thinking a lot more about those issues and their causes. I think the asana practice has helped me to a point where I am more ready to process it all than I have been before. But it is disconcerting to realize that I don’t really know how to do that. I didn’t know before either and that was probably why I resorted to those ways of coping.

I have tried regular therapy before and haven’t been able to stick with it. I don’t think I’m up for that now and don’t have insurance or a way to pay for it. If I had to chose between asana classes and therapy, I’d choose asana. There is not a yoga teacher that I would talk to about this. I realize this does not leave a lot of options, but if others have been in a similar situation or have heard similar stories, it would be great to hear about those.

Thanks.

#2

Psychological issues become “lodged” in your body as you are growing and developing. The asanas and many other practices ranging from psychotherapy to surfing can “dislodge” these issues and allow them to travel up the chakras until they finally exit the body through the crown of the head. Be advised that these blockages will pass through the third eye (forebrain seat of conscious experience) and you will consciously re-experience them in some way. This is my take on energy systems.

Hope this helps :slight_smile:

#3

ACG,

The practice of yoga provides us a pathway toward truth, when one holds that as an intention. Part of that pathway is revealed as we address the five Kleshas - ego, ignorance, attachment, aversion, and fear of impermanence (death). Another way to say this is “illuminate the consciousness” and it is that very thing which we ask for when we recite the Gayatri Mantra in the opening of our daily practice.

It sounds as though you are beginning to see things more clearly and being given the blessing of reframing something from your past with a new lens. Continuing your practice in a robust and profound (rather than rote and hollow) way will move you toward that truth, part the fog of your old ignorance and allow you to have an aha moment. It is a wonderful opportunity.

Each time you come to the mat for your physical practice, craft that practice such that it breaks up the etchings in the consciousness (samskara). This is best directed by a teacher but one simple way to work this is to remain in posture a half a breath longer than your mind believes you can. That gradually breaks up the fibers of your current belief system just enough for light to get in:-)

gordon

#4

I agree with Gordon on this one Ardha Chandrasasana Girl, :slight_smile:

You don’t have to worry about the “how”, but continue with your practice as Gordon suggests, practice with integrity (as it sounds like you are doing) and you will find the answers as you go. Don’t be afraid, trust your process. :slight_smile:

#5

Hi - thanks for these response. I appreciate them. I’m glad you’re all telling me to keep practicing, because I would have done that anyway!! :slight_smile:

mehm: can you explain what you mean using an example? What you say makes sense, and I’m not trying to disagree. But for example I’m looking at the causes of these issues as “things I learned/didn’t learn growing up”. When you talk about consciously re-experiencing issues, do you mean to say I’ll probably cut myself again or engage in weird eating issues again? I mean, whatever, that doesn’t bother me to think that might happen, it already has and I survived, but I genuinely don’t know what this would mean in this case.

gordon and joanna: thank you as well. These are nice ways of thinking about things and it is comforting to hear your advice. I feel like my practice has already led to some of those aha moments, which is awesome. Part of my issue now is that an aha moment just doesn’t tell me what to do in the future, you know? Despite that, I really believe that in 30-some years, asana has been the main thing that has led me to those aha moments, so maybe that will have to be enough for now.

Thanks. If anyone else has stories to share I’d be happy to hear them.

#6

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;51526]

Each time you come to the mat for your physical practice, craft that practice such that it breaks up the etchings in the consciousness (samskara). This is best directed by a teacher but one simple way to work this is to remain in posture a half a breath longer than your mind believes you can. That gradually breaks up the fibers of your current belief system just enough for light to get in:-)

gordon[/QUOTE]

A great turn of phrase. I’m going to borrow this, OK?

#7

[QUOTE=Ardha Chandrasasan Girl;51585]

mehm: can you explain what you mean using an example? What you say makes sense, and I’m not trying to disagree. But for example I’m looking at the causes of these issues as “things I learned/didn’t learn growing up”. When you talk about consciously re-experiencing issues, do you mean to say I’ll probably cut myself again or engage in weird eating issues again? I mean, whatever, that doesn’t bother me to think that might happen, it already has and I survived, but I genuinely don’t know what this would mean in this case.
[/QUOTE]

I am glad to hear you are making so much positive progress in your life :slight_smile:

Things that cause blockages are negative experiences or thoughts. These can occur at anytime. Many happen before the age of 5 when the mind has little discrimination between what is real and what isn’t. At this age, one can’t choose what they want to learn so everything gets “implanted”.

I don’t think you will start to cut yourself again, no. However, it is very likely that the negative emotions that go along with that behavior will resurface in your conscious brain as they pass through your third eye on their trip back into the universe. The asana will give you the strength to handle the emotion and cutting yourself will not be necessary.

Hopefully this is of help to you.

peace, love, and light

-Hanley

#8

ACG,

said: Part of my issue now is that an aha moment just doesn’t tell me what to do in the future, you know?

Right, it does not tell that. What does provide that direction is when we are able to quiet the mental and vital forces (dwelling in the cranium and pelvis) AND connect with our heart center, explore our life mission which resides there, and live from it. There lies the authentic captain of the ship called spirit or soul.

One who is not connecting with that vocalization has very little chance of being led by something other than ego, lust, craving, and desire. And as we look around it is apparent that such a leader doesn’t lend itself to profound result, as human existence goes.

gordon

#9

Part of my issue now is that an aha moment just doesn’t tell me what to do in the future, you know?

I wanted to address this as well - I really do like Gordon’s reference to knowing self and working on all aspects to provide for knowing the direction.

the Aha moment is but a signpost on your path. It does help give you direction, it opens your thinking to something new, and as a result, new ways of thinking about everything else. Trust it.

It’s all within you.

#10

Thanks very much everyone. I am bumping this thread up to see if anyone has other input :slight_smile:
I have had some recent events that make me think about things in a new light. I’m still not sure how to interpret things but it’s good to have these comments.

Thank you.

#11

Well Gordon has said most of the details. I can tell you in a very simple language, with practice our fear,pain, failures which were in a bunch are first broken , so we find a complete confusion and loads of negative thoughts all around, then we see them as pictures when we close our eyes .It very depressing for sure at firt… The idea is keep looking at them till you stop reacting emotionally to them. These all negative aura then simply move up our energy ladder and leave our body completely. Thats what yoga do to you cleanses you internally. Also think of a bubble from the bottom , coming to the surface and whooops…burst.