Will binding ever come?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I realize that yoga asanas are a part of the process. Not totally the process.

Asana practice has enhanced my life and my feelings about the universe in general.

It has been good.meditation has started.

One of my hopes is that someday I can bind. With my arm under my leg and the other down my thigh in back with hands clasping.

I have lots of strength in my upper body, which seems to be good for inversions and the like. However I am tight in the shoulders. Not good for binding.

I have been told to be patient and that someday it will come. I will accept this.

However I wonder if there is some stretching I could do to help this along. I would really like to feel a bind someday.

Any suggestions?

Namaste

#2

What is the purpose (for you) in “binding”? In other words, “why do it”? What is it delivering or what is the student hoping it will deliver/facilitate?

If it is only the feeling of “bind” then use a strap between the hands. You are then bound.

If the (desired) feeling is additional opening in the shoulders then continue the opening work and reduce those things which create the tension, knots. Obviously this would include physical and emotional.

Patience is the 5th requirement of a student of yoga so one does not “pass” on that opportunity (to grow patience and be patient). This is always an appropriate lesson for us on the path of Yoga.

I’m sure your teacher can provide or has already provided things that open the shoulders, yes?

#3

It has been good.meditation has started.

Your thoughts look okay until this statement. But there is a phase shift when you write further.

I would really like to feel a bind someday

As you keep doing different asana , you will be more flexible. But this has nothing to do with experience of meditation. I mean without this also you can be in meditative state.

#4

Sorry to confuse Umesh. I did not mean to link the arm binding with my meditation.

I should have said that through asanas I have gotten into meditation which is a good thing.
I am very blessed by my current practice and this has led to other things.

But my hope is that someday I can do an arm bind. For the expression of the pose, the
spreading of the chest and shoulders. More opening.

I am looking for some way to speed up the process. But probably this is an error. It will come when it will come.

#5

I was thinking about this thread this weekend. I enjoy my vinyasa flow studio, but over the last three days I practiced on my own, and when I do I always attempt the Ashtanga primary series. With no access to teachers where I live, my efforts are guided by numerous Ashtanga texts. My favorite is Power Yoga by Bender Birch, who, when describing half bound standing forward bend (ardha baddha padmottanasana) writes “it can take two years or more to bind the leg…” and I key on her words “or more” because with my hips/knees it [I]will [/I]take me more!

With an active daily practice I am seeing subtle, slow, but clear changes in my asanas…with the notable exception of this pose. I [I]feel [/I]no closer to catching the bind today than when I started. But one other thing I’ve noticed – my progress isn’t linear. If yesterday I could lift up in Lolasana I may not today and I may not again for the next six weeks, but then one day I can lift up again. And while sometimes I don’t think I’m any closer to the full expression of this half bound standing forward bend, I trust I am, as I am continuing to work towards it. I’ve let go of my expectations here, which is something that was very, very difficult for me to do initially, and still difficult to continue, but it is getting easier over time.

#6

Hey Insania,

I agree with you I think about expectations.For a solid year I kept learning and doing new poses. After I could do a handstand in the center of the room, I figured there was no stopping my “progress”. I was expecting I would just keep doing and mastering new things ad infinitum. But for the last year I would have to admit that I have not learned any new pose. However, my practice feels right. Asana is turning into meditation. So what if I cannot do a handstand in the center of the room. So what if I cannot do a full bind. I am still doing my flow 5-6 days a week. But there is something more now. Something more thoughtful and maybe more humble I hope. Thanks for your comments.

#7

I always used a strap or towel when binding and then as I got my hands together over time I realised the reason was the extra weight I lost. (side angle bind or that sanskrit word with 14 letters and 6 y’s in it)

#8

Never thought of that. But maybe a few less lbs. might help. Thanks!

#9

With Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana, I should revise my earlier statement somewhat about how I felt I’m no closer to binding.

I forgot how difficult it was to maintain any balance initially, whilst today the balance has improved to the point where I can at least put some focus on binding. For the longest time I simply couldn’t balance on one leg, particularly the second side. So while I might want to focus on how I’ve not improved the binding I [I]have [/I]improved on the pose.

I will say that I was a good 40# overweight when I began practicing in earnest and today I’m still a good 20# over. Here’s what my practice has given me that nothing else ever has – an acceptance of where I am right now. I was someone who created all manner of mental anguish over how I could never complete a “real” forward fold due to my weight. Two things became apparent that today I really have gratitude for realizing – one, getting my palms on the ground in Uttanasna was my definition of “real,” and two, my weight was the only obstacle to achieving it. Today I recognize these ideas entirely differently. Today I can “get” my palms on the ground, but I now see that I will [I]always [/I]be reaching towards the full expression of the pose…a “real” pose. And, I neither was nor am I too overweight to practice yoga.

Should I ever reach my ideal weight will it somehow transform my practice into something different? I don’t think so. Now, I do recognize that losing weight may help asana. Maehle indicated that certain binds are more accessible without excess excess! And Dave has shown this to be true for him. But I am so much more comfortable with where I am today, still a good half a foot from catching the bind. I still desire weight loss, and reading how it has affected binding is another reason I want to continue.

#10

“Progress” is such a personal concept.

#11

practice makes perfect… BUT why do you want to bind? what would be the purpose of the bind? would you think that you got the ultimate expression of the asana if you bind? …

#12

Hey CM.For me, the ability to do new things in my practice is a great encouragement. I remember vividly the day I could finally do the Crow pose. This gave me the confidence to learn other more difficult poses. Would I stop doing my Yoga practice if I can never bind? No. Just looking for progress in making my asanas more complete.

#13

Use props freely!

Be comfortable at your edge, and that will be your bind. I like straps for connecting those hard-to-connect binds… Enjoy!