For me, the centrepiece of the practice of yoga asanas is to cultivate the spine. The spine is the dwelling of our highest energetic source. As we would tackle over the months (even years, if this page is still around), the Kundalini is coiled at the bottom of our spine and is just waiting for its walls to finally free her up. When the spine is moved is various direction, and in conjunction with various breathing patterns which I would also discuss in all future lessons, we open the gateway to a richer energetic flow, to nourish our vital organs with life-giving force (prana). We are as young as the health of our spine.
Having said this, the primary focus for all our lessons shall be about developing our spine through movement, breath and mind control.
However, this is more than just bending and twisting. The spine needs to fully awaken on a solid platform of strength and breath and not just flexibility.
Broadly speaking, people with inherent flexibility would find it more challenging to cultivate the spine in a manner required in most deep stages of the practice. Flexibility which is built through strength keeps the musculature aware and the brain involved. In the case of the spine, a loosely flexible spine would likely to fatigue quicker and is prone to injury versus the one which is more integrated and being supported by the surrounding muscles (such as the deep psoas and back extensors). The difference is always manifested in the ability of the hips (the sacrum and lumbar spine) to hold its position in backbends, inversions, and arm balances (and active transitions such as the jumps).
A person who is inherently flexible did not develop the skills to activate the deeper musculature that serves as support and foundation for advanced stages. Thus, it is common to see yoga injuries in people who are naturally flexible. In the same manner, it is harder to train the brain to “reset” its functions as a particular spinal behaviour has already been established. No, I am not talking about muscular size or power, neither I am referring to squeezing or contracting as you would normally do in resistance training. As we would tackle later on, these energetic locks or the Bandhas are very subdued energetic engagements which happen in conjunction with breath and subtle spinal actions.
Those might be too much to discuss for now. What I would like to point out here is that every student needs to firstly develop muscular and bone strength through practising the foundational elements. Inherent flexibility does not exempt one from skipping the fundamentals.
The Opening Flow
All future practical lessons, especially those which target specific elements, will require some warming before actually trying them. It is essential that the body is warm and open before a deep element is performed.
Our first lesson is all about building structural integrity without too much complication and fancy poses. Practice this flow every day for four weeks. Be patient and keep it simple but steady over the next four weeks. Some of you might think four weeks on the same routine is too boring. But that is the goal - to do it over and over again until all the poses happen so easily and fluidly. It builds mind control and discipline. It is just eight minutes. You will be surprised how this simple sequence of breath and movement builds consistency, discipline and overall wellness.
Good luck. Let me know how may I help. - F