Autumn Update Nabhi Kriya
Well, I guess I missed posting in August. It was hot, even in the mornings. I know I was practicing…seem to have entered dreamtime for a while.
I understand why so many martial arts studios give you a 3 – 4 month trial. If you’re good, you’ll get your yellow belt. If you’re committed, you’ll get into it and move into another realm of learning. If not, this is about the time you’ll drop away.
Seems to be true for many committed activities. Walking, running, exercise and workouts at the gym, after about 3 months, all seem to either go by the way or get energized for the long haul. Let us pray we can keep up.
Nabhi Kriya has become somewhat “rote”. Leg lifts start on their own and I can be half asleep through the first few minutes. I still crack a sweat somewhere in the middle of the double leg lifts. Sometimes, I even get energized to deepen and expand my breath. Clogged nostrils in the morning, seems to come with the territory. The fun is that my “mind” is getting a little quieter during these times.
Physically, I’ve lost weight (commentable!) and have a feeling of tightness at the belly. THAT is unusual. Only time I ever felt that was after the Marine Physical Fitness Tests Sit-Ups of high school, when all it did was hurt for 3 days.
Too bad all these physical fitness experts haven’t discovered Kundalini Yoga. For example, did you know that we have different kinds of sweat? Some you wash off after yoga/exercise, some you massage back in. Do some research. The Teachings are being published online, as we speak.
Oh, I’m suppposed to be relating about Nabhi Kriya….
I’ve found that those little things, like the ankle twisting as the legs extend, middle of the back on the right gets a twinge, right side muscles bigger than left side makes for tighter joints and clicking. The list goes on. My, how we want to relate to our Subtle Body!
So, I guess we don’t re-adjust to “normalcy” as fast as a good chiropractic crack, but this slow and steady is definitely working….There are days I actually feel POSITIVE and my body keeps up. Others, I can sleep 12 hours…only time is involved with that one, and there are a few other things to do in the day.
Dear Ones, I hope you are enjoying my little yoga biography. May you be inspired, too.
Blessings
~ SAT NAM ~
Curiouser and Curiouser
Friday morning, as I stood up to do the last exercise of Nabhi Kriya, I ducked my head twice. Once, to avoid hitting the ceiling beam and once to avoid hitting the lightbulb.
~ SAT NAM ~
Second 40 Days
My!
That actually went quick. Cold weather moves things right along.
So, I think Nabhi Kriya is good.
I don’t have a 6 pack.
I have lost weight…!
My digestion is awesome! I don’t find myself wanting to eat very late, because of rising so early. So, by the time I’m into the WC in the morning, everything is ready to leave the system. This is most unusual for this body.
I keep wanting to hold my navel in. I think this will become natural as time goes on.
Those muscles are learning a lot. Having a tendency to push my stomach out is probably from those questionable “Badge of Authority” days of earlier life, when a Man “needed” to display his “wealth”. Well, we jokingly called it, “Survival Food Storage”. Shoot! I can even do Plow Pose without choking on my “Badge”.
About the statement, “Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga of Awareness”…
2 weeks ago, I discovered, through the lovely messenger, pain, that I’ve been clenching my teeth during much of the yoga and meditation. I thought I was squeezing my jaws together. More like pushing my lower teeth forward into the backs of the uppers. My right jaw joint started to hurt like a fever. Hence, the discovery that even during chanting, the jaw can be clenched too. Stick the tongue in there and relax the jaw. How easily we mask our pains, eh?
So, I appear to be sleeping between 4-6 hr a night. Oh, I must caution, if you plan on a strenuous sadhana like this, you will find yourself sleeping at some odd times as your energy starts to shift. Some mornings feel like a complete nervous system blow out. I find myself crashed for up to 2 hours. This may be due to the convenience of some weekends…
Still, this is something else to add to the mix. Your nervous system will not rebuild in just 40 days. It will get a good start!
Lovely Laya Yoga.
Very interesting as the motion smooths and “mellows”. Yes…it will turn from mechanical and shrill and pumped wrong and eyes no where near the 3rd eye point and that neck lock just not responding…to…well, the shrillness gets under control.
The rhythm is much better. Even the action is smoother. The navel pull is still to the rear center. I can’t always tell if the other 2 chakras are keeping in line. The navel movement is really good to get that mind back to center.
Another little “key” for a moving meditation such as this one is to keep the fingers straight and the palms turned out. As soon as the palms lock in this “ideal” position, the elbows tend to straighten and are easier to lock. This helps bring that ribcage back up so it floats, instead of hangs. The movement tightens to more of a navel grind than a “big”grind. Feels really CORRECT. Um, that seems to last about 4 rounds.
Focus is still totally quantifiable. Easiest way to see if I’m focused is to see if my eyes are looking at the 3rd Eye or gazing over that vast Viewscreen just below, conversing with what/whomever is available. Nothing new here, though there is a definite distinction that certain thoughts come from “below” and when focused on the 3rd Eye for that scant moment of presence, the thoughts tend to be more “evaluative” of the meditative process than the recitation of the volumes of drama that come from that “below”.
No matter what, 31 minutes shows up and there is the matter of 3 breaths with Mulhbandh and Mahabandh.
That FIRST inhale and hold! We both tend to forget. Then, the held out exhale and Mahabandh. Seconds are eternity or sheer essence. Then we do it 2 more times. The quiet meditation right after is becoming very sweet (on weekends).
We’re off for a good Indian Meal. Need to give our new-found abdominals some nourishment!
Blessings.
~ SAT NAM ~
40 Days!
Greetings,
I’ve just impressed myself. Haven’t done a 40 day sadhana in decades. This morning is “960 Days Until the End Time”. Cool, huh?
Nabhi Kriya is getting much smoother. I can be relatively stunned and tired in the morning and somehow, those legs start lifting. Sometimes takes up to 8 minutes to clear the nostrils. I think this is a combination of a late Spring and adding more yogurt to the diet. Well, could be.
Nonetheless, MOST of the leg muscles and joints are comfortable with the routine. At this point I can see how I want to be lazy; not breathing very strongly, letting my attention follow my loose eyeballs, glancing at the clock again and again. 40 days, and still not trusting how long 10 minutes really is. It is actually funny to look over at the clock and realize 17 second have gone by. Keep that Infinite Mind occupied!
Which gets funnier when practicing Laya Yoga. Oh! What a way to get the morning going!
I have not had one morning without at least a chuckle during the Laya Yoga meditation. Invariably, I find the chant and the movement getting totally lost. A few mornings ago, my wife said I was doing spinal flexes instead of a circle. I remember that one, as I was actually falling asleep! Lots of times, I’m just not there and find myself chanting from my nostrils or my eyes have left their perch at the 3rd Eye and wandered into Inattention Land…quite a big place! I’m so glad I’m not taking that part seriously. Overall, I see an improvement…from the Inside.
So, cruising right along in Laya Yoga…
Pulling the navel is a better routine. I’ve found the “sweet spot” in the rotation where pulling the navel affects the muscles evenly. Sometimes, during a round, when all focus is splattered, I’ll find my navel pump occurring in a diagonal part of the rotation. This can affect into the ribcage and certain vertebrae. Maybe a little ‘twinge’. It does not feel good to pursue that. This is something to be very aware of.
Here is one of the most interesting experiences I have ever had, and it is REPEATABLE.
At the end of the meditation time, the standard has been to do 3 breaths to end the rounds.
On the inhale, hold in and apply Neck Lock and Mulh Bandh. On the exhale, hold out and apply Maha Bandh.
Repeat 2 more times.
If Maha Bandh is performed correctly on the exhale, just at that point when you know you want to inhale, a unique phenomena comes up. Immediately, the mind wants to pursue it. And then the breath comes in and it can only be pursued on the next held out breath, at that last moment and, seemingly, for only that last moment. It is enticing, even!
All I can say is, WITH PROPER PREPARATION, try it!
Well, I can say a little more. When the breath is held OUT, all of the body’s survival systems come screaming into high gear. The Immune System comes on line in the biggest way it can.
What’s happening?
Fairly simple. What you are experiencing at this moment is: I’m DYING!
The funny part is, you know you’re just holding your breath out, but a lot of things are going on in a very short amount of time. My understanding is those who perfect the Held Out Breath can overcome many internal diseases because the Immune System comes in gear so strong. The glandular system starts to balance and over time the body becomes purified and strengthened. Stories came out of that early Tucson Drug Rehab Program verifying Yoga Therapy. I hope someone publishes…
Well, dear Ones, thanks for riding with me. My intention is to pursue the Nabhi Kriya and Laya Yoga. I am curious where the next 50 days can lead.
Blessings.
~ Sat Nam ~
Laya Yoga Magic 31 minutes
Much has happened in this little sadhana.
Today is day 29 since the last 1,000 days before the End Time. Day 40 looks a lot more reachable!
Nabhi Kriya has passed the, “Ooh! I really don’t want to do it!” stage. It still takes a while to get in gear. Once I hit the sheepskin, I’ve been able to get started. One started, well ya can’t just stop.
Mornings can be VERY clog nosed. Pushing the breath is the only way to get those membranes to stop leaking. This may be due to the lovely stream of snowstorms we’ve been getting. Making a “power” pranayam is still a goal. At least this kriya won’t let you sleep through it.
So, after testing my navel point last week, had to add 4 more exercises to the end of Nabhi Kriya. I’m developing a decent navel pulse(!) and it is now easily apparent that it is too high from center. I added the Navel Adjustment Kriya, page 7 of the Meditation Manual. Back to KY101!
In fact, I read every page, from the beginning to the Kriyas, to make sure I’m practicing correctly. Awesome lot to learn! Those “little pains”? Stick your hand into your belly under your ribs and push around a little. In me, there are all these tissues that don’t mind stretching, but they’re going to HURT to let you know about it.
Meanwhile, today we achieved 31 minutes in the Laya Yoga meditation. Now THAT is something.
This has been one of the best lessons. In one session, I’ll go from mechanical, repetitive, LOST in thought, to smooth, chin tucked tight, eyes at the 3rd Eye point, chant from the navel. And, that’s only after 3 repetitions!
The biggest for me has been holding that 3rd Eye focus and keeping Chin Lock, and not peeking at the clock!
If I get the chin in, the ribcage rises automatically almost 2 inches. The throat opens up and the chant comes from the navel. That still only holds for a few rounds at a time.
And that 3rd Eye…when focused there, the chin lock can get easier and the whole thing gets real tight. Any time I’m “checking” my posture, voice, whatever, I find my eyes somewhere wandering away from that one point…OVER and OVER. At least they’re closed.
Mind is quite something.
31 minutes of Laya Yoga was “easy”. You WILL get entranced. You don’t want to stop. Very inviting. By now, Mulh Bandh is getting strong. Hard to separate out the 3 chakras at times. Each IS a distinct muscle group.
And where this meditation takes you? I think even a beginning meditator would benefit very rapidly from the correct practice of Laya Yoga. If you’ve not looked around inside your body/mind, you might want to give it a try.
Physically, there is a nice feeling around the navel. Tighter. I don’t know if it is affecting my focus. The muscle groups are lining up. Walking is lovely when on my toes. Sometimes, I’m a bit wired in the morning. Hence, a walk to ground a bit.
Blessings.
~ SAT NAM ~
Translator
Give
 |
