Alignment Thursday: From Resistance to Resonance: The Cultivation of Personal Magnetism in Your Life
Soundtrack Suggestion: Peace of Mind – AK, Liam Thomas
As International Women’s Day approaches each year, it reminds me on the interplay between masculine and feminine energies in Yoga. Many are unaware that the origins of our bodily practice in Yoga stem from Tantra—a rich tradition encompassing diverse rituals, meditation, Yoga, and mantras, all aimed at attaining spiritual enlightenment and divine union.
Tantric teachings highlight the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual realms, viewing the body, senses, and emotions as conduits for spiritual growth and transformation. Central to Tantra is the exploration and mastery of energy, notably through practices such as Kundalini yoga.
Though Tantra is sometimes misconstrued as solely focused on sexual practices in popular culture, it is crucial to recognize its broader spiritual and philosophical dimensions. True Tantric practices delve far beyond sexuality, grounded deeply in spiritual and philosophical tenets.
Under the influence of Tantrism, which posited that everything, including the body, is an expression of the divine, Hatha Yoga emerged in the 9th century as a body-oriented path of Yoga. Here, the fundamental aim remains heightened awareness, but the journey encompasses not only meditation but also physical exercises, as outlined in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika—a timeless guide still revered and practiced by yogis worldwide. Hatha Yoga thus serves as the umbrella term for all physically oriented yoga styles, focusing on the regulation of energies within the body.
Fundamentally, Tantra and Hatha Yoga revolve around energy and the reconciliation of opposites.
Hatha Yoga traditionally emphasizes the practice of asanas and pranayama to prepare the body for meditation and spiritual pursuits, advocating for the alignment of breath and posture during extended pose-holding periods.
The term "Hatha" originates from Sanskrit, combining "ha" for the sun and "tha" for the moon. This linguistic fusion symbolizes the balance of opposing energies inherent in Hatha Yoga. The sun embodies masculine qualities—warmth, determination, activity, and intellect—while the moon signifies feminine attributes—coolness, passivity, imagination, and intuition.
Hatha Yoga acknowledges the duality within the world and asserts that seemingly opposing elements are complementary and interconnected. By seeking harmony between warmth and coolness, activity and passivity, practitioners strive for equilibrium and wholeness, recognizing both masculine and feminine aspects within themselves as integral to holistic well-being.
One of favorite quotes in this context is the one von Marianne Williamson:
?If somebody comes along and suggests that we go with the flow, maybe lighten up a little, we really feel hysterical. After all, we’re total underachievers as is, as far as we can see. The last thing we can imagine doing is becoming more passive than we already are.
Passive energy has its own kind of strength. Personal power results from a balance in masculine and feminine forces.?
Passive energy without active energy becomes lazy, but active energy without passive energy becomes tyrannous.?
The problem is that aggressive energy is what we’ve all been taught to respect. We’ve been taught that life was made for quarterbacks so we exalt our masculine consciousness which, when untempered by the feminine, is hard.
Therefore, so are we - all of us, men and and women. We’ve created a fight mentality. We’re always fighting for something: for the job, the money, the relationship, to get out of a relationship, to lose weight, to get sober, to get them to understand, to get them to stay, to get them to leave, and on and on. We never put away our swords.
The feminine, surrendered place in us is passive. It doesn’t do anything. The spiritualization process – in men as well as women – is a feminization process, a quietening of the mind. It is the cultivation of personal magnetism.?
If you have a pile of iron shavings and you want to arrange them in beautiful patterns, you can do one of two things. You can use your fingers and try to arrange the tiny pieces of iron into beautiful, gossamer lines – or you can buy a magnet. The magnet will attract the iron shavings.?
It symbolizes our feminine consciousness, which exerts its power through attraction rather than activity.“
I wholeheartedly admit that each of us, me included, could benefit from lightening up a bit. It seems we're constantly involved in battles, exerting control and steadfastness. Interestingly, I've found that the more vehemently I fight, the fiercer the resistance becomes.
领英推荐
How can our Yoga practice support us in lighten up a little?
As explored in previous articles, Yoga empowers individuals to cultivate present moment awareness and mindfulness. By directing attention to the breath, bodily sensations, and movements, practitioners nurture a profound connection with their inner landscape. This heightened awareness enables them to distinguish recurring patterns of resistance and reactivity, thereby empowering the conscious choice of a more serene response.
Moreover, we can embrace lightness within our practice by engaging with asanas that initially appear insurmountable. Rather than striving for mastery, the aim lies in approaching each attempt with acceptance of our bodily limitations. Embracing the process, we release the grip of expectation and surrender to the moment. In this gentle release, we remind ourselves: it's just yoga, it's just a practice, it’s just a job. Letting go, we invite a sense of ease and grace into our journey.
And then, unexpectedly, when you least anticipate it... whatever you've been striving for or against effortlessly gravitates towards you or fades away, as if personal magnetism itself is doing its magic.
?Self-Study Questions
Practice of the Week
Anuloma Viloma
Anuloma Viloma, also known as alternate nostril breathing, is a powerful technique that harmonizes the flow of prana (life force) throughout the body, while simultaneously soothing the mind and alleviating stress and anxiety. Its integration into Yoga and meditation practices is renowned for fostering relaxation and enhancing overall well-being.
To begin, find a comfortable seated position conducive to meditation, such as Sukhasana (easy pose) or Padmasana (lotus pose).
Next, assume the Chin Mudra with your left hand (bringing the tip of the index finger to touch the tip of the thumb, while keeping the other three fingers extended), and the Vishnu Mudra with your right hand (joining the tips of the index and middle fingers to the thumb, while extending the ring and little fingers). Position your right hand with the Vishnu Mudra close to your nose.
Start the practice by gently closing your right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale deeply through your left nostril, counting to four seconds. Subsequently, close both nostrils and hold the breath for a duration of 16 seconds. Next, exhale through your right nostril, releasing the breath steadily over an eight-second interval.
Transition to inhaling through your right nostril for four seconds, while keeping your left nostril closed. Following the inhalation, once again, close both nostrils and retain the breath for 16 seconds. Conclude the cycle by exhaling through your left nostril for eight seconds.
Repeat this sequence for a total of eight rounds, ensuring a smooth and steady rhythm throughout the practice.
By incorporating Anuloma Viloma into your routine with mindfulness and consistency, you can experience its profound benefits in cultivating inner balance, tranquility, and holistic wellness.
References
Sch?ps, I. (2017). Yoga - Das gro?e Praxisbuch für Einsteiger & Fortgeschrittene. Delphin.
Williamson, M. (1996). A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles. HarperOne.