The abdominal muscles, when used as they were intended, create
an anatomical boundary, not unlike a bandha, to effectively move
energy along the spine. The impact generated lengthens the
lumbar and opens the upper thoracic spine allowing us to move into
our areas of restriction in increasingly effortless
ways.
From superficial to deepest, the four layers of the abdominal
muscles are the rectus ‘six-pack’ abdominis, external obliques,
internal obliques, and transversus ‘core’ abdominis.
The retraining of these four muscles is a clear demonstration
of how yoga returns us to our true nature. The more our core
transverse muscles take over as the abdominal “workhorses”, the
more the body, breath & mind can become quiet. Thus,
wholistically, we achieve the integration of our Annamaya (physical
sheath), Pranamaya (energy sheath), and Manomaya Koshas (mental
sheath).
It is this holistic integration that opens us to experience
our Vijnanamaya (intuitive wisdom) and Anandamaya Koshas
(bliss).
In this workshop, yoga actions for retraining the four
abdominal muscles as well as activating the Uddiyana Bandha will be
practised. Pratyahara, pranayama and meditation are included
in this practice.