As inspired by Angela Farmer's work, we noticed our Back Bodies.
The Back Body is often forgotten, left behind, pushed to the Front Body so we can seem impressive or make us try harder for something, and unfortunately, there is a feeling of something missing in the full 3-dimensionality of our Being in our Bodies.
The Back Body is where we rest and where we can be protected and feel at home in, not unlike a content tortoise. When we were nourished in our mothers' wombs, our Backs felt our Mothers' breathing - - we knew she was there, and we were comforted by her.
Start by taking your open palms to your heart. Notice how the heart rests near the back of your spine, near your Back Body. The heart, in its natural resting state, does not want to be pushed forward and presented out; it wants to rest, beat, pump, and work in the back.
Then breathe into the Back Body. Imagine a color emanating from there and let the color shine all around and into the space behind you.
Feel the wideness of the back of the buttocks. Feel the wideness of the sacrum opening out behind you. Feel the opening of the kidney wings, filling up, lowering and widening. Feel the broadness of your back, almost circling around to embrace your sides and front. Feel the back of the neck and head, opening and widening.
Now notice your Internal Body and allow the Internal Body to rest comfortably into the Back Body.
You can sit in your Back Body, as you would your favorite comfy armchair.
Melt into it. Relax into it. And continue to feel into your Back Body as you open your eyes, lift your gaze, and take in the world. Continue to feel through your Back. Don't lose it, Be in it. You can then drink in the world as much as you want without losing yourself and do what you need to do, be what you need to be, at any given moment. You will be IN yourself, and still be IN the world.
This is a practice you can continually come back to all throughout your day: sitting, standing, driving, eating, conversing - - - the practice of being in the Back Body, in Yourself, and still engaging in the world.
Yogi Nabi --- Nice to know of the anatomy and that the heart is oriented towards the back; most of us aren't aware of that and the back in general IS neglected. But let's not get crazy here! It is also a joy to arch the back, like a cat. and expose that heart to the sun and world and folk! Awareness of the back body indeed, but it will always be the front body with which we DO approach this life. OPEN those hearts...wide! -- DC
ReplyDeleteDave -
ReplyDeletethank you for your thoughtful comment and indeed, I completely understand the need for heart-opening. It is that most of yoga practiced these days stress TOO MUCH Heart-opening without balance and appreciation for the resting state.
I also honor and believe in the personal process of the individual Yogi. If you feel the need for more heart-opening, then please honor that in your practice. Anusara Yoga, as taught by John Friend and Jeanie Manchester also seem to stress this sort of alignment.
Continue to notice and love your heart.. and indeed, keep it open, wide, and compassionate.
Peace- BHN