“Crowdsourcing”
in Yoga
When I first learned that
there are 8.2 million yoga poses, I thought it was insane. However, when I
watch all improvised yoga poses my loving yogis and yoginis post in the Facebook,
when I look into the origin of certain poses, I recognize the versatility in
yoga evolution and its limitlessness. If there is a limit to this ever
expanding plethora of yoga poses, it is (only) our compassionate creativity and
scientific curiosity!
In one of my yoga classes
I asked how many participants had seen the hala (plough) as in halasana (plough
pose). Not many had seen it; some even
did not know what that meant. Halasana was designed when somebody in the remote
village in India noticed how plough was used to till the land those days. I
have seen those ploughs and their variants. The scientific curiosity of the
carpenter (to reduce the resistance while bulls pulled those ploughs) was translated
to the compassionate creativity of the yogi to give birth to halasana. As time
passed, the pose in various angles ( from135 degrees angle between the short arm
and the long arm; to a supported shoulder stand; to the traditional halasana;
and every version in between) emerged. One would be able to demonstrate at
least eight different versions of this pose in a yoga class. Think of all
energy locks and energy centers one could activate in those poses. The permutations
and combinations make this named yoga pose to adopt umpteen variations.
Another example: Pavana
mukhthasana (wind expelling pose- also called apnasana.) This seems to have
originated by observing children in their early developmental stage; Children
prior to walking, lift their leg, bend and bring it towards their chest; some
even bite their toes. The purpose of this natural evolutionary process is to strengthen
muscles in the stomach and back, and breathing mechanics to facilitate walking.
This pose may be executed with one, two, or both legs, with or without engaging
bandhas and chakras. Possibilities…
How can we be a part of
this creative crowdsourcing? We may not be able to see plough or (unfortunately)
don’t even have plenty of time to observe our children. We, still, see tons of
things around that could animate us. Look at Ronald McDonald and his happy face.
Can we design a yoga pose to relax facial muscles: McDonaldasana!! We need that
asana. One more smile and make this world a better place. That is yoga all
about; that is yoga evolution and its destiny.
Thy,
JayP. S. If you still is not my friend in Twin heart Yoga Facebook, please send me a friend request.
