“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,

Jay

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