Unusual for me – Asana talk – King Pigeon pose is not easy for most unless you are quite flexible or happen to be configured with long legs and arms that closes in the distance with more ease. I sometimes think that those “naturals” where everything comes easily especially due to inborn physiological endowments probably do not make a good teacher unless they are Empaths. It’s like former ballerina or gymnasts looking at a beginner and being so helpful in cuing – just look at me! Just do it! – rather than actual observation on what stands in the way of the student to clear through the blockages and hurdles. It’s hard to know to teach step by step, if you can bypass all the steps to get to the ultimate without ever really having to try – to empathize with others/students the hardship on matters that comes to you so easily… that’s called “Compassion”. SO…I can get to a mermaid pose with ease … but … the full expression of the pigeon pose – that ultimate King Pigeon …eludes me as now met with pain, pain, oh, dear, so much pain…Should I still push myself? With brute force? (Answer = no)
To lament and being hard on your own divine body, berating it for not being more bendy, is not the way to go about it – I was doing it before or I could do this before – that kind of thoughts are unproductive and serves no positive purpose – Just get over the past – it means nothing today. To get the back of your head to your toes is …hard to come by at present. That’s today’s reality. Certain parts of me have hardened and have gone half frozen …return of buoyancy would be lovely:) SOOOOoooo I would love Rendo Sugimoto to teach this for me to get back my King Pigeon (after my sleeping pigeon/swan lulls me to purify my breath and crystal clear my mind:) I missed his San Francisco tour this time but … perhaps next time:) He knows the workings of the body so well, it’s interesting to hear him and find out the connection on how unblocking the blockages of our natural internal flow; and loosening the knots and tightness while softening and lengthening the hardened muscles and tendons can bring about this kind of 1cm to 1cm (millimetre, even at nano-metre as case may be:) at a time, gradual flexibility without tearing – without breaking – gradual progression paying attention to areas that hinder… you from reaching.
Apparently, his bodywork method is likened as a miracle by his students – this student is so excited when the sole of her feet finally reaches the back of her head. While we recite in yoga classes how it’s not about reaching the toes – and it’s really not – as it’s about the movement of the spine in all directions… then the limbs …and more (nervous system tuneup) but it’s only human to feel joy when a student is able to get to a place she thought was impossible. And I am all about JOY > PAIN ! Turns out, sometimes by grasping where the meridians are located and how the energy flow, range of motion can improve from that of limited range to that of expansion and freedom. Rendo Sugimoto sensei teaches that what appeared impossible is possible, without incurring injuries, if the student has a proper understanding of how the body parts are interconnected. It would help to have his magic touch though:) Under his hands, her body seems to become more and more malleable…
He says, yoga pose should not be forced. It has to come with ease by addressing which area is blocking the fluid movement – which this student describes verbally and pointing – body awareness!
sthira = steady, stable
sukham = comfortable, at ease
asanam = rooted in meditation
– Yoga Sutras 2.46-2.48
He’s doing the acupressure points-ish treatment that looks seemingly painful, but the student comments how pain eases after the first time – talk about HANDS-ON lesson! He addresses each location of pain and holds – then – each time, she gets closer and closer until finally she reaches the full expression. And that’s not enough that toes reached the back of the head finally – Still she is asked – is there any pain? Did it reach with comfort and ease? Many of us look the part but holding back the urge to cry with pain. (building more tension!) Many of us are nowhere near it and gets frustrated but why? Maybe your hip sockets have a slightly different angle – its physiological – so – Just use base props to keep the pelvic floor leveled and then have a strap handy since we don’t have this sensei at hand. Here’s a utube video with a yogini determined to get there…Happy for her as I know how that feels – to gain or regain what was thought to be lost:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE7gydpkr0g
(please note this student on utube is not me.)
Lesson in Japanese?
“Itai” = “it hurts!” “painful” Ouch!
“kubi” = neck
“atama” = head
“muri shiteru” = (you are) forcing it (it’s a problem).
“raku – ni” = to be at ease; be comfortable (NO pain!)
“tsuita!” = touched ! reached ! arrived!
“arigato gozaimashita!” = thank you !
