By: Virginia
Iversen
The “Zone” is
a term that refers to the experience of oneness, ease and flow with whatever we
are doing. The specific activity does not dictate the sense of flow available
to us. Our mind set and the appropriate matching of our abilities and the
activity we are undertaking are the most paramount considerations. Take
the example of skiing, if you are a novice skier, controlling the direction and
speed of your skis will most probably take all of your concentration. In this
case, it may take you some time to enter the zone while you are skiing down a
slope. The same is true with many other activities in which people engage,
whether the activity is painting, running a marathon, cooking a gourmet meal or
practicing a challenging Yoga asana sequence.
Additionally,
we often come to the mat a bit hurried and frazzled. Often times, we are
stretched in many different directions due to the various obligations we have
to family, friends, school and professional careers. In preparation to enter
the zone, it is important to ground and settle into the moment at hand. In a
Yoga class, a good way to do this is to arrive in class a few minutes early, so
that you can set up your Yoga mat and acquire any additional props you may
need. After you are set up, some extra time will also allow you to take a few
deep breaths and begin to gently stretch out prior to beginning your formal
practice.
Choosing a
Yoga class that most closely matches your skill and ability levels is also
important for entering the zone. In addition, one of the very best techniques
for supporting a focused and quiet mind while performing Yoga asanas is the
practice of Ujjayi breathing. This breathing exercise is accomplished by
partially closing the back of the throat so that each inhale and exhale sounds
like the ocean. Ujjayi breathing can also be accurately described as the Darth
Vader Breath. The rhythmic sound of Ujjayi breathing provides the mind with a
tether to hold onto, instead of floating away into various other streams of
thought unrelated to our Yoga practice.
As your
familiarity and comfort with Yoga postures increases, your ability to enter
into the zone while practicing asanas will become much easier. Some Yoga
practitioners also find that practicing Yoga in a heated room helps to support
the mind’s undivided attention during practice. Entering the zone during Yoga
practice is deeply restful, exhilarating and relaxing. Practicing in this way
allows you to abdicate the intellectual mind and merge your awareness into the
sound of your breath and the pulsation of prana throughout your body.
© Copyright
2012 Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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