Art & Spirituality…Musings on Theatre and Yoga

Art & Spirituality…Musings on Theatre and Yoga

Jerzy Grotowski, was a luminary of experimental theatre. His views and work, cultivated in his “Theatre Laboratory” are truly extraordinary and inspiring:

“There is only one element of which film and television cannot rob the theatre: the closeness of the living organism. Because of this, each challenge from the actor, each of his magical acts (which the audience is incapable of producing) becomes something great, something extraordinary, something close to ecstasy.”

Indeed good theatre is cathartic, magical, even! The actors make mirrors and expressions of themselves in order that they (audience AND actor) may share this elevated experience. And, there is something special about the shared experience between the performers and the audience which I believe is incomparable in art. Grotowski , on the actor:

“The actor makes a total gift of himself. This is a technique of the “trance” and the integration of all the actor’s psychic and bodily powers which emerge from the most intimate layers of his being and instinct, springing forth in a sort of ‘translumination’.”

Grotowski believed that training an actor should involve a clearing away of negative habits, thought patterns, blockages. In doing so, through various physical, vocal and mental exercises, a state of “passive readiness” is cultivated.

I cannot help but think of Yoga here. And, incidentally, Grotowski drew heavily from the Yoga tradition in creating the exercises he experimented with, in his laboratory of theatre.

In Yoga, you must first create a firm foundation, space in your body, and from that effort toward stability and spaciousness the pose will naturally expand. I always think of a flower blossoming. Never forcing the pose happen, but essentially allowing the pose “do you”. It’s the same with a good performance. Once an actor has cultivated that state of “passive readiness”, the performance can then blossom forth from a place of intuitive wisdom, and spontaneity! The same can be said of other performance arts: music, dance, opera. If you’ve ever seen any live show and afterward felt like you just had a mystical, spiritual experience, then you know what I am talking about!!!

It’s an interesting symbiosis to reflect on: the place where art & spirituality cross paths. Without acting I would not have found Yoga, and it turned out to be acting & the theatre of all things that helped reinvigorate and inspire my yoga practice.

Namaste.

DIY Restorative: Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose)

Also known as "Reclined Goddess Pose"

I love this pose for SO many reasons. I will get into more detail about the posture and it's benefits in a moment. First let's discuss what you will need.

1) Padding/Support for under your knees: The goal here is to have your knees resting on something so there will be no strain in this restorative posture. If you have yoga blocks/bricks (I have one under my head in the photos, for reference) great! If not, any number of items you can find around your house will do just fine. You can see in the photo I've used two stacks of books. You could also use pillows, folded blankets or towels. Be creative!!!

2) Padding/Support for your back, shoulders, neck and head: In the photo you will see I used two blankets and a foam yoga block. Basically you want a little lift; 4-6 inches or so, to make this a bit of a gentle back bend. Again, be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. It may take you a few tries to find the right combination.

So, now you have all your props ready to go, and you are ready to settle into this delicious restorative posture!

Sit about an inch in front of your back/neck support with knees bent and feet on the floor. (have your knee support nearby)

Bring the soles of your feet to touch and allow your knees to fall open to either side, and come to rest on their support.

Now, gently lower your back, shoulders, neck and head to rest on the support you have created for yourself.

Lift your hips slightly, then lightly place them back onto the floor. This should alleviate lower back pain (if any) by combing your buttocks flesh toward your heels.

You may place your hands in any of the positions shown, close your eyes. Settle in, breathe, and let gravity do it's job. Surrender your body to the support and breathe into your blossoming rib cage.

If you find it hard to relax, you may try this breathing exercise:

Inhale for 3 counts, and then exhale on 6 counts, noticing the pause between breaths at the bottom of your exhale.

Stay for at least 3-5 minutes. To come out gently roll off your props, to your right side, and press your self up to sit.

This pose is especially beneficial for relieving menstrual pain in women. But, not to worry boys, there are a myriad more benefits for both men and women! It's great for digestion, and as I mentioned this version is also a gentle back bend; so don't be surprised if you feel a jolt of energy when you come out of the posture! Supta Baddha Konasana relieves sciatic pain and open up the inner groins. Practicing this restorative posture will help you immensely in your asana practice with postures like Padmasana (Lotus Pose) and Vrksasana (Tree Pose). Also, as always, your restorative practice stimulates the "relaxation" response of the nervous system. This allows the body to slow down and just "BE". Even if it's just for a few minutes a day, this practice will have an enormous impact on your regular asana practice and in life.

Namaste (The divine in me bows to the divine in you)

More New Pics :)

Natarajasana with Hoop (Lord of the Dance Pose with Hoop):

Vrksasana with Hoop (Tree Pose With Hoop):

PHOTOS ADDED!!!!

Please check out my DIY Restorative posts, I've added photos which I think will be MUCHO helpful in executing the poses in the sweetest way possible for you!

Namaste darlings!

A (very) Random Act of Kindness

One of the most beautiful random acts of kindness I've ever received was not from a human being, but from a kindly old black lab.

I was at the Sivananda Yoga Ranch, an ashram in upstate NY, and it was my last day there. I had some free time after brunch and I wanted to hike the trails behind the property, which sits on 100 acres of beautiful forest in the foothills of the Catskills. The only problem was, there wasn't an organized hike and the head of the ashram had warned us not to hike the trails alone because they were not marked very well.

Nevertheless, I stood at the head of the trail weighing my options. It just seemed like the perfect thing to do to mark the end of my time there. I had just had a magical asana practice, and I wanted to take a walk in nature to reflect upon it.

As I was standing there contemplating, I hear a rustling behind me; of the four legged variety. The black lab (one of the animals who lives at the ashram) came padding up next to me, paused, and then trotted about 30 feet ahead of me. Then he looked back, went another 10 feet, and looked back again. Was this dog telling me to follow him??!! Either way, I did.

We walked together like this along the trails. He would run ahead, never more than 50 yards or so, look back, wait until I caught up a bit and then he would run ahead again. Astounding! He guided me toward the big field next to the entrance of the property, where the cows live. I perched on the gate while he galloped in circles around the sacred creatures. This seemed to be a favorite activity of his. I smiled and giggled to myself, to see his joy and the cows' indifference. After a few minutes like this he came out and resumed guiding me along the trail.

While I walked I reflected on his kindness and how touching it was that he chose to help me. How did he know I needed his help? What energy did he feel? I didn't want to leave!

As soon as we reached the end of the trail, and the main building of the ashram was in view, he took off running.

Afterward, I sat under a tree outside the temple and wrote this poem:


the trees are talkin'
to each other
and my mind is dancing, with a butterfly on my nose;
in a field of wild
flowers
the colors of
grace, god and love.
the colors of this
moment. a divine moment.
i can talk
to black dogs
and read scottish minds.
if i could put duct
tape over my heart
to stop this feeling
from seeping
out
I would

Inspiration, Wisdom from the masters

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything"

- Tich Nhat Hahn

Chakra Meditation

A chakra meditation, I sometimes do in the morning:

First find a comfortable seated position. If you are sitting cross legged, make sure you are elevated on some kind of support, especially if when you cross your legs, your knees are higher than your hips. You want the knees to be descending well below hip level to sit comfortably for any length of time. If you aren't able to sit with legs crossed for at least ten minutes, you may do the meditation sitting up in a chair, or laying down on your back with knees bent and the soles of the feet on the floor.

Now, wherever you are (unless you're laying down :P), sit well, place your palms face down on your thighs. Feel the sitting bones descend into their support. From that descending, allow your spine to ASCEND, growing taller, gently spread the collar bones open to blossom the chest open. Now see if, in doing that, did you stick your bottom ribs out, creating a concave curve in the mid back, and soften the front ribs. Take a few natural breaths in and out. You may repeat to yourself: "breathing i am breathing in, breathing i am breathing out", so as to bring your attention inward.

Beginning at the root chakra and working your way up to the crown chakra, take your attention to the area of your body where each chakra resides, and keep it there for 20 focused breaths. Like this: inhale 1, exhale 2, inhale 3, exhale 4, and so on. If you lose count, or the mind begins to wander start over. If you are unsure where you chakras reside there is a list at the end of the post for reference.

I think this is a nice way to say hello to and wake up the energy centers of the subtle body.

After you've breathed prana into all 7 chakras. You may choose to spend a few minutes repeating the mantra of any chakra you feel needs special attention, either out loud, or to yourself.

root/pelvic floor: lam (l-ah-m)

sacral/pelvic basin: vam (v-ah-m)

solar plexus/navel: ram (r-ah-m)

heart: yam (y-ah-m)

throat: ham (h-ah-m)

third eye/in between eyebrows: ksam (ks-ah-m)

crown/just above your the the top of your head: om

To close my meditation practice I like to bring my palms to touch in front of my heart, bow my chin to my rising chest and say a short prayer. You may just repeat the syllable "om" one to three times. Then crack open your eyes and SMILE!!!!

Namaste!