In the zone

I love this quote from our Bodhi Yoga Restorative Partner Yoga manual:

"When our body, mind and spirit are working well together, our light-body is more activated. During the times this is happening, life seems lighter or easier; we are able to do more with less effort, time flies by, and things just seem to fall into place. We have a greater sense of value, well-being and how we belong in the world, without getting bogged down in the heavier parts of it. People who's light-bodies are more active, are able to effect a greater change in their world, body, mind and soul."

This is how I want to live my life and I see this state of being most readily in children. Yoga, in general, can assist us in  achieving this.

 

Marma Points

Ayurveda includes a type of acupressure that uses "marma points" as pressure or energy points. These points are located throughout the body and some people believe they are related to Chinese acupuncture points.

Our Bodhi Yoga Restorative Parnter Yoga manual explains it this way:

"A marma is a vital life force/energy point located on the surface of the body. Marmas are considered vital because they are infused with Prana (life force)...Within the physical body energy flows along an intricate series of channels called nadis, chakras, etc...the marma points are larger pools from which Prana both collects and springs out. "

There are marma points all over our bodies, from the toes to the top of the head. They are divided into 18 regions.

Palming releases tension and aids circulation.
Rubbing rebalances the Prana and doshas.
Holding soothes and grounds the energy.
Kneading, patting and cupping release buildup of Pranic congestions.

Marma work restores balance to the autonomic nervous system and can release endorphins.

My experience is that children love Marma point work.

More Practicing

At my second weekend of Restorative Parner Yoga at Bodhi, I learned about Sen lines. Every adult I have worked with (including myself) loves Sen line work, so very relaxing and energizing at the same time!

Soon after, I went to visit grandchildren once again, the same ones I had begun my practice sessions with. Once again they were very eager, "do yoga on me, Abi, do yoga on me!" was heard everynight and sometimes throughout the day! They were ok with my slowness, and the fact that I had to keep referring to my chart. They learned the sequence before I did, and would remind me what came next and if I forgot to do any of their favorite parts!

Something that was very interesting to me, the children didn't seem to appreciate the Sen line work as much as they liked Marma points and the various yoga poses and stretches. This is very curious and I will do some study to figure out why that might me.