Alignment Yoga: What are we Aligning to?

First....

What does "to align" mean?

a·lign
v.tr.
1. To arrange in a line or so as to be parallel: align the tops of a row of pictures; aligned the car with the curb.
2. To adjust (parts of a mechanism, for example) to produce a proper relationship or orientation: aligning the wheels of a truck.
3. To ally (oneself, for example) with one side of an argument or cause: aligned themselves with the free traders.
v.intr.
1. To adhere to a prescribed course of action.
2. To move or be adjusted into proper relationship or orientation.

All of these definitions suggest "to align" means to make separate things relevant or to reveal relationships amongst things or parts.  

This requires a very important ability. Discernment. To discern anything requires seeing division or difference, which leads to counting, comparing, contrasting, noting, and assuming perspective.

Speaking of counting...where did we get the system of numbers we use for counting and describing the various aspects of nature such as time, distance, and frequency...? Our base 10 counting obviously comes from our 10 fingers and toes. Perhaps ancient humans looked on their own body and wondered what is the highest number of "parts" they have which are easily countable. Obviously it fingers and toes. And where does all the 12 and 60's come from in our measurement of time? 

For example, 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 12 hours of day, 12 hours of night, 12 months of the year, 12 signs of the zodiac...etc. Using these numbers for measurement came from the ancient Sumerian system of counting(which they wrote was given to them by other wordly beings). Higher numbers (past 10) were calculated by  multiplying the 12 knuckles on the fingers of one hand with the five fingers including the thumb on the other. 12 x 5 = 60. This means that many of the numbers we chose for discerning or dividing space and time were derived from relationships of the human body. Sounds like a way to make things relevant? 

To learn more about all these connections definitely give this video a watch!

So What Do we Align to in Yoga?
Aligning to the Source

Yoga is all about experiencing, knowing directly through experience, the irrefutable source of existence, or yourself. To give it a number... we often call it One.

Looking at our hands again... which fingers plays One the most? Everything has two sides...even one. Our *hint* pointer finger is one aspect...either portraying the division or the union. We point at something outside of ourselves, something separate and distinguishable. This function is called ego. Please drop any negative conotations about this function. It is merely this mode of perception; that which sees division. That is all. This mode of perception can be either a trap or a tool for discovering greater relevance and connection in nature. Everything has two sides, even one...when One is playing the little One, it is called our ego.

​What do we do in Yoga with our pointer finger? That which is the opposite to pointing. We curl it back in to touch the thumb. We aim it back inwards. This is the big one, indivisible, no distinction, the two have become one again.

This symbolism in our fingers is a way to see the actual underlying process. How are we seeing reality? Does the mind leap out into distinction... If it does, is the new  information that is received used to solidify the seperation or distinction, or is it used to create a new more complete picture of inclusion and relevance, a more complete image of yourself. 

Practicing yoga is building(or activating?) a system which brings more and more parts back to relevance to the One.

​Consider this yoga asana sequence concept...
​

Straight Line Poses
Straight lines, kind of like the number 1.. bring main parts into direct relationship. Simple and direct, a line is the shortest distance between two points.

From simle to complex...

Curved Poses
In the curve there are at times more details to be aware of, and less obvious points of reference. Often you need to compare many sensations and go by the feeling to create balance and maintain evenness.

This was the general theme and concept of my class this morning. Many good balanced classes already go in this way but maybe you didn't notice, or maybe now you can try it out in your own practice or in your classes if you are teaching. Start with straight line poses, then move to curved poses, then do poses that combine the two. The focus would follow the theme, being more direct and to the point in the beginning, and more open to interpretation space, and silence near the end. Of course, finish with the simple and naturally leading to the oneness practices like Shavasana and seated meditation to absorb these experiences into a new One.

Love and Oms,
​George