14/05/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ag1NRzig9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
“I did not invent the word alignment, it is Lord Krishna, Yogeshvara (The Lord of Yoga) who has used the word alignment in Chapter 6.13 of the Bhagavad Gita, ‘samam kãya Sirogrivam dhãrayan acalam sthirah’ He has given a plumb line of the body to perform each asana or an asana to sit for dhyana. These are the crown of the head, well of the throat and the perineum as plumb line. This means that each and every part of our body must be measured from the centre of the body and maintained in its bank. He uses the samamkaya. If one does the asana with this guide of Lord Krishna there is no contortion, no distortion. The body does not go crooked, muscles do not get tilted. When one stands in Tadasana, certain muscles work to bring stability.
When one does Sirsasana the very same muscles oscillate, causing change in the asana though one says, "I am doing the asana well". But are we keeping the body in that plumb line which is the centre of the right side and left side? This is what Lord Krishna demands. It is not that Mr. lyengar demands precision. He says, samatvam yoga ucyate, (B.G., 1I.48). Again, he says that there should be equanimity. Equanimity cannot happen without the techniques of alignment in body, senses, mind, intelligence and self. One can develop this in the art of adjustment in asana which turns into auspicious action. Instead of attachment to asana one has to become the asana. In order to get that equanimity (samatvam) one needs kusalata or adequate skilfulness. Yogah karmasu kausalam (B.G, I.50). There should be skilfulness in action and that skilfulness of action cannot come unless one rubs with his mind and intelligence to gain alignment. This is actually svadhyaya.”
BKS Iyengar
Astadala Yogamala (vol 8)
