Getting to the core of things...

The Core. It's a buzzword these days, particularly in the fitness and therapy worlds but, of course, also in yoga āsana classes - since we are focusing on the physical body, and well, getting to the core of things! When speaking of the core in this physical sense we are referring to our torso in general. We immediately think of our muscles - often folks think of the abdominals - but the core is made up of many different muscle groups which include the front body, sides, back, hips and pelvic basin.

I also want to include our "contents" in our experience of the core. We may view our internal organs as being "contained" by the bony structure, the musculature and connective tissues. I'd like to suggest we expand that view to see "the contents" and "the container" as mutually supportive. I also like to take into the awareness of this whole core experience the role of the primary breathing muscle - the thoracic diaphragm. Breathing creates deep internal movement that affects and is affected by the organs, connective tissues, muscle and bony structure. It is a beautiful orchestra!

When people speak of the core - it's usually in regards to strengthening it. A strong and stable core allows for effective functional movement. I'm on board. But, again, I want to expand our view. The core needs to be resilient and flexible as well as strong in order to function properly. Holding this awareness we can structure our yoga āsana practice to be sure it is cultivating this balance.

Finally, to deepen our view of "the core" I'll remind us that āsana practice takes us from our most external layers of physicality and draws us into a more subtle experience of Self. In practicing āsana we cultivate deeper awareness of our body - we gain a more detailed map of ourselves. This opens the door for breathing practices - prāṇāyāma - to make sense to us. Prāṇāyāma deepens our concentration and we move deeper into our consciousness. Perhaps a deeper insight into the core of who we are.

The variety of yoga practices allow us to connect more clearly and deeply to the core of who we are. I personally find restorative yoga - the practice of deep stillness and rest - to be an important "core" practice. Not so much strengthening my core...but dissolving it!

So this week I want to encourage you again to go practice some of the restorative postures I promoted last week - see last week's blog post or just peruse the Restorative Yoga section of the library .

And for this week I'll direct you toward this class: Resilient Core Explore (56 min) perhaps a different kind of core practice than you've done before. Enjoy!

Punar milamaḥ (we will meet again!)

Audrey