Building Blocks of Yoga

When most people think of yoga, what comes to mind is mats in neat rows in a classroom, downward facing dog, and deep rhythmic breathing. Those are all elements of a modern western practice in hatha yoga. The vast majority of yogis in the U.S. practice some form of hatha yoga, but there are many other forms and styles. There is Bikram yoga, sometimes called hot yoga. It consists of a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises done in a room heated to 95 -108 degrees. There is ashtanga yoga, often referred to as power yoga due to its emphasis on physical strength and endurance. And there is my personal favorite, kundalini yoga. Kundalini is the yoga of awareness, focused on using the physical body to promote psychological change and increase intuition. There are many more, but those are probably the most common alternatives to hatha yoga in this country. They have much in common, but each has a feel and focus all its own.

Regardless of style, the physical component of any yoga practice is made up of some combination of four basic elements.

  • Asana – Asanas are the physical movements of yoga. Postures have a Sanskrit name that will end with “asana”. The proper term for downward facing dog, for example, is adho mukha shvanasana. Most postures also have a commonly used English name. This accommodates those who may be intimidated by Sanskrit, and also allows students to focus on the practice rather than the terminology. There is a caveat, however. The Sanskrit terms are absolute. They refer to the same posture regardless of the style of yoga being practiced. The English language terms are not so precise. Adho mukha shvanasana is downward facing dog in hatha yoga, but the same posture is called triangle pose in kundalini. To further complicate matters, there exists a triangle pose in hatha (trikonasana), but it is called side angle in kundalini. Most astute instructors will use the Sanskrit and English terms interchangeably in class. That reinforces the connection between the two and makes it less likely that a student will be confused by terminology. It’s really worth the effort to learn the Sanskrit terms.
  • Prana – Prana means breath, but it can also refer to the elemental life energy known as “qi” in martial arts. Slow, deep breathing is the norm for most yoga postures. Postures are not generally done in isolation outside of a beginner class. Multiple asanas are strung together in a smooth, rhythmic flow (vinyasa), and are tied to specific pattern of breathing. There are also exercises focused solely on breath called pranayama. These are often done at the beginning or conclusion of a yoga session, and are a common component of meditation practice.
  • Mudra – The classic yoga posture is someone seated cross-legged, hands resting with palms facing upward on the knees, thumb and forefinger lightly touching. Such hand movements are known as mudras, with that particular one being guyan mudra. The nerve endings in the hands, particularly the fingertips, are directly connected to both organs within the body and centers within the brain. Mudras are used to direct the elemental life energy during yoga or meditation. There are literally hundreds of different mudras, some of them quite complex. Kundalini yoga makes extensive use of them, probably more so than most hatha practices.
  • Bandha – Bandha are locks, a particular alignment of some area of the body accompanied by a stiffening of the surrounding musculature. Bandhas are an essential component of many pranayama practices. There are three commonly used bandhas. Mula bandha is the contraction of the perineum, sex organ, and navel to an interior point in the body central to all three. Uddiyana bandha is the contraction of the abdomen into the rib cage. Jalandhara bandha involves tucking the chin in slightly to align the vertebrae at the back of the neck with the spine. Bandhas can be used alone or in combination with one another. My morning kundalini practice concludes with a breath meditation incorporating all three of the bandhas mentioned.

Yoga can be intimidating to newcomers. Just getting the asana alignment correct is a challenge at first. Add to that the need to deal with Sanskrit terminology and mantras, and now the realization that there is more to the pose than just the posture. It’s easy to see why many are attracted to yoga, yet fail to make the leap from interest to practice. Like any pursuit, no one starts off as an expert. Yoga is not a competition, and those who practice it tend to be very non-judgemental. Consistency is important. More benefit will be derived from a daily practice of even twenty minutes than from just a one hour class once a week. Ideally, the two should be combined. Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.

“Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers.” ~ Richard Bach, “Illusions”

“If you know only one kriya, then share that. Be humble, teach it. Every student is a teacher.” ~ Yogi Bhajan

Seneca Rocks

Seneca Rocks, near Riverton, West Virginia, is a popular destination for rock climbers. There are a number of attractions in the general area, including a nice campground on Spruce Knob and Smoke Hole Caverns. For the more adventurous, the Dolly Sods Wilderness area is a half hour drive away. I’ve not made it to the caverns yet, but I have climbed Seneca Rocks, camped on Spruce Knob, and backpacked through the Dolly Sods Wilderness. I’ve been to the area several times, but the shots below are from my most recent trip in 2014.

The most recent visit prior to that was all the way back in 2002. I camped on Spruce Knob with my girlfriend (later wife), and we climbed Seneca Rocks together our first morning there. We did not have the climbing gear to do it the hard way, so we followed a lengthy switchback trail to the top. There is nearly 1000 feet of altitude change between the base and the summit. That trail is a steep mile and a half! I felt that I was in much better physical condition in 2014 than I was in 2002, so I hoped that the climb would be less strenuous, and it was. The view from the top is worth the effort. It’s actually possible to follow the trail to its end, then go out onto the knife back ridge.

The ridge is only a few feet wide, and there is nothing but rock once you leave the trail. The sign is half correct. The view is not exactly the same, but it probably isn’t worth the risk.

Seneca Creek was a pleasant hike to end the day. There were little zen rock towers scattered along its length. I’ve grown accustomed to finding them in most natural places. I find them oddly reassuring, and they are always a welcome sight.

The next morning, I moved on to Blackbird Knob in the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Dolly Sods is geared towards backpackers rather than day hikers. There is no campground, only a parking lot at the trail head. Backpacking poses a set of challenges not faced by the base camper. Everything needed for the duration of the trip has to fit into a backpack. Food will consist mainly of freeze fried meals, trail mix, and protein bars. Fortunately, I was able to supplement those with the fresh raspberries and blackberries that grew wild along the trail. Water is always a little tricky. It weighs a lot, and every ounce counts when backpacking. I carried two half liter bottles. That was enough to keep me hydrated over the 8 to 12 miles I expected to cover each day. I made sure that my evening campsites were near a creek so that I could refill the bottles using a portable filter. I had never hiked Dolly Sods before, and the trails were a little more difficult than I anticipated. I was not able to reliably cover the daily mileage that I had planned. In the end, it was only a minor inconvenience. I just had to reroute a few sections of trail to make up the difference. I did miss out on seeing Bear Rocks, but I’m told that they are at their most spectacular in the fall. That just gives me a reason for a return trip at some point.

 

Glen Helen

Just beyond the door of the visitor center, a steep stone staircase leads down into the cool verdure of Glen Helen. It’s a rare day on which there are not at least a few trail runners. I saw one whose jersey proclaimed, “Runs On Plants”. That neatly sums up the vibe of Yellow Springs in general, but even more so the people who frequent Glen Helen. I arose shortly after sunrise one summer morning and walked into the Glen thinking to find myself a nice spot for morning meditation. Following the creek, I came upon a small pool fed by a modest waterfall. There were a half dozen people perched around the edge already engaged in silent contemplation. I found a comfortable rock, took off my shoes, and joined this ad hoc community of kindred spirits.

Glen Helen is home to the yellow spring, although it is not so much yellow as orange. A quick sip of the water reveals that the coloration is due to a high concentration of iron oxide. The spring is the centerpiece of the main trail through the Glen. There are several points of interest along the main loop, as well as on the smaller trails connected to it. For me, the charm lies in the ease with which one can get “lost” in the Glen. Trails meander in every direction, some wide and well-traveled, others barely more than slightly worn traces on the woodland floor. While they do intersect, once past a juncture, there is only the path before you.

I don’t think that I could choose a favorite seasonal face of Glen Helen. It took me several tries before I as able to see it in peak fall color. The soft silence of a winter snowfall is amazing. The heady aroma of warm earth summer, wildflowers in spring, and an incredible variety of birdsong year round. At times, I forget all about the camera.

 

 

Clifton Gorge

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs, Ohio, is one of my favorite places to hike in the state. There is a lot to see and do in and around Yellow Springs, but the North Gorge Trail is generally the first stop when I visit. Like most natural places, its character changes with the seasons. My first time hiking it was June of 2010, and I have since traversed it through all four seasons. It is neither long nor particularly difficult. There is a section of trail on either side of the Little Miami River. Until recently, it was possible to combine the sections into one longer loop. However, that involves crossing the river, and one of the bridges was damaged making it unsafe to use. Not that some folks still don’t…

The bridge at the eastern end of the loop is still in decent shape. Since the distance isn’t at all prohibitive, I often follow the North Gorge trail to that bridge, cross over to visit Clifton Mill and hike the South Gorge trail, then just trace my way back to the trailhead on the north side. Clifton Mill is the big draw in the area. They put on a truly spectacular Christmas light show every year. I’ve been in the area around the holidays several times, but I’ve not been curious enough to brave the crowds. The natural beauty of the area is the draw for me. Here are a few of my favorite shots from Clifton Gorge.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is an easy day hike. Unlike downtown Yellow Springs, parking is not a problem. There is a visitor center where you can learn more about the area and its local legends (such as Muggles). Unless the weather dictates otherwise, I camp in John Bryan State Park. Trails lead from the campground to both Clifton Gorge and the adjacent Glen Helen Nature Reserve. Of course, if you elect to drive, that will make it easier to stop by Young’s Jersey Dairy for ice cream after your hike. I’m pretty sure it’s not legal to leave Yellow Springs without a visit to Young’s.

 

Breathless Moon Rising

 

After what seems like an extended hiatus, Breathless Moon is rising again! For friends of the former incarnation of the site, welcome back. You’ll see that much has changed. The most obvious difference is that the site is now a photo blog rather than a collection of galleries. This is, in part, a response to the many people who asked if the photos were “all that I do”. There are a number of ways to take that question, not all of them entirely positive. However, setting initial reactions aside, I came to understand that there was a desire to know more about the places, the thought behind the shots, and the person behind the camera. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes a few words are needed to add clarity and context to that picture.

One of the first questions I always get is “why Breathless Moon?”. The name comes from the lyrics of a Loreena McKennitt song, “The Mummer’s Dance”.

 

 

I really enjoy the imagery and the references to the Celtic celebration of Beltaine (modern May Day).

I’ve been drawn to spend time in natural spaces since I was a kid, and Breathless Moon began life as a way for me to merge that passion with my interest in photography and share the fusion with friends. I built the first version of the site using only a text editor and Photoshop Elements. It was a fun project, but it became difficult to maintain as it grew. I took it down with the intention of redesigning it and having it back up within a few weeks. Well, that didn’t happen. I became involved with other interests, and a few weeks stretched to quite a bit longer. Maybe that’s how it was supposed to happen. Now I have my experiences with yoga, martial arts, and outdoor fitness activities to share, and I get to try my hand at writing.

I hope that you will find something interesting or useful here. Check back often, as I plan to make regular posts and additions. Questions and comments are always welcome!