Note: This is the second part of the article. As I shared last week, this article was supposed to be a short piece. But a nearby tree had something to share. To read the first part, please go to http://www.kellenbrugman.wordpress.com.
Photo by Michael Stern
And so the journey into the eight limbs of yoga and the life of trees continues. During the past week, the trees in New Mexico have sprouted more leaves. The neighborhood becomes greener and there are now shady respites along my dog walking route. As I watch the trees, a sense of new beginnings crescendos with each new leaf. As I’ve practiced on the mat, through each pose and each breath, I’ve also felt a sense of new beginnings. Following are observations from the practice of doing yoga and watching trees.
4. Pranayama. This is control of the breath and the vital life energy -the prana. Pranayama calms the nervous system, and nourishes the lungs, heart and other vital organs. It also soothes the mental body by balancing sattva, rajas and tamas in the mind. From the moment we are born, we breathe non-stop until our death. And at our death we leave this world escorted by the breath on an exhale. Like us, trees during their lifetime are constantly breathing. They inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Their breathing is called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis means “putting together with light.” Sunlight is their catalyst for this divine transformation. This light is the catalyst which ignites the trees agni. Agni is the transforming energy of the fire element. The tree’s agni transforms nutrients from the soil, water from rain, light from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air. This transformation process creates nourishment, strength, growth and vitality in the tree. It also creates oxygen for the environment.
Pranayama stokes the body and mind’s agni. In the physical body, agni is the main digestive fire, as well as 39 other important agnis which occur in the 7 dhatus (tissues) all the way down to the cell nucleus. According to the Vedas, the prana in the human body is a similar force as the sun in Nature. (Resource: “Yoga and Ayurveda” by Dr. David Frawley). Just as the sun transforms all life functions on Earth, prana transforms all life functions in the body. Prana transforms the body and mind, as well as awakens the inner light of the Spirit. Pranayama creates purification, rejuvenation, growth and expansion of the Spirit. It helps one to go beyond the limitations and delusions of the body and mind. The Light of the Divine is the source of all spiritual growth. (more…)
Kellen Brugman 