According to scientists, if you see the dancer turning clockwise, you’re operating more dominantly from the right-brain… left-brain if she’s turning counter-clockwise. Supposedly, if you stare at her foot and its shadow, you can actually turn her in the other direction. Ummmm… OK… yes, but now I have a headache….
To summarize the characteristics of each…
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, words and language, present and past, math and science, comprehension and knowing, order/pattern perception, reality based, forms strategies, practical, safe;
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS: uses feeling, “big picture” oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can “get it” (i.e. meaning), believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous and risk taking.
The bottom line is we need both to function. But sometimes… say, when you’re trying something new, or wanting to accomplish a work of some creativity… or perhaps just needing to get through a yoga practice with a shred of self-esteem (ahem!), it’s nice to just turn off that left side… that pesky and insistent part of your head that continuously reminds you how ridiculously bad you are at whatever you are doing. Sometimes it’s important- no, essential- to just go with the flow and allow the freedom of imagination, fantasy and creativity, the right- brain, to take hold.
Not an easy task. However, as I found during my last practice, it’s possible…
As I discussed in my previous post, my body is different than it was a year ago. This means my practice is somewhat different as well. I don’t have the same degree of flexibility, for one… and let’s just say, I’m carrying a certain amount of extra flesh for another. These changes are glaringly obvious as I practice and the critical, judgemental side of my brain can run amok, with SO MANY opportunities to call me awful names critique.
As with many practices recently, yesterday, I began the practice with my kids. In a fun exercise in free movement, we enjoyed about ten minutes of Prana Flow Meditation. It’s a wonderful way to help take the focus off myself as I enjoy the kids participation with me…. Perhaps for some, the idea of free movement might be an uncomfortable one. And it is weird at first, I’ll admit… which is why it’s a little easier with the kids. You’re not dancing around in front of your living room windows alone…. But, if you don’t have kids, or a willing pet (goldfish totally get the whole free movement thing), go for it anyways. Direct your focus firmly on the breath and you’ll be fine…. Neighbours bedamned!
A quick introduction: The Prana Flow begins with a flexed knee Mountain Pose, Tadasana, where for many breaths you just get into the rhythm of Ujaii breath, with arms bent at elbow, lifting hands just above the heart on the inhale and down to the hips on the exhale.
From here, with the flow of breath, you step outside the posture and allow you’re body to flow, moving like the branches of a tree, waves of the ocean. Stepping, reaching, bowing, extending. Eyes can be closed as you’re body takes you where it wants to go with each breath. It is here where the right brain is allowed to dominate and with focus on the breath, and the body allowed to respond to that rhythm, that creativity, free of the white noise of criticism, is encouraged to engage and flow. Believe me, under the guidance of the rhythm of your breath you are able to find that place where the critical, analytical thoughts are in fact quieted.
After about five to seven minutes, returning to Tadasana, and kicking out of the room those kids who don’t want to continue, I’m ready to begin my practice… with a clearer, less judgemental mind. OK… in theory. Sure, I still require several reminders, with each time I have to adjust flesh to twist, or bend, or extend… there are any number of opportunities to criticize. But yoga is about calming that judgemental mind, moving to the light, creative, uncritical side, where possibility and beauty are endless… in you, regardless the rolls! And the Prana Flow Meditation is a wonderful- and just downright fun- way to kickstart that state of mind!
A side note on the Prana Flow with the kids: Not only is it a simple means to getting in closer touch with the right brain in preparation for your own practice, it’s an excellent introduction to meditation for the young ones.
The combination of breath and body movement is perhaps an easier way for them to connect not only to the rhythm but also directing their focus. They have to manage breath and movement at the same time, so it doesn’t allow for much else into the scope of their attention. I find my kids more relaxed and serene after just these few minutes and even though I may get “Awwwww…” and “Do we have to?!” when I suggest it, they all end up loving it! Heh.
