Lesson 2 • The Dynamism of Inner & Outer Worlds w/ Bharadvajasana
THE DYNAMISM OF INNER & OUTER WORLDS
WITH BHARADVAJASANA
FIND & RE-FIND CENTER
So how do we do that? We hope that your work
with spirals in yoga will literally teach you how to
do this physically, and that we can also use this
discussion to teach you how to do it spiritually as
well. In essence, we locate our center and practice
retaining that essence even as we venture out-
ward, whether into a pose or daily activities. This
process acknowledges that losing center is inev-
itable, but it prompts us to re-center when that
happens. This cyclic method of practice, as the
Sutras advocate, is the swiftest path to spiritual
progress,
“The process is to insert one spark of awareness. Let that
one spark fade. Again, insert fresh awareness. Let that
spark fade. Again, insert fresh awareness. This process
must be continued over and over again in continuity.”
As the Shiva Sutras teach, repeatedly shifting
awareness inward and back to our nature is key to
understanding our state of being.
“So, practicing in this way,” the text concludes,
“repeatedly taking it [our awareness] out and then
bringing it back to our own nature, is intended
for knowing this very state of being.” (3.44).
This brings us to a very valuable teaching in the
yogic tradition— it is not just about inside or
outside, but about learning how to work with the
dynamic between the two. Generally, we get very
externalized in our lives, and so checking back
in with our practice is crucial throughout the
day. On the other hand, sometimes the very act
of teaching yoga, for example, is equally crucial
for deepening our internal practice. Our internal
practice and out external lives work together to
help us grow. We insert the spark of awareness,
and then we move out into our lives keeping that
flame alive. That spark will eventually fade, and
we reinsert the spark, and once again move within
our lives. This spiraling dance is how the yogic
tradition defines the work of growth.
THE STORY OF BHARADVAJA
A great example of this might be the story of Rishi
Bharadvaja, for whom the twisting posture Bha-
radvajasana is named after. Bharadvaja devoted
his life to understanding the Vedas, tirelessly
learning and memorizing these ancient spiritual
texts. His sole purpose was to internalize and
preserve this sacred knowledge.
After exhausting his first life in Vedic study,
Bharadvaja was reborn with a renewed commit-
ment to delve deeper into the scriptures. Living
a solitary life, he dedicated his second lifetime
to the exhaustive study of the Vedas. In his third
life, Bharadvaja gained a reputation as the most
learned sage, yet he remained undeterred, con-
tinuing his solitary pursuit of understanding the
supreme power. As old age and sickness overcame
him, he knew it was time to depart the physical
world.
Meditating in anticipation of death, Bharadvaja
was visited by Lord Shiva. Shiva, in a symbolic
gesture, placed a handful of sand next to him—
the small sand pile represented three lifetimes of
study of the Vedas, while the Himalayas outside
his window represented all the knowledge of the
Vedas. Shiva conveyed that learning alone is not
the goal of our practice, but sharing it with others
is equally important. Saddened, Bharadvaja ques-
tioned the adequacy of his lifelong study. Shiva
explained that knowledge is meant for the benefit
of mankind, and sharing it is a duty. To balance
the scales, Shiva granted Bharadvaja another life,
urging him to teach the Vedas and share their
message, which he did.
In his next life Bharadvaja established an ashram
for teaching about the Vedas, and incoporating
them into your practice. He was transformed by
the act of teaching and sharing, and when he
came to the end of his life he actually chose to re-
incarnate in order to continue sharing and teaching about the practice.
A dynamic lesson at the
heart of spirals is this inner and outer dance— we
do our practice, but we also share the teachings.
Teaching shows us what we don’t know, it helps
us reach deeper inside to be our best selves, and it
guides others down the path as well.
SUMMARY & REFLECTION
To perform the spiraling dance of life, we must locate and repeatedly re-center
ourselves, balancing inner focus with outward actions, as emphasized by the
Shiva Sutras. This dynamic interplay between internal practice and external life,
exemplified by the story of Rishi Bharadvaja, illustrates the importance of both
learning and sharing knowledge to foster spiritual growth.
How has teaching taught you throughout your life? What have you endeavored
to teach and how has it been a support in your learning process? Why do you now
seek to teach yoga? What is this process teaching you?
Bharadvajasana
Anatomy in Motion
Bharadvajasana is the perfect way to learn how to grow a spiral from the ground up. It allows for a smooth, even spiral from the feet all the way up to the crown of the head with maximum support, first from the deep core and then with the muscles of the the legs, hips, and arms layering on top. As a gentle twist, Bharadvajasana can be sustained long enough to feel the interplay of the deep front line supporting the movement from the inside and the spiral line wrapping around the whole body to decompress all of the joints and supporting the movement from the outside in. This pose also enables us to feel the gentle massage of the breath within the body.
Set-up
From kneeling, bring the hips down to one side of the feet. If this is uncomfortable for the legs, knees or hips, place a blanket under the bottom hip. Legs can be at any angle that feels comfortable, such as a 90/90 position. Make sure there is no pressure in the knees.
Exhale to float the arms to the horizon to brighten the deep core.
Gently twist away from the legs and place the back hand to the earth and the front hand to the thighs.
Primary movement (Full body Spiral)
Inhale Gently press the shins down into the earth to stimulate length in the deep core.
Exhale Draw the bottom hip energetically back to initiate the spiral of the spine. Note, the hip won’t actually move, but this action will begin to lengthen the IT band of the bottom leg and engage the obliques.
Let the spine lengthen as it subtly twists from the bottom up, away from the legs. Notice a sense of spaciousness from bottom hip, up the back, to the opposite ear.
Lateral Tissue Hydration Exploration
From within the twist, sweep the back arm up, keeping the shoulder soft.
Press into the bottom hip to initiate a gentle side bend towards the feet.
Stay here and breathe, or gently rotate the heart up and down to generate a perpendicular sliding effect on the lateral portion of the torso. Notice how the legs can work together to support the spine as it lengthens and curves.
Note:When we work perpendicular to the muscle fibers, as we are here, the de-crystalizng effect on the tissue surfaces results in production of hyaluronic acid, a deeply hydrating non-protein compound found notably in the connective tissue between muscles. Notice if you feel particularly refreshed or spacious in your side body after this exploration.