YEM: YOGA AS ENERGY MEDICINE
EXERCISE
In the previous YEM articles, I guided you through
a full body relaxation, then
an exercise to bring energy into your spinal column
and your body/being. Today, I share a simple exercise to help lengthen your
spine. If you suffer from
any spinal injuries, such as
a herniated disc, it is important that you do this
with gentleness and care.
You may modify the exercise by keeping your feet
flat on the floor, and not
taking hold of your knees,
but simply rocking your
pelvis as you breathe.
Above all, please abide
by the instructions of your
healthcare provider. Do
not push past what is
comfortable for you.
1. Find a comfortable
and relaxed area on
your floor in which you
can outstretch your
yoga mat or towel. Lie
down with your arms
alongside your body,
palms facing the ceiling, legs straight, feet
hip width apart.
2. Follow the instructions
as previously given for
Savasana, and allow
yourself to feel rooted,
vital and expansive.
Sense that your whole
body is breathing, that
every cell is alive.
3. Then bend your knees,
and place your hands
on them. As you exhale, gently draw your
knees into your chest,
bringing them as close
to your torso as is comfortable without force.
4. Inhale as your belly
rises. Let go of your
grip slightly so that you
make room for your
tummy to fill with air.
5. Exhale, belly back.
Gently bring your knees
into your chest.
6. As you inhale, you
draw energy through
the crown of your
head (your whale
spout) into your spine,
down to your tailbone.
Simultaneously, allow
your breath to travel
back up your spine
and out your head.
8. Remember that in
YEM: Yoga as Energy
Medicine, you are not
doing the work. The
breath that carries lifeforce energy is doing
the work for you. Let
your spine lengthen
on your exhale, as
you feel your tailbone
move away from your
crown. As you inhale,
gather in life-force
energy through the
crown, down to the
tailbone.
9. Continue for as long as
you like. When done,
place your feet on the
floor and return your
breathing to what
feels normal for you.
7. As you exhale, allow
the breath to continue down the tailbone, as though it
were growing longer.
Parvati Devi is the editor-in-chief of Parvati Magazine. In addition
to being an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter,
producer and performer, she is a yoga teacher and holistic educator.
Having studied yoga and meditation since 1987, Parvati developed
her own yoga teaching style called YEMTM Yoga as Energy Medicine.
Her current shows, “YIN: Yoga In the Nightclub” and “Natamba”
bring forward a conscious energy into the pop mainstream. Her
book “Confessions of a Former Yoga Junkie” is a road map to a
revolutionary life makeover for sincere spiritual seekers.
For more information on Parvati, please visit www.parvati.tv.