Origins of Yoga

Seeing It for Myself

Throughout my life I have always had a hard time just accepting what I was told.  I wanted to experience things first hand, and this was especially true when it came to the more esoteric subjects, such as God, revelation, divine mystery and the like.  I was always fascinated by pioneers, saints, adventurers, mathematicians, inventors - all those folks who were uncovering things for themselves.  So that is how I approach the phenomena of healing. 

I grew up in the mid-western bible belt of the United States.  As a young child I was fascinated by the tent healers and television evangelists that did the laying on of hands, resulting in folks dropping their crutches, fainting, and rising up healed and saved.  I would get as close as I could, like it was some kind of magic show with a hidden trick.  I remember sitting so close to the television, trying to see what Oral Roberts was actually doing, that I bumped my nose on the screen.

A Love of Focus

Like so many people, I love to dance.  I also love the quiet of walking slowly through the woods or along a beach, focusing on the beauty of nature.  I suppose the combination of these two enjoyments led me to focusing intently on the beauty and grace of my own movement.  The words, Zen Boogie, came up when the leader of a dance class observed that I had been moving only my hands and fingers for about 45 minutes.  She asked what I was doing and the words jumped out of my mouth.  If I simply focused on various parts of my body and relaxed into the enjoyment of the movement, a world of information and discovery would open up.  First hand knowledge.  I love it. 

Into the Feeling

So when it was suggested through the body readings that I explore physical exercises I was ready to roll.  For me it was an encouragement of playful exploration.  I had found an aspect of healing and partnership that was absolutely delightful:  partnership with self. 

The intelligence of the body gives out simple guidance, like pointing in a direction, like saying - look here or there, go this or that direction. Then, like the child playing the game of hot and cold, I set out on my exploration and listen for the inner nudge of guidance.  The feeling of enjoyment is the indication of getting hotter, getting closer to the treasure.  Colder seems to be the befuddlement that comes with making things too complicated and too difficult. 

Yoga Means Union 

Our inner guidance naturally gathers up all the parts of the body and threads them together, like seamstress mending a piece of torn cloth.  The body’s guidance will always move toward unity and wholeness of parts. 

In every culture, all through history, some form of "yoga" or mending arises to help heal and make whole.  Why?  Because then we’re better able to move, stretch, and reach out for what we want, doing so with refreshed strength and flexibility.  All healing exercises have this simple goal:  to prepare us for a full expression of life, a full reach, a complete stretch of our abilities. 

The bow, the string, and the arrow are one unit.  The bow is our body.  The string is our effort and strength.  The arrow is our intent.  The target?  That is for each to decide.  Nature gathers up the whole; our body, our strength, and our clear focus of intent so can make our best effort.   This is nature’s gift.

Like a Child

If you watch little children you will see them naturally finding the poses of yoga when lying around on the floor, and moving like tai chi masters when reaching for bubbles in the air.  The point is this. Be playful when exploring your exercise, whatever it might be.  Focus intently and enjoy the unfolding of your body’s wisdom.  Wholeness and healing will come, that is nature’s way.