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61. The ABC’s of Alignment                                        10/03/04

Revisiting the basics of alignment by using 3 keys, which we can call the ABC’s of alignment, can help us focus on what brings alignment to the body in a moment.

A the Arch
B the Breathing
C the Chin, collar bone, crown charka
 

(A) The Arches of the feet.

Since the term arch is self explanatory, we can assume, as it applies to our feet, having the arch in place, as a natural design efficiency, is something we can do for our body. Across the spectrum of age our arches will influence our physical activity.

By feeling the arches of our feet, with relaxed knees of course, as we walk, we are more at home with the grand intelligence that is reflected in our bodies. From this simple notion of having an arch in place, in our feet, we are in tune with energies that resonate within. We also move to the interconnected fields externally. This is viewed by others as “poetry in motion” which warms the shores of our heart.

For processing out many conditions that appear across the spectrum of age, a ‘Walkabout’ with the arches of the feet in place becomes a helpful form of working with our body to unwind accumulated tensions. Thich Nhat Hanh writes about walking meditation to bring us to each moment. With our attention on feeling our arches, for maintaining the dignity and grace of our own being in motion, we become more attuned to the present and more in harmony with higher vibratory rates or frequencies. Sounding the mantra OM has the quality, for me, that matches the celestial type of song that seems to be playing in the space around us. The ocean may also remind us of this vibratory frequency.

All this from having our arches in place! Hmmm. Perhaps, sure beats the downhill ride to the flatfooted condition that creates limitation across the spectrum of age.

Working with releasing positions outlined in our book Hathaway Alignment Sessions or doing  'Releasing the Lower Body' instruction, actually helps produce the ideal of a full arch. The bottom line is that the arches of the feet are not a concept placed on the body but a result from working with releasing the legs.

(B) The Breathing Factor

Fortunately at this time, breathing is coming of age as a way for us to be connected with the rhythm of the real; The expansion and contraction or pulse of each moment of our interconnections with life as we focus on our Breathing. Our breathing is a resource we can work with for so many obvious and well documented reasons. Adding the idea of using breathing to maintain or improve our posture ennobles us all the more. Again, the body form operates better across the spectrum of age with more conscious use of our breathing.

In processing out a traumatic emotional experience or other indigestible experiences with breath, the accompanying releases have an enlightening quality. Untying some mass of confusion that unravels and releases the stagnant gases or energy, feels good and helps us maintain, once again, the grace and dignity that is the human body. Since breathing is not a grade school assignment for most, implementing breathing for our growth and development becomes a process of discovering the many benefits that can be gained by breathing deeper and expansively. The Intuitive and childlike playfulness of our spontaneous arising with joy, equanimity and love, brings positive energy for experiencing the rhythm and resonance in the moment and provides us with an ascending connection with life.    

This Session on Full Breathing can give us the feeling for fuller breathing as well as the resulting expansion and opening of the upper body with a minimum of effort for people of any age. As we learn about fuller breathing by working in this position, we come to appreciate the dynamic qualities that fuller breathing offers to our every day activities. I feel the position also offers us an insight to just how easy it is to reverse nonalignment conditions and have the body’s potentials available.

“Breath Virtuosity” a term introduced by Michael Murphy, is appropriate since both our inner life as well as our outer functioning, across the age spectrum, is benefited in many ways by working with our breathing.

We could say that understanding our Breathing in its many facets is a double edge sword that cuts to the nowness and frees us of the thinking continuum, while helping us animate our form in the dance of the real. The graceful flight of the eagle riding the wind has a watchful eye on the next morsel of evolutionary enfoldment.

(C) The Chin and the Collar bone.

The final Key to feeling alignment of the body comes with the head and neck being in a relationship to the rest of the body that actually helps us fulfill the sensation of being upright and being in relationship with the space or Gravity. Gravity, as a force that we encounter, need not be a burden when the body has the ABC’s in place. We can be functioning in rhythm with gravity by feeling and understanding the relationship of the chin to the collar bone.

The session on this key called; The *Crown Chakra, gives a full description of this finale point to introducing better alignment to our body. The function of working with the chin towards the collar bone helps in the lift of the upper body and spine while sitting and standing. The importance of the sense of this placement of chin and head are illustrated when performing spins in dance, spring board diving or gymnastics.

*Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) The meaning inherent in the Crown Chakra is represented as; Thousand fold- expanded consciousness, selflessness, spirituality, realized and Big-Mind

As a key to use while sitting, I find that this key is wonderful; since we can be establishing good postural habits, release dormant energy, remain energized while working or playing and again fulfill natural ascending tendencies that are available to our being.

The position of the chin doesn’t have to be fixed but is playfully saying yes as we acknowledge just how full of wonder we are in our naked state.

Thus ends a synopsis people find useful, as a fast way of identifying the ingredients of alignment for their own body.

Peace

Posted by Harmon at October 3, 2004

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