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     44.  Gravity                                                                        03/03/04

 
In any material that I have come across that discussed the subject of alignment, Gravity is presented as a force that we encounter if we are to stay upright. In the early days of body work it was even suggested that because of gravity the upright position was problematical for us humans. From a new book on alignment, published in 2003, Posture Alignment The missing Link in Health and Fitness, which Dr. Paul D'Arezzo states under the heading; The G-Word; “Gravity: The G-word. Until the day we die, this force rains down on us from above. On the just and the unjust. It is our constant, relentless companion. It never sleeps. Pretend you were a ball of Silly Putty. Left to its own devices, gravity over time would leave you puddled on the ground.” After saying this Dr. D’Arezzo highlights the text; “Until the day we die, we carry on a constant battle with Gravity.” Indicating that alignment of the body and gravity are interacting in time and space all the time.

 That we can move into a more physically ‘enlightened’ relationship with gravity, without a 'constant battle' is my suggestion here. The methodologies for this to happen are gaining in efficiency as more discoveries are made regarding alignment in the fields of transformative practices.

 Often we hear people express ‘I feel lighter’ after a session with the body, this is also experienced by many after having cognitive realizations. This immediate response of lightness, a degree of en-lighten-ment, tends to dissipate as the body adjusts and becomes accustomed to the new lightness. Generally the feeling is as if something lifts off the body and we feel less weighted down. The lifting of a ‘heavy mass of energy’ be it mental or physical is a real experience and often a barometer for us of what feels good or right.

 When working with the principles of Alignment this intuitive aspect of what feels true is generally experienced as you work with the idea or principle. For instance, when we walk with relaxed knees and feel the arch of the foot is in place there is a discernable difference then walking with the legs stiff and the arch collapsed. This pointing out information on alignment presents a working principle for us to feel and re-cognize the feeling of having better posture while compounding the benefits of better alignment.

The sitting position is becoming a position most people work in and, to me, it is increasingly clear that children spend more time at the computer while growing up then I did in the forties and fifties. As the children grow up and become skilled with the computer, they will naturally be networking as a natural extension of the information age. We can use this opportunity of sitting to accomplish several things. We can come to an understanding of alignment by placing some attention on how we are sitting for the long sessions that we put in on the computer. Secondly we can feel the position of our body as it relates to alignment.

 We can also do a form of exercise with all the muscles that are involved with breathing since breathing is part and parcel of being aligned. Sitting is not seen by most as a position that one is going to get any kind of exercise with, the language of many may even suggest that we are wasting away because of this position, But this does not have to be the case if we use our awareness to inspect our posture while sitting and apply alignment principles to sitting.

 I can sit and read for hours or listen to an interview given by Ken Wilber ,an Integrally minded metaphysicians, at the leading edge of our Aquarian age, while feeling my body position as well as my breath entering and leaving. The breath entering can be a long breath that comes in and expands my body up, the breath out can be a short breath out so the body doesn’t rise and fall with each breath but retains the posture of a peaceful warrior, erect and with dignity.

 Let’s look at several pictures of the sitting position and illustrate how gravity can cease to be an element of suffering for us.

 The picture on the left shows sitting with an aligned posture from which we can listen to a lecture, type at a computer, or watch the Super Bowl. This position is not a static position that one holds but is a dynamic position in which there can be the maintaining of our breathing and alignment of the body. As we sit we may feel intuitive type of intentions to move our legs up and down or to rock a little on the sitting bones as a baby may do in a high chair.

There are no right and wrong ways of sitting. When there is a comfortable understanding of the feeling of having a restorative energy flow while sitting and what positions may sap the body of energy we can make the adjustments. Is it no wonder that people feel tired at the end of day from the energy drain that accommodates poor posture? When we are able to feel alignment and breathing while sitting we can play with all positions to see how they feel and decide for ourselves based on our experience which is the position the body most likes for particular durations of time. We may even have some releases during sitting because we are following the bodies impulses to move and even make sounds.

The picture on the right shows the rib cage slumped down which would make the breathing generally shallow. Because, the internal spaces are more congested in this position, the bodily flows must operate in a more cramped condition, which requires more energy to function, and is actually less relaxing then the position seen on the left.

 As Dr. D’Arezzo points out; gravity in this posture will slowly exert pressure and by the end of a sitting session this non-alignment tends to be compounded. This can actually affect the absorption rate or digestion of information while we are sitting and listening to a lecture. Conversely our receptivity in the photo on the left would be more relaxed, enriching and consistent with the dignity of the position.

 Looking at the photo with good alignment, observe the lengthening of the neck in back which brings the chin in towards the collar bone. As the back of the neck lengthens there is a corresponding lift of the ribcage. This creates more space for oxygen to fill the lungs as well as helps us maintain the lifted feeling of the upper body. You can also notice the length generated for the torso with this position. Observe each photo and play with the different positions of sitting, I'm sure you will be able to feel the sense of good posture and alignment.

 “Small changes in the way we think now can have enormous effects in our lives as they are played out over months and years. What may seem like an almost insignificant change in your thinking now, can make all the difference in the world in your health, years from now.”
– Dr. Paul D’Arezzo, Posture Alignment

peace

Posted by Harmon at March 3, 2004

      
         Comments
 

I enjoyed the blog on gravity. It makes it clear that by sitting in a collapsed position that we do use energy in a negative way that we could and should be using in a positive, healthy way. Thank you so much for your wisdom on this subject as we continue to grow as a mindful society.

Posted by: Marla Edwards on March 3, 2004 

Very nice entry, Harmon. And what you say is absolutely true. If, for example, we could just remember to fully breathe, regardless of what position we are in, we would find our health naturally and inevitably improving. It is all a matter of awareness, and consciousness. We have been given such a great gift, this body of ours ... and on top of it (as it were), these other great gifts of mind, emotion, and beyond ... if we could just remember to open and deploy our very own gifts in real time every time, we would have a much better, more fully lived in, more fully present, world for ourselves and all concerned.

Posted by: Jordan Gruber on March 8, 2004

Right on Jordan! I do feel as the common sense use of full breathing becomes a tool for people to understand along with what is alignment for the body that the very nature of working with this awareness will affect the opening of our body’s awareness as well as performance. As the integral modals arise I feel that a clearer picture of personal health and joyful service for oneself and others will come with the territory. ‘Self-remembering’ can be as simple as being with the breath in both its gentle and expansive nature.

Posted by: Harmon on March 8, 2004

Marla, Thank you for sharing with us I am glad you enjoyed this entry.

Posted by: Harmon on March 8, 2004

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