Workshop Review 3

Muladhara -the First Chakra

In this workshop we explored some of the qualities of Muladhara, the Root. We particularly focused on our awareness of our own bodies, unlike Mr. Duffy, from James Joyce - The Dubliners, who ‘lived a little distance from his own body’ We read an extract from Ravelled Up-a journey into Embodiment, a beautifully written memoir by a local Ashtanga Yoga teacher called Jess Glenny. Jess described the sensations of pain in her body after a particularly demanding posture! I have to say that’s NOT the Kundalini way! But she writes very powerfully about her experience and people were invited to work on a similar piece.

The poet Mary Oliver had to be included of course. Her work is a call to be still, observe and celebrate what we see. Or as she puts it ‘Pay attention, Be astonished, Tell about it.’ and Sleeping in the Forest is perfect for a discussion of our need for a close , physical interaction with the natural world.

We practiced a Kundalini Yoga set for the lower spine. Releasing tension in this area enables us to relax, locate and work with our Root energy. We also used an exercise, sourced originally from a beautiful book called Art and Yoga where we use a sketch of our bodies to record sensations experienced after completing exercises. It really helps with the process of embodiment - becoming aware of what is going on in our bodies rather than focusing on the noisy monologues in our brains!

Elaine Johnson wrote this piece in response to some of the ideas generated in the session. She thought it could be something to develop into a short story. The images here are gorgeous!

When you stare at the darkness between the stars at length the blackness starts to bulge with redness, the stars become buttons embedded in an old cushiony sofa. There's a woman here asleep on the sofa like a small grey kitten, she twitches in her sleep, and though age has made her stoney and dull - in her dream she is a vibrant ruby. She is a vibrant ruby in a smoky, dark cafe waiting at the end of a narrow, windowless passageway. A man approaches in a black cowboy hat and a deep purple shirt, his face is like a mountain surrounding her in awe. She sees herself on the peak looking back into the stars, the blackness, the bulging redness.