Sutra 1.17 Reasoning, reflection, wonderment, and the awe of being alive are the initial gateways to integration. Translation: Matthew Remski
“A key way to learn physical integration is to work the core
abdominal muscles”. Jason Crandell
While preparing the theme for this week’s class, our 4th week of focusing on Ustrasana, while continuing a brief survey of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali the same word appeared for both:
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Integration: Latin integratus, past participle of integrare ("to make whole, to renew, repair, begin again"), from integer ("whole, fresh"); see
integer.
1. The act or process of making whole or entire; to complete; to renew; to restore; to perfect.
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2. The process of fitting into a community
3. The operation of finding the essential of a function.
4. the process by which the manifold is compacted into the relatively simple and permanent; supposed to alternate with differentiation as an agent in species' development.
As we are coming to know more and more, our bodies are not machines. We are not a sum of parts that can be separated. We are an organism grown from a single cell. We are such a whole that what happens at the deepest muscles of the spine influence how flexible the front thighs are and how we open the shoulders with the intention of reaching our heels behind us.
Even more importantly, the ability to activate the muscles that keep the spine integrated affects our experience in a back bend. We may be envious as we look over at “Bendy Wendy”, her chest thrown open to the sky, hands clasping heels to maintain full expression of Utanasana. What is not readily visible to us are all those “core” muscles, drawing to the center, providing the stability required for a safe, comfortable, even relaxed backbend.
