Being flexible is the topic of this article.
Defined: capable of being flexed; yielding to influence; characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.
Introduction: Addison is teaching a basic Hatha yoga class.
Addison: This pose is called the “cobra.” It is also known as Bhujangasan. As you rise up from the floor try to keep the elbows straight and notice that the sacral region of the spine is bent. Does anyone have any questions on this move?
Student 1: What if I am not flexible enough to do it like you did?
Addison: Everyone’s body is different. Some are more flexible than others. You start from where you are and through the regular practice of the moves you strive to become more flexible.
Student 2: Why does anyone need to be that flexible?
Addison: These moves help to keep your ligaments, spine, and joints flexible. Keeping one’s body strong and flexible helps one to be capable of doing his/her life’s tasks through the optimum range of movement. When you are 80 you will greatly appreciate the work you are doing today.
Student 1: Is it necessary to do them pretzel moves?
Addison: Those “pretzel moves” as you call them show how flexible some practitioners are. Many people will probably never regain enough flexibility to do them all. However we can strive to do what we are capable of. Alright let’s go on to the next move…
[Later that evening in the community center.]
John: Addison when did you start doing Hatha yoga?
Addison: I learned my first pose when I was around the age of 26. These days I have a simple routine that I do which combines Hatha yoga and Dao-In techniques.
John: Dao-In… what is that?
Addison: Dao-In is a Taoist practice of doing mostly rhythmic movement to attune and adjust one’s body and energy. These movements help to invigorate your personal energy. So, not only do I become flexible physically, my energy flows well too.
Zhi: Did I hear you say Dao-In? This is a very good thing to do when waking up in the morning. Like Addison say, not only do you become flexible physically, but mentally too.
Catharsis: Hey guys! I overheard you discussing flexibility. I find the concept of being flexible interesting. On the one hand, if you become too flexible mentally you may become like a wet noodle and not be able to move effectively with focused intent when necessary. This can be caused by being so flexible that you do not know where and how to focus your attention. In this condition anyone and anything may distract you. I am sure most of us have seen a cashier counting change back to the customer when he gets distracted in the middle of the count by a nice looking female walking by. He starts the count over again. And wouldn’t you know it, a fly lands on his hand and he swooshes it away…oops, the count is started over again. Meanwhile the customer is starting to get agitated about getting his change, so the cashier just stops counting and quickly puts the money in the customer’s hand. The customer just got an extra five dollars because the cashier overpaid him from not being able to keep his focus on the count.
John: And on the other hand?
Catharsis: On the other hand, if you are not flexible enough you may become like petrified wood. While petrified wood looks nice and makes great book-ends, it is not a condition that is suitable for a human. This condition has a double-whammy in that you become rigid physically and usually mentally as well. This can be caused by being unwilling to focus your attention when and where it is necessary. Oops, I ran out of hands! Can someone let me borrow one for the next point? [Everyone starts clapping.] Well, that was not exactly the kind of hand I was referring to, but thank you. Now with my imaginary third hand here, one of the key points when it comes to being flexible is to be one-pointed in one’s focus of attention, and yet be flexible as to when and where it is placed.
John: Addison, doesn’t Raja yoga train the mind to be flexible?
Addison: Yes, Raja yoga and other practices such as mindful awareness help to keep the mind flexible to remaining open to intuition, harmonizing with one’s core essence, sensing one’s energy flow, accepting information and alternative ways to do things in a more effective manner, among other things.
Zhi: In my tradition (Taoism) flexibility can be used to describe the nature of the mind of one who follows the direct path. Flexibility also expresses the elasticity that allows the student of the direct path to adapt to any situation. In order to restore the flexibility of the mind, one has to learn clarity. In this way the mind can exercise itself freely in conceptualization as well as deconceptualization without being stuck in any one way of being expressed.
Catharsis: It has been my observation that clarity and yoga are not the only ways to achieving flexibility. Have you ever noticed a drunk? Now granted, he may not be able to focus that well, but he sure is flexible in which way he leans, walks and talks. Not only that but if a regular sober person and a drunk get into an accident, it is usually the drunk who gets away with little to no injuries. That is because the sober person normally tenses up while the drunk remains flexible like a rubber ball.
John: I think I would rather do my yoga to maintain flexibility! That way I can be fully conscious in each moment, taking in life to the fullest. And with flexibility I can go in any direction as necessary, when necessary.
Zhi: Of course one may have to learn how to do this effectively. On the direct path, what to do and what not to do is a continual learning process; as you develop, you will naturally know what you can and cannot do. Knowing what can and cannot be done helps one to stay fluid in one’s movement throughout life.
Addison: Another good conversation. Now I am going to exercise my flexibility and focus my attention on eating dinner! Anyone care to join me?
“Sure, let’s go!” “The dessert is on me.”