Vrikshásana - Neural Messaging

Posture 5: “Tree Pose” Vrikshásana

In the last posture “Toe to Heel” Prathanásana, we looked at the special balance interplay between the brain, body and energetic vibrations. We began to open the Pineal Gland and vibrate the brain to de-calcify and restore many functions and physiological benefits as well as open a greater awareness to the vibrations all around us.

Many times someone that is just opened or awakened will experience a rush of energy and can be intimidated by it. Although not unhealthful, it can cause anxiety and stress if one is not used to the increase in the vibratory state. The “Tree Pose” is the next step to quell this feeling of being over energized. It also serves as a great test to see how the individual will cope with the releasing of the Kundalini as this is a slight look at the power contained that will be released as the practice develops.

Once both side channels are open, a grounding must also follow so as not to raise too much energy and cause mental, spiritual or physical disruption and overall health. By standing on one leg that side bears all the weight and balance, however the opposite foot seals the inner leg to prohibit a rise of energy up the inner leg so that energy is mainly directed to the ground. The lifted leg is folded to also keep the energy from rising on that side as it presses into the supporting leg. It is always best to apply on both sides as required for balance not only of muscles, but all functional systems.

Again we must address the importance of the right brain controlling the left body and left brain controlling the right side of the body. By standing on one leg that corresponding side brain is activate more and in turn sends the messaging down through that side of the bodies muscles to maintain the weight and balance of the body. This in essence brings electrical signals down from the brain all the way to the foot and beyond to perform this grounding effect.

This posture also brings the body back into folding to suppress energetic flows as it opens or frees others. There is also an introduction into pressure for strengthening the associated muscles as well as call energy from the brain and core to the peripheral nerve system. This will be detailed more in later postures for more complete application.

“Tree Pose” Vrikshásana

As you balance and raise one leg up, make sure you do not let the supportive (standing leg) side hip sag or mis-align (hips and spine) by bowing outward. This will require greater brain energy to the muscles to tighten then to achieve and maintain the posture. As this increased energy is sent to the required muscles, the body brain synapses will begin to increase and in turn strengthen the connections as well as physical structures (muscles, connective tissues and joints). These more efficient energetic messaging pathways not only increase overall health (via the autonomic connections with the internal organs) but also motor functions for our balance and sensory functions as well. Work to be aware of and feel the vibrations emanating down to the standing leg and especially through the foot and into the ground. In the beginning you may just be aware of the shaking of muscles as the constrict and relax to maintain the balance, but over time you want to open the neural passages enough to feel the energetic vibrations as opposed to the muscles.

Bringing the bent leg up and pressing the foot tightly into the upper inner leg will close that knee as well as the inner leg for rising energy. The emphasis is in the grounding effects of one side at a time for more efficient and complete grounding ability. It also forces the awareness to only one limb again reinforcing the brain body connection as well as the awareness of subtle vibratory energy.

The bent leg side is pulled flat out toward the side to open not only the hips for physical strength and muscle stretch, but also to integrate the side and back muscles into the integrity of posture demands. This further aides in the grounding process as the vibrations of the earth are not allowed to ascend up the inner legs and down the outer leg. The pressure of the bent leg foot on the inner thigh of the straight leg will force the brain and neural energy to constrict those associated muscles also to prohibit rising energy as it requires greater motor than sensory nerve action to maintain. This will increase more vibrational energy travelling from the brain, down through the spine and peripheral nerve system as opposed to rising from sensory input.

As the heel is pressed into the inner thigh it also pulls down and opens the root chakra and in turn releases pressure on the perineum and pudendal nerves. Through dedicated practice you may also be able to pull the bent leg foot up far enough to also press the heel against the perineum, a sea of vast sensory nerves activating and invigorating the area and body to a greater extent. This foot position stimulates the root chakra (the seat of our survival energies), as well as these nerves of the perineum and pudendal branches. The pudendal nerve innervates the penis or clitoris, as well as areas around the scrotum, perineum, and anus. Stimulation of this nerve, which is the only peripheral nerve that has both somatic (voluntary nerve function) and autonomic (involuntary or automatic nerve function) fibers, can also increase sexual energy and pleasure. This in turn stimulates the all the other chakras and nadis to invigorate the practitioner as the vibrations are then transferred into the core.

In this posture we also press the palms together firmly, not only to aid balance, but also to focus neural energy to the peripheral nerves throughout the core. This upper and lower body focus is on the body’s center to also coordinate right/left brain activity and will increase the vibrational aspects throughout the body. It also aides in the cleansing of the lymph system as the pressures will stimulate the packets concentrated in the neck and inner shoulders.

As a special note not based in the energetic aspect, but more in alignment with overall health, this posture also aids the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tubes (capillaries and vessels) that drain excess fluids from the body's cells and return them to the bloodstream for eventual filtering and excretion. The lymph system also plays a major role in protecting the body against infections and cancer. For this reason it is part of the immune system. Additionally, the lymphatic system also plays a part in the absorption of fats from the intestines. This posture compresses the concentration behind the knee as it opens the inguinal crease clusters. As it does not have a pumping action like that of the heart and blood, it relies on muscle action to direct the fluids toward the neck where it is drained into the subclavian veins for dispersal. By compressing the bent knee and opening that side inguinal crease you are aiding this action to assist your immune system and overall health.

Tying this aspect back in with the energetics, we see that the energy vibrations of the nerves stimulating the muscle fibers firing and relaxing as they maintain the balance increases the pumping action on the lymph vessels as well. As you attained greater balance and less physical muscle action, the subtle neurological vibrations you will feel continue the process.

Breathing and Intention:

Each inhale through the nose (which ties in with the Ida and Pingala); allow all energy to flow into the ground, as you feel the exterior rear muscles vibration downward toward the ground. Feel the energy drop through the rear leg as it becomes first a pedestal and yielding to a root penetrating the ground.

On the exhale contract or concentrate the energy vibrations on the inner legs and frontal body as they vibrate toward the throat from the legs, body, arms and neck. Allow the vibrations to come to a focus on the throat chakra which is at the same level of the subclavian veins. Always seek to calm the long deep breathing to be more aware of feeling the energy vibrations as well as the fluids pumping through the body.

Next issue: “Curved Pose” Nitambásana

Good Health - © Evan Pantazi 2012

Yoga Instructor: Carolina Lino – Ponta Delgada, Azores
Photo by: Tiago Pacheco Maia – Ponta Delgada, Azores