Scaravelli, Tadasana and the breath

One of the most influential books I have read about yoga and the spine is Veda Scravelli's Awakening the Spine. Her most powerful metaphor is likening the human back to the trunk of a tree. A tree grows in two opposite directions - the roots are pulled deeply down to the centre of the earth whilst the trunk grows up towards the sky, elongating and spreading into branches. The deeper the roots grow, the stronger and taller the tree.

Likewise the spine moves from the waist up into the air and down into the earth.

If the spine is not straight, however, there is a feeling of not being grounded. Scoliosis sufferers often complain of a feeling of not being balanced. Whilst the spine is growing in two opposite directions from the waist it is not in a direct way. Scoliosis sufferers commonly simultaneously suffer from conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. From a physical perspective this is not suprising as their chest capacity is limited. However from a more metaphysical point of view we can liken the spine to a fibre optic cable, such as that used for an internet network; to work correctly the fibre optic needs a clear line of sight, the energy it carries cannot move around corners. In the same way the path of energy that travels up the scoliatic spine finds limitations in its movement. By working on a feeling of lengthening and elongating we can help the energy within us to flow more freely.

As we grow older our skeleton becomes more rigid and heavy, and so if a skeletal problem is not diagnosed until adulthood (as with my scoliosis), there is very little chance of being able to fix the problem with bracing and surgery. Instead we have to re-educate the spine and release tense muscles. Chiropractors and massage therapists can help with this re-education, but so can the concept of breath and movement that is yoga. it is extremely important therfore for scoliosis sufferers to practice a feeling of lengthening and elongating their spines.

A simple asana for practicing symmetrical alignment is Tadasana or mountain pose. Stand with the feet hip distance apart, rotating the thighs slightly away from each other, lifting the arches of the feet whilst making sure the big toe joint remains firmly on the floor. A good way of grounding the feet in Tadasana is to think about three points on each foot, the big toe joint, the little toe and the heel, drawing down into the floor. Then draw the navel gently in towards the spine, make sure the shoulders are back and down and the shoulderblades are flat. It is important to take some time to come into the posture correctly.

Now notice if you are leaning to one side, if there is more weight on one foot than the other. If there is try to evenly distribute the weight between the two feet. Using a mirror or a partner notice and observe whether the shoulders and hips are at even height. Spend some time now trying to re-align your "plumbline", evening up the shoulders and aligning the head over the pelvis. At first this re-alignment may feel crooked! This is because you are starting to break na habitual stance.

As you learn to realign the "plumbline" of your body you are realigning bones, muscle and tissue. This will help you gradually learn to relax in a standing posture instead of gripping or overworking to remain upright. You may find that you are gripping on to the floor with your toes rathern than allowing your feet to be soft. Lift the toes, place them gently on to the floor without gripping and realign yourself again.

Bring your awareness to your breath with each exhalation feel that the spine is stretching and elongating. Some yoga students with scoliosis find that visualising the breath travelling up and down the spine helps.

...yoga encourages us to focus our minds and be aware of the internal flow of energy."

-- Total Yoga - Tara Fraser - Duncan Baird Publishing 2001 (p.13)

There is no better way to practice this awareness than watching the path of the breath within our bodies.