How to Apply the Muscular Energy Principle in Anusara Yoga

Anusara Yoga poses follow the Universal Principles of Alignment. The five main alignment principles are Opening to Grace, Muscular Energy, Inner Spiral, Outer Spiral, and Organic Energy. Muscular Energy Principle is related to the other four primary Universal Principles. In every pose, each principle forms a base for the next. Infuse every pose with meaningful intention that is related to the "grand purposes of yoga," which include awareness of the inherent goodness of one's being and intention to align with the Divine.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anusara Yoga teacher
• Yoga mat
• Comfortable clothing
• Attitude/Intention

1. 
    
   Gate Latch Asana

   Begin your practice with the intention to align your whole being with Supreme Consciousness. Approach practice with "soft-hearted devotion." Anusara means “flowing with Grace,” “going with the flow,” or “following your heart..” The first Universal Principle of Anusara Yoga is "Opening to Grace."

2. 
    
   Cobbler Asana

   Set your mind for your practice with the following Invocation: "I offer myself to the Light of Pure Awarenesss, who is the True Teacher within and without ( the teacher of all teachers ),Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss, Who is never absent and is full of peace, Independent in its existence, It is the vital essence of illumination."

3. 
    
   Downward Dog Asana

   While maintaining your pose, Muscular Energy draws energy from the body's outer region into a Focal Point. Muscular Energy creates stability, strength and physical integration. Downward dog is one example of how to incorporate Muscular Energy into a pose. Downward dog strengthens the arms and legs, opens the hips and shoulders, stretches the entire back of the body and gives mild inversion, since the head is below the heart. Weight distributes evenly though all four limbs. This pose feels strong and balanced. The heart chakra, at the base of the breastbone and in the middle of the chakra pole, is the energetic center for this pose.

4. 
    

   Follow with Inner Spiral, Outer Spiral and Organic Energy principles. Inner Spiral expands energy from center outward. Its path is up from the feet, through the pelvis, into the waist region. Precise leg, thigh and pelvic movements accompany. Outer Spiral involves narrowing spiral movements inward to core. Its path is from the waist through the tailbone, out through the legs and feet. Outer Spiral also includes precise movements. Organic Energy extends outward from the Focal Point through the core to the periphery. Expansion, flexibility and freedom in the pose increase.

Tips & Warnings

• As with all yoga practice, engage with the guidance of a certified Anusara Yoga practitioner.
• Consult your health practitioner to verify that you can practice Yoga safely.

Resources

• Basic Anusara Yoga information
• John Friend's Anusara Yoga site
• Anusara Yoga article by John Friend
• Detailed description of Muscular Energy pose
• Various examples and instructions for asanas

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!