Spanda (Sanskrit) translates to “vibration” or “pulsation, “movement”, or “motion” – This term is used to describe how Consciousness, at the subtlest level, moves in waves of contraction and expansion. In our yoga teachings, spanda is the subtle creative pulsation that manifests in all living and non-living things. Everything is constantly in movement; nothing is ever stagnant, even though it sometimes seems like it.
Yoga Poses & Practice
PULSE – When holding an asana (yoga pose), find your edge (that point where the body says yes and the mind no, or vice versa), then softly pulse 8-10 times going a little deeper into the asana with every pulse, allow yourself to explore the pulse, the spanda of the body and breath.
SENSATIONS – Can you become aware, notice and tap into feeling subtle sensations in your body perhaps your skin tingling, the inner vibration of your cells, the flow of blood, the movement of breath, maybe a little shaking in those strong postures holds? Be curious about the sensations you feel in your body – become aware and feel just how alive you truly are!
OPEN/CLOSE – When you are on your yoga mat create a rhythm of dance, explore flowing through large, open, expansive poses where you feel spacious (wild thing, wheel pose, goddess pose) and follow it with a small, closing, contracted poses (child pose, cow face pose, cat/cow pose). Create a yoga dance and feel the flow expanding and contracting the body.
DUAL ACTIONS – There will be many times when the body will be expanding and contracting at the same time, notice these moments. Warrior 1 for example: There is contraction in the leg muscles in the low lunging position, but the front leg is extended to the front of the mat, and the back leg is extended to the back of the mat. The arms’ muscles are contracting to hold them overhead, but they are also extended, hands reaching toward the sky. Can you name or think of other yoga poses with DUAL ACTIONS??
“Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.
If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralysed;
Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding.
The two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as bird wings.” – Rumi