In the last few weeks, something strange has been occurring during my yoga practice. I think this is partly because my asana practice has slowed down considerably—it is often very gentle and slow moving with lots of breathing space between postures. I may have planned to do a vinyasa sequence, but I never get there because I’ve just spent the last 10 minutes in child’s pose. I have begun to experience vivid, spontaneous visualizations, especially in forward folds or seated positions. I wish I had the skill to paint them! Sometimes the images are triggered by something the teacher said, other times they come out of nowhere. For example, one strong image came during child’s pose. I had an image of the outline of my body in the pose inside a bright, dark yellow yolk and I could feel the fluids—like I was really inside—it was comforting and I didn’t want to come out of the pose.
(Source: Earth Observatory)
Two recurring visualizations occur during seated, cross legged positions: sometimes I see a glowing blue hue encircling me—like the blue halo that can be seen around Earth from space (maybe I am surrounded by atmospheric gases, hehe). The other visual is of numerous lines of colourful energy (?) emanating from the crown of my head, arching downward and returning through my pelvic centre. Sometimes there are dots placed throughout the lines, like connect the dots. Sometimes I see a line “detach” from one end and continue out into the space around me! It is very weird, my brain does not usually work this way and I am a little bit embarrassed to admit this.
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Does anyone else experience this? Can you tell me about it?
This sounds absolutely amazing, Grace. I have only just recently started to practise yoga - on some very simple stages at the moment - so I think I'm a long way off such visions! But will let you know if anything occurs.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace! I came across your blog via YIOM. Welcome to the club! :-)
ReplyDeleteI was excited to see your post, because at times I also experience very vivid visualizations during yoga or savasana. I recently did a day-by-day recap of my yoga teacher training at Kripalu, and within some of those posts you'll find my description of some of these oddball visualizations...a garden full of eyeballs instead of cabbage heads, images of my classmates' faces flooding into my heart, our class dressed all in white...some really crazy things! I think it was the result of doing nothing but studying yoga, pranayama, and meditation for a month straight. It was weird and wild but also very cool to experience such intense images, so much more vivid than just a passing thought.
This post (http://flowtationdevices.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/the-colors-of-yoga/) also describes some of the more color-based visualizations I've had during yoga. I find that I am very in tune with color when I am deep in meditation, and one time during a very deep massage I was able to sense the color of the oil being placed on my forehead.
You visualization about the blue halo sounds aura-related! Maybe you are sensing the energy beyond your physical body. I get that sometimes, too, but more like roots growing from my fingertips. I've also had feelings of expanding, like Alice in Wonderland growing and growing until she pops out of the house. I've been told it's just me getting in tune with my expanding consciousness!
Solitary Walker, I have been a student of 14 years and I still feel like a complete beginner most of the time! I can't put my foot behind my head either--not really sure why I would want to . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Jennifer. A garden full of eyeball! that's a new one. I know what you mean about the "Alice effect" (I just made that up but I think it's a good name) and I also feel like I am expanding and evaporating during corpse pose sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI will check out your post.
I've been known to say that if I don't get visuals in a kundalini class, I'm disappointed...though they're generally less specific than what you're describing...more vaguely trippy...
ReplyDeleteI've had visualizations, although not regularly. But lots of other stuff that I consider similar; insights, memories, etc. I believe that it's tapping into our unconscious minds - good as long as we stay centered and grounded. Sounds like a positive yoga experience to me!
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