Yoga: An Observational Tool
by Michael Baker

I began doing yoga as an experiment nine years ago. I was out of work with a newborn son and an injured back. I didn’t like taking pain pills because they made me a zombie, so I worked through my pain by experiencing it completely. I was careful not to provoke the pain, but to pay attention to it. I would gently move through the few poses I knew with full awareness. I was somewhat familiar with creative visualization via one of my Dad’s golf lessons. My Dad would say, “Have a plan and see the shot before you step up to the ball.” So I would see in my mind’s eye each breath traveling as a wellspring of virtue into my body. I would feel the breath as it traveled through me, relaxing each muscle group as it passed. My intention for this breath was for it to flow unobstructed into the injury, gathering a damage report and delivering vital oxygen from the lungs, and blueprints and strategies from the brain. The depth I would allow myself to go into each posture was gauged by the intensity of information flooding my brain from the injury.

This experimental practice helped me to understand some of the fundamental issues that cause dis-ease in the human body. Observing my reactions to the sensations we call pain, I noticed three specific reactions. First, the tendencies to tighten my muscles around the pain area as well as constricting the muscles in my chest, as if to muzzle sensation. Second, once muzzled, the core of my body locked down, grounding out the healthy electrical and chemical information being transferred from tail to crown. It felt like the muscles in my body were squeezing the nerves like a hose in order to slow the flow of information to the brain. Finally, I witnessed the interpretation of my experience becoming manifest through my physical posture and attitude. One could tell at first glance I was in pain. The pain could be heard in my voice as well as the words I chose to express myself. Looking at the reactions and observing the quality of their aftermath, I concluded that these reactions were inefficient and uncomfortable. The reactions to my actions were unacceptable to me; so I donned my observation cap once again, searching to find the actions I needed to perform in order to achieve the perfect outcome (health and comfort).

Paying Attention was the first step. They say, “Knowing is half the battle.” So observe, interpret, and grow. Choose the quiet place from which to observe. It is the center. Input pain cycle tendencies: 1. Clenching and attachment around the source of the problem. 2. Snuffing out the flow of communication through the core. 3. Compute past experience with current condition and act in a manner consistent with the idea of a perfect outcome.

This is one of many strategies a student of yoga comes to realize. The only thing we can experience in this existence is an onslaught of sensations from the outside of our personal consciousness. The only way to measure and categorize the information these sensations bring is to relate them to past experience. What if this information we are receiving in the now only relates to the present moment? For instance, the sexual ecstasy you may be enjoying or the stabbing pain of a strained back. If we attempt to qualify these experiences as “how good or how bad” they may be, are we really experiencing the present moment to it’s fullest potential?

The ever-present goal of honing the consciousness to the root of the senses and to experiencing (breath of) life in the current moment is nothing more than becoming a Master Observer.

This is It. This is my yoga: finding and releasing any resistance to the natural flow of information and energy between attention, intention, and action. Once the life-bringing flow is unchallenged by the brain, we can better see the source and destination of our existence. Finding time to experience removing the muzzle and using that time to experience consciousness, only this place of nonjudgment is suitable for understanding one’s personal purpose. Take time to receive peace of mind. What do you have to pay for this wonderful offer? Attention!

Indigo Sun Magazine
November 2004