yoga knowledge

i've turned to yoga
for some relief from
persistant ache and pain

a simple form introduced to me
by a friend a rancher in montana
the
sun salutations
a cycle of stretches and breathing

since beginning this i have experienced
considerable relief in my lower back
and i know this
it is immediate knowledge

also my general posture seems to have improved

the other day i went through the cycle twice
and it was a strange stimulant
i was very awake that night
could not sleep
had energy reserves
what was it
it was the stretching
and i know this

i heard parts of my body release tension
i felt ligaments and muscles stretch
and the overall physical sense of fairly well being
returned to me and my mind
and i am not a little amazed

for right now i do not wish to
advance any further in yoga
i am content to do the sun salutations
even on cloudy days like today

next week however i am slated to attend a class
and practice with a yoga instructor
which may be a good thing
for my growing understanding

i could read books
and i probably will
and then i will know more

what i realise from an empistemological point of view
is that i existed in my mind within a box of suspicion
and this is largely because of a book i read years ago
"THE LOTUS AND THE ROBOT"
(and i think i should reread it)
wherein arthur koestler
weighs in rather negatively about the
possibility of yoga being of some beneficial
value in western culture

his thesis includes the observation that
the real practices of yoga have little to do with
feeling better about oneself in the world
originally the postures and exercises were
pointed toward something completely different

that the practice involves some rather immediate
and discernible health benefits
is attested by the hundreds of thousands of people
in USA who practice yoga for its therapeutic value

i'm content to know something
about the therapeutic value

as they say these days

it works for me

namastaeh