Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Closed Eyes Mountain

Just as a runner may put weights around his ankle, putting himself at a disadvantage in order to strengthen his legs, a person with balance deficit may close his eyes in order to challenge that very faculty, sharpening his or her kinaesthetic sense and response to inner-ear stimuli. That is the point of this pose, which also bears close resemblance to the medical “Romberg test.”
1. Stand with the feet close together and parallel, arms at the sides. Distribute the weight evenly: right to left feet, front to back, inside and outside of each foot. Splay out the toes and repeat the process. Draw in the abdomen, open the front of the chest, straighten the spine from the sacrum to the base of the skull, facing straight ahead. Totally still, concentrate thoroughly on motionlessness, except for calm breathing, for 1 minute.

2. Now draw and turn the arms upward until the palms meet firmly. With straight elbows, rest the biceps behind the ears. Raise the toes up so they no longer give any support.

3. Silently close both eyes and breathe evenly. Remain otherwise motionless, for 1 minute. This is difficult at first. Leaning against a table or the back of a couch is a good way to start. Lean as little as possible, and soon one will not need to lean at all.


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