tures it is important to study how far our awareness is extending from
the center, how far it penetrates. As the river flows to the sea uninter
rupted, our extension should be one single action with single attention.
Like the river, your movements should be in that one single action from
start to finish. In this way, the energy in our nervous systems flows like
the river. As you extend, see whether the energy flows without inter
ruption or not. Everywhere you extend, you are going toward the
cosmos. Your energy extends through to the tips of your skin and be
yond. This is the secret that martial artists use to generate extraordi
nary force. They do not punch a brick, they punch through it. Extend
the energy of the asana out through your extremities. Let the river flow
through you.
Extension is freedom, and freedom allows for relaxation. When
there is relaxation in the asana, there is no fatigue. However, you must
know the difference between relaxation and laxity. In laxity there is
chaos and heedlessness as well as carelessness, and therefore the flow
of energy is erratic. In relaxation there is careful adjustment, and hence
energy is rhythmic. While in relaxation in the asana, we move outward,
and we also remain centered in our core, extending outward and pen
etrating inward. This is what Patanjali meant when he says in his
second sutra on asana that "Perfection is achieved when the effort to
perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached."
Relaxation: In Every Pose
There Should Be ReposeThere is always relaxation in the right position, even though you are
fully stretching. The ego is an unrelenting task master. It does not know
that one must balance activity and passivity in the asana, exertion and
relaxation. When one extends and relaxes, there is no oscillation of
mind or body. Balance of activity and passivity transforms the active
II K ' I \' I· N li A II