How to achieve firmness along with relaxation?
Prayatna Saithilya Ananta Samapatibhyam (II/47)
Prayatna = effort; Saithily = loosen; Ananta = infinite; Samapatibhyam = by fusing.
(While maintaining the posture) Slacken the effort and attune to the ‘infinite’.
In the present Sutra Patanjali gives us the technique of making the posture firm yet comfortable.
What is that technique? How to achieve firmness along with relaxation?
The first part of the sutra says ‘slacken the effort’, withdraw the effort. To do that, we have to apply the same technique through which we relax in Savasana.
How do we relax in Savasana?
Lying on the back of our body we send message (that is carried on through our nerves) to any part of the body.
By listening to the voice of the instructor or by auto suggestion
As soon as different parts receive the message, they get loosened and relaxed.
All the fatigue, tiredness, and tension are due to tight muscles.
When muscles get loosened, we enjoy relaxation.
In Asana practice we adopt the same principle.
By loosening the effort, by letting go, and attuning oneself to the infinite.
Hari OM,
Vijaya Hariharan