| Reading Unit 5 includes III Sitting and Supine Asana, IV Inverted Asanas, V Abdominal and Lumbar Asanas |
In this chapter Geeta presents an advanced exploration of āsanas through four major categories, beginning with a powerful declaration about inverted poses, comparing them to parents who “help us, guide us, and make our lives a success.” She begins with Śīrṣāsana (headstand), presented through three progressively challenging techniques. A unique aspect is its comparison of Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana (shoulder stand), describing them as the “King and Queen” of āsanas. While Śīrṣāsana develops “will-power, sharpness of the brain and clarity of thought,” Sarvāṅgāsana cultivates “patience and emotional stability.” The text emphasizes proper preparation and progression, requiring mastery of standing poses and certain shoulder stands before attempting headstand.
The unique Yoga Kuruṇṭa system using rope support is presented as a way to make advanced poses more accessible. Geeta compares the practitioner to both puppeteer and puppet, explaining how rope support allows for experience of poses more fully while maintaining safety, development of proper alignment and body awareness, and specific support for women’s needs, particularly post-pregnancy conditions.
Throughout all sections, Geeta maintains consistent features of precise technical instruction with detailed alignment cues, multiple modifications and variations for different abilities, specific attention to women’s health conditions, integration of physical and psychological benefits, and clear progression paths from basic to advanced variations. The therapeutic applications are extensively detailed, addressing physical conditions ranging from spinal issues to hormonal imbalances, psychological benefits including emotional stability and mental clarity, specific women’s health concerns through different life stages, and recovery and rehabilitation applications.
Most notably, Geeta keeps a balance between encouraging advanced practice and ensuring safety. It consistently provides multiple variations and prop support options while explaining the benefits of each approach. This makes these powerful poses accessible to practitioners of different abilities while maintaining their therapeutic and transformative potential. She demonstrates how advanced practice can be both challenging and nurturing, particularly for women practitioners dealing with specific health conditions or life transitions. It shows how proper support and modification can make seemingly impossible poses accessible while maintaining their essential benefits.
Focus questions:
1. How does the text explain the relationship between inversions and emotional stability?
2. What is the significance of twisting poses for women’s health?
3. How does the text balance encouraging practice with ensuring safety?
