A new book begins with the word Vayikra, ‘And He called’ to Moses. Rashi explains that God’s calling to Moses was an explanation of the entire body of wisdom, but it was said in such a way that nobody else could hear it outside of the tent where Moses was standing. What’s most interesting is that the information was delivered in bite-size chunks with small gaps in between so that Moses had the chance to understand and reflect (Hebrew: L’hitbonen).

My first encounter with yoga begins with the breath as my teacher Edward Clark explained that by slowing our breathing we can slow down our thoughts. This allows us to expand our consciousness and reach a greater sense of understanding in any given activity. He once said in a magazine interview that ‘yoga can teach you anything’ and by matching physical movement with breath we can enter this L’hitbonen space of understanding.

We all have moments of wondering what to do, whether on a practical or existential level. Rather than reacting out of fear we can find the space between the breaths, drop into the gap and listen to the calling.

Shalom V'Ahava

Marcus

 

Kosher Sutra (c) Marcus J Freed 2011

 

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Pranayama is the yogic art of breath control and the conscious direction of energy. The most common form is inhaling and exhaling through the nostrils and today's recommended practice is to take a series of breaths and pause briefly at the point of the complete exhale (the 'bottom' of the breath) and at the end of the inhale (the 'top' of the breath). Notice the gaps between the breath and allow your breathing to calm and your consciousness to expand.