The
integrating potential of a beneficial position of your body (11)
1 The
proportions of length and range of motion of your legs and arms have the
potential to be gathered into progressively more integrated positions. The architecture of your bones and their
potential to be gathered together into integrated positions allow the natural
and nearly effortless progression of cross-legged positions that are described
in this text.
2 When you’re
seated with your legs, hips and backbone combined in a beneficial cross-legged
position, and you’re -
Supporting your
posterior (hips and the ends of your thighs at your hips) firmly and
comfortably, and –
Supporting the ends of
your shins at your knees firmly and comfortably, and –
Standing your backbone
upright and curved or leaned forward far enough to –
Press the ends of your
shins at your knees downward firmly on the upper sides of your ankles and feet
beneath them, and also –
Curving or leaning toward
the side to press the end of your shin at your knee downward firmly on the
upper side of your ankle and foot –between your ankle and heel- of your
opposite leg beneath it, then you can -
Gather your ankles and
feet together as near to your abdomen as you can support them firmly and
comfortably, and –
Gather your wrists and
hands together to support them firmly and comfortably with the palms upward, left
hand supporting the right hand, the small finger sides of your hands touching your
abdomen, -
Or support your wrists
and hands, palms downward, on the upper sides of your thighs at your knees, and
-
Maintain that position still
as long as your breathing is nearly effortless and your position is comfortable.
3 The
integrating potential of an upright position of your backbone arises in the
cross-legged position of your body being supported on three firm bases. Your posterior is one base of support and the
ends of your shins at your knees are two separate bases of support. Gathering
your legs together into a cross-legged position that’s as near to a completely
developed cross-legged position as you can experience comfortably in your
present physical condition and standing your backbone upright and curved
forward slightly supports more of your weight beneath the ends of your shins at
your knees. The ends of your shins at your knees pressing downward supports
your weight on three bases of support firmly enough for you to experience the
integrating potential of your cross-legged position. Each more developed
cross-legged position supports more of your weight beneath the ends of your shins
at your knees.
You experience the integrating potential of your
body when you’re seated on three firm bases of support. Being seated on a chair with your feet
supported on the floor like when you’re standing supports your backbone
directly beneath your hips (posterior) and beneath your feet, ankles and knees.
Because your hips are naturally close together your posterior is considered to
provide one base of support. And because your feet, ankles and knees are located
relatively close together when you’re seated on a chair the support provided by
your feet, ankles and knees is considered to be one base of support. So your
hips and legs provide two bases of support. Your feet support just enough of your
weight to help you to balance your position and stand your backbone upright.
You don’t experience three bases of support when you’re seated on a chair or
kneeling. You don’t reliably experience the integrating potential of the
upright position of your backbone when you’re seated on a chair or kneeling.
This chapter is being written.