Adjustments and relaxation techniques

One of the tools that the ashtanga yoga teacher can use while conducting the class is the use of the hands to adjust and correct the positions of each individual student.

This tool is usually referred to as an adjustment.

Let's see its meaning:

Adjustment: adjusting, adjusting; agreement, accommodation : come to an adjustment.

In making adjustments one should never get out of the understanding of the aforementioned meaning, especially of the word accommodation; in addition to this, one should not deviate from respect for what is one of the fundamental laws:

graduality: giving everyone time to learn without haste and effort.

Adjusting means that the teacher, by means of hands, levers or other techniques, helps the student to enter the position or to close / complete it so that there is a real benefit; without, however, in any way going to force or insist where there are structural and bodily resistances. Adjustment is an accommodating not a forcing to get the student into the position at all costs or to push him into the position by force.

The path that leads into a position and exits from it is always the responsibility of the person who is practicing, respecting the right gradualness.

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RELAXATION

At the end of each lesson it is very important to dedicate time to relaxation. (In some specific situations, a large part of a lesson can be dedicated to relaxation)

After all the bodily activation and the stimuli that the joints, muscles and tendons have received, the body needs to restore a state of calm and rest, in order to  absorb the benefits of this practice .

Relaxation can be silent, guided or sonorous.

One of the techniques that helps most giving great benefits is that of relaxation with Tibetan or crystal bells.

Through the sound and vibration of the bells, the body (tissues, organs, bones, breath ...) enters a state of profound stillness and resonance with the beneficial vibration of the bell.

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