Contraction facilitating a lifting organizing stretch

The release in the cervical spine from the knuckle and chin pressure feels so good when done with intention. 

In Pranayama, we're using a pronounced knuckle chin connection to support deep pressure along the back of the neck during the exhale.

Combined with the eyes stretching and abdominal contraction assisting a complete exhale the neck gets circulation from compression inside out.  Pressure on the neck in this way is intentional and mindful. 

The fingers stretching on the inhale, is the depth of pressure used on the exhale.

The diaphragm pulled back and up amplifies the hydraulic release into parts of the spine desperate for fresh circulation. 

We’re looking at how muscles function with the breath allowing release in the neck joints themselves.

When training the diaphragm to engage on the inhale and the exhale, we're gaining control over and empowering the diaphragm to carry the rib cage as opposed to the ribcage draping off of the shoulder girdle. 

Tight muscle means restricted blood flow to joints. 

Detoxing, unwinding cumulated stress in the upper back and neck releases blood flow along the cervical spine freeing circulation to the neck, sending blood flow up to the prefrontal cortex securing emotional regulation.

Literally the yoga helps us meditate.

Everything we do is meditation.

The release in our necks from the knuckle and chin pressure is very important.

We're not just dropping the head back.

It's calculated.

It's methodical.

You're thinking contraction.

You're thinking lift.

You're thinking support.

Contracting while in a static position is taking control of the nervous system. 

It is very easy to think that when you feel a stretching feeling that you are getting a stretch.  You are correct something is stretching,  but we are looking for a shift in working relationship in function with mind body awareness.  Balance comes when we apply the yoga technique under the umbrella assumption that the body is inseparable from the mind and the breath. 

Practicing the sequence sets a ground work base line of familiarity for your nervous system to reset. Actively contracting muscle in a static hold while pulling or rather lengthening the muscle thereby redesigning the muscular structure around the joints has to centre around breath focus. This is the real challenge - to challenge enough to create change, but not to overwhelm the nerves.