In the Darsonopanishad, the spinal column is referred to as
vina danda.
Vina is an Indian musical instrument with strings. So, while one is practicing an
asana,
pranayama or
dhyana, the emphasis is on vinadanda or the spinal column.
Mr. Iyengar writes that the "vina is said to be a perfect instrument on which one can play any raga without accompaniment of other instruments. Raga is a combination of an orderly sound, harmony, rhythm and melody. Vina represents the human brain and spine. The head of the vina, the round gourd, is the brain, the sound box is the breathing process and the stem is the spinal column. The knobs are the spinal vertebrae and the strings are the nervous system."
If the gourd on the instrument is not round, firm and without holes, or if the bridge isn't resting properly or the knobs are too tight or loose the strings with snap or loose their potency. Then the raga can not be played.
As we relate this to the brain and spinal column then as Mr. Iyengar writes, "The brain floats on the head of the spine which is the seat of the savitarka (right logic) and savichara (right reasoning).
If the vertebrae of the spine are not kept trim, then the nerves do not get sufficient nourishment, breathing becomes shallow, affecting the circulatory and digestive systems. The end part of the vina is the muladhara chakra. So the yogis discovered asanas and pranayama to exercise the spine for the healthy growth of the intelligence. When the vina is properly tuned, the yogi is in tune with the nada of Brahma and his abode becomes the heaven on earth. If the spine is neglected then this abode of the atma becomes the place for rogas (diseases) and lead to hell on earth."
Each asana has a specific function, so many asanas were invented to keep the spine strong and healthy. The spine is a source of energy and the nerves are nourished by it. The nervous system is said to be about 7000 miles in length so is why so many asanas are needed to be practiced.
Mr. Iyengar explains the relationship between the vinadanda and the chakras along the spine.
He says, "The vinadanda has seven chambers called chakras. The chakras are muladhara, svadhistana, manipuraka, anahata, visuddhi, ajna and sahasrara. Just as there are seven musical notes there are seven charkas along the spine. The chakras pick up the vital energy from the breath we breathe in and distribute it throughout the body. When the chakras are synchronized and functioning in unison through the discipline of yoga then the energy of the atma flows like a river through the central channel.
So, if we bring life to our spines like we would a musical instrument - with the perfect amount of force and effort then health will flow though the body and breath and bring peace to the mind.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com
plnyogastudio@gmail.com
