“To overcome an obstacle or an enemy” is the attitudinal quality engendered through the practice of Ujjayi Breath. Have you ever noticed how, whenever you need to marshal yourself to hoist something heavy, or when you need laser focus to accomplish a task, that your breath automatically takes on a deep, sonorous tone? That is spontaneous Ujjayi breathing.
Once, when I was rock climbing at New River Gorge in West Virginia, I got stuck halfway up a difficult climb. The first climb had been pretty easy, but this one was much more challenging. I found myself unable to move from this spot, a sort of tight corner beneath an overhang. I was hemmed in by this corner. I could not find any hand- or foot-holds to make another step. The rock overhead was protruding: I’d have to pull myself up by my arms to ascend any further. I could see that the rest of the climb was doable, but this impasse had me stopped. I was about ready to give up and go back down.
Forty or so feet below, beside my partner who held my life in her hands, was the local climbing guru who had staked out these climbs over many years, and had named many of them, including this one. He was the one who secured the ropes above, including the rope in my hands which I trusted with my life on this, my first rock climbing experience ever (outside of a couple of hours at Charm City Rocks). I intuitively trusted his expertise. But at this moment I was tired and beginning to be scared. I wanted this craziness to be over. Now.
“Can’t we settle this some other time?” I yelled.
“Sure, if you’re not up to it.” It wasn’t his words that galled me, it was the taunt in his voice. He was chiding me! I don’t even know this asshole and he’s calling me out, calling me chicken!
My blood rose. My breathing deepened with a sound like a blacksmith’s bellows. I turned again to the overhang, took another deep inhale, and…..
Frankly I don’t remember exactly what I did. All I recall is that the anger ‘inspired’ me to press outwards with my feet and arms, outwards against this tight corner of rock. This outward force gave me the traction to propel myself upwards and then over the overhang. All I am sure of is that in the next moment I was past the obstacle and making steady progress. I don’t remember thinking at all until I reached the top. I just did it!
And that, dear reader, is the essence of Ujjayi (Victorious) Breath….
THE RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS by Paul Simon
If I have weaknesses
Don’t let them blind me
Or camouflage all I am wary of
I could be sailing on seizures of laughter
Or crawling out from under the heel of love
Do my prayers remain unanswered
Like a beggar at your sleeve?
Olodumare is smiling in heaven
Smiling in heaven, I do believe
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
To overcome an obstacle or an enemy
To glide away from the razor or a knife
To overcome an obstacle or an enemy
To dominate the impossible in your life
Always a stranger when strange isn’t fashionable
And fashion is rich people waving at the door
Or it’s a dealer in drugs or in passion
Lies of a nature we’ve heard before
Do my prayers remain unanswered
Like a beggar at your sleeve?
Babalu-aye spins on his crutches
Says, “Leave if you want
If you want to leave”
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
To overcome an obstacle or an enemy
To glide away from the razor or a knife
To overcome an obstacle or an enemy
To dominate the impossible in your life
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
To overcome an obstacle or an enemy
To dominate the impossible in your life
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
Reach in the darkness
A reach in the dark
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R_wCpuflDI]