Strap 3 – NAVEL: runs from the lumbar-thoracic joint around the waist to the navel (above or below).
Strap 4 – DIAPHRAGM: runs from the DORSAL thoracic hinge around the rib cage to the bottom of the sternum (xyphoid process).
Arguably, bodywork that targets beyond our musculoskeletal apparatus into our subtle energetic realms brings us closest to the source of our physical injuries and mental-emotional woundedness. In my own personal experience, five years of massage and alignment-based yoga actions have continually dealt with the associated symptoms of a pinched femoral nerve in my right upper thigh. And, as is typical with symptom-based therapies, as one symptom appeared to heal, another one popped up. For instance, when the nerve pain subsided, a tremor in my right leg emerged. As I focused on the tremor, I realized my right thigh bone was not grounded. When I focused on grounding my right thigh bone, the tremor moved to my lower leg and foot, and so on…
Systems theory, Ayurvedic medicine, and yoga philosophy teach us that organic systems, because they are interconnected, require a whole-system approach to healing. Symptom-based diagnosis and treatment can only heal that particular symptom, not the source of the ailment. Yoga philosophy goes further to say that what emerges in the body as a physical disease has an emotional source. Thus, if we do not get to the emotional “bottom” of our presenting ailment, our very intelligent body will continue to send us physical symptoms in its attempt to get our attention.
All of which brings me to the Navel and Diaphragm myofascial tension bands or straps that form in most human bodies. The Navel band runs from the lumbar-thoracic joint in the back body around the waist to the navel, which positions it at the top of the pelvic bowl. The Diaphragm band runs from the dorsal thoracic hinge in the back body around the lower inner ribs to the bottom of the sternum (xyphoid process) in the front body, which positions it at the bottom of the heart space. Given that yogis view the heart space and the pelvic bowl as the emotional storage containers for repressed emotions, these bands’ locations are not coincidental. In both cases, they seemingly serve to “hold in” all the tension. Is it fair of me to say that this is not the case, and the reverse is true? Increasingly over time, these bands add even more pain and suffering, and our repressed emotions manage to burst through in less than healthy expressions.
Bringing our awareness to the concretized tissue forming these myofascial bands begins to penetrate and melt away the deep, often subconscious, holding patterns. Neither stretching nor strengthening actions can reach the depths needed to return the healing flow of circulation and energy. Using your awareness to track along the circumference of each band, as if you were drawing a dotted line, begins to bring back the necessary consciousness and movement. Use these subtle yoga actions in each pose illustrated below.
YOGA ACTIONS:
- With your awareness, find the Navel band. Notice any impacts on your body.
- Move your awareness to the Diaphragm band. Again, notice any impacts on your body.
SUPTA BADDHA KONASANA 5M
– vertical bolster; head level or above heart.
SUPTA BADDHA KONASANA 5M
– horizontal bolster; head below heart.
CHAIR SHOULDER OPENER 3M
– wide block between palms; forehead rests on chair seat
SALAMBA SETU BANDHA SARVANGASANA 3M
– hands hold front chair legs as feet press into chair to lift pelvis
SALAMBA PASHCIMOTTANASANA 3M
– bring sit bones to edge of chair
– toe mounds press into block; forehead rests on block
SAVASANA 5-10M
For more yoga actions and teachings, click here. Namaste.
