Meditate and become kelp! Cute and poetic, and an apt metaphor!
Since starting Iyengar asana classes several years ago, and failing to find a nice comfy chair to meditate i, I’ve been doing DM and pranayama (and now ª) in siddhasana on a small carpet with a wool pad for my sitbones and ankles, plus a small pillow between my sacrum and the baseboard of my wall. My back tends to become more vertical and abs to tighten as it goes on, and my awareness of the mantra decreases. I know if I am on it or off, but I’m often not sure which one I’m on, the ª one or ayam. I’ve decided it doesn’t matter since I definitely have energy flow and sometimes complete zone-outs, and my sense of relaxation and refreshment afterwards is very strong.
But in my asana practice sessions, I sometimes spontaneously start pranayama breathing and even to raise energy up from the root, and to straighten my back as in pranayama. When I do, my core tightens more completely and I can go deeper in forward-bending asanas. I also balance with more stability in Tree Pose and other one-legged balance asanas.
Aaaand I have to say I am moved by Jim’s last post here to check my ideas and see if I am bringing forward my beloved cruft.
Thanks everybody for your valuable input.