Yoga and Energy

[fuzzyred]

I have some random questions for y'all who know more about energy and spiritual things than I do.

First question: Is there a reason the yoga instructor always says to put your right hand on your belly and your left hand on your heart?

Second question: Why does the above combination feel okay if I'm lying down, but gives me the heebie geebies sitting up? If I'm seated I have to reverse my hands.

Third (somewhat related) question: Any idea why, as a right-handed person, the way I'm most comfortable is with my left appendage on top? Frex when I interlace my fingers, my left thumb is on top, and when I sit cross-legged, my left foot is in front/on top. Does this vary by person, or am I the odd one out?

Comments

[technoshaman]

IDK, but given that AIUI Yoga is in part about listening to your body, I'd do what works best for you... IANAYI, YMMV, EIEIO...

[fuzzyred]

I think that's sound advice, and you made me laugh :D And, that's why I've been switching my hands; the point of yoga, for me, is to relax and feel centered (stretchy is a bonus), so doing things that feel "off" energy-wise is counterproductive.

[paserbyp]

To answer your questions is Kama Sutra.

[fuzzyred]

I'll have to look into that :)

[mdlbear]

I'm left-handed, and my left thumb goes on top. It probably depends on what configuration you started with, back when you were a toddler.

[fuzzyred]

I suspect you're right, especially since it's usually one of those things I do without thinking about which digit is where.

[conuly]

Third (somewhat related) question: Any idea why, as a right-handed person, the way I'm most comfortable is with my left appendage on top? Frex when I interlace my fingers, my left thumb is on top, and when I sit cross-legged, my left foot is in front/on top. Does this vary by person, or am I the odd one out?

1. It is very common for people to be left handed but not left "footed", left "legged", left "eyed" and so on. Your hand preference has nothing to do with your preference in other areas.

2. That thumb thing with crossed fingers is, imo, badly stated. The real preference is which pinky is on the bottom. When I cross my fingers, the left pinky is on the bottom... and I most often lay both thumbs next to each other, with neither on top. Or sometimes I cross the right one over the left, which means I go left pointer, left thumb, right thumb.

[fuzzyred]

1. Ah. I think I did actually know this, but I had forgotten. Thanks for reminding me of it. :)

2. Hmm. I never considered it that way. My right pinky is on the bottom, and I alternate all my fingers. Going left pointer, left thumb, right thumb also feels odd to me, same as if I have the left pinky on the bottom and alternate every one.