awakening through extending

In her book, Awakening the Spine, Vanda Scaravelli says, "You have to learn how to listen to your body, going with it and not against it, avoiding all effort or strain and centering your attention  on that very delicate point, the back of your waist (where the spine moves in two opposite directions)." In another part she says that, "the muscles must not be activated through tension or effort but only through the much more powerful wave of extension, which is produced by gravity and breathing."

This speaks to me because I sometimes force asanas, and maybe that is why I sometimes have lower back pain, because it causes compression. Extending, straightening, while softening and breathing goes a lot further in keeping me free of pain in my movements. When I sense tightening and pain I need to extend and relax.

I thought about that while starting practice today. I was stopped during seated poses by my cousin who asked me if I wanted to go into Old San Juan. So the practice was short.