The User Manual Yoga with Ethan
Lifting and Radiating are great indicators of a successful Grid Lock. Don't overthink it — it’s the same sensations you feel during a workout, but with a more radiative and mindful quality.
In the final analysis, we discover that proper alignment and energy work are one and the same. Focusing on energy flow naturally creates correct alignment, and vice versa. That said, the beauty of an energy-focused practice (as opposed to an alignment-focused practice) is that you don't need external correction — you can learn to trust your inner experience of maximized flow.
Think of Pinging as an art rather than a science. Don't fear imagination — it's not about making things up, it's about creating change. After all, imagination precedes all physical action (you imagine using the bathroom before your legs carry you there). Even if your Ping is objectively "dead wrong," there's value in paying attention to whatever arises.
Think of it this way: you can force a million volts through a copper wire, but if there's a crack, it won't flow. Having the right atoms, molecules, vitamins, and minerals is just as crucial as will-power. Ideally, practice Prāna Fusion alongside Medical Medium protocols and dietary suggestions. Lots and lots of fruits and veggies; less and less fats and proteins. Check out Medical Medium's books and resources for specific recommendations based on your symptoms and conditions.
Practice as often as feels right! Rather than giving strict guidelines, it's more important you develop and trust your own intuition about practice rhythm. For reference, I practice some form of Prāna Fusion daily.
Downshift immediately. Take śvāsana (corpse pose). Don't try to be a hero. While the healing journey is inherently challenging, it should never feel overwhelming.
Feel free to integrate these principles into any movement practice — running, weightlifting, dancing, martial arts. All physical activities benefit from understanding the connection between energy, posture, and will-power.
Not at all — some people haven't yet developed their imaginative capacity or might work better with different modalities. Stay patient and keep practicing. Start with your hands until you're confident in the radiative sensations. Remember: frustration creates contraction which hampers subtle perception. Approach the practice with curiosity rather than judgment.
This is to be expected. Oftentimes, part of us feels totally overwhelmed, and part of us feels wildly burned out. If that’s the case, perform both River and Stream during class — hold your breath at the top (Blowing Bubbles) and the bottom (Battery Saver Mode). As the yoga class unfolds, you will naturally find that one of the two breath techniques is more supportive to your nervous system. When this occurs, simply make it your priority and switch whenever it feels necessary.
This is the wacky world we’ve found ourselves in: our circadian rhythms are all off, and our body is constantly confused. “My body is absolutely exhausted, but I just drank a Redbull and am in the middle of bingeing this Netflix series, so now I’m awake, I guess??” Do you trust what your mind is telling you, or do you trust the physiological signs that are appearing? I encourage you to be like a scientist: the first time this mismatch happens listening to the tired signals and take a nap, seeing how you feel afterwards. The second time it happens, trust the right nostril signals and do Yoga Reset practice focusing on your exhales, seeing again how you feel afterwards.
While it is totally natural to be uncomfortable while holding your breath out, anxiety is another story. This practice should not generate any anxiety, both for inhaling and exhaling. If that’s the case, cut back your breath hold time until it’s back you’re back in the sweet spot.
As long as you can without getting inundated by distressing feelings. Uncomfortable, but not anxious. Challenged, but not overwhelmed.
It depends on “who” and “where” you are Claiming from. Your ego is not peaceful; your true Self is. You are not lying to yourself if you step into the part of you that Knows itself to be peace. This is complicated territory and challenging to rationally explain, so if the above didn’t click, simply shift your Claiming statement to something more palatable: “I am open to feeling peaceful.” If that Claim is true (and hopefully it is), trust that peace will eventually manifest.
Absolutely. Be present enough to notice any shift in your energy and mood. And be knowledgable enough to know what to do with those shifts. Like bamboo swimming in the wind, I want you to adapt to what’s here and now.
One important point is to not see this as a failure. Unless you are literally an enlightened master, losing your center is guaranteed. Guaranteed! This is the nature of the jumpy, conditioned mind. Another point: Remaining in your Eastern Star cannot be forced — it can only be surrendered to. Consistently staying here comes from an authentic desire to do so. More than anything else (more than the money, the acclaim, the being right) you have to want to be centered.
Definitely. Don’t think too much about it. Eventually, you’ll get so good at Yoga Reset and reading your body cues, that you’ll manage to complete a “perfect class” — leaving the session feeling just the right amount of energy.
All yoga classes have their unique benefits to one’s energy levels, so it’s important that you continue going to your local studio to try out the different styles and teachers. The main difference between Yoga Reset and a normal yoga flow is its straightforward set of tips and rules to adhere to. I’ve found that without these guardrails, the mind doesn’t know what to pay attention to. On the feet? The breath? Should I be trying hard? Taking it easy? This yoga teacher said to suck in my belly button, while that one said to push it out!? Too many options. Rather than throwing you into the yoga trap of “focus on everything all at once,” Yoga Reset helps you master just a few important points at a time.
Feel free to employ these techniques anywhere and anytime your nervous system needs balance and support 🙂
Joint pain is an immediate signal, like placing your hand on an electric fence. Your body says “NO!” The issue, of course, is that some people have such a high level of pain tolerance that they can sit through that initial shock, and watch as the sensations fade into the background. Other signs of joint pain include: a brief grimace on the face, making a subtle gasp with the voice, and a sensation that feels closer to the bone.
Alas, this is why they call it practice! It’s not supposed to be easy — if it was, we’d already be flexible. It might be helpful to practice each flexibility tips on its own until you master it. From there, layer them back together.
Congratulations! Emotional release is a huge sign of healing progress. When I began my Gravity Yoga journey, I would consistently be sobbing three minutes into a hip flexor stretch. It’s all just pent-up energy. Like going to the bathroom, don’t take personally what comes out of you — it’s just waste.
Think of Pinging as an art rather than a science. Don't fear “making it up”. After all, everything starts as “making it up” (you imagine using the bathroom before your legs carry you there). Even if your Ping is objectively "dead wrong," there's value in paying attention to whatever arises.
Skip it. Anxiety creates tension, which impedes flexibility progress. The hold at the bottom should be easy, or not done at all.
You are fine to practice every day, but make sure to change up the poses. It may be the case that your forward fold progress stalls, but continues after you stretch out your hips in pigeon pose. The body is complex; just keep cycling through different shapes.
If you’re doing the practice correctly, you can get inches further in just five minutes — no exaggeration. In the days that follow, though, you’ll watch your flexibility slightly regress back to baseline. That’s normal — it’s always three steps forward and one step back in Gravity Yoga. Keep practicing!