Course XIX - Teaching 7: Standing (Vegetative) Posture

In this posture, the weight of the body remains evenly distributed on both legs. Feet remain parallel and somewhat apart (20 to 30 centimeters). The trunk remains naturally upright, arms pending freely at both sides and head supported by the least possible effort from the neck. The disciple must practice quite often this posture by taking advantage of any eventual opportunity, since this posture is very important because permits certain rest, that is, an energetic recovery, even when he is in standing position.
Through practice you can develop muscular sensibility and perceive when your muscles are in useless tension; later you shall assume this posture naturally and subconsciously.
The following mistakes should be avoided: The habit of leaning the bodily weight only on one leg, and that of leaning oneself on walls and furniture. If this defective posture is the result of incorrect positions of the spinal column –which often occurs– one must practice those exercises described in the fourth and fifth teaching.
Sailors and farm laborers and, in general, men who are in touch with nature assume this posture. It is difficult to unbalance a man standing like that. Certain pictures represent standing medieval knights, with their hands leaned on the sword; this posture gives a sense of energy and physical power. Recently this posture has been recognized as the best to start the majority of physical exercises; so, the absurd military standing “at attention”, used in an exaggerated way to this purpose, has been discarded. Also it is an ideal posture when you use it to hold heavy burdens.
Through this posture, man is in touch with forces of nature, his breath develops rhythmically, and every organic function becomes harmonious. For all these motives, this posture favors vegetative life.