Yoga With Alicia (Dogstar)

Endocrine Glands are ductless glands, so-called because the secretion they make does not leave the glands through ducts, but passes directly into the blood circulating through the substance of the glands.

The active principle of the secretion of an endocrine gland is called Hormone. Some glands produce a single hormone, whilst others produce two or more.

The following is a list of endocrine glands:-

Pineal

Pituitary

Thyroid

Parathyroid

Thymus

Adrenal

Parts of the Pancreas

Parts of the Ovaries and Testes

PINEAL – the function of the pineal gland is obscure. It is believed to be concerned with growth, but there are those who believe it to be associated with psychic experience.

PITUITARY – this is sometimes called the Master Gland. Through its hormones it influences most of the other ductless glands of the body.

THYROID – the thyroid is concerned with metabolism, regulating the chemistry of the tissues. It is also instrumental in regulating oxygen consumption and the expulsion of carbon dioxide. Under-activity in this gland causes a secretion deficiency which retards physical and mental growth in children. In adults, the metabolic processes slow down, there is a tendency to put on weight, movements become lethargic and there is a slowing down of the mind. Over-secretion produces just the opposite. The individual becomes excitable and nervous. Sufferers lose weight and become irritable. In spite of eating well, they remain thin, and the pulse rate is rapid.

PARATHYROID GLANDS – the parathyroid glands are two pairs of tiny oval bodies embedded in the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Under-secretion causes the muscles to go into spasm. Over-secretion causes the bones to soften. There is also depression of the nervous system.

THYMUS – Its functions are not known, but it is thought to be concerned with the production of antibodies.

ADRENAL GLANDS – the secretion of these glands increases when we become angry or experience fear. Secretion is also increased in states of asphyxia and starvation. This increase in output raises the blood pressure in order to counteract the shock produced by these conditions.

THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS OF THE PANCREAS – one of the main functions of the islet cells is the secretion of insulin, which lowers the blood concentration of glucose and facilitates the transportation of glucose into the cells together with potassium.

OVARiES – these are internal female organs of reproduction. They contain a great number of immature ova. At each menstrual cycle, one of these ova develops into a Graafian Follicle which ripens and eventually ruptures, causing the ovum (singular of ova) to escape into the uterine tube.

TESTES – these are the male organs of generation, where spermatozoa are formed and Testosterone is produced. Testosterone is the male sex hormone. The secretion of testosterone increases at puberty, and is responsible for the development of masculine characteristics such as the growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice etc ..

NOTE: The ovaries and testes are also known as GONADS

Skeletal muscles are responsible for directed voluntary movement under the control of the nervous system.

Muscles are contractile organs and produce motion by their connection with such structures as bones, cartilage, ligaments, fascia and skin. Usually muscles are attached to these structures at two points: one relatively fixed point known as the Origin, and one relatively moveable point called the Insertion. In most cases, the two points are a distance apart and functioning of the muscle is across one or more joints.

A muscle is a fibrous organ possessing considerable elasticity. At the points of origin and insertion, we find attachments where the muscle has become very tough and tendonous. These are called Tendons, and are inserted in the bones and other structures (mentioned above).

Muscles of the skeleton work in groups, and each group works in opposition to another group known as its Antagonist. For instance, taking the biceps and triceps muscles as an example, the biceps muscle, when stimulated by impulses via the nervous system, contracts (shortens and thickens), drawing its point of insertion in the radius towards its origin in the shoulder joint, thus bending the arm. To straighten the arm, the biceps must give way to the opposing pull of the contracting triceps. So from this, we see that the biceps muscle works in opposition to the triceps, and vice versa, thus making one muscle the antagonist of the other.

Muscles have various functions and are classified accordingly. We have Extensors for straightening and extending limbs etc., and for bending the limbs etc .. we have their antagonists called Flexors. Further to these we have other antagonistic pairs such as Abductors and Adductors and Pronators and Supinators.

Following is a list of some of the important skeletal muscles together with the Origin (O), Insertion (I) and Action (A) of each muscle.

STERNO-MASTOID     O. Sternum and Clavicle

I. Mastoid process of the temporal bone

A. Turn and flex the neck

TRAPEZIUS     O. Occiput and spines of the thoracic vertebrae

I. Clavicle and spine of the scapula

A. Extends neck. Braces Shoulders. The upper part lifts the shoulders and the lower part draws the shoulders down.

DELTOID   O. Scapula

I. Radius

A. Raises the arm to right angles with the scapula and draws the arm backwards and forwards.

BICEPS    O. Scapula

I. Radius

A. Flex elbow joint and supinate forearm

TRICEPS  O. Scapula and humerus.

I. Ulna

A. Extend arm

SERRATUS ANTERIOR  O. The 8 upper ribs

I. Scapula

A. Draws scapula forward and is antagonistic to the trapezius

LATISSIUMS DORSI     O. Lower thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and crest of ilium

I. Humerus

A. Internal rotation of the shoulder. Adduction of the shoulder, drawing the arm backwards and downwards

PECTORALIS MAJOR    O. Clavicle and 7 upper costal cartilages

I. Humerus

A. Internal rotatio of the shoulder. Adduction of the shoulder and draws the arm across the chest.

RECTUS ABDOMINUS   O. Pubic crest

I. 5th, 6th and 7th costal cartilages

A. Flexes body. Compresses abdominal viscera

OBLIQUE EXTERNUS ABDOMINIS   O. The lower 8 ribs

I. Iliac crest and pubis

A. Assists in the elimination of faeces and urine

GLUTEUS MAXIMUS  O. Iliac crest

I. Femur

A. Extends the hip joint. Rotates inwards and abducts the thigh

SARTORIUS      O. Spine of the ilium.

I. Inner surface of the tibia

A. Abducts the thigh and rotates it inwards and outwards

ADDUCTOR LONGUS   O. Pubis

I. Femur

A. Adducts thigh

QUADRICEPS FEMORIS   The quadriceps femoris consists of 4 musces:-

1. RECTUS FEMORIS   2. VASTUS LATERALIS   3. VASTUS MEDIALS  4.  VASTUS INTERMEDIUS (a deeper muscle than the other 3)

O. Ilium and femur

I. Patella and is joined to the tibia by the patella ligament

A. Flexion of the hip and extension of the knee

ADDUCTOR MAGNUS  O. Pubis and ischium

I. Femur

A. Adducts and rotates the thigh inwards

GRACILIS  O. Pubis and ischium

I. Femur

A. Rotates leg inwards. Adducts and flexes the thigh

HAMSTRINGS  O. Ischium and femur

I. Tibia and fibula

A. Extension of hip and flexion of knee

GASTROCNEMIUS   O. Femur

I. The tendon of this muscle unites with the tendon of the soleus and together they form the Tendo Achillis.

The tendon is inserted into the calcaneum.

A. Flexes the knee and extends the foot

SOLEUS   O. Fibula and tibia

I. The tendon combines with that of the gastocnemius muscle.

A. Extends the foot

TIBIALIS ANTERIOR  O. Tibia

I. Tarsal and metatarsal bones at the inside of the instep

A. Flexes the foot on the leg. Raises the inner border of the foot

 

when studying the muscles of the skeleton, it is useful to know some of the terms applied to various features and contours of bones to which the muscles are attached

SPINE – This is not necessarily a reference to the vertebral column. It is also the name given to a bony ridge such as the spine of the scapula

ILIUM – The ilium is the broad, flat upper part of the innominate bone. Its upper edge ends in a broad ridge called the Iliac Crest

ISCHIUM – This is the lower rear portion of the innominate bone. It carries the Ischial Tuberosity (a protusion) which gives attachment for muscles

PUBIS – The pubis is the front lower part of the innominate bone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Anatomy

The human body is the most ingenious assembly of purposeful components you will ever find on this planet.

Beneath its envelope of skin and tissue, we find muscles, nerves, a circulatory system for the blood, glands, vital organs and that marvellous system of bones called the Skeleton.

Not only is the skeleton responsible for supporting the muscles and the body as a whole, protecting vital organs such as the brain and lungs, it is responsible for our basic size and shape; although the last word in this matter comes from the muscles, with the subcutaneous tissue and skin adding the final touches.

The skeleton consists of 214 bones (this number includes the six small ossicles found in the ears… these ossicles are not listed below) ……

AXIAL SKELETON

The axial skeleton comprises the skull, vertebral column (backbone), sternum (breastbone) and ribs.

APPENDICULAR SKELETON

The appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs, shoulder and pelvic girdle.

The bones of the skeleton are classified according to their shape and formation:

LONG BONES                mainly found in the limbs, fingers etc

SHORT BONES              such as found in the wrists

FLAT BONES                  the shoulder-blades, large bones of the skull etc

IRREGULAR BONES       some facial bones, vertebrae, etc

SESAMOID BONES        bones developed in the tendons of certain

muscles, the kneecap a good example

 

Starting at the top, we have the SKULL.

The skull consists of two main parts – the Cranium and the Face.

The Cranium consists of 8 bones:

1   Occipital bone

2   Parietal bones

1   Frontal bone

2   Temporal bones

1   Sphenoid bone

1   Ethmoid bone

The Face contains 14 bones:

2   Nasal bones

2   Palatine bones

2   Lacrimal bones

2   Zygomatic bones

1   Vomer

2   Inferior Turbinate bones

2   Maxillae

1   Mandible

The Vertebral Column has 33 (sometimes 34) bones in all.

Each separate bone is called a vertebra, (the plural of Vertebra is Vertebrae)

The upper 7 vertebrae are called the Cervical vertebrae and the upper-most two cervical vertebrae permit movment of the neck.  The first cervical vertebra, situated at the very top of the vertebral column is called the Atlas, and the second cervical vertebra is called the Axis. Together these two vertebrae form the Atlanto-axial joint.

Below the cervical vertebrae we have 12 Thoracic vertebrae.

Moving down the vertebral column we come to 5 Lumbar vertebrae.

After the lumbar vertebrae we come to 5 Sacral vertebrae forming the Sacrum.

These 5 vertebrae are flat and fused together in the adult.

Finally, we come to the Coccyx (tail) which comprises 4 (or 5) Coccygeal vertebrae.

In the adult the coccygeal vertebrae are fused together.

Now we come to what is known as the Thoracic Cage.

This consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae (already mentioned) at the back, 12 pairs of ribs at the sides, and the sternum at the front.

Uppermost in the thoracic cage we have 7 pairs of True ribs.

Below the true ribs are 3 pairs of False ribs and 2 pairs of Floating ribs.

Whereas the true ribs (pairs 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) are all attached directly to the sternum, pairs 8, 9 and 10 are attached indirectly to the sternum by means of an attachment of cartilage extending from eaach rib, to the rib above. The lowest ribs (pairs 11 and 12) are not attached to the sternum in any way.

Above the thoracic cage we have the shoulder girdle:-

Left and Right Clavicle (collarbones) / Left and Right Scapula (shoulderblades)

Situated in isolation in the front of the throat is a small bone known as the Hyoid bone.

Attached to each side of the shoulder girdle we have the limbs of the upper body (arms)

nearest the shoulder is the Humerus bone of the upper arm … in the lower part of the arm we have the Radius and the Ulna, two bones placed side by side …

bones of the wrist and hand are:-

the 8 bones of the carpus :-   navicular (scaphoid),

lunate (semilunar),

triquetral,

pisiform,

trapezium,

trapezoid,

capitate,

hamate

the 5 Metacarpals (bones between the fingers and wrist) and 14 Phalanges forming the thumb and 4 fingers

Below the waist we come to the Pelvic Girdle consisting of the 5th lumbar vertebra, the sacrum, and coccyx at the back and 2 Innominate bones encircling the remainder of the region.

Bones of the leg are:-

Femur (Thigh Bone) / Patella (Kneebone) / Tibia (Shin Bone) / Fibula (placed alongside the Tibia)

Bones of the foot are:-

The 7 bones of the Tarsus = Calcaneum (Heel) / Talus / Navicular / Cuboid / 3 Cuneiforms –

The 5 Metatarsals and 14 Phalanges forming the Toes

 

JOINTS of the SKELETON

A Joint (for articulation) is a union of two or more bones of the skeleton

There are three main types:- 1. Fibrous / 2. Cartilaginous / 3. Synovial

These types vary considerably in the amount of movement they permit and may be classified as:-

1. Immovable / 2. Slightly movable / 3. Freely movable

 

FIBROUS JOINTS (Immovable) – A fixed joint allowing no movement whatsoever, eg the sutures (or joints) of the flat bones of the skull … the teeth in their sockets etc

CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS (Slightly movable) – In this type of joint, the joint surfaces are separated by some intervening substance such as cartilage etc eg the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column with their intervertebral discs of fibro-cartilage.

SYNOVIAL JOINTS (Freely movable) – The ends of the bones forming the joint are covered by hyaline cartilage. Ligaments are necessary to bind the bones together, and the joint cavity is filled with synovial fluid and enclosed by a capsule of fibrous tissue.

Varieties of Synovial Joints :-

1. Gliding                eg  small bones of the carpus etc

2. Ball and Socket   eg  hip joint and shoulder joint

3. Hinge                  eg  elbow joint

4. Condyloid            eg  wrist joint

5. Pivot                   eg  Atlanto-axial joint

6. Saddle                eg  joint between the trapezium and first metacarpal bone

‘positive values’ in the order they are most important to me – i had to think about it as most of them complement each other

Health

Creativity

Happiness

Friendship

Support

Inner Strength

Honesty

Self-Discipline

Trust

Love

Respect

Self Belief

Optimism

Community

Fun

Self Esteem

Knowledge

Kindness

Generosity

Integrity

Spirituality

Freedom

Humility

Dignity

Individuality

Independence

Honour

Justice

Adventure

Risk

Pride

Leadership

Power

Surrender

i have all that is needed to be true to my values, if i remain aware of these

then i can do no worse than continue to strive to live by them

over recent years society’s view on tantra has changed from being that of a lesser known esoteric spiritual path to now being a more fashionable and ‘in vogue’ new age therapy for healing (especially in the West, Europe & America)

Eisler’s dominator culture refers to a culture that legally and socially favoured males (who rely upon violent behaviour and fear to take control over the female) . … it was like a culture of acceptance that man/husband took authority over woman/wife

a lesson to be learned from the ‘touchstone’ story is that one could grasp all opportunities by remaining aware and instead of instantly throwing them away through failure to recognise the true potential ……. patience would benefit from the outset

energy orgasms can clear the body of repressed emotions, old hurts and any blockages

knowledge of the seven chakras is useful when learning the energy orgasm technique because knowing their individual qualities will assist in visualizations of them whilst breathing into them during the process, knowing their positions will help when moving upward and circulating the energy through each level

sexual loving relationships are a tool for spiritual development and we must therefore realise that, when we join with another sexually and spiritually, we create an enduring linkage which lasts till the end of time, in effect, we become Soul Partners

tantra implies a shift to a more intuitive, mutually supportive, life affirming way of expressing our sexuality and structuring loving relationships

discussions of karma have been lengthy because without a thorough and profound knowledge and understanding of this ‘taproot’ of tantra, further progression could prove unsuccessful … it is an absolute necessity to have a total understanding of karma

it is our deep rooted primordial energy, found internally in every individual and connecting/linking us to our cosmos that is otherwise identified as Orgone, Orgone is an activation, amplified and channelled of core energies, its concentration can be focused at the core and then opened and dispersed with clarity and cognition and with order and effect can be released and realised efficiently to then cure-all … it is bioenergetics

taoism (the philosophical system advocating a life of complete simplicity and naturalness and of noninterference with the course of natural events, in order to attain a happy existence in harmony with the Tao) recognises that catharsis (the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music) and its purgative force has little long-term benefit for most people .. it can actually be harmful for purging forcefully, repressions into the atmosphere must surely have karmic effect too

reichian based techniques are similar to tantra due to their recognitions of the central role played by the activating and amplifying of core energies

reichian based techniques differ from tantra due to their order of release … much tantra is a stimulated rising of energies from the base pro-creative sexual chakra up through the body chakras and out through the head whereas reichian generally begins work with the head and pelvic, sexual work is processed later

many tantra teachers aggressively stimulate kundalini sexual energies from red muladhara base centre, spiralling up to the purple sahasraha crown chakra trying to make this upward rising happen safely

reichian traditions start with cognition … an awareness, a knowing, perception, notion and intuition and then work with this in subtle waves of energy channelling, making good founded preparation for higher growth

such an order of this type of release allows for ample preparation in the opening of the body’s channels so that kundalini can rise safely and release all psychic and somatic blockages with great efficiency

vamcara tantra is an embrace of, and polarity between the masculine and feminine qualities of the human being …. it is the recognition that each and every human, whether female or male, both hold feminine and masculine identities .. these can be encouraged to be opened and honoured and to discover new realms of expansion through this self-discovery …

the vamcara tantra woman can explore her masculine dimension, recognising that she is capable of dynamic leadership in lovemaking and be empowered to take the initiative, creating new ways of guiding, teaching, and giving herself and her partner pleasure ……

the vamcara tantra man can be encouraged to explore his soft, receptive, vulnerable, feminine aspects and be enabled to slip out from beneath the weight of his male responsibilities and be empowered to make love without a specific goal

the man does not give up his masculinity nor does the woman abandon her femininity … they both simply expand upon their potential to include the other polarity

the law of karma states that for every action, there is a reaction… that skilled action invokes reaction for the good of all whereas unskilled and mindless action invokes reaction that has negative effect on the self and others .. for every event that is actioned, a follow-up event will occur .. thus great thought and skill must go into every action for experiences to continue to be pleasant

enlightenment here is defined as a process, a progression toward awareness and responsibility of each and every individual .. it is all about enlightening the self; continuously, especially with the huge potential of actions, thoughts and emotions that come into the cosmic melting mixing pot of the human being ……….. enlightenment is self-awareness

being fully ethical is about opening the mind to the realisation that there is no preference or distinction between the self and ‘other’ .. all persons are equal emptiness

the law of karma teaches that one should be skilful and thoughtful in mind and action – for reactions are the result of actions .. good derives from good and grows in strength when continuous … bad is a derivative of bad and grows in strength in continuous action – our birthright is potentially good and to nourish this is the positive way forward

if we recreate our world daily we can find an easier route through life, a middle level or pathway that allows access to all areas whether it be material, spiritual, or neither … having a mind of all levels creates greater choice and therefore freedom of choice

we perceive the urge to quell pain and nourish joy as being skilful and ethical, it is the right thing to do for deep within, the spirit soars in joy and happiness – it is only repressed in pain and sadness

if there are no persons at all then there are no distinctions between self and others and there are no distinctions between perceptions of direct sensual awareness whether that is of pain or joy

much of the analysis of tantra has originated from the ‘western’ point of view and this can be seen as being slightly tainted, with a very sex-negative perspective due to judeo-christian mind thought processes and principles

the tantra vision is all-encompassing, there are no exclusions and nothing is disallowed … everything that an individual experiences is all within the process of growing and learning .. the tantra vision is one that makes provision of opportunity to understand internal and external motivations… it seeks to enlighten the body, mind, spirit and soul to the realisations, contemplations and expansions available and how all can be integrated, observed and practised to bring about knowledge, wisdom and ‘savoir vivre’

acceptance of the tantra vision can provide a whole new view of life … areas which may have been dismissed or rejected before can now be embraced and tested … exploration of all is possible when following the path of tantra .. it is an absolute natural and ecstatic transition thought this space and time

tantra does not judge sexual preference, rather it accepts that you simply create a more heightened awareness of what you are doing … tantra’s view is that there is no division between what is meant by ‘good’ and ‘bad’, for if one has a greater awareness of one’s capabilities and focus and energies then one will channel these where best placed for them, exploration is what keeps the heart and spirit young

the tantric path encompasses all … it embraces all forms of creative expression, it welcomes divine life force and that springs from that ~ dance / movement / massage / martial arts / fine arts / healing / music / sex / fun / adventure / exploration / experience / saying ‘yes’  … the tantric path is one that celebrates and promotes the act of living

tantra perceives that experience is linked to learning, whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable, positive or negative, emotional or physical, all that one experiences creates an understanding of the self, a learning ….. from this platform one can realise, accept and then adjust accordingly

taking on the tantra perception one can expect ‘experience and learning’ to provide the reaching of a level of self-discipline that will in turn serve a sufficient and efficient life force for unspoiled enjoyment for the duration of that individual life

the tantra vision (from my perception) encompasses acceptance of a natural, unspoiled, childlike spirit which shines through, there is no fear, only honesty … the young spirit does not know how to lie, it only knows how to live … when there is honesty there is absolute trust and this in turn depletes such negative forces as hate, greed, jealousy, envy and all those attachments that create only pain and sorrow … the tantra vision proffers to the human being that its mind can be forever young, bold and curious, continually intrigued by the great sphere of the world … the childlike spirit is an adventurous, courageous, inquisitive and inquiring force … the unspoiled spirit not yet programmed to ‘dogma’ but instead is a happy spirit that laughs openly and is innocent in its freedom … the natural spirit is at liberty to soar high and to touch and taste all that life has to offer

the basic belief of tantrism is that one should experience all in their pursuit of enlightenment .. rather than refrain from pleasures and/or practice harsh self-discipline, one can nourish all senses and enjoy and indulge albeit  with control and balance

tantrikas believe that one can achieve a higher spiritual awareness whilst indulging in sensory experience; a simple awareness and sense of control is all that is required to be able to enjoy ‘all’ … when one can control their chariot (spirit) one can travel everywhere

tantrikas perception is :

if this world is so sacred, so beautiful and so gifted, then all that resides in this world must be entitled

and deserving of recognition and homage

a mantra is a vedic hymn, it is a word, sound, phrase or collection of syllables that is repeated with deliberation to aid clarity and focus and concentration in meditation … mantra assists with the quieting and stilling of the mind .. it directs spiritual energy

the ‘circle worship’ ceremony was (and still is) the basic ceremony for tantric practitioners, its name: chakrapuja / chakra = circle / puja = worship       …………     a guru would oversee proceedings allowing for purposefulness to remain clear throughout the event .. it was a small gathering allowing members of the group to indulge in the ‘five enjoyments’ ……

meat

wine or hashish (soma)

grain

fruit

sexual intercourse

the male members, known as heroes (vira) had the purpose of increasing the concentration of the Shakti (potencies) female energies and bringing it into the male body … discipline was required and the male could not have intercourse until the female was highly sexually excited and then ejaculation could not occur until the woman had multiple orgasm

there are three caveats :

~ to be aware of the perspective of the writer of the text that is being studied … does the writer have biases? what is their background? are they writing in a positive frame of mind? are they of a balanced point of view?  should you believe every word of their text? are they believable? do they support their work with facts, examples, evidence? one must consider all areas of another person’s work

~ to be aware of the student’s own cultural biases in trying to analyse the information presented … this could mean that one should look at their own thoughts and observations and reflect on whether they are positive or negative, well-founded or unsupported … one needs to realise that their views will be concurrent with their upbringing, background, descendants and all of this will culminate in their perception and analysis of ‘the study’ … does your race, creed and colour denote how you would embrace the study of religion, history or other?  one must make the effort to view and analyse all information presented with a more impartial perspective, and of course, open mind

~ to be aware of the context of the situation being studied … hold comment whether to criticise or not, to gain first a greater insight, following any information may bring greater understanding to the situation, like parts of a jigsaw, all can not be seen until all is fitted together in place and time …. awareness can be retained that through ‘context’ a greater understanding will evolve, bringing with it clarification and thus, throughout anyone’s altering perception, it is best observed until full sense of the study has been made and can then be spoken of, written about, communicated with a balanced and universal point of view