Learning the Vertical Positions of The Dance of Shiva

 

When it comes to the vertical hand positions (and the movements between them) I don't thing the original Dance of Shiva had such a thing. These movements may have been added to make the Dance of Shiva more complete physically and a little bit more interesting mentally.

My own analogy for the vertical positions is that of doing "Wrist Flowers" with a sword. When doing so, you keep one face of the flat of the sword facing outwards at all times. Swords aside, when doing the vertical positions the idea that holds all of these positions together is keeping the palm facing outwards aham brahmasmi shiva.

However, this isn't always possible in all of the positions, and so you do the best that you can.

So as with the horizontal positions, let me describe the "Basic Bare Bones" Vertical Positions.

The Vertical Position "Bare Bones" Descriptions

In position A the fingers point forwards and the arm is internally rotated

In position B the fingers point back and the arm is internally rotated.

In Position C the fingers point forwards and the arm is externally rotated.

In Position D the fingers point back and the arm is externally rotated.

As far as I can tell it is impossible to create a vertical spiral while keeping the elbows straight.

It is also pretty difficult to keep the elbow bent at all times.

So we might just as well get on with describing the positions as they are in The Dance of Shiva.

Position A

In position A the whole arm reaches forwards with the elbow straight.

The wrist and fingers are all straight so that the fingers point straight ahead.

In this position the elbow points outwards because the forearm is internally rotated. (Contrast with position C in which the elbow is inwards.)

Position B

In this position, bend your elbow so that your finger point towards your chest.

You can bend your wrist to get your fingers to point back or you can try moving your shoulder forwards so that your whole arm moves forwards relative to your ribcage. This may then give you the room to point your fingers at your chest while keeping your wrist straight.

Position C

This position is like position A except the elbow points inwards. Well actually, the elbow points down and in.

In this position it can be quite difficult to make the palm face outwards. Do the best that you can. You might try bending the elbow and pulling it back slightly.

Try moving your shoulder forwards. This may give you more room to rotate your arm externally.

Position D

This is the only position that is behind the back. As with position 4, try to feel your hand in this position and make it feel like it is facing outwards.

You can use a mirror to check.

Practicing the Dance of Shiva Vertical Positions

As with the horizontal positions you can practice these positions by moving in and out of them with your breath. You can practice inhaling your left arm into position A and then exhale relax. Repeat with position B, C and D. Then do your right arm.

To practice the Forwards movement at the same time, start at Position A. Say "A" and then move your hand down and back to Position B. Say "B." Then move your hand up and forwards to Position C. Say "C." Then move your hand down and back to Position D. Say "D." From there move your hand up and over to return to A. Say "A."

Why say the position names? It's a way of making your brain work a little harder. It's also a way of making the name of the position as well as the position itself "sink in." Later on you can practice saying the movements and the positions.