Closing our Chakra energy exploration, we focus this week on our pranayama and asana work to reveal differences and changes in energy throughout our body, but also within our mind. Full breath practices with hand mudras (seals) can bring our sensate awareness to notice all parts of the lungs, and where we may feel resistance to opening up the breath.
Expansive poses highlight the need for applied effort combined with a sense of release- a tough combination indeed. We bring these elements into Warrior II with energised arms stretched out wide, effort through the legs and body yet calm gaze, relaxed through face, neck and tops of shoulders. Twists tend not to be associated with space, yet we need to feel lifted through the spine and open at the heart. Front body stretches such as Ustrasana (camel) require strong upward energy (from a firm base) to avoid any sense of compaction through the spine and at the lower back. Many muscle groups are working here through the abdominals, back, and legs. Full breathing can be a challenge which tends to introduce tension, so this must be noticed and countered. Hip openers culminate with Kapotanasana (pigeon pose), giving some students a chance to reflect on mental resistance as well as physical! We conclude our practice with focus on each Chakra energy centre, using mantras to notice what difference is made by sound and vibration. Some may resonate more than others, which again, can provide clues as to where energy flows more or less freely. So let go of inhibition, and let the good vibrations roll! We reach our uppermost Chakra, Sahasrara The image of a 1000 petalled lotus flower gives us the sense of an infinite opening upwards and reaching out, whilst retaining all the sustenance needed right down to our roots. The boundaries between our finite selves and the energy all around us melts away. With each inhale, we draw energy from around us and with each exhale, we give back. We sometimes strongly feel that energy connection with others in our yoga classes and in other communal activities.
Located at the crown of the head and the space beyond, this energy centre represents our right to know and learn. In order to do so, we must process information, challenge assumptions, discard preconceptions and be open minded. When we do, we acquire broad understanding and wisdom, the shackles of our life are loosened and the blinders removed. This journey never ends and for those with healthy seventh chakra energy, nor does the wonder of life. We can feel when we are in the presence of person with well developed Crown chakra energy. They are rare beings who honour us with their interest and attention and genuine belief that we are amazing. They make us feel special and limitless. As we feed on the positive energy they give, it grows within us, and we share it around too, perhaps not even noticing we are doing it. As we begin to comprehend the power in it, it can inspire us to engage more fully with everything around us: to cultivate that sense of joy and curiosity that truly does make the world a better place. Our lives are often confined by the illusion of packets of finite time. Clocks and calendars reinforce the notion. If we don’t like this packet (or asana), we can look forward to the next or remember a nicer one from the past. But the reality is there is simply the experience of being in one moment and then the next, each unique and fleeting. Each moment is a step in our journey and gives us the opportunity to learn, to connect, to share, to become wiser. We get to choose what energy and mindset we bring to it, whether we are there for that moment, or just check ourselves out. The more we cultivate being present breath by breath on our yoga mat, the more likely we are to stay present that next moment off the mat, and the one after that. So pause a moment at the end of your practice to feel the energy within and around you, share a smile, open yourself up to the world around you. Make it a great moment. Our Chakra energy continues to rise with our sixth centre, Ajna- to perceive, to command. Element light, we seek illumination as opposed to illusion. We express our right to clarity: to see clearly, with truth. Located at our eyebrow centre, this space is often referred to in yoga as the Third Eye. It is one of our gaze points, or drishti. As we soften our gaze or close our eyes, our third eye can become clearer: we can better connect to our in-sight when there is less distraction.
Balanced energy at the sixth chakra brings characteristics of perception, trust in our own intuition, ability to think symbolically and recognise patterns, and to visualise. These attributes assist enormously in distinguishing illusion from reality, and along with other chakra energies, give us the courage and strength to see what is, as opposed to what we wish or want. We all carry with us patterns of behaviour both mental and physical that are shaped by our upbringing, friends, occupations, environment, health, etc. We carry with us our self image, which is multi-faceted; spouse, parent, child, friend, skilled professional, etc. The behaviours we adopt for these roles can become habit. Without insight, we enter the illusion that these roles are who we are. We’ve grasped onto the illusion, invested in it and have become bound up by it. Our yoga helps us to see these patterns. With awareness, comes choice. In our practices this week, we use Nadi Shodhana to help balance prana energy. We focus on the pattern within simple vinyasa sequences, perhaps experience some apprehension as external prompting fades away and we become our own guide. We make decisions for ourselves: choice of asana, how to work within poses, when to rest, where to take it. We learn to listen to our inner voice, trust in our own wisdom, challenge patterns in our practice. So empower yourself to make positive changes, to loosen binds, and to experience a sense of freedom. Create space and light for your true self to shine through. A new year brings our next chakra. We enter the higher chakras with Vissudha, which translates as purification. The element sound, this energy centre resides at the throat with vital air udana. Our journey expands upward and outward, as we find our voice and express our creativity. We explore our right to speak and be heard.
This energy centre is a bridge between our inner and outer experience but also between our mind and body. Through communication we find what resonates with us, and use our voice to help realise our goals. Words help us make sense of our thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others. We feel positive energy when we use our voice to speak truth but avoid hurt. Our energy and those around us is conserved when we communicate clearly and concisely. To be heard there must be air, so full and free breathing enhances the voice. In classes we explore throat chakra mantra and notice our voice, hear when we run out of air and feel the effects of the vibrations created within us by sound. Asanas work to free up neck and shoulders, as well as activating shoulder stability by deploying the muscles around the shoulder blades, whilst maintaining softness at the tops of the shoulders, the neck and jaw. It can be tricky to isolate work in one area without drawing tension into others, so we notice this and use our breath to assist. Through our practice we experience the interrelationship of body, breath and mind, influencing and influenced by each other. We create space and time to hear our inner voice as it guides us on our path of well being. So listen, and trust in you. Our last week of full classes before the holidays is perfect timing to bring awareness to our hearts, the location for our fourth chakra, Anahata (unstruck chord). Element air and vayu prana draws energy into us as we express our right to love and be loved. When lost or denied, we experience grief.
Our balanced heart chakra gives us compassion and empathy, providing love to others as well as ourselves. In caring for ourselves, we support a good immune system, feel peaceful and balanced, able reach out to others. We connect to rising chakra energies with flowing vinyasas to bring focus to our heart. With stability, fluidity and power, we dispense with the need to shield and protect ourselves, ready to open our hearts, to be uplifted. We finish our practice with a chocolate (or raisin) meditation, engaging all our senses to fully appreciate it, without haste. A timely reminder as we head into our festivities to slow down, savour each moment, let it linger. Give yourself the gift of now this holiday season. Namaste. Our energy focus moves higher this week with the third chakra, Manipura, city of jewels. Located at our solar plexus region, we connect to the element fire and samana vayu to bring transformation: the nourishment we draw into us needs the power of conversion to fulfil its purpose- digestion and assimilation, will power and confidence.
This chakra represents our right to act as an individual and be our unique selves: to shine like a polished gem. To suppress or reject this is to experience a sense of shame with our self. Balanced energy here shows a person with self esteem who is in touch with their sense of personal power to meet life’s challenges. Combining warmth with confidence, they possess self discipline to realise their purpose, yet retain a sense of spontaneity and humour. Our chakras energies build upon each other and are interwoven. The stability and movement we explored in the lower two chakras shine more brightly when we harness the power of our third chakra energy. In our practice, we work to activate this power centre, alternately relaxing then engaging to stoke the fire within, like a bellows fanning the flames. When the fire burns brightly, feel its impact in each asana to better support stability and movement and feed the body with energy as you support full breath. Also notice the change in energy as we move into more restorative poses. With calm vitality, shine bright! Svadhisthana (sweetness) brings movement and flow, the element water. Located at the sacrum, which connects spine to pelvis, this energy forms connections, linking stability with sensate exploration of the world- through touch, emotion, locomotion. It signifies our right to feel and to have pleasure in our lives. When this is denied, we experience guilt. Balanced energy here reveals a person with healthy boundaries who embraces life’s pleasures yet shows agility in adapting to change. They possess the grace of emotional intelligence to nurture themselves and others.
Flow and connection brings the vital air of vyana vayu, sending energy from our core out to the periphery with stability and fluidity. Through our yoga, we can notice anywhere that feels blocked or stuck- in body, breath, or mind. As you extend your breath, let everything slow down: take time to find the stable ground you need to be able to embrace fluid movement. Bring awareness without judgement: sense expansion and openness and feel the energy flow within. Muladhara Chakra, is our root support, located at the base of the spine. Grounding energy, its element is earth. The vayu associated with it is apana, our downward, expelling energy. This first Chakra signifies our right to exist and have our basic needs met. Where this support is missing, we experience fear. If we consider the attributes of a well grounded person, we see someone comfortable in their own skin, with a sense of vitality and contentment with their life choices.
When building any stable structure, we need to start from the ground up. Foundations are dug deep into the earth: we may not see them, but their integrity and strength are fundamental to realising the full potential of what rises up from it. Soil conditions vary, impacting the choice of materials and their ability to load bear. Creative solutions may need to be found to stay true to the vision of the edifice, or compromises may need to be made. What was the ground like when you dug your own foundations? What circumstances and environments promote your sense of security, safety, being nourished and loved? What throws you off balance- physically, mentally, and emotionally? What protection or defences do you deploy to regain or maintain your ground? What consequences do they have? Through yoga, we can bring awareness to our own grounding tendencies and their implications. Do we keep digging in, reluctant to expand upward? Or do we neglect stability as our attention is drawn to creating? In our asana work, we play with our grounding- first shallow foundations, then deeper. Learn to notice the difference, and the impact it has. How light or heavy does it feel, how stable? As we strengthen our roots, feel a lightness come into the pose higher up. The downward energy feeds into upward flow. Keep your ground, as you reach for the sky. Balance, harmony, unity. We move on to another energetic model used in yoga philosophy, the Chakras. I have heard and read many descriptions of the chakras, from cryptic to crudely simplistic. Some provide vivid imagery rooted in Indian traditions and symbols used to illuminate key aspects of the chakras. I have been drawn to a more psychodynamic approach as in Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith (be warned- it is quite intense!). This may not resonate with you. If you are interested in learning more, there are countless resources out there and online to delve into. Learning a little bit more about the Chakra model in the coming weeks, you have the opportunity to discover if it may be a help to you. It may or may not, and either is fine- just keep an open mind.
Chakra, or wheel, describes movement of energy. Energy flows along a central column, up and down with key energy points along it. We use these points to observe energy flows into, out of, and within the body. This helps us identify where better balance and harmony can be found, so it gives us some guidance on where to focus our attention. Having worked with the vayus in prior weeks, we are familiar with this idea of energy moving in many directions. The strength and direction of these flows are constantly shifting, both influencing and influenced by internal and external factors. We are tapping into subtle energies, but they manifest themselves in ways that we can observe, learn from, and work with- if we take the time to notice. They cover the physical, mental / emotional, as well as spiritual aspects of our lives: it is a holistic approach. Over the coming weeks, we will work with the seven chakra model. This week, we begin to familiarise ourselves with the locations of each chakra, notice how certain asanas emphasis one or two chakra whilst others integrate them more fully. We become aware of different sensations along this energy path for us, starting to notice aspects of our own energy functioning in these locations. In the weeks that follow, we delve more deeply into each of them. We physically explore them through our asana practice but this impacts our mental and emotional state too. Using the ability to be our own witness, we may begin to notice the relative attributes of our own energy centres and find ways to move ourselves to better balance. That is the theory. You choose whether to put it into practice. We come to the fifth and final vayu this week, Vyana Vayu. The flow of this energy is from the core to the periphery of the body. Vyana vayu pervades the entire body so is interwoven with the other vayus. It connects us to the world around us through mobility with the legs, and as we reach out with the arms. The skin is part of this connection. Body systems controlled by vyana vayu include the circulatory system, coursing throughout us, as well as the muscular, nervous, and lymphatic systems.
In standing poses and balances, Vyana vayu through the legs into the feet assists the downward grounding energy of apana vayu. Nourishing and uplifting vayus of prana and udana are assisted by vyana as we take upward arms in poses such as Warrior 1 or Tree Pose with arms raised. Feel how the energy through the arms lifts and lengthens the torso, the sides of the waist, and awakens samana vayu at the belly to support and control the meeting of rising and grounding energies. As our bodies and minds become more supple through our yoga practice, we become less contained: we find freedom of movement and more efficient execution. Less energy is wasted- on unhelpful thoughts, feelings, actions, giving us a calm vitality. We benefit, as do those around us. It's all connected! |
AuthorRuth is a yoga therapist and yoga teacher based in Cheltenham, UK. She emphasises yoga as a tool for well-being, for individuals and in her classes, in person or via zoom. Archives
October 2023
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