When we practice yoga we may think we are working our physical body. However yoga is more than the physical. Yoga truly is a full mind. body and spirit practice. This means we practice all aspects of our being including our energetic body.
The ancient yogi's used the physical asana practice, breathe and meditation to fine tune their inner energies we recognise as chakras. Here is a brief over view of the significance of chakras in a yoga practice:
The ancient yogi's used the physical asana practice, breathe and meditation to fine tune their inner energies we recognise as chakras. Here is a brief over view of the significance of chakras in a yoga practice:
- Chakra is Sanskrit for Wheel
- The seven main chakra points are aligned from crown of head to base of spine (along spine)
- Each Chakra is thought of as a spinning vortex of energy – it can spin clockwise or anti-clockwise
- Speed of the spin can indicate energy level within the chakra
- The way we interact with the world, with others and even within ourselves can manifest within the different (or all) chakra points
- Each chakra point is connected to the other chakras and can never been truly isolated from the other (even though we often talk of them as being separate - they aren't)
- Stresses, tension, problems can cause imbalances – chakras are said to be in deficit or excess (defined by speed of spin and direction of spin). Normally chakras spin clockwise (energy pulled inward). When out of balance chakras may spin counter clockwise (exerting energy outward and not willing to accept energy in thus depleting the body of that energy field). There is varying belief about this and some suggest that a chakra that spins counter clockwise may be working with the natural Kundalini flow.
- The energy vortex connects and pin points the (foundational) physical, spiritual and mental health of the individual
- Pranayama exercises, Asana practice, meditation and mantra chanting can be used to bring the chakras back into balance. Other non-yogic practices can also be used to help balance the energies of the chakras.
- Yoga is concerned with universal connection of the individual. Spiritual oneness between the universal energies and the individual are the ultimate outcome with Yoga. The Chakras are fundamentally a connector to the conscious collective, the divine or universal consciousness.
- Kundalini energy (energy of the self / snake / coiled energy) is believed to work with to power/ or as powering chakra energy
- Yoga can be helpful in releasing and harnessing the power of Kundalini Energy
- Further information on Chakras can be found in the Upanishads (ancient yoga texts)
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