Abode

- Dedicated to War Veterans, by Fay Slimm

EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project; one of the UK’s top gardens and conservation tourist attractions located in Cornwall. A living theatre of plants and people, the Eden . . . a place of beauty and wonder which explores humankind’s dependence on natural resources.

The dates assigned to the signs of the zodiac are as follows, although different “astrologers” assign slightly different dates, the ones who use the constellations use significantly different dates. The table below gives the dates and the most usual variations of each sign. The approximate dates between which the sun appears in the constellation each year are shown. Neither the signs nor the constellations change places at exactly midnight sharp GMT on the dates given below, so at the beginning or end of each period you may see a variation of up to a day.

My favourite Winter drink - popular with everyone. Use a good quality dry cider not a modern ‘white’ cider or draught cider which can be too strong

Makes 12-14 servings

Ingredients
1 litre premium English cider
250ml Somerset cider brandy or calvados
1.5 litres cloudy English apple juice
A thinly pared strip of lemon rind
2 sticks of cinnamon
8 cloves
For the roasted apples
10-12 small Cox’s apples
About 75g light muscovado sugar
100ml premium English cider

Method

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Wash and core the apples and score them around their middles. Put them in a baking dish and stuff the centre of each with the sugar. (It’s easiest to do this with the handle of a spoon or fork). Splash over the cider and roast in the oven until soft and beginning to split (45-50 minutes).

Meanwhile put the cider, cider brandy or calvados, and apple juice in a large pan, together with the lemon zest, cinnamon and cloves. Heat through gently then leave over a very low heat until the apples are cooked without allowing the mixture to boil. When the apples are ready, tip them and their juices into the mulled cider. Taste, adding a little extra sugar if you think it needs it. Serve straight from the pan into heat resistant glasses or cups or transfer to a warmed bowl.

The movement began after 1950s and was referenced to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius. Diverse individuals had New Age ideas, so the term may be applicable as a label by outsiders to whom do consider themselves inclined towards its world view. The New Age movements have tracks of older spiritual and religious traditions from the worldwide culture.

Anyway there are a lot of models of the chakra system of the human energetic body.  The body mind is a system, refer system theory and no chakra is supreme. It works together with the other chakra. And they are in relation with each other. The dialog model shows Ayurvedic Medicine in view with the energetic interplay of the chakra. The religion of the Hinduism consider the chakra as a part of a complex group of ideas related to esoteric anatomy. The text that deals about that are called Agamas or Tantras. It is a large body of scripture, most of which is rejected by the official orthodox Brahmans. Hinduism is a religious tradition originated in the India. It is often referred to Sanatana Dharma by its practitioners. It is the world’s oldest major religion that is still practiced, and their first origins may be found in the Vedic civilization. Different beliefs and religions are at the basis of the Hinduism, that has no a single founder. The Vedi period, also called the Vedic Age, is a period of the history of India where the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, the Vedas, were being composed. Scholars place the Vedic period in the last 8,000 years of our history, based on litiraly evidence.

The associated culture, sometimes referred to as Vedic Civilization, was originary of the north and north west of the Indian subcontinent. It is important in our history, to consider the Sanskrit term Chakra, meaning circle or wheel; there is a wide literature about philosophical systems and spiritual energy practices, religious observance and personal discipline. Theories on chakra claims about systems that link the human body and mind in a single unit, sometimes known as the body mind. The philosophical theories are models of chackra as centers of energy were first codified in Ancient India.

To explain you what is a chakra I would say it is a center of activity that receives and assimilates life force energy. Chakra are described as energy centers in the spine located at certain points of the human nervous system. They begin at the base of the spinal column and move to the top of the skull. These chakras are considered to be a point of nexus of biophysical energy of the human body. In the Sanskrit sources the word chakra is used to mean several different things, such as a circle. The word circle is used in a variety of meanings, symbolizing endless rotation of shakti, or a circle of people. The term chakra is used to denote yantras or mystic diagrams. About the concept of chakra there are many variations on these concepts in Sanskrit source texts. In earlier texts there are various system of chakra along the body’s axis became widely popular. It is in this model where Kundalini is said to rise upward, piercing the various center until reaching the crown of the head, resulting in union with the Divine. According to tantric theories, chakras are described in the ancient tantric texts, where they are described as emanations of consciousness from Brahman, an energy emanating from the spiritual which gradually turns concrete, and which eventually finds its rest in the Luladhara chakra. They are part of a theory in which are described emanations of consciousness. It is described as an energy emanating from the spiritual which gradually turns concrete, creating these distinct levels of chakras and finds its rest in the Muladhara chakra. According to buddhist teacher Tarthang Tulku, the heart chakra is very important for the feeling of existential fulfillment. When the heart chakra is agitated, people lose touch with feelings and sensations, and that breeds the sense of dissatisfaction. That leads to looking outside to fulfillment.

According to the Himalayan Bonpo tradition, chakras are pranic center of the body. These influence the quality of experience, for movement of prana can not be separated from experience. Each of six major chakra are linked to experiential qualities by the file shape experience. Prana is a Sanskrit word that refers to a life sustaining force of living beings and vital energy in the natural process of the universe. Prana is a central concept in Ayurveda and Yoga where it is believed to flow through a network of fine subtle channels called nadis. When prana do enters into a period of uplifted activity, the Yogic tradition refers to it as Pranotthana. Prana was first expounded in the Upanishads, where it is part of the worldly realm, sustaining the body and also the mind. The popular understanding of prana as being the same as air is a simplification of the concept. The incorrect assumption that prana is respiratory air arise from the popular understanding of the practice of pranayama, in which the control of prana is achieved from the control of one’s breathing.

Traditional chinese medicine also relies upon a similar model of the human body as an energy system, except that it involves the circulation of qi energy. In the circuit of qi, called the Microcosmic orbit, energy also comes back down to the front torso channel. This is the same of the nadis of Hatha yoga, and enters the tan tiens: when it returns to the heart further contemplation or union deity develops. In Macro cosmic orbit the qi is also guided through the main channels in the limbs.

Sahasrara or the crown chakra is considered to be the chakra of consciousness. Its role may be somewhat similar to that of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of endocrine system and also connects top the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produce the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and awakening.

The chakra that is the fire center is indeed the chakra manipura. So called and meaning “city of jewels” it is the focal point of heat, it is shining like a jewel and it is radiant with energy and vitality. This chakra is showed as a bright yellow lotus with ten petals upon which are written letters. These letters are darn, dharn, narn, tarn, tharn, dam, dharn, narn, pam, pharn. All these letters are written on the ten petals of the lotus. There is a red triangle within the lotus. The red triangle contains the bija mantra rarn sitting on a ram. This is a very aggressive beast and symbol of the element fire. The deities are Rudra.

Rudra is a destroyer of the universe and the goddess Lakini that is the control of the flesh element. As you might know the sola plexus is the center, and it is connected with the vital process of digestion of the food. What is true is that gastric glands, such as the pancreas and the glands in the stomach, has the function of producing a secretion of enzymes, acids and juices which are necessary for the digestion of food. So, the center that controls all these activities is indeed the chakra manipura.

The adrenal glands, situated near the kidney are really a manifestation of manipura. Adrenal glands secrete adrenaline into the body, when it is necessary. This effect speeds up the physiological processes. When this happens, then the heart beats faster and the respiration rate gets more rapid. In the normal state of being awake, the body is prepared to do a faster activity. This action is called ‘fight or flight’ reaction. People who suffers from depression or from problems to the digestive system, should concentrate on manipura chakra. They should try to feel an energy radiating from this region of the body.

Manipura chakra into schools such as Zen Buddhism is the most important center and is said that is the seat of kundalini, that passes through manipura, and is revealed more in true light. The chakra manipura is the center of vitality in the physical body where the prana and the apana meet. The prana is the upward moving vitality while the apana is the downward moving vitality. When they meet, they generate the heat that is necessary to support life.

The presiding deity of this chakra is Bradda Rudra. This chakra represents the power of destruction, and it was said that all that exists, returns to him. He has a blue and a silver beard and is represented sitting in his wrathful form on a golden tiger skyn. This is the symbol of the tiger, of the mind that dwells in the forest of desires, smeared with ashes. Indeed the tiger do represent the mind, which name is manas. Lakini Shakti is the name of the energy generated by him. Lakini Shakti has a four armed and three faced aspect.

In one of the four hands she holds the thunderbolt, or vajra. Instead, in her second hand, she holds the arrow that is shot from the bow of Kama. Kama, is said, is the Lord of Sex, in the second chakra. Her third hand holds fire. With the fourth hand Lakini Shakti forms the so called hand gesture of granting boons and dispelling fear, that, in our language, is called mudra.

Do you know which is the animal related to the chakra? It is the ram, vehicle of the fire god Agni. 

The third chakra is called the Igneous Plexus. It is also called the sola plexus chakra and it is associated with the color yellow. This is a part where our ‘self esteem’ is defined, and the personality that develops during the age of the puberty always is hosted in this third chakra. It is moreover known as the Ego. Anyone whom could experience dysfunction of the third chakra is someone whom has difficulties maintaining his or her so called ‘personal power’. This is an intuitive chakra and it is where we get our ‘gut instincts’ that is our signal to do or not to do some action.A Strong self esteem in necessary for developing intuitive skills. The word manipura comes form Sanskrit and the literary translation from the original language is Lustrous Gem. I say the symbol is the circle and the number of petals around is just ten. The location is indeed the solar plexus, as I said before. There is a model for this chakra: it is the power and will and action is the state, while the action is just I Act.

As a summary I may say that the solar plexus chakra, that is called Manipura, is known as the power chakra, driving for control, with a competence and success to fortify the ego.

The colour I say, is black or yellow and the mantra sound is pronunced RAM/DA. The sense of this chakra is the sense of sight, its aromas are bergamot, rosemary and lavender. The element is the fire, for sure, and the power is the power of will.

The association of this third chakra is Self confidence and self respect. It is also Self esteem and strong will. The related body parties are stomach, skin, intestines and liver, while the endocrine glands are situated into the pancreas and into the liver. The possible physical symptoms are a bad digestion, the indifference and the stress, and plus the need for power.

The achieved state is being and the best therapy for this chakra is belly dancing and conscious breathing. If you want to know some exercise to do daily, I could suggest you what follows, that is to take a chest opening poses such as the cobra, the bow, the cat. The natural experiences for this third chakra are sunlight and sunflowers.The god of this chakra are Ares, Bel, Dionysus and Mars, while the goddesses are Athena, Lakini and Bride.

© 2008 Six Senses Yoga Society

According to the Hindu tradition, the word Ajna, from the Sanskrit Ajn, means command and is the sixth primary chakra. The Ajna chakra is set at the eyebrow region and it has only two petals; representing the psychic channels called Ida and Pingala. These meet here with the central Shushumna channel, thus before rising to the crown chakra, called sahasrara. On the left hand petal there is the letter ‘ham’, and on the right side the letter ‘ksham’. These two letters represent the bija mantras for Shiva and Shakti, in the order.

In short, the chakra of the mind is Ajna. When you see something in the mind’s eye, or in a dream, what you see is just seen by the third eye, which is called Ajna. The deity Ardhanarishvara is a hermaphrodite form of Shiva-Shakti and it resides in the chakra. It symbolizes the primordial duality of object and subject. The deity Hakini Shakti is also associated with this chakra.

As mentioned earlier, Ajna is considered the chakra of the mind. Lets further dig deep into this. The complete phrase ‘mind’s eye’ refers to the ability of the human race for visual perception, imagination, visualization and memory. In other words just the ability ‘to see’ things with the mind. The biological foundation of the mind’s eye is not completely understood by discepolos.

Recently studies have shown that the lateral geniculate nucleus and the V1 area of the visual cortex are activated while mental imagery task. It was said that the visual pathway is not just as a one-way street. Higher areas of the brain can also send visual input to the neurons in lower areas of the visual cortex. We have the ability to see with the mind’s eye, just to say to have a perceptual experience in the absence of visual input.

As an example, PET scans have shown that when subject, seated in a room, imagine they are at their front door, starting to walk either to the left or right, activation begins in the visual association cortex, the parietal cortex, and the prefrontal cortex. All higher cognitive process centers of the brain. Not all the humans have this ability. With eyes closed, some humans report that they can visualize detailed scenery that is not just a memory. Users of hallucinogenic drugs report seeing images with eyes closed, however the imagea are random and difficult to control. Moreover these images may interfere with normal consciousness.

The sixth chakra is located at the level of the forehead. It is known, as the third eye, or the ‘mind’s eye’. A lotus with just two petals, seen as a deep indigo blue. This is the center of visual and intuitive perception, that is indeed the place where men store their memories, where they perceive their dreams, and moreover where they imagine the future. The word Ajna means, ‘to command’. Just to add to its meaning, I would say it also means ‘to perceive’.

Just as words are used to shape the world, so do the imagines we hold in our minds really influence our lives.What we perceive and remember is also what we command. Nits element is light, a higher vibration that the one of sound, the most versatile of any element we have encountered thus far. Communicating across distant events that happened and ceased to exist thousands years ago, light in all its splendor allow us to perceive the world in a infinite display of patterns. So, when we view the world we have to remember that it is not objects we see. But they are reflected light.

The Ajna chakra, in true, relates to the pineal gland, the pineal begins as an actual third eye and later degenerates. It has been showed that the pineal gland is sensitive to light, even when optical nerves have been cut. It is believed to play a part in producing the internal visions that sometimes comes into our minds. These are the one we perceive and the ones we create. This large visual screen can be used consciously to call images at will and bring us information unavailable through other means. It is my firm belief that physic perception is something that everyone has and uses largely, whatever or not they are aware of it. It is quite important to validate these subtle physic perception that float through our minds each normal day.

Opening psychic perception is widely a function of learning to recognize patterns and creating an internal visual language with which to interpret them. If you see someone has done something in the past, now chances are likely it will happen again. As we climb high and high in the upper chakras, we approach a sense of divine order, and perception of that order allows us to fill in the blanks and perceive, like light waves, that which is actually at a distance, temporally and spatially. Outside of our imagination the image that rules us are a major factor in mass consciousness. Television and other visul media feed into our consciousness on a whole brain level.

To clear the chakra, we have to get away from the images of what we expect to see and begin to experience the world within the freshness of a child. And we discover an exciting world of patterns and colours unlike anything in the physical realm. Any chakras is connected with a different colour, and though the system has changed from the ancient Tantrics to modern associations, the most popular pattern is the rainbow spectrum. Red light has the longest and slowest wavelength, so it is associated with chakra 1, and the chakras proceed in rainbow order to the violet at the crown. An exercise to develop the visualization capacity of your third eye, while simultaneously helping to balance all your chakras, is to focus on each one of your chakras, filling that part of your body with the right colour of light. So, begin at the bottom or at the top, but always do proceed in order, and remember to take time with each chakra to completely feel the effects.

© 2008 Six Senses Yoga Society

Each human is filled with universe’s free flowing energy. The essence of our being, our conscious and our soul flows through this very fabric. The energy flows through our body, caresses the soul and then strikes a cord which we express in the form of our emotional expressions. There are however times when this energy tends to become stagnant or sometimes even gets blocked either outside our body or within our body. This leads to an imbalance in the body and the associated emotions. In ancient Hindu literature and Yogic text, this is referred to as a disease. This is signified by the inability of a body to allow the free flow of energy within itself. This imbalance is the source of all ailments that a human body can experience.  The Chakras, as mentioned in the Vedas are closely associated with the energy flow within the body. 

We can visualize the flow of energy within the body as the flow of a stream. In case there is an obstacle in the stream’s flow, it tends to make the flow restricted and the water is forced to deviate. When we compare the same to the flow of energy, an imbalance acts as an obstacle.  The human body is full of expressions. The Fifth Chakra or the Visuddha in Sanskrit is the Chakra associated with the expressions of the human body as it experiences life.

It is also associated with thoughts and feelings generated within us and finally with the capability of communication. The Fifth Chakra is located in the throat region and the element associated with this Chakra is that of Sound.

The ailments that are associated with an imbalanced Fifth Chakra are tonsillitis, choking and thyroid related ailments. The energy centre of this Chakra is located opposite the 7th Cervical Vertebra, within the hollow of the throat. A feeling of vulnerability and over exposure is experienced when the body suffers from an ailment related to the Visuddha.

It is recommended that warm honey with some amount of herbs like mullathi or green cinnamon be taken periodically. Breathing exercises are also advised and so is exercise of the neck.

Chakras- the energy vortexes in the human body are where the nadis intersect. As per ancient Hindu teachings and those found in writings by sages and rishis, the Chakras hold the key to the link between the subconscious and the physical entity of human beings.  Hindu teachings state there are seven chakras in the human body located along the spine and starting from just above the head and down to the lower spine. Each chakra is associated with a set of glands and corresponding emotions which a human experiences.

Amongst the seven chakras, the fourth chakra is located around the centre of the human body. The fourth chakra, called Anahata in Sanskrit is located between the breasts, underneath the sternum. This is also called the “heart chakra” and it is said to affect the organs in the chest, lungs and the breast. This chakra is associated with giving love, nurturance, empathy, and compassion. People suffering from misgivings about small issues, lack of compassion, and a lack of empathy for others’ problems are treated using asanas to activate the fourth chakra. A small example can be taken about a person working in an office who is in the HR department. He has been entrusted with the duties of keeping people in the office happy and satisfied.

He works diligently to make people happy and in the bargain worries if he is doing his job well. The sense of not doing the job well makes his day miserable. Even if a small incident occurs, he tends to lose sleep. In the bargain his health begins to fail. He begins to suffer from heart aches, low blood pressure and a general feeling of tiredness and depression.

In order to treat the individual, it is recommended that he be given dietary supplements to improve his immune system. He is also advised to take therapy. The requirement is to activate the fourth chakra and control the emotions to the limit required. The person should learn to say NO and also take things easy. When the feeling of depression sets in, it is an indication that the oxygen flow to the chest and the heart is low and the person should do some amount of heart opening exercise. The need is to pump more energy into the heart and this is possible through additional oxygen. The feeling of openness and expansion will do the person loads of good and he can start to se changes in his life.

The Buddhist religion was recently witness to a landmark event that could mark a watershed in the Dharma Teachings. The induction of B-N teaching and traditions, as the fifth principle of Tibetan Buddhist Spiritual School, has great significance for the concept of the Chakras and its interpretation in the Buddhist culture.  The B-N tradition, supposed to be established by Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, also has a strong similarity to the concept of mind-body synergy through the existence of prana as described in ancient Indian literature. Some scholars have made a comparative analysis of the Buddhist religion to that of the B-N.

B-N is based on the existence of five elemental processes i.e. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. It is considered the essential pre-requisite for the existence of all external, internal and secret energetic forces of nature.  These five elements are related to all the energy existing in the world. Earth is solidarity, water is cohesion, fire is temperature, air is motion and space is the spatial dimension. These elements are correlated to the different emotions, temperament, directions, moods, thinking styles and character. It is here that the concept of B-N begins to become akin to that of the Chakras. In B-N, there is the description of the five primary pranas or vital energies. These energies are associated to the mental state and the physical well being of the body.

As per B-N teaching, the movement of pranas is associated with all experiences a human undergoes. It is claimed that movement of pranas cannot be separated form the experience of any human. Each of the six major Chakras, (it is assumed that there are six major chakras) are linked to the six stages of existence of a human. An interesting comparison is made by a modern B-N teacher where he compares the computer to the human body. He states that the main chakras are like hard drives. The drive has many files stored in it. One file in each hard drive is always open and the open hard drive governs the state of the particular chakra.  The file which is open shapes the experience of the human at that point in time. The Chakra can be open using Yogic practices and the opening of the chakra leads to permanent bliss.

It is claimed that proper practice of this form of teaching coupled with tantric and yogic teachings can transform all our experiences into bliss. The teachings are akin to those found in other interpretation of the Chakras, the expressions are slightly different though.

From the beginning of civilization, when organic life began to manifest itself on earth, it has been a constant endeavor of all living forms to reach higher levels of consciousness. From the simplest forms like the single celled organisms to the most complex ones like the human species there has been an endeavor to grow from a nascent state of awareness, restricted to survival, reproduction and replication of self to the most sophisticated thought structures and cultural life-styles represented by the human race. This pattern of growth is what that has come to be known as evolution.

It is an amazing fact that as early as in the 2nd and 3rd century B.C the ancient Indian civilization had reached the pinnacle of growth in its pursuit of “truth” and “reality”, not as it is apparent but as it actually is. There was a realization that man is much more than his or her physical body or entity; that he can comprehend; a fact that the western world and modern science have only today begun to understands.  It was believed that man, in his elemental state is also energy and that his dynamic state of being is a manifestation of that same energy that the cosmos is made of. It was thus possible to gain a complete understanding of the entire universe, through the study of his body and its intricacies. This could be achieved by the in-depth study of the science of Yoga.

Seen in this light, Yoga is a Sanskrit term; the coming-together or the union of the smaller parts in order to attain the whole. It was believed that man, in his present state is fragmented in his being and thinking. His understanding of himself and the universe is limited and the the ultimate aim was to gain complete knowledge of himself, his life and the purpose of his life. In other words Yoga is the practice of a complete system devised by the stalwarts of that age through which man could gain complete understanding of not only his own body but also that of the environment around him in order to live a life to the fullest potential. Thus, the science of yoga is a legacy left behind by our ancestral race to the benefit of entire mankind because it has stood the test of time and has the same relevance and application even to this day.

No doubt, science has helped the advancement of the material world but has little to contribute to its spiritual advancement, whereas the science of yoga, by its holistic approach, promotes all round growth and advancement. How can this be achieved? This can be achieved by a complete understanding of yoga and its constant and systemic practice in the form of not only prescribed physical exercises but also mental discipline. In this sense, yoga would also mean an effort or as it is known in Sanskrit, a sadhana by its practitioner in achieving the ultimate goal or purpose of life, which is to understand truth in all its totality and live a holistic state of existence in the body, mind as well as the spirit.

Chakra-Yoga is a complete and a highly developed system of this science of yoga which, when practiced, enables a human to reach a higher state and be able to maintain a complete balance between his body, mind and spirit which would be a prerequisite to his eternal quest in the pursuit of excellence. As with any ancient science, a number of theories abound regarding the origin, forms and varieties often Chakra Yoga. The most accepted form is though the seven Chakra format which was propounded by ancient sages and which also finds mention in Vedic literature of ancient Indian origin. As per the Vedas, human can exist in a higher state of consciousness if he or she can invigorate the chakras in the body. The chakras have also been associated with the physical well being of the human body. The Chakras have been associated with the endocrinal glands and a number of common, and not so common, ailments which a human can suffers from are know to be treated by activating the chakra concerning the same. It is believed that the Chakras are located along the spine in the human body and they are formed where the energy fields or the centers of energy exist. The lowermost chakra or the Muladhara is the root chakra which is associated with the earth. Each Charka has an analogy to the asanas and symbols. These include the Cobra for the second Chakra, The Bow for the third, the Camel for the fourth and the Fish for the fifth. The sixth Chakra is associated with the figure of the seated man and the seventh or the divine chakra is associated with the meditation pose.

It is believed that the electromechanical energies and the related frequencies hold the key to Chakra activation. Each chakra is said to be associated with a fundamental frequency which if used to resonate with the body assists that Chakra to get invigorated. If the chakra is in resonance with the body frequency, then the body is health and free f all ills. If the body gets out of synch, ailments related to the chakra organs begin to form. If the human body comes in synch with nature and its surroundings and the frequencies meet, it is said that the body meets the divine. Thus, to lead a meaningful, health and purposeful life it is necessary to understand the meaning of the chakras and balance them with the surroundings.

Health concerns abound in the western world today. A number of Eastern therapies and life improvement systems like Yoga and Ayurveda are gaining acceptance in the mainstream of western living. A major factor in the success story of these life improvement systems and therapies is that they address the root cause of the ailment rather than the symptoms. These therapies take the route of prevention rather than just treating a problem. The pace of life coupled with the pressures of work and social obligations are making a simple life very complicated today. The lack of quality time available to people today coupled with self induced peer pressure is directly affecting the health index of the society. Although, the life span of individuals is increasing, and this can be attributed to improved life support system and medical sciences, the health and happiness index has not improved correspondingly. The increased longevity of people is not resulting in an increased and improved life style. There is an urgent requirement for us to look back and reconsider what is going wrong. With our health, our system and our lives.

Yogic literature and practices which have stood the test of time, have mentioned solutions to the problems which we face today. Human are not new to stress. Social scientists have always maintained that some amount of stress in life is actually beneficial to the body and mind. It keeps the body mechanism oiled and functioning optimally. Problems arise when the stress level is continuously experienced and there is no exhaust system in the body to let go off the tensions.  Yoga and an understanding of the working mechanism come to our rescue. Yoga, through the medium of Asana and Mudras, is a holistic system that addresses the overall development of the body. An understanding of the body and its energy sources coupled with the correct Yogic postures make our body-mind rhythm in synch. There are a host of articles and websites on Yoga and a scan through any search engine leads us to the false understanding that Yoga is all about some exercises and breathing (not well illustrated though!!). What most writers miss out is that yoga relates to the understanding the human body and it is not just about the exercises.  One of the deepest and most significant aspect of Yoga is the understanding of Chakras. Chakras are the energy vortexes of the human body, totaling seven in all.

We shall address the aspect of Chakras through the example of stress release in the human body. Most modern day medical therapies are symptotic in nature and believe in curing symptoms of an ailment rather than the source of the ailment. Although this form of therapy has found success in the recent past, but a holistic treatment of many remedies has not yet been found. An understanding of the Seven Chakras assists us in finding the solution for many ailments which plague the society today; primary amongst them being Stress. We shall discuss the aspect of the Crown Chakra, or the Sahasrara.  The Sahasrara is of supreme relevance to the body. In many illustration of the Crown Chakra, it is shown as a purple or white colored thousand petal Lotus of holy effulgence, able to rotate at a tremendous speed and is attributed with the quality that it makes the human body communicate to the universe through the spiritual medium. It is the life source through which the life energy flows to the lower six chakras in the body. It is located on top of the head. 

In the words of swami Vyas Dev, and illustrated in the Vedas, “The purpose of the Crown Chakra is intuitive knowledge, relation to one`s spirituality and integration of the human being with the source of creation.” The Crown Chakra is known to arise spirituality as well as develops the senses of living in the present. The under-activity of the Crown Chakra causes depression, diseases of the muscular system, skeletal system and the skin, chronic exhaustion that is not associated with physical ailments and sensitivity to light, sound and the environment. The Crown Chakra controls the top centre of the head. The pineal glad in the human body is controlled by the Crown Chakra. The exercise to activate the Crown Chakra is prayer and meditation. It is suggested that a clean environment with free flowing air is the best place to activate the crown chakra. Sweet smells of flowers, when inhaled through the nostrils assists in the activation. The method to activate the chakra involves putting the hand in front of the stomach, fingers pointing up in the Namsakara mode. Chanting the sound of Om and concentrating on the top part of the head. A word of caution though is that one should practice the activation of this Chakra only when one is sure of the root chakras and their stability.

When we compare this to the existing means of stress relief, we find that most current forms have used part of this technique or its derivatives. Social scientists and new age gurus always stress on the availability of a clean and airy location to practice their exercises. The low sound of music and the rhythmic beats are also subscribed to in most current teachings. The sweet smelling flowers and fragrances that are soothing are also advised by most people teaching stress relief.  Rhythmic breathing is also advised which is akin to the chanting the Om. When we relate this to the ancient teachings, it is clearly evident that the present teachings are a sub product of the past; altered to suite the present social conditions and honed to good marketing skills. Nothing wrong, but it might be prudent to put things in perspective and practice the unadulterated and pure teachings. Also, it is essential to understand the logic behind the activity. This aspect is woefully missing in current teachings and also current learning. We have become used to instant solutions to our long lasting ailments. Popping a pill is the solution most of us resort in times of crisis. We indulge in a practice fraught with risks and danger. We need to refrain.

Chakras have been described in a number of ways through the ages. What is interesting is its description made in Wikipedia.org where a separate page has been devoted to the concept and different interpretations of the Chakra model have been made. A short summary of the various models that have been used to describe the concept of chakras, primarily sourced form the Wikipedia might put things in perspective. It makes interesting reading if you devote time to each, but a primer like this might help those uninitiated to the topic. 

Chakras is a Sanskrit word meaning circle or a wheel. Theories related to the Chakra fit within the system that links the body and the mind into a single unit. A number of models have been used to describe the concept of Chakras in their own unique manner, albeit addressing the same core concept.

Chakrology is a neologism or a new invention to old concepts that describes the concept of Chakra in a new light. It describes the Chakras through a number of Chakralogies and the interface that exists between the mind and the body is exemplified via a subtle system. It is believed in Chakralogy that no Chakra is supreme and each has a unique role to play. The Hindu model on the other hand has seen changes over the ages and some ancient Hindu Text claims the existence of 8 chakras and some stress on the existence of 5. A model that subscribed to 6 to 7 chakras has gained favor primarily due to the concept’s acceptance in Yoga teaching. The tantric model describes the Chakra in the energy creation paradigm, deriving its source from the creator of the universe or the Brahma. It stresses that the Chakras have to be awakened and the path to awakening is also the path to permanent happiness. The Buddhist Tantric model describes the Chakra, especially the Heart Chakra to be supreme and the source of all happiness.

The imbalance in the heart Chakra is said to be the source of all unhappiness in the body and the soul. The Bon model considers the Chakras and the Pranic center of the human body. It describes six chakras and attributes the experience of all realms of existence to the corresponding Chakra. It subscribes to the thought process that Yoga opens the Chakras and is the path to ultimate happiness. The Chinese model describes the existence of Chakras as the circulation of the qi energy.  It believes in the philosophy that energy circulates in and around the body and the chakras are the store houses of the energy while it rests.

The interpretation is different, but the core meaning is the same. It is upon us to understand and practice what we find best.

DO you believe that you are a conscious being? What shall happen when you lose the conscious of the physical being?

As more Eastern philosophies emerge in the mainstream of the West, these philosophies affect the normal living styles of people, we tend to gravitate to systems and practices which are holistic in nature and also provide us solutions that are lasting and effective. A holistic solution to many of the modern day crises involving health and body related issues is often found in ancient Indian literature which has been preserved over the ages in the form of teachings of Gurus, Vedas and sculptures on temples and monuments. The study of the human anatomy and the relationship between the physical being and its emotional equivalence has long been studied as part of Indian literature. The teachings and findings guide us to the concept of Chakras.

The word Chakra means a wheel and derives its origin from Sanskrit; the language which is considered the mother of most modern day languages by historians today. Historians agree that the early Indus Civilization settlers might have used this language thousands of years ago. According to ancient Yogic teachings, the body thrives on a delicate balance between the physical entity and the emotive being. The Chakras hold the key to this balance. Chakras are the fulcrum on which the physical and the emotional being of a human life hinge.

The Chakras are the equivalent of the Energy Vortexes. In the human body they form the seven energy concentrations on which the human consciousness and energy system is constructed.  They act as controlling inlets and the outlets of energy from and into the human body. They regulate the flow of energy inside, through and out of the body. The state of the Chakras reflects how a human body responds to situations occurring in its stimuli range. They reflect the emotional state of a human being. They regulate the flow of the energy through the human body based on the feelings, thoughts and sentiments of the current state of the human mind. They directly mirror the physical wellbeing of a human body based on its emotional state. Thus they act as the delicate hinge between the physical self and the emotional one.

The issue in focus here is to analyze the reason as to why it is important to understand about the human Chakras and why is increasingly attention in Yogic studies being diverted to it?

The Chakras or the energy vortexes are the junctions which interact with the human body through the endocrine system and the nervous system. Each Chakra is associated with one of the seven endocrine glands present in the human body and also with a group of nerves called the plexus.  Thus each of the Chakras control the physical function associated with the corresponding endocrine gland and in turn governs the emotional signals generated and transmitted through the plexus nerves associated with the Chakras. The state of awareness of the human body, its consciousness levels, its being alive is all associated with a particular Chakra.

A small example to illustrate this is that a cure to chronic tonsillitis can be through encouraging a person to express what they keep inside.  Clearing up unresolved issues and points of miscommunication can often lead to a healthy thyroid gland. This is associated to the Vishuddha, the 5th Chakra. The focus of this Chakra is found in the hollow of the throat opposite the 7th cervical vertebra. The organs directly affected are the thyroid, the larynx, the neck, the salivary glands and the neck. The emotional issues related to the Vishuddha are the feeling of receptivity, capacity of faith, devotion and creativity. It also has a direct bearing on the feeling of vulnerability and that of the ability to nurture love.

The stiff neck syndrome can easily be resolved if we encourage unhindered and easy flow of communication, thoughts and feelings between people. The human body responds positively to such a flow of unhindered energy and the emotional self reacts by experiencing a feeling of happiness.  The moot point to take note of here is that the physical discomfort can be eased through mental and emotional processes.

Chakras hold the key to the release points in the human body. In case a person feels tense, it is an indication that the Chakra associated with the tension producing glands is active and methods to stimulate the same shall ease the tension in the body. This is a beginning of a series of articles which shall introduce the audience to what the seven the Chakras in the human body are and also take them through a journey of self awareness and indicate a few efficient and simple methods to activate the Chakras in the body. The aim is to live happy and share it with people around us. This is possible only if we are happy and satisfied with our surroundings. This in turn is possible when our body responds to the mind signals.

Chakras hold the key to this blissful existence. An understanding of the Chakras will go a long way in making our life more in synchronization with the energy within and the nature which is around us.

Neck Rolls
Pretend there is a beam of white light coming out of the top of your head and as you revolve your head you create a circle of white light around you. Your neck will make many sounds if you roll slowly and continuously, a cacophony of stories - some the freeing of energy and some the cracking of tension released. Calcium deposits and gases, and nerves, muscles, and ligaments, blood and bones are being pleasurably massaged all over.  We have to start at the neck, for being women we hold lots of inhibitory trips in our throats - little girls don’t shout so million of screams are held in our throats and our necks hold much (formerly) unconscious tension which it is necessary to encounter at the beginning of yoga practice.

Balance is vital for yoga, so if you roll your neck seven times to the left balance that with equal revolutions to the right. And do this very slowly, even slower, smoother with the spirit of dance. No callisthenic consciousness. You are in grace and therefore truly graceful. Your breath is natural and relaxed - feel the relaxation spread down to your shoulders like a cape. Your arms hang freely and they too are limp with relaxation. Feel your breath travel down to your finger tips. When you wear no armour at your neck, the kundalini raised by your yoga practice will pass freely up your spine to the top of your head.

This is realization of your inherent progesterone bliss.

Folding to Squat
Gently come to a stop and balance your head directly over your axis. Begin inspiration through your nose and carefully, slowly drop your head by allowing your neck muscles to let go and continue dropping your head while exhaling through your mouth, lips loose and relaxed. Feel your spine, vertebra by vertebra, following the lead of your head down toward your feet while you exhale deeply (as deeply as you previously inhaled until your hands, then your palms touch the ground. Your arms up to this moment have been dangling freely. Now you will use your arms to support your body and rest here on all focus, weight equally distributed between your hands and feet while you let your uterus hand loose. Bend your knee to avoid placing any stress on the back on your knees. Now you are inhaling deeply through your nose, and when you have finished, begin to lower yourself, in to a squat by bending your knees.

End up in a squat knees in your armpits, legs open as you are open. Feet as parallel as possible. 

Squat Passive
Feel the life flow, for this posture is a bio genetic one - the natural grooving position. Soon your hands and feet will be warm to the touch, warm with the flow of energy. Focus on your heartbeat and allow blood to permeate all your tissue. Imagine blood now carries oxygen to your baby and that you have a window in your womb and see pulsing placenta nourish and sustain, blood bringing life to baby .. a totally together universe manifested in the space of your uterus.

Squatting is the natural posture of rest and composure. People all over the world squat easily and women all over the world have babies easily and painlessly. Western pregnant women tend to sit in chairs, often with legs crossed, thus strengthening sets of ligaments that are an opposite of an open pelvis. If you must sit in chairs, draw your legs up in the half lotus posture of hatha yoga or “tailor style” or comfortably up higher than your hips with your pelvic floor open. Sitting in a chair with your legs crossed is psychologically the posture of “closed” ladies and to have a baby, one must be an open woman.

Now place your thumbs ever so lightly on either side of the bridge of your nose. Slowly apply pressure by bringing your thumbs toward one another. This open ups your sixth chakra, and if you extend your fingers somewhat like antennae, you will stimulate the 72,00 nadis - sort of the nerve network of your aura (some call it soul others call it an elector-magnetic field) that surrounds and complements and corresponds with the nervous system of your physical bodies.  This mudra reportedly relieves headaches sometimes by allowing tears to flow. Place your palms over your eyes wide open so that you see darkness - heels of hands placed on cheekbones, fingers holding forehead.  Rest your eyes, the muscles around your eyes. This is a mudra that can be integrated into the yoga of living daily, between chapters of books upon awakening (especially good for unravelling dreams).

Dreams: stories with secrets essentially for you to discover. As the hormone of pregnancy, progesterone, alters your consciousness, so do your dreams take on new levels of meaning. Dream about having your baby-women dream all situations for their upcoming childbirth experience, giving birth magically, realistically in colour and naturally giving birth to kittens, chimpanzees, avatars, our mothers, monsters, and a loaf of French bread all buttered and sliced. Listen to your dreams, dance them, paint them, play with them, finish them, live them - then go on to bigger things.

You have been squatting for a long time now. Good. Don’t bend over anymore, squat instead - another yoga of daily living benefit. Squat when you take a shit.

Adjust your spine with great respect and tenderness for the central Mt. Meru of your being.  Trust your head to your hands and twist carefully. Probably you will release more tension in the form of crackling sounds. Exhale and relax as you turn your head.

This is a point of transition. The next posture is a standing posture. Rise from the squat in slow movements, the reversed folding to squat with coordinated breath i.e. inhaling with the beginning unfolding movement, then exhaling at the all-fours-dangling uterus movement. The inhalation as you stack each vertebra, one-by-one by your spinal column movement is a good solid transitional movement.  However, you can make up your own - something that makes you feel centered and ready for the next posture.

to be continued…

Read Part I

Each chakra has corresponding asanas, pranyamas, mudras and meditation practices that are particularly effective in stimulating the energy of that chakra. Even though each program consists of different practices, they all partake of the same form. The programs for each are composed of seven steps to be followed in followed in order for balance and good health. 

Step 1: Preparation
Start with 5 minute period of relaxation of body and mind. Step back from your daily life and free your mind of extraneous thoughts. Now you are ready for a brief warm-up.

Step 2, 3 & 4: Asanas
After the preparation calm three asanas of your choice that influence the flow of prana and stimulate the targeted chakra are practiced.

Step 5: Pranayama
Next is pranayama to bring life energy that has been generated through the practice of the asanas to the chakra you are working on.

Step 6: Meditation
In chakra-yoga meditation, we use a combination of special mudras and mantras that correspond to each chakra.

Step 7: Relaxation
The last aspect consists of deep relaxation of body, thoughts and feelings. Visualize the energy flow in to the chakra you are working on, and see how it harmonizes and heals all of the areas that are governed by this chakra.