Wednesday, April 29, 2009

May Monthly Theme: Chakra System

Anodea Judith, author of Eastern Body, Western Mind, says:

A chakra is a center of activity that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy. The word chakra literally translates as wheel or disk and refers to a spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching forward from the spinal column. There are six of these wheels stacked in a column of energy that spans from the base of the spine to the middle of the forehead. And the seventh which is beyond the physical region. It is the six major chakras that correlate with basic states of consciousness...

Chakras are commonly described, as above, as energy centers in the spine located at major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull. Chakras are considered to be a point or nexus of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy of the human body. Each chakra is also associated with a specific color, gem, and mantra/sound. Through asana practice, pranayama, meditation, chanting, massage techniques, and color therapy we are able to open the chakras and increase flow of energy up the sushumna (similar to the spinal column).








Monday, April 27, 2009

Practicing Life

When we practice asana we often focus on telling our body what to do. We then carry this mindset into our days and do the same with others. The result--conflict in our lives and on our yoga mats. Have we really acheived Yoga? The next time you practice asana, try to let go of desire to force your body to do something or to attain some kind of idealized shape. Listen to your body, embrace the intelligence that is there in every cell and practice from that. Then when you are working, playing, interacting with others do the same. Really listen or just be and and absorb the beauty and intelligence of others. Now find the peace and happiness that not only comes to you, but to those around you. Namaste. Steve Galindo.