There is no any other discipline more helpful in achieving knowledge of inner- self, and harmony with the world than Yoga. Bio-energy knowledge of methods of mind and body healing cannot be completed without studying Yoga.
Basic Hatha-Yoga is a practical and complex method of developing a healthier body, mind and psyche. Pranayama is the teaching of proper breathing. By studying Hatha-Yoga exercises, and poses, and Pranayama exercises, we learn how to breathe properly, meditate, be centered, relaxed, gain life energy, massage the internal organs, keep the body healthy and flexible, and accelerate removal of toxins.
There are three types of exercises: “Asanas” (or poses), dynamic, and breathing. The Asanas are poses that influence energetic centers and systems of the body. Certain asana influences specific nerve centers. With the system of complex asanas we positively influence the endocrine system, help every cell and organ of the body. We recommend that you to perform the system of poses keeping in mind that any illness is a dysfunction of normal activity.
Yogis’ asanas help keep elasticity and mobility of physical bodies. When people perform everyday work, or do chores, they move joints with little breadth. And if they ignore exercises or sports, they can lose the flexibility, elasticity, and mobility of the spine, joints, tendons, and muscles. By the time the “working angle” of joints decreases, people cannot perform deep inclinations, situps, or wide turns of the body. This immobility can lead to illnesses like arthritis and bursitis. To prevent losing flexibility, people can add exercises for their joint and tendons.
Every day, and for life, you need to do rotational movements of the head, arms, legs, and body; bending the body to the sides, and forward, and extensions of the back; also situps and pushups with maximum amplitude of moving in order to maintain mobility of the entire body. Try to work all joints as well as the spinal column. Repeat every exercise (with every group of joints) 6-10 times. Start exercising by warming up. Begin each exercise with small breadth and go to your extreme “working angle” gradually to avoid a trauma.
Dynamic Yoga exercises help accelerate the removal of toxins from the body. Every system of the body is affected with toxins. One of the reasons for having illnesses is the presence of toxins in the body. Today, people are exposed to chemicals, pesticides, additives in food, and anesthetics in greater concentrations (sources of toxins) than at any other time in history.
People’s organisms have to struggle with constant invasion of toxins, because processes to removal toxins are complicated and take more time than the assimilation and the absorption of nutrients. Toxins and chemicals penetrate membranes and accumulate in intercellular space. Toxins enter lymphatic and blood vessels, where veinous blood carries toxins to the organs of elimination. This transit of toxins through millions of cells is difficult to complete without activity of vibrated cells, muscular contractions, exertions that occur during walking, running, and jumping.
During evolution nature did not find more effective way to clean up cells and intercellular space of toxins than the use of those forces of muscular contractions and forces of jolting due to the body movements. When muscles contract, they compress veins, accelerate a flow of venous blood to the heart, and provide impulses that help blood to eliminate toxins. We can observe how pets stretch their bodies after waking up. When the body stretches, muscles are contracted. The body needs stretching after waking up in the morning. During the sleep, heart muscles help move venous blood with wastes and toxins; however, this help is not enough to remove toxins. The weakening of the body is due not to effects of illness, but to the transgression of the entire metabolism, because of the accumulation of toxins. Removal of toxins from cells and intercellular spaces is a process requiring constant vibration of cells by nerve impulses, and occurs during exercising or moving which provides contractions of muscles. When people do not exercise or move efficiently (stretching, aerobics, running, walking, and dancing), their bodies gradually decline.
In the morning, the best way to help the body to accelerate the removal of the toxins is doing the following exercise. People can do this exercise, even if they cannot run, or walk. You can do it while you take a shower. Pull the heels up off the floor a half an inch, and put them back down sharply but not painfully. Repeat this motion 30 times, then rest for 5-10 seconds. Later, repeat 30 times more. At the same time, you can bend arms keeping forearms parallel to the floor surface, and bend your hands as if you held a ball. When putting the heels up, shove your wrists forward then pull them back. You can do it with a second interval. You can do this exercise a few more times during the day. People who stand or sit for long periods of time will benefit from doing this exercise; it prevents thrombosis (blood clotting) and heart problems.
Healthy functioning of the body is possible when the intake of food products and removal of products of digestion and activity of the cells of the body are balanced. Toxins occur in the organisms as a result of stress and anxiety. When a young person has the energy enough to detoxify the organism through its organs (intestines, kidneys, skin, and lungs), the chances for imbalance small. But between 30-35 years of age the body, if not trained by special exercises, lacks the energy to remove toxins. Besides help in the toxin elimination, dynamic Yoga exercises also help to build a beautiful and strong body.
Breathing Yoga exercises help gain life energy - “prana”. People often think that they can breathe properly. But sometimes people do not breathe correctly for their whole life. Nevertheless, right breathing is the key to gain energy and vitality. Proper breathing influences all bodily processes including brain activity and digestion, and provides oxygen to muscles, organs, and tissues; in addition it removes toxins and wastes. Yogis developed their teachings about proper breathing about six thousand years ago. Some of ancient techniques can help people to maintain health.
When you wake up after stretching your body, you can lie down on your back and relax your muscles. Then inhale deeply while pushing out the chest. After this try to pull the diaphragm down while exhaling and the diaphragm will massage the intestines, kidneys, liver, spleen, and pancreas. At the same time the stomach applies pressure on the intestinal cavity. You can repeat these movements many times to learn how to move the diaphragm up and down. This exercise helps massage internal organs and increases activity. This pressure will help squeeze toxins and wastes out of cells.
Here is another exercise. Inhale deeply while lying on the back then push out the stomach which moves the diaphragm. Delay your breathing for 3-5 seconds, and start to exhale air in small portions, and pulling it through tightly closed lips. This exercise internally massages all organs. The same massage occurs at moments of laughter. Laughter has been considered important for well-being since ancient times. Physiologically the massage of organs of the abdominal cavity increases the flow of blood to the heart. The contractions of the abdominal muscles help in relieve heart problems. The heart cavity is in the same space as the lungs and the diaphragm. The diaphragm, due to its sensitivity to emotions moves closer to the heart and lessens the heart space. The brain regulates volumes of blood entering the heart. If the amount of blood is less than necessary to sustain life, the rhythms and intensity of heart impulses have to increase. The increase of the heart beat occurs with every move of the diaphragm which decreases the space in the heart cavity. These conditions can even cause heart attack. If you feel an accelerated heart beat rate, inhale and push out the stomach for 2-3 seconds. This provides more space to the heart cavity and (repeat all over for 3-4 times).
Breathing exercises help develop elasticity of the diaphragm, which massages internal organs, increases the volume of the heart cavity, and decreases chance of developing of heart problems. We will learn how to load ourselves with bio-energy using yoga exercises.
Conditions for Yoga Exercises
1. Perform Yoga poses in the morning or in the evening before eating on an empty stomach.
2. The room must have fresh air.
3. No smoking allowed in the room.
4. No talking before Yoga exercises in the room.
5. It is better to do Yoga alone.
6. Do exercises on the floor or on a firm rug.
7. Wear relaxed and stretchy clothing.
Lower Breathing Expiration - all internal organs draw in. Pause on expiration - 1 - 2 seconds.
Deep breath - push the stomach out (slowly, gently, as if drinking the air). Start breathing with this technique putting hands on the stomach. This breathing exercise is ideal to prevent asthma. Lower breathing of the diaphragm massages internal organs.
About the Author
Michael Nudel and Eva Nudel, Ph.D., Energy Healing Specialists, are authors of the books:”Health by Bio-Energy and Mind” and “21st Century’s New Chakra Healing”. You can visit their site Bio-Energy System Services at www.bioenergy-services.com .
Place a crystal at or under the feet when doing this meditation. Its purpose is to open and clear the chakras and create a clear pathway for higher frequency energies as they are brought into your system. It will allow these higher energies to be fully assimilated and prevent problems caused by too much energy in the head or other parts of the body. It will also purify and/or release from your system any negative energy you may have released from storage within yourself or that you may have attracted. By circulating your energy, the negative energy is transmuted in the chakras as it passed through them and may also be released from the chakras. This happens automatically as you circulate it. Hold your tongue to the roof of your mouth and gently contract the Hui Yin points. Then, picture the Crystaline Reiki Power symbol at the navel point and hold your attention there for 30 sec. or up to several minutes. Then move to the next point down and do the same, proceeding around and up the spine to the head and back to the navel using the points on the Crystaline Reiki Chakra Mediation chart. This will open and clear each chakra. Then, run violet white light around this circuit for several minutes or up to a half hour. Picture it moving through each point. The flow is always down the front and up the spine. You may choose to do this as a separate meditation from the complete Crystaline Reiki meditation. It is very soothing and creates a calm balanced state.
About the Author
Charles Lightwalker is a member of The Family of Light, an international mobile healing center, offering healing, channeling, and educational forums around the globe. Charles has studied with shamen and alternative healers for over 26 years. He is a Medical Intuitive, Reiki Master, Ordained minister, Certified religious counselor and Certified Spiritual healer.
You can reach Charles at charleslightwalker@yahoo.com or visit his website www.thefamilyoflight.net .
6th Chakra - (third eye or adjna centre) forehead, indigo, forehead, light, clairvoyance, psychic abilities, imagination, dreaming, owl
7th Chakra - top of head, violet, top of head, thought, spiritual connection, understanding, knowing, bliss, God
About the Author
The Family of Light is an international mobile healing center, offering healing, channeling, and educational forums around the globe.
Charles has studied with shamen and alternative healers for over 26 years. He is a Medical Intuitive, Reiki Master, Ordained minister, Certified religious counselor and Certified Spiritual healer. You can reach Charles at charleslightwalker@yahoo.com or visit his website www.thefamilyoflight.net .
Gems & Crystals emit vibrations that affect the wearer’s body. Certain crystal or gem varieties are believed to have positive effects when utilized on particular energy centers or chakras of the body, much like deep therapeutic massage and acupuncture. The 7 basic chakra points of the human body, their locations and general attributes are as follows:
1. Root Chakra
Location: The base of the spine
Physical Association: Adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal column, back, hips, legs and feet Spiritual Aspects: Stability, security, grounding, courage and physical and emotional survival.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Anxious, fearful, angry and frustrated Associated Color: Red
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Cornelian, Garnet, Ruby, Cuprite, Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, Onyx, Agate, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Fire Agate, Ametrine, Blood Stone and Nephrite.
2. Sacral Chakra
Location: Lower abdomen to navel
Physical Association: Genital area, reproductive organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine Spiritual Aspects: Creativity, harmony, emotional balance, passion, sexuality, freedom and expression of emotions.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Stiff lower back, restlessness, confusion and sexual blockages Associated Color: Orange Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Amber, Moonstone, Cornelian, Citrine, Golden Topaz, Golden Beryl, Aragonite, Orange Calcite, Selenite, Zircon and Sunstone.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra
Location: Below the ribs to above the navel
Physical Association: Stomach, pancreas and liver Spiritual Aspects: Personal power, strength, sense of self worth, transformation, courage and laughter.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Expression of anger, fear and hate Associated Color: Golden Yellow
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Citrine, Golden Topaz, Green-Yellow Tourmaline, Tigers Eye, Heliodor, Rutilated Quartz, Amber, Sunstone, Malachite, Peridot and Emerald.
4. Heart Chakra
Location: Center of the chest
Physical Association: Heart, lungs and thymus gland Spiritual Aspects: Unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Emotional instability Associated Color: Green
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Rose Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Rubellite, Rhodochrosite, Emerald, Green Tourmaline, Malachite, Morganite, Kunzite, Green Aventurine, Ruby, Hiddenite, Grossular Garnet, Green Jade, Nephrite, Kunzite, Prehnite, Chrysoprase, Rhodonite, Moldavite, Prasiolite, Watermelon Tourmaline and other natural green gems.
5. Throat Chakra
Location: Throat area
Physical Association: Mouth, throat, thyroid and parathyroid glands Spiritual Aspects: communication, truthfulness, expression of will power and creativity
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Headaches, tension within the neck and shoulder muscles, colds, thyroid or hearing problems Associated Color: Sky Blue
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Apophyllite, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Topaz, Blue Tourmaline, Celestite, Indicolite, Blue Turquoise, Chrysocolla, Amazonite, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Sodalite, Iolite, Kyanite and Zircon.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Blindness, headaches, nightmares, eyestrain or blurred vision Associated Color: Indigo
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Azurite, Sugilite, Amethyst, Celestite, Tanzanite, Blue Tourmaline, Sapphire, Lavender Quartz, Purple Fluorite, Charoite, Sodalite, and Iolite.
7. Crown Chakra
Location: Top of the head
Physical Association: Pineal gland, top of spinal cord and brain stem Spiritual Aspects: Spirituality and life force energy.
When The Chakra Point Is Blocked: Depression, alienation, confusion, inability to learn or comprehend Associated Color: Violet or White
Gems & Crystals That Work With This Chakra: Sugilite, Ametrine, Clear Quartz Crystal, Amethyst, Howlite, Moonstone, Lavender Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, Diamond and White Topaz.
About the Author
The Family of Light is an international mobile healing center, offering healing, channeling, and educational forums around the globe.Charles has studied with shamen and alternative healers for over 26 years. He is a Medical Intuitive, Reiki Master, Ordained minister, Certified religious counselor and Certified Spiritual healer. You can reach Charles at charleslightwalker@yahoo.com or visit his website www.thefamilyoflight.net .
Our chakras are the energy centers our consciousness, or energy system, is composed of. The ancient Hindu traditions, who have been studying the consciousness for thousands of years, use the language of the chakras. The word chakra is Sanskrit, meaning vortex, or wheel, and refers to the seven major energy centers. There are over 200 chakras yet we focus primarily upon seven some more advanced seekers focus on ten. These energy centers are: the Crown (7th), located at the top of the head; the Brow Chakra, or Third Eye (6th); the Throat Chakra (5th) at the base of the throat; the Heart Chakra (4th); the Solar Plexus (3rd), located just below the ribcage; the Sacral (2nd), located at the center of the abdomen; and the Root (1st) located at the perineum, just between the anus and sex organs. Also, there are attributes and colors associated with each of our energy centers. As there are volumes written on each chakra, I’ll begin with basic attributes and associations with each one. In this first article, we’ll focus on the Root Chakra.
For a tree to be thriving, it must have a strong Root system. So do we need to be aware of how to strengthen our ‘roots.’ As this chakra’s attributes are shared, allow yourself to get a sense of what it may mean for you. The color associated with the Root chakra, or Root Energy Center, is Red. It is located at the base of your central channel, the energetic vertical line of chakras running through the center of your body (just imagine all your chakras lined up vertically through the center of your body).
Your Root deals with how you relate to survival, how you feel about being on the earth, the ability to allow yourself to be nourished in the sense of allowing your Inner Being to be satisfied and trusting yourself. Imbalance in your Root chakra is most often experienced as various degrees of insecurity or to an extreme, feeling your survival is threatened.
Scarcity versus Abundance, Lack versus Knowing – When your Root chakra is in balance, you are in complete knowing and trust that the earth supports you and you take your place upon the earth firmly and with confidence; you show up on time, create the financial abundance to surpass your needs; you do what you say you want to do. You possess the ability to step from survival to thriving.
Here is a simple exercise to become aware of and strengthen your Root. Close your eyes, stop multi-tasking in your mind, clear your thoughts, feel as though you have a transparent red sphere where your Root chakra is housed, at the base of your central channel, and feel the sensations that are brought to your attention now that you have a sense of the Root chakra’s basic elements. Do you feel steady and strong in life, or are you wavering, acquiescing to other’s perceptions and dreams of what and how you should be rather than standing firm in and for your own dreams? Notice what you feel, allow whatever sensations and feelings to come into your conscious mind. Cease any analysis, just allow yourself to observe what you see in your mind’s eye and feel in your body. Begin to imagine your Root as being strong and steady and any observations to the contrary are simply aspects that you allow to transform, in perfect timing.. Say to yourself ‘As I go through my day, I allow insights to come from within and know the clarity from the insights I receive will be known in their right timing. I walk forward in the strength of the root of who I am and look forward to my experiences as they unfold for me.”
Of course this is quite basic for some, but at times, when going back to the beginning we gain deeper awareness. For those to whom this is new, be easy about what you notice. The more you activate the strength of your Root energy center, the more your experiences will match that strength. So be amazed, be very amazed!
The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk and signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. In addition the chakras also correlate to levels of consciousness, archetypal elements, developmental stages of life, colors, sounds, body functions, and much, much more. Below is a brief description of each chakra.
Chakra Seven: Crown Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.
Chakra Six: Third Eye Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us “see the big picture.”
Chakra Five: Throat Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression
This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language.
Chakra Four: Heart Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance
This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.
Chakra Three: Solar Plexus Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition
This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.
Chakra Two: Spleen/Sacral Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.
Chakra One: Root Earth, Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation
Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.
Anodea Judith is considered one of the country’s foremost experts on the combination of chakras and therapeutic issues and on the interpretation of the Chakra System for the Western lifestyle. She is best known for the chakra classic, Wheels of Life: A User’s Guide to the Chakra System, (Llewellyn, 1987), an illustrated 540 page manual that has come to be considered the definitive work on the subject. Her most recent written book is the ground-breaking: Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self, released by Celestial Arts in February 1997.
