YOGIC ALCHEMY.pdf

Copyright © 2009 Lucas Vorly

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The Inner Alchemy of Yoga Copyright © 2009 Lucas Vorly

Contents Introduction ……………………….………………………………………… Polarity …………………………………………………………………………. Sublimation and Transmutation …….……………………………. Theory vs Practice ……………………………………………………….. Traditions ……………………………………….……………………………. Chakras and the Central Channel ………..……………………… Experiences ………………………………………………………………….. Tips for practice …………………………………………………………..

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Muladhara Chakra ……………………………………………………….. Pascimottanasana Mula bandha Svadhisthana Chakra ………………………………………………….. Shalabhasana Vajroli/Sahajoli mudra Manipura Chakra …………………………………………………………. Trikonasana Nabhiasana Uddiyana bandha Anahata Chakra ……………………………………………………………. Bhujangasana Gomukasana Visuddha Chakra …………………………………………………………… Sarvangasana Throat friction Ajna Chakra …………………………………………………………………… Garudasana Halasana Trataka Alternate nostril breathing Sahasrara ……………………………………………………………………… Sirsasana Ardha sirsasana Verticality

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Meditation ……………………………………………………………………..

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Final Notes …………………………………………………………………….

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Introduction Much of the yoga practiced today has become very diluted from its traditional origins. Commonly practiced for just the physical body, it can often resemble some kind of modern gymnastics. However, the tradition of yoga is an extraordinarily deep and powerful spiritual practice, with the focus always on the ultimate goal… to awaken to our full potential, or the ultimate reality. This has many names in many traditions such as Self realization, Enlightenment, Liberation, Cosmic consciousness, God, Truth. It does not matter what you call it, what matters is that you are aiming for the top… the top of the mountain, the highest of high, the Absolute, the Supreme reality, that which is beyond all concepts and unchanging. If we look in the right places, we can still find a world of yogic practices that most would not know. With the focus on energy, the chakras and spirituality, some would call it the esoteric side of yoga, but in fact this is how yoga was traditionally practiced, so this is the essence of yoga. Many modern varieties have been tailored for the modern mentality of materialism and not much beyond the physical body. This is unfortunate as there are many people that are drawn to yoga and do get all of the health benefits from its practice but they feel there is far more to it, they are craving something deeper, but because the “yoga market” has been flooded with diluted yoga, as it has become a very profitable business, it can be difficult to find genuine traditional yoga practices. It is without a doubt that the practice of “modern” yoga has many health benefits and can improve the quality of life for all who practice it, but we should keep in mind that all of these benefits are just by-products of its traditional purpose. These things naturally come along the way when practicing for its higher purpose. Everyone that knows something about yoga would recognise the asanas, the various postures that you put your body into and hold for various lengths of time. This is the most recognised aspect of yoga, and yet it is the most misunderstood and misrepresented. You may wonder how these postures could become diluted over time? The earliest known texts of yoga are about 2000 years old. Even if we ignore the many postures created in modern times to work on the physical body, and just look at the traditional postures, many of which are still practiced today, then how are they different?... Are they at all different?... YES! There is a major difference, but not one that can be seen with the eyes. This is the subtle level, and is the most important part. The secret of all yoga is the mind. Without the mind there is no yoga! So, yes we can put ourselves into a posture, but why? And what do we do with the mind? Our grocery list, plan the rest of the day, think about friends or what you should have said in that argument you just had with your boyfriend/girlfriend? Sure, you can do these things but this would not be yoga. In fact the word yoga has lost its true meaning since it is used to describe all kinds of practices or exercises that no longer align with the tradition. Some may argue that everything must be adjusted to suit the modern times. This means basically modern society, which is created through the consciousness of the people, and we are in a time of extreme materialism, focusing on the physical to the suppression of the spirit and not to mention violence and war, all based on untruths. This is a large subject in itself, but is not the topic of this book so I will be very brief. We can see a correlation between the declining consciousness of the vast majority and the dilution of the tradition of yoga. None of this would be possible if we all were in touch with the higher aspects of ourselves. This makes me

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think of something I read once that said; “we should stop taking authority as truth and start taking Truth as authority”! Truth is Truth no matter how many people believe it, even if it is only one person that knows it is still Truth. In yoga, whatever technique you are doing there must be a focusing of the mind, and ultimately all yoga is done from the mind. Mastering the mind is of the utmost importance if we wish to succeed on the spiritual path. Now coming back to the postures… First we should look at why we practice the asanas (postures). Yes there is a physical aspect to them, such as the stretching and strengthening of the muscles and tendons, increasing bone density and the massaging of the internal organs which should not be overlooked. Our body is the vehicle for our spirit through which we experience this world, and so having a strong, healthy body is always beneficial when doing spiritual work. However there are much deeper aspects. When we start working on raising our consciousness then working with our chakras and energy has a far greater influence. So, traditionally we practice postures to awaken and develop our chakras and our energy. The chakras are like organs of our etheric and astral body and influence specific states of consciousness and systems in the body. For example manipura chakra (the navel chakra) relates to the fire element, aspects like willpower, courage, dynamism as well as the digestive and immune systems. The cultivation of the chakras is essential for spiritual development. Each posture activates a specific chakra. The ancient yogis realized that when we put our body into certain positions it makes the energy flow in certain ways and focus in specific points, the chakras. If we know this we can practice more consciously, powerfully and specifically. If we do not know these things then we become limited or can even hinder our progress. For example if somebody has a very fiery or agitated personality and they unknowingly start doing techniques that work on creating even more fire then this person will become even more agitated and will think that yoga doesn’t work. But if you know you are like this then you should do techniques that you need and will balance this condition. If we feel we need more willpower then we know exactly what techniques to do. This is not just limited to the asanas, but all yogic techniques have a specific purpose. Now it is becoming clearer why it is important to know these aspects. Firstly, because now we can choose the right techniques to practice, and secondly we know where to focus the mind. When we put ourselves into specific positions there will be a natural activation of the associated chakra. How strongly this activation happens depends on the focusing of the mind. If there is no focusing of the mind the effects will be minimal, but if the mind is well focused the effects will be strong. Keep in mind that everything done with awareness is more powerful. Another aspect that affects the results is the length of time you hold the posture for. Often modern yoga is done moving from one posture to another with very little time spent holding each one. This can have the effect of a great physical workout but if your purpose is to awaken your chakras then it is missing the point. Other styles such as yin yoga do hold the postures for longer periods of time but their purpose is mainly on the stretching of the yin tissues of the physical body and so the postures used are different and there is no mention of the chakras. It can take several minutes for this natural activation to start happening, and the longer you hold it for the stronger the flow of energy and arousing of the chakra. Of course in the beginning you may not be able to hold the postures for too long but as you practice you gradually build up to it. There is no need to push it from the start and strain yourself. The more you

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practice the more comfortable the postures become, and holding some for 10 minutes is simple. For certain postures a lack of flexibility may make the posture less comfortable, so working on your flexibility can help in this regard, but it in no way makes the power of the posture less potent from the energetic perspective. The focusing of the mind is the most important, the rest will come naturally. Someone who is inflexible but with good focus will have a stronger arousing of the chakras than someone who is very flexible but lacks focus. You can see now that even though the postures may look the same, there is a huge difference between doing them as just a physical position and doing them with awareness and focusing of the mind. The techniques in this book are not only asanas, I have just used the example of the asanas to demonstrate this point. There are several other yogic techniques, but the same principle applies.

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Polarity All energy has a dual aspect, like a magnet, it has a north and a south pole. These aspects represent the dual nature of reality. All levels of existence below the Absolute have duality, without it they would not exist. In the yogic tradition these polar aspects are referred to as lunar/solar, but can also be thought of as yin/yang, feminine/masculine. The word hatha, as in hatha yoga can be broken down into ha and tha: ha = sun, tha = moon. Therefore hatha yoga can be translated as the yoga of the sun and the moon, or the yoga of polarity. There is obviously something fundamentally important about this aspect to have given this name to the system of yoga. Polarity is a way to understand the dynamics of energy at a deep level. We comprehend our existence through polarity. For example: temperature. We understand temperature because we know hot and cold. Hot and cold are the two polar opposites. If we had no comprehension of hot then we could not know what cold is. Direction is the same, we know left because there is a right, we know up because there is down, we know we are here because we have there. These are examples of the gross level but the subtle levels are the same. We can look at the qualities of these aspects. If someone has a predominance of lunar/yin energy in their being then they will tend to be very sensitive and receptive, they feel a lot and can often have difficulty saying no. This excessive receptivity causes a lack of boundaries, they can have difficulty knowing what is them and what is coming from outside, and in extreme cases can lead to madness. While if someone has a predominance of solar/yang energy then they tend to be insensitive, they feel nothing, controlling, don’t care about other people. In this case the excessive insensitivity or controlling aspect creates very rigid boundaries, and in extreme cases dictators or warlords, they lack any sensitivity or empathy towards the people who die for them For example, if a very yin person walked into a room that had “bad” energy they would immediately feel the energy in the room and become very uncomfortable. Without knowing what it is, they would feel very uneasy being there and if they stayed for too long it may even feel like this negative energy is in them, loosing the distinction between what is them and what is not them. While if a very yang person walked into the same room they would not feel anything and could be there for as long as they like without noticing anything unusual. Now, if someone with a very balanced yin/yang walked into the room they would immediately pick up on the negative energy in the room but would not be overwhelmed, instead they would be clear in mind and be able to consciously decide the most appropriate action to take. They would probably say something like “Ok, there is something wrong in here. So how are we going to change it.” A balance of yin and yang allows us to have the receptivity while at the same time have the control and clarity of mind to act in the highest and best way. This polarity of energy can also be seen on a grander scale. There are forces from above and forces from below, cosmic and earth energy. Earth energy is the yin aspect and is more heavy or dense, while cosmic energy is yang, refined or immaterial. Earth energy gives us vitality, but when excessive can lead to laziness, inertia, heaviness and being overweight. Cosmic energy gives us mental enthusiasm and refined intellect, but when excessive can cause one to be weak, skinny and may get sick often, due to a lack of vitality. People with excess cosmic energy would also

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be considered very ungrounded. A balance of these forces is also important to achieve health and spiritual growth. Many people who take on a spiritual path can sometimes tend to work just on the high chakras and neglect the lower ones. While the higher chakras do resonate naturally with cosmic energy and the crown chakra being the ultimate goal for the spiritual aspirant, neglecting the lower chakras can leave us lacking vitality and unable to function in the world properly due to a lack of grounding. Spiritual work is not about renouncing the world and spending all of your time in lofty spaces, but is about being more conscious and present while incarnating deeper aspects of your true nature. All chakras also have this polarity, except for sahasrara (the crown), which by many is not considered to be a true chakra. When we reach the level of sahasrara we reach the Absolute, unity or oneness. Here there is no more polarity, or no more duality. All of the other chakras have a yin and a yang aspect. This is important to understand because some of the postures given in this ebook work directly on the chakras, while some work on the polarity of the chakra. When a posture is performed twice, once on one side and once on the other, it is activating the yin and then the yang aspects of the chakra. The yin aspect is the receptive aspect, while yang is the controlling aspect. For this reason the yin/lunar performance is always done first and then the yang/solar. First we receive the energy and then we can control it. So, some postures are polarised and some are not. One is not necessarily better than the other, it is just a different way to activate the chakras. Ultimately when your chakras are consciously awakened you will know all aspects of them. During polarised postures be aware of the subtle difference between the arousing of the yin and the yang aspect of the associated chakra.

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Sublimation and Transmutation Sublimation and transmutation are essential aspects for transformation of energy and consciousness, like a process of inner alchemy. The alchemy most people know of is that of turning lead into gold. Metaphorically it is the transforming of gross substances into more highly refined substances, and in spiritual work it is the same principle, the transformation of the lower energies and emotions into highly refined energy and consciousness. Sublimation is the process of moving the energy upwards, from the lower chakras to the higher ones. When using the term “lower chakras” it refers to the first 3 chakras, but mainly the first 2. This does not mean that the energy in the lower chakras are not beneficial, they are. The problem arises when there is too much energy in the lower chakras and it does not move as it should, therefore stagnating and turning into low, heavy emotions such as fear, anxiety, jealousy, depression, frustration or anger. However, when the chakras are purified and harmonious there are only beneficial qualities emitted from them such as vitality, creativity, imagination, enthusiasm, willpower. These lower chakras govern our basic life force and are very important. Everything is energy in varying forms. Everything, meaning everything you can see and cannot see. This is probably something that most people have heard before, but we can also say that everything exists because it is supported by an energy. When phrased like this it begins to take on a deeper meaning. If there was no energy to support a certain object then it could not exist, for example a plant: it exists because it is supported by a specific energy. It is the same for emotions. Emotions exist because they are supported by certain energies. The heavy emotions mentioned above are all supported by the energy of the lower chakras. So what does this mean? When someone wakes up one morning and it seems for no particular reason they are in a bad mood, perhaps feeling a little depressed, this means there is too much energy stagnating in the second chakra and it is manifesting as depression. If you do nothing, or even begin to indulge in these emotions, then the day will most likely proceed to get worse and worse. However, if you know how to sublimate your energy you can transform it and therefore the rest of your day becomes more joyous and enthusiastic. As you do sublimation you take the energy (excess energy) that is supporting these heavy emotions and move it upwards and out of the lower chakras. Without the excess energy there to support the depression your mood transforms, the depression cannot exist without support. Sublimation is the process of moving the energy upwards. Transmutation is the refining and transformation of the energy as it moves up through the higher centers. The higher chakras are naturally more refined and cannot support the energy of these low, heavy emotions, so as the energy is directed upwards it is transformed into higher more refined spiritual energy. For success in spiritual work the ability to sublime and transmute your energy is essential. The ability to turn worthless into priceless!

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Theory vs Practice As when learning anything there is both a theoretical and practical component. The theory is important as it gives us some instructions or directions, like a roadmap, it gives us a basic understanding of the specific subject allowing us to comprehend mentally what we are doing or where we are going with the practice. Unlike other subjects one may study, spirituality differs in that it is essentially experiential. This means to experience for yourself. Expanded states of consciousness, true inner peace or the energy of the chakras cannot be known intimately from a mental level or from reading a book. You can read all the theory or philosophy you like, but it only takes one moment of direct experience to know all these things beyond words or concepts. Yes, theory gives you the context to understand what or why you are doing something but remember, this is only a mental understanding. What is needed to create transformation, or awakening, is the direct experience. To awaken your chakras does not mean to do some exercises that someone says works on a specific chakra and then just take their word for it. This is an attempt to awaken your energy unconsciously. Specific exercises will create a certain arousing of the various energy centers and their associated qualities, but without a conscious awareness of the energy there is a limit to how much a chakra can awaken. It is important to keep in mind that anything done with awareness is more powerful and this is what separates a true potent yogic technique from a simple exercise or movement of the body. Yoga is about becoming more conscious, an expansion of the consciousness, so every technique must be done with conscious awareness. After some time practicing the techniques you should be able to feel the chakras for yourself and therefore you can verify them for yourself and know their true qualities. Theory may always be interesting but there is no comparison to directly experiencing it, and in this way you can also verify the theory. An important point should be made here. Language is important as it is used to define our experiences, and if our language is vague then our ability to convey our experience will also be vague. To encourage clarity I will define two terms that are often used in everyday interactions to mean the same thing. Knowledge and knowing. For the sake of this book and spirituality in general these two words are as different as theory and practice, and in fact that is the precise difference. Knowledge should be defined as information or data, through which the theory and techniques are created. Knowing should be defined as to identify or know something through the direct experience or direct perception, a knowing that does not come from the mind or logic. For example: if you had never tasted an apple before and someone was trying to describe the taste to you, you might be able to grasp a vague idea of what it might taste like by comparing the taste and texture to other foods that you have tried. But you will never truly know what it tastes like until you have experienced it for yourself. Therefore all mental theories are a waste of time... just take a bite and you will know! As you shift from a standpoint of knowledge to a state of knowing you can read any theory about the chakras and verify this information against your own knowing. All of the knowledge, theories or philosophy in yoga originally came from the great ancient yogis, who attempted to convey their experiences, their knowing, to others. In an

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effort to help others also reach similar experiences they created techniques and philosophy or theories that could be followed. In essence: knowledge came from knowing and now we use the knowledge to return to the knowing. So the main purpose of this book is to provide techniques that will lead to direct experience or knowing. Some theory is provided in the beginning to help understand the deeper aspects of the techniques and the energy but the emphasis should always be on the practice.

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Traditions It should be noted here that the techniques and theory provided in this ebook come from a long lineage of Traditional Indian and Tibetan Yoga. Therefore the theory and techniques will have the flavour of this tradition. There are many spiritual traditions, both eastern and western, being practiced and all have developed their own techniques and language, or “jargon,” to describe the inner processes of transformation. Although they are describing essentially the same thing the description may seem different. There are several reasons for this. The diverse flavour of consciousness of the people developing each tradition throughout the past have a large impact on the way things are described, and very often things of a spiritual nature must be described metaphorically. For example when the yogis refer to the solar plexus they refer to the plexus, or center, of the solar principle. This center resonates with the energy of the sun, or the element of fire. Another issue is the language spoken by the people of the various traditions cannot be directly translated for some words or concepts. So, if you have practiced or studied other spiritual practices try not to get caught up in comparing one to another. Although it can be very interesting to notice the similarities it is not important for the practice of the techniques in this ebook. The techniques will work when done correctly and with the proper focusing of the mind, regardless of any previous beliefs or studies. However, if you choose to hold a previous belief while practicing these techniques then there is no assurance of their effectiveness. Stubbornly holding onto a certain belief and expecting a specific outcome will only create blockages. You are also not asked to believe anything blindly, only to practice with an open mind and verify the results for yourself. It is more effective to let go of rigid mental concepts and perform the techniques with a fresh attitude of curiosity and wonder.

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Chakras and the Central Channel It is important to understand the basic structure of the chakras and the main channel of energy that connects them. The chakras are gateways to different energies and levels of consciousness. The central channel, referred to as sushumna nadi in the yogic tradition, is the main channel of energy for the etheric body. Although it is not just an etheric structure, it is also astral, and of all the channels in the human being it is the most important as its’ higher levels are infused with the light of the spirit. It is here, in the central channel that the chakras have their origins, which we can call the core of the chakra. The central channel runs through the center of the body from the root chakra to the crown. It is very closely associated to the spine in the physical body, however it is not the spine (see diagram). Many modern books, or teachers of “modern yoga” indicate that the sushumna nadi runs along the spine, while some even say it is the spine. In the tradition of yoga there has always been a very strong emphasis on the health and flexibility of the spine. Ancient texts and yogic masters have always stated that the health of the spine is directly related to the health, strength and vitality of the individual. But any western doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist could tell you the same thing, because on the physical level the spine and central nervous system is essential to the healthy functioning of the human being (as well as animals), which the yogis were very aware of. While this is very true on the physical level, the subtle layers can be quite different. The central channel does have a special connection to the spine but it does not exist on the physical level. Statements like “the spine is the central channel” could only be made by people who cannot feel the central channel for themselves, and are possibly just repeating what they have read or been taught. Even on the etheric level there is a very refined energy that flows through the spine but it is different to that of the central channel, which is etheric, astral and light of the Spirit. When you develop your subtle perception you will be able to verify it for yourself. From the core of the chakra in the central channel, the

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chakra extends forward to the front of the body and backward to the rear of the body, in a tunnel like structure (see the diagram). They actually extend beyond the physical body. In a healthy chakra the energy within the tunnel has a spiralling movement, it is a vortex. This vortex spirals inwards to the core of the chakra, or outward depending on your point of reference. The root chakra and the crown are different in that they do not have the same tunnel like structure of the other chakras. They are the upper and lower gateways of the central channel. The root chakra is the gateway to kundalini and to the energy and consciousness of the earth, while the crown is the gateway to cosmic consciousness, infinity, or the Divine. When describing the location of the chakras the points at the front of the body are usually given. These are activation points and correspond to the denser layer of the etheric body. The points at the back of the body are similar. So, in the beginning for the practices in this ebook, this is where the mind should be focused. But always keep in mind that these points are not the chakras, they are a small part of them. As you progress and can feel this level of the chakras you can begin to take the mind into the deeper layers, along the tunnel and to the core of the chakras. At this stage the postures are not as necessary and this can be done in a meditation position. The postures are actually the training ground to increase awareness and sensitivity of the chakras, and after some time you will not need them to activate your chakras, you will do it with your mind. However many people continue to use the postures to keep the physical body healthy. But remember the focusing of the mind is still important.

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Experiences Having so far explained the importance of awakening the chakras in regards to spiritual transformation and also stressed the value of direct experience against intellectual knowledge there are some common experiences that I will share with you. Every individual will experience the chakras in their own way, however there are some experiences that many people share. What is listed here are only a few possible experiences and should in no way negate the relevance of your own experience should it not be listed here. We should not think in terms of an experience being right or wrong, but rather the experience as an experience. You cannot have someone else’s direct experience, each experience is your own and through them your self awareness and subtle perception grows. It is also important to keep in mind that you are not being asked to visualize specific images or effects, you are being asked to place your mind in a specific area and just be aware. Allow your mind to discover what is already there. The examples given provide a guide book or reference points to clarify your experiences. Sometimes we can have certain experiences but because they are not dramatic we don’t pay much attention to them, and in this way we may miss the opportunity to learn and grow. If, however, we know of certain experiences already validated by many people before us it can give us a reference point, and we can recognise the experience if we have it. Common experiences for each chakra are given in each chapter for the associated chakra, but here I will give some examples related to chakra awakening in general. How deep am I? While performing the technique, whether asanas, pranayama or meditation, it feels like you are not going very deep into it and the mind seems as if it will not even slow down. You persist anyway. On coming out of the technique (especially meditation) you feel like you have come back a long way. It is then you realize how deep you were and that the technique did work. Always be very conscious when coming out of any technique. Purification. These effects are some of the most common effect as one begins to open their chakras. As this awakening happens on various levels, purification effects will be experienced on different levels. Purification is the releasing of blockages. Simply put, blockages are what prevent us from experiencing our energy, chakras and high states of consciousness, therefore to spiritually awaken these blockages must be released. These examples are not necessarily one time purifications and can be experienced several times along a spiritual path, with each time the purification coming from deeper levels. Some examples are: •

The sudden appearance of pimples is the purification of toxins or impurities being released through the skin.

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•

•

•

You may experience that on a particular day you need to go to the bathroom several times for bowel movements, perhaps even within just a few hours, which seems for no particular reason. This may or may not be loose stools. You do not feel sick or unwell but with each bowel movement you feel lighter. This can also be accompanied with what might at first feel like a general tiredness, but if you tune into yourself you may find that it is actually a feeling of inner peace coming through your entire body. It is similar to tiredness in that you don’t feel like doing anything but in this case it is more a feeling of contentment without a need to do anything. The feeling to do nothing is a natural response, as the body is trying to tell you to just sit quietly and enjoy this experience. If you are more active it is more difficult to truly comprehend the experience. While the purification in this example is manifesting in a physical response of bowel movements which is removing physical toxins and impurities (just like the example above), it is a result of etheric and emotional purification. This kind of spiritual work can bring up deep emotional traumas (samskaras). Samskaras are scars in the astral/emotional body caused by intense emotional or traumatic events from the past, either this life or past lives. These form the basis of our neurotic behaviours and combined with our upbringing and social conditionings create negative belief systems. This is simply the creation of the ego as we know it. These samskaras and negative emotions are based in the astral body (the level of thoughts and emotions) which in turn creates blockages in the etheric body. So, this means that when emotional issues come to the surface, they will not only be experienced during yoga practice, especially meditation, but will be felt in your everyday life. Very often it is situations in your daily life that trigger these samskaras into conscious awareness. This can feel unpleasant, more so if you have a lot of emotional “baggage,” but this is a necessary process when doing spiritual work. These samskaras must be released if we wish be truly free. Try to allow it, watch it, without being drawn into it. Indulging in these emotional dramas will only make the process more painfull and drawn out, and on top of this it would not be yoga, it is the ego trying to hold onto an illusion of who you think you are. For more information on samskaras and the releasing of them please visit www.pastlife-regression.com Sickness can also be a form of release or purification. There is a difference between sickness that comes from a virus and sickness coming from purification.

Subtle perception and the chakras. How we perceive the chakras, and any other structure of our subtle bodies for that matter, will vary depending on the standpoint of our consciousness and the subtle levels of the chakra. In the beginning the most tangible experience will be the feeling of the denser layer of the etheric body. The nature of the etheric body is vibration, so when you feel vibration you are experiencing the etheric level. If I asked you to become aware of your hand now, without looking at it, you would feel some kind of sensation, whether or not you can describe it does not matter. You may feel it as a subtle vibration, a tingling sensation or perhaps a pressure, but what matters is that you can feel it. If you are still unsure, I will ask you again without looking at your hand, how do you know it even exists? How do you know it is still there?... because you can feel it. This

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is the energy you can feel. So when we begin to work with the chakras, we start by placing our mind in the activation points of the chakras at the front of the body, the surface level. With the same principle as the hand you become aware of what you feel. Again, this is the most dense etheric level, but the most tangible, and from here your subtle perception and arousal of the chakras grow. Remember that chakras are not just points on the surface of the body, these are the activation points which continue through the body and connect to the central channel. As you go deeper into the chakras the experience becomes more subtle, so much so that there can be a strong sense of space and expansion. So if you expect to feel the deep layers just like the gross surface level then you may miss it. Discard preconceived ideas about what a chakra “should” like and keep an open mind, a sense of fascination and wonder and your adventure will begin. When our consciousness internalizes, or involutes, an interesting phenomenon occurs. Our mind moves inward, focused on a single point, becoming sharper and sharper until at some point there is an expansion and a strong sense of space occurs. Your sense of dimensionality is now lost, as the more subtle you go the more nondimensional things become. This may or may not still have the subtle flavour of the chakra you had been working on, depending on how deep you go. At the core of all things, even the chakras, there is the Absolute, or Oneness. When you move inward far enough you will find the Infinite. This is where the experiences get really interesting. Your consciousness can merge with the chakra, identifying with it and the experience can be that you are the chakra! You can also experience the chakra from what could be called the standpoint of the observer, like you are somewhere else (or everywhere else) watching it. If you were to see the world from the point of view of an ant, the world and everything in it would seem huge compared to your current view. But then if you saw the world from the standpoint of a molecule, the world would appear even larger again. Following this analogy; when our mind involutes enough into the chakra the experience can be that the chakra is massive and all around us, while if our mind has not moved inward so much then the chakra can be experienced as being small, or having a specific size. These are two ends of the scale and anything in between can also be experienced. On the more gross level the energy of the chakras can expand depending on their level of awakening. The chakra itself is not actually expanding, its’ energy is radiating and expanding. For example the energy of the heart chakra can feel as though it is filling the entire chest and in this case your experience may be that your heart chakra is as big as your chest. While this is a beautiful experience, the essence or core of the chakra will be revealed, and ultimately awakened, when the focus becomes sharp and pin pointed, turning inwards. The experience can also be that of a vortex, a spinning motion either clockwise or anti-clockwise. This can feel like you are spinning while moving forwards or backwards, but it may also be experienced as you being still while inside the vortex. This vortex can be used to assist involuting into the core of the chakras.

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Tips for Practice The most important part of these practices is the focus of the mind. So for each technique the primary focus is on the associated chakra. It is much like a meditation in that you focus the mind on a specific point, and if the mind begins to wander, if thoughts come into the mind just return the focus to the chakra. It is good to keep in mind that meditation is more of a letting go than anything else. The same is true for concentration or focus. When we concentrate it is not a forced action, you cannot force the mind into silence, it requires the ability to let go of all other thoughts and distractions and allow the awareness to rest on the single chosen focus. For all of the techniques in this ebook there are recommended times for performance. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions, and although can be very helpful in the beginning, it is important that you begin to understand how the techniques effect you personally. The trick when using postures to awaken the chakras is that the postures need to be held for some time in order for the energy to start flowing and activating the chakras. If we move more quickly from one posture to another, without holding them for any length of time, then we don’t get the same arousing of the energy. As you become used to the techniques and have begun to feel the energy you should then begin meditating on the chakras. This is why the awareness phase is so important, as it teaches you to feel the chakra while in a neutral position. Ultimately it is all done with the mind, and this meditation aspect will take you deeper into the chakras. To start, perform one or all of the techniques for the chosen chakra and then choose a comfortable sitting position and go into a meditation on that chakra. There is a chapter for meditation after the chapters on the chakras. Most importantly keep the back straight. Keep the mind focused on the chakra. Every one is different and some people will choose at some stage to meditate on the chakras instead of the postures, while some people will do both. It is also helpful to maintain an attitude of playfulness and curiosity, a kind of childlike wonder. An attitude like this helps to keep your mind open and ready for new experiences. If you wish to achieve results then a consistent practice is needed, but sometimes people can take their practice too seriously and forget to keep a fresh attitude. These are all powerful techniques when performed properly. If you wish to see results then the secret is practice. Through practice you will know!

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Muladhara chakra Location: The perineum, in the pelvic area between the anus and the genitals. Translation: Mula = root, adhara = support Therefore it is referred to as the root chakra, or root support Comments: Muladhara chakra governs the element of the earth and is the basis of our physical nature. It is the gateway to connecting with the earth. It provides us with endurance and is the source of our vitality, the basic ‘battery” of the being. It is also the seat, or resting place, of kundalini. Only when muladhara chakra is awakened can the kudalini energy begin to rise. This chakra is strongly connected to our sense of security. When this chakra is unbalanced it will lead to emotions such as fear, paranoia and greed. Common experiences: • The feeling of a strong pressure at the base of the body. It could also be experienced as an intense vibration or tingling in this area, bringing with it an overall feeling of denseness and solidarity, as if very strongly connected to the earth. In fact at some level there is a merging with the energy of the earth and you may even feel yourself inside the earth. • There can also be the experience of heat in the area of the perineum. This can vary from a slight warmth to very strong heat. In the latter case the heat can begin to fill the entire body and you may even begin to sweat. This heat is a consequence of the kundalini being activated and rising upwards. • Also a result of the kundalini awakening is the experience of what I best describe as a “cosy” feeling permeating your entire being. It is more than just a warmth in your body, it is far more intimate and profound. This cosy feeling is also accompanied with a deep sense of inner peace and is a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. The two examples given above are usually experienced during actual yoga practice, or perhaps a little while after, but this cosy feeling can last for one to two days.

Pascimottanasana (pose of the westward rising) The technique: Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Bend forward from the hips and hold the feet. How you hold the feet is not important. The feet should be either touching or just slightly apart and the legs straight. If you cannot reach the feet then use a belt or piece of cloth to hook around the feet. It is important to make the connection of the hands to the feet, either directly or with a belt, as this creates the circuit of energy. It is better to use the belt than to bend the legs. Over time your flexibility will increase.

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Primary focus: Focus in muladhara chakra. Place your awareness in the area of the perineum. Secondary focus: Perceive the earth energies coming directly into the root chakra and the flow of energy running along the spine, through the arms, into the feet and along the legs creating a circuit. The energy comes in and continually flows through the circuit. The flow becomes stronger and stronger as more energy continues to enter the circuit. You can start with holding it for a few minutes and working you way up to longer periods. If this is comfortable for you naturally then start with 5 minutes or even longer. Do not strain. Release the posture. You can rest back on your hands for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects by becoming aware of any feelings/sensations at the level of muladhara chakra, as well as throughout the entire body. Also note an increase in vitality. Comments: •

This is a beautiful posture that has a strong natural arousal of muladhara chakra. One can be quite comfortable in this position for a long time, so if you would like to experience the effects of holding postures for extended lengths of time then this one is perfect.

Mula Bandha The technique: In this technique you are contracting the muscles of the perineum. There are actually three areas of contraction in this area and each of them has a different purpose and associated energy. 1: the urethra. 2: the perineum. 3: the anal sphincter. Due to the muscle structure and the connecting tissues, movement of one area usually elicits a response from the other. Therefore in the beginning controlled movement of one area alone can be difficult, but with practice you will get it. If you look at the diagram to the right you can see the separate areas. In the technique of

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mula bandha you are contracting number 2, the perineum. This is directly arousing muladhara chakra. Take a comfortable sitting position. Make sure the back is straight. Part A: Begin to slowly contract the perineum. Contract it fully and then release slowly. Contract and release 50 times, then stop and place your awareness in the area of the perineum. For a minute or so just feel the sensations in this area. Do 3 – 5 rounds with an awareness phase after each round. Part B: Contract the perineum firmly and maintain the contraction for 1 minute. Release and go into the awareness phase. Do 3 – 5 rounds with an awareness phase after each round. Part C: Contract and release the muscles of the perineum as in part A 50 times and then contract and hold as in part B for 1 minute. Release and go into the awareness phase. Comments: •

•

In the beginning perform all parts. As you become more proficient you can just do part C, but begin to extend the hold for longer than 1 minute… 2 – 3 minutes. You will also find that during the awareness phase it becomes possible to maintain the sensations in the area of the perineum with the mind. This sensation is the energy. It is now becoming possible to consciously control the chakra with the mind. You can now go onto the advanced variation.

Part D (advanced): Take the same sitting position. This time there is no physical contraction, the exercise is done with the mind. Contract (activate) and release muladhara chakra 50 times. This is a very subtle action that should only be on the etheric level. In the beginning you may feel there is slight physical contraction but with practice you will feel the difference between the physical contraction and the etheric contraction. Let go of all effort and go into an awareness phase. Perceive the arousing of muladhara chakra.

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Svadhisthana chakra Location: In the lower abdomen, opposite the sacrum. Translation: Sva = emotional self, adhisthana = place of, or headquarters. Therefore it can be called “the place of the emotional self.” Also referred to the sacral chakra or sex chakra. Comments: Svadhisthana chakra governs the element of water. This chakra governs the sexual energy (ojas), sensuality, sensitivity, creativity and imagination. Social interaction, creative and sexual expression are related to the healthy functioning of this chakra. This watery energy however, can have the effect of making the personality unstable… just as water has no form and forms to the shape of its surroundings so does the personality of the individual with an excess or predominance of svadhisthana energy. So named “the place of the emotional self,” people with an imbalance here will be emotionally up and down, with a tendency to freak out. They like to create dramas, can be insecure and lack a true sense of self. Preferring not to be alone they can be very social, but tend towards social conformism… like to feel accepted, to fit in and go with the crowd (sheep like mentality). Can get caught up in they’re own fantasy world. Emotions such as depression, jealousy, anxiety and frustration are supported be the energy of an imbalanced svadhisthana chakra. Common experiences: • A cool feeling that fills the lower abdomen. Not cold, but more a pleasant coolness. I would describe it like the feeling of cool water on a hot day but inside your lower abdomen. • The experience of what some might refer to as your inner child. A feeling of very light hearted playfulness, joy and child like wonder. The innocence and purity of a child. • The sexual energy begins to awaken causing you to feel very aroused. Perhaps all you want to do in that moment is have sex. Sexual desire is one of the most powerful natural instincts that we have, and can be a challenge for many to surpass. By surpassing it, this does not mean that you have to give up lovemaking. In contrast once you have mastered your sexual energy your lovemaking takes on a far deeper dimension. Keep in mind that there is a huge difference between you controlling your sexual energy and your sexual energy controlling you. One leads to spiritual transformation, the other does not. There is an entire branch of yoga practices designed for this purpose, but as this is not the subject or purpose of this ebook, please visit www.tantricsecrets.com for more information on theory and practices for the transformation of sexual energy. However see the point below for one very powerful secret. • Sex begins to dominate your thoughts and just looking at the opposite sex makes you feel aroused. This is a very common experience when svadhisthana chakra begins to awaken. Your secret weapon when this begins to happen is sublimation! When your sexual energy is awakening it needs to move. If too much builds up and stays in svadhisthana chakra then the sexual desire will become overwhelming. However, when sublimed it is transformed into more highly refined spiritual energy, directed upwards and now used to

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awaken the higher chakras. Techniques for sublimation are given in the following chapters.

Shalabhasana (grasshopper/locust pose) The technique: Lie face down on the floor, keeping your chin on the ground. Make fists with your hands, keep your arms straight and place them under your abdomen and pelvis. Try to have the hands/fists palm side facing down. Now with the legs as straight as possible raise the legs off the ground and hold them there. Primary focus: Focus in svadhisthana chakra, just above the pubic bone. Secondary focus: Perceive the flow of cosmic energy descending along the legs to svadhisthana chakra. In the beginning, depending on your condition, you can start with holding for a minute or two and gradually build up to 3 – 4 minutes. Release the posture. Lie face down and place your forehead on the back of your palms for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects by becoming aware of any feelings/sensations at the level of svadhisthana chakra, as well as throughout the entire body. Also note a mood of creativity and imagination. Comments: •

For some people the hand/arm position is not comfortable and may bother the shoulders, elbows or wrists. If there is sharp pain or extreme discomfort then you can alter the hands or arms by turning the hands upwards or releasing the fists into open palms. However if there is only minor discomfort then try to stay with the original position. The body will adapt with practice. Always use common sense when performing any technique.

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Vajroli/Sahajoli mudra The technique: Vajroli refers to the male technique while Sahajoli is the female. This is similar in practice to mula bandha but very different energetically. In this one you are contracting the urethra, number 1 in the diagram to the right. This contraction is the same as when urinating and stopping the flow. Take a comfortable sitting position. Make sure the back is straight. Part A: Begin to slowly contract the urethra. Contract it fully and then release slowly. Contract and release 50 times, then stop and place your awareness in the area of the pubic bone. For a minute or so just feel the sensations in this area. Do 3 – 5 rounds with an awareness phase after each round. Part B: Contract the urethra firmly and maintain the contraction for 1 minute. Release and go into the awareness phase. Do 3 – 5 rounds with an awareness phase after each round. Part C: Contract and release the muscles of the urethra as in part A 50 times and then contract and hold as in part B for 1 minute. Release and go into the awareness phase. Comments: •

•

•

When you are able to isolate the contraction of the urethra, note the difference between this and that of the perineum. In the beginning perform all parts. As you become more proficient you can just do part C, but begin to extend the hold for longer than 1 minute… 2 – 3 minutes. As with the mula bandha technique you will also find that during the awareness phase it becomes possible to maintain the sensations in the area of the pubic bone with the mind. Again you are gaining conscious control of the chakra. You can now go onto the advanced variation.

Part D (advanced): Take the same sitting position. This time there is no physical contraction, the

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exercise is done with the mind. Contract (activate) and release svadhisthana chakra 50 times. Remember, this action should only be on the etheric level. In the beginning you may feel there is slight physical contraction but with practice you will feel the difference between the physical contraction and the etheric contraction. Let go of all effort and go into an awareness phase. Perceive the arousing of svadhisthana chakra

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Manipura chakra Location: The navel. Translation: Mani = jewel/gem, pura = city Therefore manipura can be refered to as “the city of gems.” It can also be referred to as the “Hara” from martial arts, or the “Cauldron” in the Taoist tradition. Located inside the abdomen, it is a sphere like structure of energy which can store large amounts of energy. Comments: Manipura chakra governs the element of fire. It is often compared to the energy of the sun. Manipura distributes pranic energy throughout the entire being, regulating and energizing the various organs and systems of the body. If we think of the qualities of fire we can see how this energy also governs the immune system, digestive system, metabolism and the circulation. For example, in Traditional Chinese medicine or Ayurveda they will speak of the digestive fire. If we have enough inner fire we will be strong and healthy. People with a strong manipura chakra rarely even get sick. The personality develops here, gaining a strong sense of self. Qualities such as courage, willpower, dynamism, enthusiasm and honour are supported by this inner fire. The fire element has strong purifying effects. When imbalanced the ego can become increasingly self centered (me, me, me), ambitious, aggressive and violent. Love of power… Dictators and tyrants in extreme cases. Common experiences: • A strong pressure or feeling of expansion in the belly. This could be described as a real sense of power and presence, like you could do anything. This does not mean that you should now go and do anything just to test yourself, even if you think you are invincible. This can also be accompanied with a feeling of heat. • Your appetite increases considerably and you find you are eating far more than usual, and even then you don’t feel fully satisfied. I call this manipura flaring, because it is like your digestive fire has been turned up, flaring, and burning everything you eat. This can last for a day to several days. • With the increasing fire you may begin to experience more anger. This can bring up many doubts about what you are doing. If you are someone who has never felt, or even been able to get angry, then this may come as quite a surprise, even shock, especially if you have a specific self image that defines you as a “peaceful person.” The issues (samskaras) that trigger the anger were always there, you just didn’t have the energy to express it. As all emotions are supported by a specific energy, anger needs fire energy to manifest. This does not mean that you are progressing in the wrong direction, it means issues that were previously buried in the subconscious are now coming into your conscious world. We cannot change something if we are unaware of it. This is a good sign and means you can now work on it and move beyond it. As with all issue or emotions that are brought up through spiritual work try to allow it, watch it, without being drawn into it. Refrain from indulging in the emotion.

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•

The strong feeling of joy and enthusiasm emanating from your belly. While the joy experienced in svadhisthana chakra is light hearted and playful, the joy experienced here is more grounded and powerful.

Trikonasana (triangle pose) Trikonasana is the first of the polarised asanas, working on the lunar and solar aspects respectively. This posture is first performed on one side and then on the other, with awareness phases in between. When performing any polarised asanas the lunar/yin side is always performed first, and then the solar/yang side. First we need to receive the energy through the yin aspect and then we can control it through the yang aspect. The technique: Starting position: Stand in a wide stance with both feet at 90 degrees, facing front. Raise the arms up to shoulder level, keeping them straight and with palms face down. Lunar performance: Keeping the body in one line laterally (no twisting), bend to the right, extending the left arm vertically upwards. The hands and fingers should be relaxed (not limp, but not stiff). Primary focus: Focus in manipura chakra, the navel. Secondary focus: Perceive earth energy rising up through the legs to the level of the navel and cosmic energy descending down the raised arm also to the level of the navel. There is also an arousing of a secondary chakra to the left of the navel. Release the posture and come to a neutral standing position for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the navel, manipura chakra. Note also the arousing and energizing in the left side of the abdomen, in the secondary chakra. Solar performance: Keeping the body in one line laterally (no twisting), bend to the left, extending the right arm vertically upwards. Keeping the hands and fingers relaxed.

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Primary focus: Focus in manipura chakra, the navel. Secondary focus: Perceive earth energy rising up through the legs to the level of the navel and cosmic energy descending down the raised arm also to the level of the navel. There is also an arousing of a secondary chakra to the right of the navel. Release the posture and come to a neutral standing position. Perceive the effects at the level of the navel, manipura chakra. Note also the arousing and energizing in the right side of the abdomen, in the secondary chakra. Finally perceive the overall effects in the navel center. The performance of this posture will very much depend on your level of strength and flexibility. Therefore, in the beginning try for 1 – 2 minutes on each side and gradually move up in time. Comments: •

•

•

•

To prevent any twisting when bending to the side, imagine that you are between two sheets of glass that will only allow you to bend laterally. You can open your eyes to check your alignment but always perform the asanas with your eyes closed, unless specified. It is not important in the beginning to bend and come down as far as possible. If you are feeling extra pressure in your lower back don’t make it worse by pushing the posture. It is ok to bend just slightly, keeping the body more vertical and with practice you will become more flexible and stronger. Keep in mind that the most important aspect is the focusing of the mind. No matter what level you are at physically be sure to focus on the energy. The lower hand can also rest on the leg and even take some of the pressure off the lower back, but do not get used to performing like this. This can again be used in the beginning until your strength increases. Rather than becoming reliant on this support, perform this posture more vertically as described in the previous point. The trikonasana described here looks different to the commonly performed version in which one foot is turned outward 90 degrees, lining up with side of the body and therefore giving an opening of the hips, which allows one to come down further in the pose with a slight twisting action. Performed like this it will cause the energy to move differently, therefore not having the same purpose. The variation given in this book works specifically on manipura chakra. You will notice straight away when you perform it, there is a strong arousing and energizing in the abdomen, around the navel.

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Nabhiasana (pose of the navel) The technique: Lie on your back and raise your legs, head, upper torso and arms off the ground as in the diagram to the right. The arms and legs should be straight with the legs no more than 45degrees. The lower the legs the more intense the posture will be. The upper torso should be raised so that the scapulars are only just off the ground. Primary focus: Focus in manipura chakra, the navel. Secondary focus: Perceive cosmic energy descending down the legs to manipura. Give yourself 4 – 5 minutes for this one. This can be a very intense posture and for some may be very difficult to hold for more than 30 seconds. You do not have to do 4 – 5 minutes straight… hold for as long as possible, have a short break and go up again. You may have to go up and down a few times. Release the posture. Lie on your back for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects by becoming aware of any feelings/sensations at the level of manipura chakra, as well as throughout the entire body. Also note a sensation of increased willpower. Comments •

Be sure to keep the lower back in contact with the ground. A tendency for some people is to arch the lower back, especially when straining. When this happens, it means that certain muscles of the abdominal area are not being activated, which in turn sacrifices the integrity of the posture and the body. Consistently practiced like this over time may cause irritation to the lower back. Therefore pressing the lower back into the ground while performing this posture activates the entire abdominal area and enhances the activation of manipura chakra.

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Uddiyana bandha Uddiyana bandha belongs to a branch of yoga dealing with bandhas. A bandha could be translated as a “lock.” A bandha is a contraction or movement of specific muscles, or groups of muscles, for the purpose of creating a blocking of ones’ energy in one location and redirecting it elsewhere. In the case of uddiyana bandha it is moving the energy upward, sublimation, while also arousing manipura chakra. The technique: This can be done either sitting or standing. In the beginning it is better to start in the standing position until you have mastered the action. There are two retentions in this technique. A retention is a holding of the breath, either full or empty. The first is an empty retention, holding the breath with empty lungs (no air). The second is a full retention, holding the breath with lungs full of air. Starting position: Place the hands on the thighs and rest the weight of the torso on the arms, as in the diagram. This position helps the abdomen to relax. The abdomen must be fully relaxed for the next part to be successful. Stage 1: Begin with a deep exhalation. For this action there will be a contraction of the abdominal muscles to expel the air from the lungs, but once this is done the abdomen must be relaxed again. You can also lean forward as you breathe out to help empty the lungs fully. Stage 2: Perform an empty retention. While holding the empty retention make a false inhalation. This means to expand the ribs (mainly the side ribs) as if inhaling but do not take in any air. This action creates a suction effect on the abdomen, sucking it in and up. The abdomen should now be hollowed. Hold this for as long as comfortable. During this phase be aware of the sublimation of energy rising along the back or through the torso and the accumulation of energy in the area of the navel (manipura chakra). Stage 3: When you have held the empty retention as long as comfortable, first, release the abdominal suction by letting go of the strain on the ribs, this will allow the abdomen to return to its original position. Then inhale through the nose, allowing the belly to fill and hold a full retention. Be sure to let go of the abdominal suction before breathing in, this ensures a smooth inhalation. Inhale fully but with not too much force. During the full retention focus your awareness on

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manipura chakra. Hold this full retention for as long as comfortable and then breathe out through the mouth. As you exhale come up to a standing position and focus on the effects at the level of the navel. Take a few breaths here focusing on manipura chakra and then perform another uddiyana bandha. In the beginning start with 3 – 5 and work up. Performing 20 – 30 per day will have strong effects, but should be gradually worked up to. This does not have to be done all in one session, and can be broken down into 2,3 or 4 sessions. Comments •

•

•

If you are having trouble with this technique, firstly make sure that your lungs are totally empty, and secondly be sure that your abdominal muscles are relaxed. You can perform the action lying on the floor to get the feeling of it. Lying on the floor allows the abdomen to relax more fully. This is only to get the feel for it, uddiyana bandha should be performed in the vertical position. Uddiyana bandha has very powerful sublimating effects and is therefore very useful any time you might be feeling in a heavy or lethargic mood or when experiencing negative emotions. Performing a few uddiyana bandhas will transform your mood extremely quickly, and as negative moods tend to get worse and worse throughout the day then it can change the course of your entire day. Depending on how you feel about doing this in public, you may want to find a private place to do it. Remember that ultimately you will be able to do this with your mind; just a simple thought and you can sublime and transform your energy (without anyone else noticing). Performed consistently over time uddiyana bandha begins to awaken kundalini shakti. Kundalini being a fundamental spiritual force lying dormant in muladhara chakra.

Forbiddances Abdominal disease in an acute phase. If there is a sharp pain when practicing uddiyana bandha this may indicate an unknown disease and moderate practice is advised.

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Anahata chakra Location: In the centre of the chest at the level of the heart. Translation: Anahata = unstruck. Most often refered to as the heart chakra or heart center. Comments: Anahata chakra attunes to the element of the air. Once we begin to awaken at this level many of the heavy tendencies of the lower chakras, as well as the ego, have been transcended and so there are very little if any negative tendencies left. With the opening of the heart comes qualities such as selflessness, pure love, compassion, empathy and a deeper understanding of universal connection is present. Very often those who are not at this level will not understand the actions of people with an open heart. People in their heart are always giving, patient and non-assuming. An open heart allows one to be truly intimate with a loved one. When there is a blockage or imbalance in anahata chakra then the negative tendancies and dramas of the lower chakras can be experienced. Common experiences: • Your entire chest feels as if it is expanding infinitely in all directions. A space filled with a supreme stillness. • Your sense of self disappears and you experience pure love. A love that is beyond words or concepts and is not dependant on anything, it just is. You realise it has always been there and always will be. You experience the deep interconnectedness of all beings. • There is a deep and profound feeling of joy. Again different to svadhistana and manipura chakras, but this is the pure essence of joy, and is another expression of pure love. With this there is the feeling of surrender. The letting go of your little ego and surrendering to a higher power. This experience is so magnificent and profound that one can begin to weep. Tears that comes from the depths of your being as you contemplate such an experience.

Bhujangasana (cobra pose) The technique: Lying face down place your hands on the floor under your shoulders. Slowly straighten the arms coming into the position in the diagram to the right. Drop the shoulders back and down, expanding the chest. If comfortable tilting the head back.

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Primary focus: Focus in the heart chakra, in the center of the chest. Secondary focus: Perceive cosmic energy coming directly into the heart and some earth energy coming up through the legs, along the spine to the heart center. Release the posture. Lie face down and place your forehead on the back of your palms for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects in the area of the heart. Start performing this for 2 – 3 minutes and build on this as your body becomes used to the position. Comments: • •

If this position is too much, if it puts too much pressure on the lumbar spine you can do a variation where you rest on your forearms. There will be a certain amount of compression in the lower back, this is normal, and some compression is good, it builds bone density and strength of the bones and ligaments. However if it causes a sharp pain then do the variation. If it causes only a dull achy pain this is ok, and the body will become conditioned with practice, but practice with common sense… do not try for 10 minutes straight away, gradually build the time, allow the body to adjust.

Forbiddances People with advanced forms of abdominal or pelvic hernia are warned against this practice. Also those with an injured spine or displacement of the spinal discs must seek the advice of a competent guru when performing this asana. Those suffering from advanced hyperthyroidism are advised to perform a variation of this asana in which the head is not bent backward but kept in a normal position. Variation

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Gomukhasana (cow muzzle pose) The technique: Begin in a kneeling position with the knees about fist width apart and the toes close but not touching. The lunar performance: Raise the left arm up above the head with the elbow bent and the hand behind the back. With the right arm low and bent at the elbow, bring it up behind the back and grasp the fingers of the left with the right. Keep the back straight and the head in line with the spine. Primary focus: Focus in the heart chakra. Secondary focus: Perceive cosmic energy coming directly into the heart chakra and on the left side of the chest. Release the arms and remain sitting for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the heart center. Also note effects on the left side of the chest. The solar performance: Raise the right arm up above the head with the elbow bent and the hand behind the back. With the left arm low and bent at the elbow, bring it up behind the back and grasp the fingers of the right with the left. Keep the back straight and the head in line with the spine. Primary focus: Focus in the heart chakra. Secondary focus: Perceive cosmic energy coming directly into the heart chakra and on the right side of the chest. Release the arms and remain sitting for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the heart center. Also note effects on the right side of the chest. Finally perceive the overall effects in the heart chakra and in the chest. Perform for 1-3 minutes on each side in the beginning

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and work up to 5 minutes. Comments: • •

If the lack of flexibility in the shoulders doesn’t allow your hands to come together then use a belt or a piece of cloth. During the performance note the difference between the right and left side of the chest in each performance. The chest and ribs on the side of the raised arm will be more open and the lung free, while the chest and ribs on the other side will be slightly restricted, limiting the lung capacity on this side. This fact makes this asana a great technique for asthmatics, as the lungs are strengthened by exercising each one alternately. The open lung is exercised in that it works more strongly, making up for the more restricted lung.

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Vishuddha chakra Location: At the base of the neck, below the adam’s apple. Translation: Shuddhi = to purify Usually refered to as the throat chakra. Comments: Vishuddha chakra attunes to the element of ether (the basic energy of the universe). Purity, revelation, higher discrimination, aesthetic beauty, inspiration and the ability to communicate are some of the qualities at this level of consciousness. The powers of creation are strongly connected to the throat chakra. In ancient traditions the power of the word and the voice were highly regarded, as the mere act of speaking was the same as creating. All you had to do was speak and it would be so. The power of the creative word is even described in the bible. The first verses of John’s gospel: In the beginning was the Word, And the Word was with God, And the word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God, Through the Word all things came to be, And not one thing had its being without the Word. In the Word was Life, and the Life was the Light of Men. This demonstrates the enormous powers of this chakra. Just consider, if someone with bad intentions were to have this power? Fortunately there is a built in safety mechanism. In order to reach this level of mastery of the throat chakra any negative tendencies must have been surpassed. Only one with pure intentions can attain these powers. Purity on all levels, physical, energetic, moral and spiritual, is a strong aspect of anyone with an awakened vishuddha chakra. If individuals have an certain awakening at this level but have not overcome metal conditioning, can often prefer to be alone, not mixing with others who they perceive as being impure or having low morals. This chakra brings with it a fascination for astronomy, space, star gazing, mysteries and sci-fi movies. Common experiences: • Your mind is projected into deep space. This experience of space is very tangible. Your consciousness feels as if it is stretched throughout the entire universe. • The feeling of a “lump” in your throat. In the most extreme case it can feel quite intense, like there is something physically blocking your throat. This indicates there is some resistance, a blockage that has not yet been released. • There is a sense of verticality, like energy wants to move vertically upwards. Vishuddha chakra has a strong influence on the flow of energy through the central channel. When it is awakened it encourages the upward movement of the energy and therefore also facilitates the rising of kundalini.

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Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) The technique: Lie flat on the back, with the legs stretched out. Raise the legs and the torso slowly until the torso becomes vertical and the weight of the body is on the shoulders. The arms form a triangle shape and the hands come onto the lower back, supporting this position. Make sure the elbows are not too far apart. The position is now supported by the elbows, shoulders and the back of the neck. The body from the shoulders to the feet should be as straight as possible, with the feet relaxed and slightly apart. Primary focus: Focus in the throat chakra. Secondary focus: Perceive cosmic energy coming in through the feet and legs and along the spine to the level of the throat. When releasing the posture, bend the knees towards the chest and come back slowly and in full control by using your arms along the floor to support the body as it gently rolls down along the spine. Remain lying on the floor for the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the throat chakra. Perform for a 1 – 2 minutes in the beginning and gradually increase the duration as your body allows. This is a powerful posture especially when done for longer times. Work up to 10 minutes, or even longer if your body allows. Comments: • • •

When in the posture never turn the head. If the full posture is too difficult or is uncomfortable then you can perform the variation in the diagram to the right. The focus will be the same. The longer you perform this asana the longer the awareness phase should be. The inverted nature of this posture creates a natural sublimation of your energy. The cosmic energy descending down the legs and torso sublimes the excess energy in the lower chakras towards the higher chakras, in this case visuddha chakra. It can be used to sublime heavy or negative moods, refreshing and invigorating the mind.

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Forbiddances People with very serous heart disease should be cautious when attempting this asana. It is recommended to wait until the condition has improved and then gradually perform the variation of this pose. Acute afflictions of the head and neck such as sinusitis, abscesses, and advanced sclerosis of the blood vessels of the brain are also forbiddances for sarvangasana. Variation

Throat friction The technique: Take a comfortable sitting position with the back straight. Elongate the neck by slightly tucking the chin in toward the neck. This position of the neck also help certain energies to activate in the throat center. You can also have the mouth slightly open, which helps to keep the jaw relaxed. Begin breathing with a friction in the back, lower part of the throat. It creates a wind like noise and is done on both the inhale and the exhale. The sound is not a humming or chanting of any kind and is essentially the same when breathing both in and out. This is not a breathing exercise, so the breath should be as natural as possible and it does not matter if it is through the nose or the mouth. The important part is the friction created in the throat. Try to make the friction of a lower pitch, as opposed to a high pitch, as this will be easier to maintain for longer periods.

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Focus in the throat and on the vibration created by the friction. Take your awareness deeper and deeper into the vibration. In the beginning perform for up to 5 minutes and as it becomes more comfortable perform for longer periods. Release the throat friction and go into an awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the visuddha chakra. Comments: •

•

After some practice you will begin to notice there is a physical vibration caused by the friction, but there is also a subtle vibration. This subtle vibration is the etheric level of visuddha chakra. Try to focus on the more refined/subtle vibration. Eventually you will not need to perform the throat friction and will be able to create the vibration with your mind. While this is a very powerful practice for the arousing of the throat chakra, this technique alone can have a strong calming effect on the mind and lead to deep states of consciousness.

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Ajna chakra Location: between the eyebrows. Translation: Ajna = command or monitoring center. Most often refered to as the third eye. It has other names in the yogic tradition such as the eye of intuition, the eye of knowledge, the eye of siva and guru center. Comments: Ajna chakra is a gateway to the experience of our inner world and when awakened it governs qualities such as psychic abilities, telepathy, deep insight, higher intuition, non-physical vision, higher intellect and objective perception. The Third Eye is a command center and is essential for spiritual work as it is the key to the subtle bodies and governs all other chakras, except for the crown, which is in a league of its own. Ajna chakra gives us the ability to concentrate and focus. The term “guru center’” indicates the ability to access inner knowing, beyond the ordinary mind. Common experiences: • A strong vibration or tingling sensation, or even pressure, in the area between the eyebrows. This is the etheric layer. • A pressure inside the head. Not painful or uncomfortable like a headache or migraine, but a feeling like something is expanding within your head. It is an expansion that comes from involution. By moving inwards to a single point you actually begin to expand. • A great sense of clarity. When you look at the world, especially nature, you perceive a clarity that you have never seen before. This clarity is a feeling more than something you see, even when you close your eyes you can feel it. However this may be accompanied with perceptions of glowing energy around people animals or plants. • Deep and profound inner stillness.

Garudasana (eagle pose) The technique: This technique works with the polarity at the level of ajna chakra, arousing both the yin (lunar) and the yang (yang) aspects. The Lunar performance: Take the weight into the left leg and wrap the right leg over and around the left. If your flexibility allows, wrap the right foot around the left lower leg also. Try to keep the hips square. Extend

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the left arm in front of you and wrap the right arm under and around the left arm grasping the left thumb with the right index and middle finger. Push the arms forward, straightening the left palm with the middle finger about eye level and the back straight and vertical. Finally, gaze over the left fingers at a point on the wall, or some structure, about body length away. The point should be at the height of your third eye and you should gaze at the point as if looking from the third eye. The focus is in ajna chakra and your gazing point. Release the posture and go into the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the third eye and note its lunar/yin qualities. You may also note the energizing of the left side of the body. Solar performance: The Lunar performance: Take the weight into the right leg and wrap the left leg over and around the right. If your flexibility allows, wrap the left foot around the right lower leg also. Keep the hips square. Extend the right arm in front of you and wrap the left arm under and around the right arm grasping the right thumb with the left index and middle finger. Push the arms forward, straightening the right palm with the middle finger about eye level and the back straight and vertical. Gaze at the same chose spot as before. The focus is in ajna chakra and your gazing point.

Release the posture and go into the awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of the third eye and note its solar/yang qualities. You may also note the energizing of the right side of the body. Finally note the overall arousing of ajna chakra. Perform for 2 -3 minutes per side and work up to around 5 minutes. Comments: •

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This posture very quickly demonstrates the quality of ajna chakra. If your concentration is good your balance will be strong, but if your concentration is not so good then you will have trouble balancing.

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Try to gaze without blinking as much as possible. Gazing as if looking from the third eye means, in the beginning that you perform the posture while maintaining awareness in the third eye. After some time you will get the feeling like you are actually looking from this chakra. If you cannot hook the toes around the lower leg, just bring the foot to the outer side of the leg.

Halasana (plough pose) The technique: Lying on your back with the arms close to the body and the hand facing upwards. Begin by raising the legs up slowly, trying to keep the back of the neck on the ground, and bring the feet over the head to touch the ground behind the head as in the diagram to the right. The legs should be kept straight and be pushed well behind the head. The chin will naturally come in towards the chest and depending on your physiology may touch the chest. Primary focus: Focus in the third eye, the area between the eyebrows. Secondary focus: Perceive earth energy coming in through the feet, along the legs and spine to the level of ajna chakra. There is also some cosmic energy coming in through the hands, along the arms to the third eye. Perform for 1 -3 minutes in the beginning as your body allows and gradually build up to 5 – 10 minutes or even longer. Release the posture very slowly, using your arms on the ground to support the body as it rolls down one vertebra at a time, trying to keep the head on the ground while rolling down. Go into an awareness phase and perceive the effects at the level of the third eye. Comments: •

Take care coming into the position, not too quickly, so as not to strain. If you do not have the flexibility to get your feet to the ground then you can use a

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• •

cushion to rest your feet on, or you can even do it up against a wall, as long as your feet are making a connection to the ground in some way. The longer you perform this asana the longer the awareness phase should be. This posture also has natural sublimation effects. Similar to the shoulderstand but in this case the energy is subliming to the third eye, and it is earth energy that is creating the sublimation by flowing through the legs, along the spine and torso to ajna chakra. The sublimation is not as strong as the shoulderstand or headstand but it is still there, however the earth energy in halasana makes this asana more vital, bringing in more vitality.

Trataka The technique: Take a comfortable sitting position in front of a wall. You can print out the page below and stick it to the wall, or make a black dot of your own about the same size as the one provided. When sitting, the dot should be about arms length away and at the level of the third eye, between the eyebrows. With awareness in the third eye, begin to gaze at the dot without blinking as much as possible. As in Garudasana, gaze as if looking from the third eye. While performing this technique the eyes should be relaxed, do not strain or try to force it. Allow the gaze to soften. Be aware of the dot without focusing on it. Focus is in ajna chakra, and the connection between the dot and your third eye. In the beginning perform for about 5 minutes. Gradually work you way up to anywhere between 10 – 30 minutes. When finished close your eyes, rub your hands together to create warmth in the palms and then place your palms over the eyes. This is called palming. Keep the eyes covered with the palms for 1 – 2 minutes and then release the hands and keep the eyes closed for an awareness phase. Perceive the effects at the level of ajna chakra. Comments: •

You may perceive many visual effects while performing this technique which are very common. You may start to see a halo around the dot, you may see other colours, perhaps moving around the dot, or even that everything else becomes dark. These are just a few examples and are normal… you are starting to see into the astral level. It is important that you don’t focus on these events, be aware of them but don’t try to analyze or focus on them. As

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•

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soon as you try to analyze or focus on these phenomenon you will loose the perception straight away. So just continue to focus on the dot with relaxed eyes and awareness between the eyebrows. Control comes with practice. It is also very common for tears to start coming from the eyes during its performance. This is a great purification of the eyes and can release many toxins. Some people even report that their eyesight improves. If tears happen do not focus on them, just allow them. Another aspect you may discover is the secondary arousing in the navel center, manipura chakra. There is a strong connection between the eyes and manipura chakra. For some people there is a very strong arousing of manipura and this technique is used for this purpose also.

Variation Once you have practice the initial technique for a while you can try this more advanced variation. The practice is performed the same as the initial technique, but instead of using the dot you will use a candle flame. This time focus your gaze on the flame. Make sure that the room is not breezy, so that the candle flame does not flicker, the flame should be as still as possible. This can also have the effect of increasing the arousal of manipura chakra, as you are working with fire and manipura is the fire element.

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Alternate nostril breathing This is a technique of pranayama. There are several variations of this technique, but this is the most simple. This does not mean it is any less powerful. The technique: Using the thumb and ring finger to alternately block the nostrils, and tuck the index and middle fingers in to keep them out of the way. Keep the eyes closed throughout the technique. Begin by inhaling through the left nostril by blocking the right. Exhale through the right nostril by blocking the left. Inhale through the right nostril. Exhale through the left nostril. This is one round. Continue breathing in this manner: Inhale left. Exhale right. Inhale right. Exhale left. Focus on the air flowing in and out through each nostril to the area between the eyebrows. Perform for as long as you like. When finished, keep the eyes closed and perform an awareness phase. Perceive the effect at the level of the third eye and the state of consciousness aroused. Be sure to always perform a full round, do not stop in the middle of a round, and always start and finish with the left. Comments: • •

•

This technique has a very powerful effect on states of consciousness. It can take you into deep states and can be used anytime before meditation. You may also find as you go deeper there is a natural pause of the breath in between inhale and exhale and the exhale and inhale. You can practice extending this pause consciously, but do not strain, try to keep it as natural as possible. You should still be able to maintain the rhythm. If you find that you are getting short of breath then you are holding for too long. If your arm become tired and you wish to keep going, then change hands but make sure to keep the correct sequence of breathing.

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Sahasrara Location: Approximately 4cm above the top of the head. Translation: Sahasrara = 1000. Can be called the lotus with 1000 petals, but the word actually signifies something greater than a number… something infinite… therefore it would be more accurate to say the lotus with infinite petals. It is most commonly refered to as the crown chakra, or simple the crown. Comments: Sahsrara is beyond form and transcends all aspects of polarity. For this reason it is considered by many not to be a true chakra. It is the gateway to higher consciousness, infinity and oneness/unity. The goal of spiritual work is to raise our energy and consciousness to the level of sahasrara. There is an important link between sahasrara and muladhara chakra. For the crown to open fully the kundalini energy in muladhara chakra must be awakened and rise through the central channel, of which they are the two ends. When this happens it is called “The meeting of Siva and Shakti.” When pure energy merges with pure consciousness the moment of enlightenment occurs. Common experiences: • Absolute peace and stillness. You can perceive it underlying the entire reality. Anything you gaze upon it is there. • The experience of verticality. Your consciousness is stretched vertically upwards, as if it extends to infinity. It does! • All sense of individuality disappears, there are no thoughts and you experience oneness. This is very difficult to describe in any way that could accurately convey the essence of the experience. In trying to describe it words must be used, and then you must interpret those words with your mind, but it is impossible to use the mind to understand such an experience that is beyond the mind, and in fact there is no mind. However with this description I have just given describing how it cannot be defined, may actually give you a sense of it.

Sirsasana (headstand) The technique: First, create the base of support with the arms in the shape of a triangle. Place the elbows on the floor and grasp the elbows with the opposite hands, this will give the correct distance between the elbows. Keeping the elbows in position on the floor bring the hands together and interlock the fingers, placing them on the floor also. While on the knees place the hairline on the floor, just in front of the interlocked fingers, so that the top of the head rests in the

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palms. This position of the arms, hands and head supports the body while inverted. There will be some weight on the head (hairline) but most of the weight of the body should be supported through the arms. With this strong support straighten the legs and begin to bring them closer to the body until the torso becomes almost vertical and the legs are at about 45 degrees. This is ardha sirsasana, or the half headstand, and depending on your flexibility may be more of a strain than the full headstand. See below for more details on ardha sirsasana. Then raise one leg at a time to come to the stage one balancing position. Then gradually roll up to the final position with the body in a straight line and keeping the feet slightly apart. Primary focus: Focus in sahasrara, about 4cm above the top of the head. Secondary focus: Perceive the decending of cosmic energy down through the legs along the spine to the level of the crown chakra. Also some earth energy coming directly into sahasrara. Performance time depends on your ability. If this is a new posture for you then start with 10 – 20 seconds at a time and gradually build up. If you have done this posture before and are confident in your ability then start with 2 – 3 minutes. You can slowly work your way up to anywhere between 5 – 10 minutes. Release the posture slowly, coming down to child’s pose (kneeling with the head on the floor) and go into an awareness phase. Never raise you head immediately from the floor. Perceive the effects at the level of sahasrara and the quality of consciousness aroused. Precautions •

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In the beginning it is advisable to do this posture close to a wall to prevent accidental falls. As your skill improves you should move away from the wall, so as not to develop a false sense of security. If choosing to perform for longer periods of time then you should use a folded blanket or something similar to soften the pressure. This posture has a strong sublimating effect, bringing lower energies upward to the head. So, when it is performed for longer times on a regular basis, it can have the effect of pulling up much of your vitality and leaving you tired, so be sure to spend time on the lower chakras also, to help balance and replenish your vitality. You should be able to breathe through at least one nostril for the duration of the posture. If both nostrils become blocked while performing then come down. This is usually a temporary thing and may happen every now and then.

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Forbiddances You should refrain from the practice of this asana, if the blood-vessels of the brain are sclerosed. Also those with cases of aneurism, high blood pressure and low blood pressure are forbidden. Gave cases of acute sinusitis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, otitis, otorrhoea, other infections of the ears and detachment of retina are usually forbiddances for the headstand. Even when one is not aware that there are diseases which forbid the practice of sirsasana, the body will communicate substantial warnings. If this pose immediately brings about a violent headache, which worsens at every attempt, its practice should be stopped, at least temporarily. Whizzing and buzzing in the ears which increase with each attempt, should make the practitioner very cautious; however, if they decrease day by day, then it is a normal phenomenon, in which there is no need to worry. If during the practice of sirsasana a very strong sensation of heat arises in the entire being, then the practice should be stopped immediately and one should always practice only until the time when this phenomenon manifests. Persons with excessive weight, red eyes, pulmonary ailments, insomnia or grave psychological problems should also practice it very carefully and increase its duration very slowly. Vertigo may also occur when one mistakenly rises too soon after the end of the performance. Comments: •

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This posture has very strong sublimation effects. It is highly regarded among yogis because of this sublimation effect and also because it is working on the crown chakra, which is the ultimate aspiration for all yogis, awakening of sahasrara. Although one of the strongest postures for sublimation it is not as strong as uddiyana bandha, but keep in mind that uddiyana bandha is not a posture, it is a bandha.

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Ardha sirsasana (half headstand) The technique: The instructions above under sirsasana describe how to get into the posture of the half headstand. Primary focus: Focus in sahasrara, about 4cm above the top of the head. Secondary focus: Perceive earth energy coming in through the legs, down along the spine to the level of the crown chakra. Also some earth energy coming directly into sahasrara. Forbiddances Are the same as for sirsasana Comments: •

•

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Although this looks like a very similar posture, energetically it is quite different. As it is working just with earth energy it activates sahasrara differently. For this reason it is given as a separate posture, however it can be used as a lead up to the full headstand, to increase strength and confidence before going totally inverted. If your hamstrings are tight you may have difficulty getting your body to 45 degrees with your legs. In this case your feet will be further away from your body. When this happens it may tend to force more pressure into your arms and head, so it is a good idea to work on the flexibility of your hamstrings if you wish to do this posture. Many people prefer to just perform the full headstand. The earth energy rising through the legs and along the spine and torso creates a sublimation effect.

Verticality The technique: Take a comfortable sitting position. Make sure the back is straight. Close the eyes and take your awareness above the head. Tune into the vertical line that starts at the top of the head and ascends infinitely upwards.

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Maintain your awareness in this vertical line. If the mind wanders just bring it back to the vertical line. Comments: • •

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This is a meditation practice, and so can be practiced for any amount of time, 10, 20, 30 minutes or even an hour. The vertical line is a structure of energy, like an upward extension of the crown chakra. Verticality is the principle that you are tuning into. Ordinary mental thoughts are horizontal in nature while the spirit is vertical in nature. By tuning into the verticality we align with higher and higher levels of consciousness, and ultimately reaching the Absolute. As you refine the structure of the vertical line it also has the effect of speeding up mental processes. Your consciousness rises above the dense astral layers and the heavy muddy qualities of ordinary mental consciousness and reached to levels that are more clean, pure and less restrictive. Therefore the thought processes are more efficient and infused with a greater presence of your essential nature, verticality.

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Meditation Meditation is one of the deepest and most highly regarded aspects of yoga, or spiritual work for that matter. However there are many misconceptions, especially in the western world, about its purpose. Most commonly it is thought of as something used to relax and calm the mind, decreasing stress. While this is a very common effect, this is a very limited and simplified view of meditation. The word meditation is used to describe many kinds of techniques these days that it has lost much of it true meaning. To give a very brief background on meditation; in the traditional understanding, and in the strictest sense, it is actually a specific state of being, not something that you “do.” In the Yoga Sutras by patanjali, the oldest know texts of yoga, he describes the 8 stages of yoga, which are: 1. Yamas and 2. Niyamas (the basics morals of behaviour). 3. Asanas. 4. Pranayama. 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). 6. Dharana (concentration). 7. Dhyana (meditation). 8. Samadhi (self realization or enlightenment). It can be seen here that meditation is just one step from the top, Samadhi, therefore demonstrating its’ importance… not just simply relaxing and calming the mind. Even in modern times it is still the most popular classification of yoga. So, when people say things like “I tried meditating but I couldn’t do it, so I gave up,” it is a statement made with no understanding that, technically, no one is truly meditating until they reach a certain state of consciousness. The most important aspect of meditation is the turning of the consciousness inward. Involution. If it is not directed inside then it is not meditation. Having said this, I am using the word meditation to describe a particular technique or process. A technique to take your consciousness inwards. The technique given here is a third eye meditation. The reason I am using the third eye is because it is the gateway to our inner world and is the command center for the entire etheric body and chakras, while also governing our ability to focus and concentrate (an essential aspect needed for meditation). Meditation is about letting go! We cannot force the mind into silence, instead it requires the ability to let go of all thoughts and distractions and allow the consciousness to turn inwards. Always keep this in the back of your mind.

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Third Eye Meditation Part 1. The technique: •

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Take a comfortable sitting position. It does not matter whether you sit cross legged on a cushion on the floor, in full lotus position, or even on the edge of a chair. What matters here is that the back is straight and vertical. It is also preferable to not lean against the wall, the back of the chair or anything similar. This allows the free flow of energy along the central channel. However, if you have some injury that prevents you from sitting as described, then do as best you can and use support if needed. Close your eyes. The eyes remain closed throughout the entire meditation. Be aware of your breath for a couple of minutes. Just awareness, do not try to change the breath, observe it as it is. Bring your awareness to the area between the eyebrows. Become aware of any sensation in this area. Possibly a vibration, tingling or pressure. If you cannot feel anything do not worry, in time you will. For now just keep your awareness between the eyebrows. If your mind wanders, just bring it back to the awareness between the eyebrows. Maintain this awareness for about 10 minutes. While still maintaining awareness between the eyebrows, start to become aware of any lights or colours that you might perceive. Do not try to create them or focus directly on them, just be aware of what is there. Again. If you do not perceive any colours or lights do not worry, just maintain your awareness between the eyebrows. Continue this phase for about 5 minutes. Now take your awareness beyond any colours or lights to the background. This is often felt as a deep purple or blue space. What matters here is the feeling of space. You are surrounded, or immersed in this space. This is the space of the third eye. Allow yourself to rest in this space. Remain in this space for 10 – 15 minutes. To finish, become aware of the vibration between the eyebrow. Also feel a similar vibration throughout the entire body. Note the connection between the vibration in the third eye and the vibration in the body. Very slowly start to open your eyes.

Comments: • • • •

This is the first part of the third eye meditation. I have split it into two parts because each part works on a different level. Part 1 is mostly for the etheric level. Whenever we feel vibration, this is the etheric layer. It is recommended to practice the part 1 for the first week or two and then go onto part 2. Part 2 is the same as part 1, but now it adds a deeper level. This means that the stages in part 1 are still followed but there is less time needed for each part.

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Part 2. The technique: • • • •

• •

• •

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•

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Take a comfortable sitting position. Close your eyes. The eyes remain closed throughout the entire meditation. Be aware of your breath for a couple of minutes. Just awareness, do not try to change the breath, observe it as it is. Bring your awareness to the area between the eyebrows. Become aware of any sensation in this area. Possibly a vibration, tingling or pressure. If you cannot feel anything do not worry, in time you will. For now just keep your awareness between the eyebrows. If your mind wanders, just bring it back to the awareness between the eyebrows. Maintain this awareness for about 5 minutes. While still maintaining awareness between the eyebrows, start to become aware of any lights or colours that you might perceive. Do not try to create them or focus directly on them, just be aware of what is there. Again. If you do not perceive any colours or lights do not worry, just maintain your awareness between the eyebrows. Continue this phase for a few minutes. Now take your awareness beyond any colours or lights to the background. This is often felt as a deep purple or blue space. What matters here is the feeling of space. You are surrounded, or immersed in this space. This is the space of the third eye. Allow yourself to rest in this space. Remain in this space for 5 - 10minutes. Now start to move your awareness along the tunnel of the third eye coming to rest in the center of the head. This point is the origin of the third eye and its’ meeting point with the central channel. You mat still feel the vibration between the eyebrows, but this is not important at this point. Involution stage: Allow your awareness to rest in this point. This is a very powerful point for involution. The sense of space that you felt before, the third eye space, is still present, but now it becomes even more vast and still. The more you can let go, the more your awareness can turn inwards, into this point. This is involution. As the mind is drawn inward into a single point there is expansion. Rest in this new space for 10 – 15 minutes. To finish, become aware of the vibration between the eyebrow. Also feel a similar vibration throughout the entire body. Note the connection between the vibration in the third eye and the vibration in the body. Very slowly start to open your eyes.

Comments: •

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The 10 – 15 minutes is only a beginning recommendation for the involution stage, but this can be extended. As you become more proficient and your experiences become deeper, you will naturally want to stay in this meditation for longer. This is up to you. Meditating on the other chakras: When you choose to meditate on the other chakras, you can still use this third eye meditation. When you get to the stage of the third eye space (either part 1 or 2) you then hold a dual awareness of the third eye and the chakra you have chosen to work on. This

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means to be aware of both the third eye and the chosen chakra at the same time. As explained earlier, the third eye is the command center and controls the 5 chakras below it. While it does not control the crown as it does the other chakras, the third eye still controls the mind and therefore the ability to focus our energy and consciousness, in this case towards sahasrara. Using this technique of meditation we can work on the different levels of each chakra as is done with the third eye.

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Final Notes There are many ways to practice with the use of these techniques. There is no reason to rush through every technique. Take your time with each one. You may want to start with the techniques for one chakra and do them for a week or two and then add the next chakra techniques, slowly building and lengthening your practice. There is no point feeling that you have to do all of them right from the beginning and then burning yourself out because you have done too much and then give up. This would be a waste of time. When working with energy the body will need to adjust and there are some points you should be aware of. • In the beginning you may have days when you feel more tired than usual. Don’t think that just because you are now working to increase your energy and awaken your chakras that you will never be tired again. This is a natural process as the body adjusts to the increasing and opening of your energy. Many of the channels (nadis or meridians) that were previously blocked are now flowing, creating what we could call a “re-wiring” of your etheric body. When this happens the body needs to rest and allow the process. • Another important factor in spiritual work is knowing when to rest. Diligent practice is always beneficial, but when it is done to an extreme where one keeps pushing and neglects the signals from the body this can slow the process and create blockages. Burning out gets you no where. But this does not mean that every time you feel tired you should stop your practice. This is where self awareness becomes important. There is a difference between the true tiredness as just mentioned and a feeling of fatigue that comes from an emotional response. For example, when someone is depressed they will often feel tired or fatigued. This comes from deeper emotional issues which cause a lack of motivation. The source of such negative emotions come from samskaras. So in the example given here there is a build up of excess energy in the second chakra that is becoming stagnant and manifesting as depression and fatigue. In this case, spiritually speaking, it would be a mistake to think that you should stop your practice. Instead performing some techniques of sublimation, especially uddiyana bandha, will have dramatic effects, uplifting your energy and your mood, transforming this depressive energy into something more spiritually beneficial. • The psychology of the human is very tricky and has many built in resistance mechanisms. The ego has been developed over many years and does not want to let go easily. If for example depression has been with you for most of your life then it has become a solid part of your ego and your identity. The same is true for any other emotion or neurotic behaviours. When we do spiritual work we are working to release these aspects, to be free of them, but as an attempt by these parts of the ego to stay they will often try to convince you that you are tired or create some other excuse for why you should not do your practice. So there is a subtle difference that through practice you will come to recognise. As a clue, if this tiredness is emotional you will feel refreshed and energized after practice, while if you are truly tired you will still feel tired afterwards, although in this case it was too late to choose to rest instead of practice but you will remember it and become more familiar with the subtle difference and will know before you practice in the future. This is not an exact rule as there are some very deep and intense

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emotional scars that may persist after your practice session, although greatly diminished. Your personal determination and willpower will ultimately take you to where you want to be. As you develop your energy and your chakras, raising your consciousness you can start to perceive the mystery of yourself and open your heart to the universe, the infinite, reality as it truly is.

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