“Chakra Yoga is a comprehensive system of yoga techniques for body, mind and consciousness designed to awaken our perceptions to the energetic level of reality which governs our nervous system, glands, and organs including the brain.”
The information in this section is from David Goulet, Yogi and Founder of Pyramid Yoga school in Thailand and the Philippines training yoga teachers and healers. See http://www.pyramidyoga.com/chakra-energy/ for more details.
NINE FORMS OF YOGA
The Chakra Yoga System is a classical integrated and comprehensive education in yoga, with each form addressing one area of human development. Here are the 9 forms of Yoga as described by David Goulet:
- Hatha Yoga is the form mostly consider to be yoga. It consists of physical postures and movements designed to stimulate and rejuvenate the physical cells of our being.
- Jnana Yoga means achieving wisdom through the path of self-analysis. It leads us to understand the emotional aspect of our being and its ruling effect on our mind.
- Pranayama Yoga begins with the art of proper breathing; from there it moves through dozens of techniques aimed at rejuvenating the nervous system through controlling the flow of the energy in the nerves.
- Karma Yoga is a more subtle study of the laws of cause and effect as they apply to our personal life.
- Raja Yoga is more commonly known as the yoga of the mind.
- Yantra Yoga deals with the structure of mind, energy and time.
- Mantra Yoga is an intricate study of sound and its influence on energy, on mind, and on the external world.
- Laya Yoga involves concentration techniques to move energy in certain ways for the purpose of awakening dormant forces to be used along the evolutionary path.
- Bhakti Yoga is the study of the oneness of the universe; of how it all fits together into a pattern, allowing us to see that the universe is unfolding with intelligence, beauty and purpose.
Chakra Yoga works with the physical, mental, emotional and energetic bodies. Chakra Yoga classes take a holistic approach. You will exercise your physical body, engage in deep breathing to ensure good flow of oxygen and prana into your body and cells for better health, as well as learn to tune in to your chakras to heal, balance and strengthen your outer and inner selves. Regular classes focus more on the first three forms of yoga. To go more in-depth into the different forms of yoga, students may need to consider doing the Chakra Yoga Level 2 course and more advance workshops.
THE CHAKRA SYSTEM
“The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk and refers to the energetic or psycho-physiological centers in the body.
These centers correspond to nerve ganglia branching out from the spinal column, as well as states of consciousness, developmental stages of life, archetypal elements, sensory and body functions, colors, sounds, and more. Together they form a profound lense for looking at a human being as well as a template for transformation. Chakra Yoga thus explores the basic concepts of Hatha Yoga and combines it with the seven centers. Asanas, pranayama techniques, mantras, mudras (hand gestures), sense perceptions, bodily actions, physiology, psychology and specific yoga styles or branches are some of the pertinent topics that are associated with each chakra. This information is examined within the context of the chakra system in order to balance and better understand ourselves.” http://www.breathetrue.com/the-chakra-system
CHAKRA ENERGIES
For a brief and succinct description of each of the Chakras, I have drawn from the work of pioneer scholar, healer and yoga teacher, Anodea Judith, PhD. For more information see Anodea Judith’s work at Sacred Centres.
MULADHARA First Chakra – Earth, grounding, home, work, finances, manifestation and being here. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.
SWADISTHANA Second Chakra – Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification. The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.
MANIPURA Third Chakra – Fire, energy, ego, power, will, risk, digestion, motivation and action. This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.
ANAHATA Fourth Chakra – Air, love, relationship, balance, breath, nurturing, and balance. This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.
VISHUDDHA Fifth Chakra – Sound, vibration, communication, self-expression, being heard. This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language.
AJNA Sixth Chakra – Light, vision, sight, perception, visualization, insight, dreaming. This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us “see the big picture.”
SAHASRARA Seventh Chakra – Spiritual connection, beliefs, understanding, thought, and awareness. This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.