The Chakras-The Seven Centers of Consciousness

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The Chakras-The Seven Centers of Consciousness

 

 

A primary focus of Amrit Yoga is to build heat by charging the

battery of the body, which is based in the lower three centers. As

this energy is aroused and consciously directed from the lower

chakras to the upper ones, our biological prana awakens to its

evolutionary potential. Awakened prana, called Kundalini, carries out

healing and cleansing at an accelerated level - resulting in the

purification of the nerve channels in the body as well as cleansing

kriyas - all of which prepare the body for accelerated spiritual

development.

 

Chakra One: Roots, Alignment, Earth

 

Muladhara is the body in physical space and time, developing

groundedness, stability and foundation. In Amrit Yoga, the attention

is alignment in all poses, building awareness and strength in the

legs - especially all standing poses. Anything that stabilizes and

roots the foundation reinforces muladhara.

 

Chakra Two: Sensation, Flow, Water

 

In Swadisthana we become aware of the senses, sensation

(pleasure/pain) and emotions that accompany each pose. We allow our

awareness of ecstatic energy to build in the second half of the pose.

Suggested poses include pigeon, bridge and the spinal twist.

 

Chakra Three: Power, Fire

 

In Manipura, our fire (spiritual heat) is stimulated. We " jump-start "

the battery of the body, the physical storehouse of energy, through

strong standing poses like The Warrior. The willful aspect of the

practice is also associated with chakra three. In the first half of

the Amrit Yoga Level I sequence, we are building the battery in the

belly and then consciously directing that energy upward. This is an

essential part of Level I as this conscious generation and directing

of energy is necessary for prana to awaken and move upward to higher

centers.

 

Chakra Four: Awakening to the Spiritual Path

 

In Anahata, we are asked to open the heart. This requires spiritual

commitment to let the ego drop away. In Amrit Yoga the heart energy

is engaged with the use of the arms, with mudras, giving and

receiving movements. Some heart opening poses can be: camel, yoga

mudra, cobra, half locust (opens arms and heart meridians). Breath

and the fourth chakra are closely connected (lungs).

 

Chakra Five: Communication (internal/external) - the power of sound

vibration

 

Visuddha is more apparent in Level II Amrit Yoga, but also in Level

I - we turn into the vibration of prana that sources the movement.

Use sound vibration when in the pose and the power of your word

(opening intention and Om) to create the vibrational field you

intend. Become aware of your own inner dialogue and if it serves you

or not. In Amrit Yoga the throat chakra may be stimulated through

chanting, bridge, camel and shoulder stand postures.

 

Chakra Six: the Third Eye

 

Meditation, witness, meditative awareness Pratyahara; deep absorption

without choosing for or against what is present in Ajna chakra. In

the second half of the pose and Third Eye integration-consciously

allow energies to grow with meditative attention and draw freed

energies upward toward the Third Eye for integration. All forward

bending poses where the head is lower than the heart brings attention

and energy to the third eye (child, yoga mudra, wide-angle forward

bend).

 

Chakra Seven: Silence

 

In the Sahasrar, the elixir of Amrita comes through silencing the

fluctuations of the mind. This is the entry into the bliss body,

which can happen in the second half of the pose, in Third Eye

Meditation integration, or in any pose. All these practices of Amrit

Yoga are intended to reach the final point of stilling the

modifications of the mind, which is always associated with the

seventh chakra.

 

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