STHIR SUKHAM ASANAM

Hatha Yog is attributed to Matsyendranath and his shishya, Gorakhnath. It is a tantrik tradition.Tantra is among the most misunderstood sciences of the world. It is not black magic or obscenity. Tantra is a combination of two words – tanoti and trayati, which translate as expansion and liberation. The results of tantrik practices are instant and hence assume greater significance in today’s fast paced life and shorter lifespans. When performed under a Guru in the right manner, these practices endow a practitioner with a host of siddhis – the demonstration of the abilities of healing and clairvoyance by Dhyan Foundation practitioners at Indian Medical Association (Mumbai) is a live example.

SUBJECT OF ENERGY

The siddhis of Yoga are achieved by awakening the energy of Mata Shakti, or the Kundalini Shakti, which resides at the base of the spine. Yoga, in the traditional sense, is the subject of internal energy movements. 10000-years-old edifices have been found at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro where Mata Shakti and Bhagwan Shiv have been depicted as shishya and Guru and their energy movements have been depicted.

YOGSUTRAS OF PATANJALI

Atha yog anushasanam (now begins the discipline of yoga) – this is how the yogsutras of Patanjali begin. There is only one description of asana in the yogsutras, which is, sthir sukham asanam – a posture in which you are stable and at ease. Just around 200 years ago, Hatha Yoga Pradipika was documented where 84 asanas were detailed. All of these asanas concern with pulling and stretching of various nadis (energy channels) in the body.

PHYSICAL BODY AND THE ENERGY BODY

The body that we identify ourselves with is only a fifth of us. It is the physical body comprised of elements. This body is run and controlled by a higher bodies or layers which comprise our energy body or the aura. The layer directly above the physical body is the pranamaya kosha comprising of the chakras and the nadis. Prana or life force circulates in this layer.

Hatha Yoga is to do with the preparatory stage to go into yoga. Because of your lifestyle and karmas, the energy body develops knots called bondages. These are opened through a combination of mantras and asanas which the Guru tells you. Till the blocks are there, Kundalini force will not rise. If it is made to rise without removing the blockages, it will create a disease inside you – like spinal and cervical issues, ringing in the ears, constipation etc. If the pranamaya kosha is weak or has blockages, you cannot move ahead in yoga.

GURU SHISHYA PARAMPARA

Purpose of yoga is to make the Kundalini energy rise inside you. You do not know till what extent the Kundalini has risen or where it is stuck, the Guru knows. He can, by just one look, identify the blockage and also remove it, by awakening the higher centers.

CHAKRA BEEJ ASANAS

Sanatan Kriya prescribes Chakra Beej asans to eliminate blockages in the body and clear the passage for Kundalini energy to rise through specific postures and sounds. Start by paying reverence to the energy of Guru and Shri Ganesh.

Warm-Up.

Next, perform the basic joint rotations to warm up the body (the same are detailed on www.dhyanfoundation. com or visit a Dhyan Foundation center in your city). A warm up is essential to awaken the chakras and energy channels in the body. As you warm up, gradually the energy levels increase.

Strengthening the Spine

A strong and supple spine is a prerequisite for yog. The movement of energy happens through the spine only. If the spine is healthy, you are healthy. Sanatan Kriya prescribes a set of seven asanas sarpasana, advasana, jyeshtika, makarasana, ardhashalabha, yaanasana and bhujangasana to strengthen the spine. It is highly recommended that you practice them before attempting chakra beej asans.

Chakra Beej Asans.

Next you put pressure on various chakras of the body to pull the energy upwards from the mooladhar to the agya. As you perform this kriya, gradually the glow increases and breath stablises. The energy that has been generated is directed towards strengthening various parts of the body through these asanas and beej mantras.

1. Mooladhar – Corresponding to the location of the base of the spine, it controls the survival instinct. The beej mantra for mooladhar is lam. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing the asanas of the mooladhar – vrikshasana, utthanasana and the naukasana.

2. Swadishthan – Corresponding to the location of the reproductive organs, this is the seat of sexual force in the body. The beej mantra for swadishthan is vam. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing the asanas of the swadishthan – chakki chalana, parivritti jaanu sheershasana and gaumukhasana.

3. Manipoorak – Corresponding to the location of the navel, this is the seat of power in the body. The beej mantra for manipoorak is ram. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing the asanas of the manipoorak – dhanurasana, vyaagyrasana and the ushtrasana.

4. Anahad – Corresponding to the location of the heart, this is the seat of selfless love in the body. The beej mantra for anahad is yam. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing the asanas of the anahad – natrajasana, ardhachandrasana and the kandharasana.

5. Visshuddhi – Corresponding to the location of the throat pit, this is the seat of creative force in the body. The beej mantra for swadishthan is ham. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing the asanas of the visshuddhi -halasana, sarvangasana and vipreet karni.

6. Agya – Corresponding to the location of t he center of the brows, this is the seat of transformation in the body. The beej mantra for swadishthan is ham-tham-om. The same is chanted while maintaining the awareness of the chakra and performing triple practice of mahabandha, mahamudra and mahaveda.

Relaxation

Relaxation is extremely important to redistribute the energy so-generated throughout he body. For this perform the suptavajrasana and shavasana while maintaining slow rhythmic breathing.

Hatha yoga came 2000 years back. Before that yoga was just shatkarmas and awakening of the Kundalini by the touch of the Guru. The body is like a vehicle, the purpose is to move beyond by developing one’s consciousness. How long can you keep repairing the vehicle? So while there is time, use this vehicle to tread on the journey of the spirit, through the chakras, to dimensions above and beyond.

Ashwini Guru Ji is the energy and inspiration behind various initiatives of Dhyan Foundation. Dhyan Foundation conducts regular sessions on Sanatan Kriya in London and at Yogashram in Wales, UK. For more information, you may reach out to info@ dhyanfoundation.org.uk