Chakras and the Subtle Body - itsyoganica.com€¦ · If you practice yoga, you’re probably at...
Transcript of Chakras and the Subtle Body - itsyoganica.com€¦ · If you practice yoga, you’re probably at...
7 c h a k r a s and the subtle body
What Is a Chakra Anyway? An Introduction to the subtle body.
If you practice yoga, you’re probably at least a little familiar with the chakras. Aligning, clearing, and meditating on these esoteric centers is a common intention in yoga classes throughout the world. We do asanas that open certain chakras, chant mantras that make them vibrate, and call up colors to tap into their power. Yet, with all this chakra-talk ringing throughout the yoga world, how many of us can define what a chakra is?
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Multiple Anatomies 4 .............................................The Subtle Body 4 ...................................................................Enter the Chakras 5 .................................................................The Chakras and You 6 ...........................................Muladhara: Finding Our Roots 6 ...........................................Svadhistahana: Releasing Creative Flow 7 ............................Manipura: Strong Self, Strong Stomach 7 .............................Our Spiritual Connection 8 ....................................Anahata: Getting to the Heart of Things 9 .............................Vishuddi: Speak Up and Be Heard 9 ......................................Ajna: Going Mental 10 ............................................................Sahasrara: Sensitive Spirit 10 ................................................Cosmic Chakras 11 ..................................................Taking notice from the outside… 11 ...........................................while growing conscious of what’s within… 11 ...................…and then tying it all together. 12 ..........................................Insights From The Planets 12 .................................Mars 13 .....................................................................................Mercury 13 ...............................................................................Jupiter 13 ..................................................................................Venus 14 ....................................................................................Saturn 14 ..................................................................................Sun 14 .......................................................................................Moon 15....................................................................................
Multiple Anatomies Chakras don’t show up in an x-ray. You can’t feel them in a massage. They’re not of the physical world at all. In fact, chakras are part of our subtle body, the energetic anatomy of yoga. In yogic anatomy, we have not one, but rather five, bodies. These bodies, called the koshas, or “sheaths,” are layered inside each other like Russian dolls. You’re already familiar with the first, annamaya kosha, or the “food” sheath. This is the physical body we move about in each day. The next layer, pranamaya kosha, is made up of prana, the vital life force that powers us and the universe. It’s often referred to as the subtle or energetic body.
The next two koshas deal in our thinking, directly affecting the way we make decisions in our day-to-day lives. Manomaya kosha, the “mind-stuff sheath,” is generally considered to consist of the mind plus the five sense organs. It’s the body we activate when we act reflexively, in autopilot. The next layer, vijnanamaya kosha, takes us to more intentional behavior. Vijnana is discernment, intellect, conscience, and wisdom. This is the sheath we enter when we shape our environment with discernment and intention, rather than simply reacting to whatever it throws at us. Finally, we have anandamaya kosha, the “bliss sheath.” This is the final Russian doll, the last, thin veil between unenlightened awareness and our higher Selves. For most, living in the anandamaya kosha is not a daily experience. Through yoga practice, however, we work our way towards this innermost sheath, involuting closer and closer towards the Self within.
The Subtle Body When it comes to chakras, however, we’re working in the second sheath, the pranayama kosha. Also known as the astral body, the subtle body is distinct from our physical form. Whilethephysicalbodyconsistsofthematerialbuildingblocksofbones,skin,andblood,
thesubtlebodyispurelyenergetic.
Prana, the vital life energy that flows throughout the body, travels through the subtle body through a network of channels called nadis. Likeveinsornerves,thisvastnetworkof72,000pathwaysreacheseverypartofthesubtlebody.Blockagesinthesepathways
restrictthe@lowofprana,affectingusonboththephysicalandenergeticlevels.Ashtangayogapracticeworkstosystematicallypurifytheseenergeticchannels,lettingprana@lowfreelythroughthebody.
Throughthecenterofthebody,alongthelengthofthespinalchord,runthreeimportant
channels.The@irst,theshushumnanadi,runsanalogoustothespinalchord.Oneithersideofitruntheidaandpingalanadis,ontheleftandright,respectively.Theidanadiisthelunarchannel,associatedwithfeminine,intuitiveaspectsofbeing.Thepingalanadi,ontheotherside,isthesolarchannel,associatedwithmasculine,logicalcharacteristics.
AsSadhguruexplainsontheIshaFoundation'sblog,thesetwonadis“representthebasicdualityintheexistence.”“BringingbalancebetweentheIdaandPingala,”heexplains,
“willmakeyoueffectiveintheworld,itwillmakeyouhandlelifeaspectswell,”easily
navigatingbetweenmasculineandfeminine,logicalandintuitive.
Enter the Chakras Wheredothechakras@itintoallofthis?Thechakrasarewherethenadisintersect,convergingintoenergeticplexuses.Theseseven“psychoenergetic vortices,” as they are described in Georg Feuerstein’s Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga, run directly along the shushumna nadi. When they are clear of obstructions, energy can run from the muladhara chakra at the base all the way through the shushumna nadi to the sahasrara chakra at the top of the head.
Thesecirclesofintenseenergyhavecorrespondingeffectsonthephysicalbody,
regulatingitsfunctionsandemotions.Anyblockagesordysfunctioninthechakras,then,
hasaneffectonorphysical,psychological,andemotionallife.Hathayogapractice,liketheAshtangayogapractice,removesblockages,clearingthechakrasandallowingpranatocirculatefreely.Which,tosumitup,isalljustonemoregoodreasontogetonthemat.
The Chakras and You Wespentthewholelastchaptertalkingaboutsubtleanatomy.Wede@inedthechakrasas
plexusesofpranicchannels,esotericstructuresoftheenergeticbody.Now,however,we’regoingtotakeastepbackfromtheenergetic,intothesubstantial.Subtlethough
theymaybe,thechakrashavede@initepalpableeffectsonourphysicalandemotional
lives.
Thinkofitthisway:Pranaislifeforceenergy.Ittravelsthroughthebodythroughthenadis,whichintersectinmajorplexusesatsevenpoints,thechakras.Pranaisourenergeticandspiritualfuel.Ifforsomereasonitspassageisblocked,thesurrounding
areawillsufferoneverylevel.Often,thisexperienceismostnoticeableinthephysical
body.
Ofcourse,allofourstatesareintertwined.Humanbeingsarecomplex.Ouremotional,
physical,energetic,psychicandspiritualstatesallaffectoneanother.Thechakra
frameworkisaneffectivetoolforlearningtoidentifythewaysourphysicalstateis
symptomaticofourotherstates.Thisnewawarenessfacilitateshealingoneverylevel.
Muladhara: Finding Our Roots Webeginattheroot,themuladharachakra.Locatedatthebaseofthespine,thischakrakeepsus,quiteliterally,grounded.It’stiedtothelegsandfeet,soblockagesofpranic
@lowherecanleaveusfeelingunbalancedanduprooted.Degenerativearthritis,knee
pain,sciatica,andotherproblemsofthelegsandfeetmightindicatedisruptioninthe
muladharachakra,leavingusfeelingunstable.Thischakraisalsorelatedtoourabilitytoeliminatewaste,encompassingtherectum,kidneysandlargeintestine.Unexplainable
gastrointestinalissues,suchasstress-relatedconstipation,indicateanimbalancein
muladharachakra.
Eachchakraalsorelatestotheendocrinesystem,helpingtoregulateourhormonalbalances.Forthemuladharachakra,thisconversationinphysical-energeticbalanceexistswiththeadrenalgland.Withallwe’vealreadydiscussed,thiscorrespondence
makesperfectsense.Ouradrenalgland,responsibleforthelevelsofadrenalineinour
body,regulatesourstressresponses.Ifwefeelstressedandunstable,imbalanceinour
adrenalglandmaybetoblame.Or,vice-versa,stressfromexternalstimulimaycreatean
imbalanceinouradrenalgland.Eitherway,dysfunctionexistsinrootingmuladharachakra,andthestress-relatedphysicaleffectsinthelegsandeliminationorgansresult.
Svadhistahana: Releasing Creative Flow Justbetweenthepubicboneandthenavelsitsthesvadhistahanachakra,seatofoursexual,reproductive,andcreativeenergies.Thisplexusistiedtoourreproductive
system,affectingtheovariesortestes,aswellasthebladderandkidneys.Urinary
problems,suchasinfectionsorincontinence,mightindicatedysfunctioninthe
svadhistahanachakra,asmightproblemsofthekidneys.Hip,pelvic,andlowerbackpainalsoindicatethatenergyisn’tcirculatingfreelyinthisarea.
Onahormonallevel,theovariesandtestescontroloursexualenergy.Imbalancesinsex
drive,orphysicalizedexpressionsofissuesaroundsexualityandintimacy,canmanifest
inthischakra.Sexualenergyisalsoourgenerativeenergy,andthereforeaffectsourcreativeselves.Ifwe’refeelinganyphysicalsymptomsofblockageinthesvadhistahanachakra,then,itmightbeworthexaminingoursexualorcreativelives.Untraceablelowerbackpainorsuddentightnessinthehipscouldbeindicativeofimbalancesinourlives
leadingtoblockagesinthissacralchakra.
Manipura: Strong Self, Strong Stomach Themanipurachakra,sometimesreferencedasthe“solarplexuschakra,”sitsbetweenthenavelandthebreastbone.Asyou’dsuspectbyitslocation,themanipurachakraisrelatedtothedigestivesystem,affectingtheliver,gallbladder,stomach,spleen,andsmall
intestine.It’sglandularparallelisthepancreas,whichregulatesbloodsugarand
secretesdigestiveorgans.Digestiveissues,bloodsugarproblems,stomachulcers,and
otherailmentsofthedigestivesystemareallsymptomaticofblockagesinthemanipurachakra.
Themanipurachakraisalsoassociatedwithourpersonalpowerandsenseofself.Whenyouthinkaboutthephysicaleffectsofimbalanceinthischakra,thisemotionalassociationmakesalotofsense.Nervousnauseaor“butter@lies”inthestomachare
psychosomaticphenomenaassociatedwithsituationsthatchallengeoursecurityinour
personalpower.Whenweseethesetwoparallelimbalances,emotionalandphysical,in
termsofthemanipurachakra,we@indausefulframeworkforidentifyingthesourceoftheimbalanceinourlives.
Asyoucansee,thesethreebasechakrasallprovideinsightintoourbasicpsychologicalneeds,intermsofsecurity,creativityandsenseofself.Usingthisframeworkfor
examiningouremotionalandphysicallives,wecanexamineimbalancesandwork
towardsdevelopingahealthier,happierday-to-day.Theresultisamoregrounded,
creative,securepersonalstate.Withthenextfourchakras,we’llapplythissame
psychosomaticframeworktoourinterpersonalandspirituallives.
Our Spiritual Connection Thechakras,aswe’vediscovered,offerusafascinatingframeworkforexploringourintersectingphysical,emotional,andenergeticlives.Nothingexistsinisolation,and
@indingtheparallelsbetweenourblockagesisausefulwaytoguideustowards@inding
balanceinallaspectsofourlives.The@irstthreechakras,whichweexploredinthelastchapter,offervaluableinsightintoourpersonalwellbeingandthevariousaspectsofour
senseofself.Thenextfour,attheheart,throat,thirdeye,andcrown,revealthestateof
ourinterpersonalandspirituallives.
Anahata: Getting to the Heart of Things
Theanahatachakrasitsrightattheheart,makingittherulerofallthingscirculatory.Thestateofthisparticularenergeticplexusaffectsnotonlytheheart,bloodand
circulatorysystem,butalsothelungs,arms,andtheimmuneandendocrinesystems.
Asthma,lungdiseaseand,ofcourse,heartdiseasemightindicateblockagesinthisarea,
aswouldpainordysfunctionintheupperback,shoulders,armsorwrists.
Theanahatachakraisalsotiedtoourthymusgland,thecontrolcenterofourimmunesystem.Evernoticehowabrokenheartandasuddenillnessseemtogohand-in-hand?
Disappointedhearts,romanticorotherwise,canunbalanceouranahatachakra,wearingoutourimmunesystemandwelcominginillness.Otherphysicalsymptomsmightalso
indicateimbalanceinthisimportantcenter.Painintheupperbackorshoulders,
breathingtrouble,orchestpaincouldbesymptomaticofblockagesinourabilitytolove,
bothromanticallyandgenerally.
Vishuddi: Speak Up and Be Heard Thenextchakra,thevishuddichakra,islocatedinourthroat,affectingallthingsvocal.Asorethroat,laryngitis,TMJ,orbronchitiscouldallstemfromimbalancesinthisthroat
chakra.Thevishuddichakraisalsotiedtoallareasofthefaceandneck,andcanbetherootofproblemsinthechin,cheeks,lips,jaw,tongue,andears.Frequentunexplainable
neckandshoulderpain?Vishuddichakra.Sorethroatorlostvoicewithnoapparentcause?Vishuddichakraagain.
Thisimportantchakraisalsotiedtothefunctionofourthyroidgland.Thethyroidglandregulatesourmetabolism,anddysfunctionherecanresultininexplicableweightgainor
loss.Italsocanweaveitswayintoallaspectsofyourlife,causingdepression,anxiety,
fatigue,changeofappetite,dif@icultyconcentrating,bodytemperatureissues,andmore.
Onanemotionallevel,thismakesagreatdealofsense.Thinkaboutthelasttimeyouhad
somethingyouwantedtogetoffyourchest,butjustcouldn’tquitesay.Maybeyouwere
inasituationwhereyoufeltyouwouldn’tbeheard,orwerescaredtoexpressyour
feelings.Feelingunabletoexpressourtruthcausesanemotionaltollthataffectsour
psyche,appetite,andphysicalwellbeing.
Ajna: Going Mental Rightbetweenyoureyebrows,settledinwithyourthirdeye,sitstheajnachakra.Thisimportantenergeticplexussitsatcommandcenter,governingthebrainandhead.
Headaches,sinusissues,blurredvision,eyeproblems,andseizuresallrelateto
imbalancesintheajnachakra.Thischakraalsocontrolsthepituitarygland,whichgovernsthefunctionoftheotherglands.Needlesstosay,imbalanceinthepituitary
glandtricklesdownthroughoutthesystem.
Ifyou’refeelinglostpsychically,imbalanceintheajnachakramaybetoblame.Blockageshereaffectourjudgment,leadingtoindecisiveness,perfectionism,
aggressiveness,orstubbornness.Losingourgrasponourintuitioncreatesa
destabilizingimbalancethataffectseverylevelofourbeing.Recognizingthephysical
signsofimbalanceintheajnachakra,we’regivenahinttolookatthestateofourpsyche,examininganylifecircumstancesthatmaybesendingourdecisiveabilitiesoff-balance.
Sahasrara: Sensitive Spirit The@inalchakra,sahasrara,sitsatthetopofthehead,restinglikeahaloonourcrown.Physically,itaffectsthespinalcordandbrainstem.Italsogovernsthepinealgland,
whichproducesmelatoninandregulatesourcyclesofsleepingandwaking.Itstandsto
reason,then,thatthesahasrarachakra’saffectsaremostlypsychicinnature.Imbalancesheremayresultindepression,sleeplessness,fatigue,memory-issues,andothersuch
symptomsofapainedpsyche.Ablockedsahasrarachakramayalsoleaveusover-sensitivetostimuli,disturbedbyvariantsinlight,sound,andenvironment.Thesearethe
familiarsymptomsofspiritualdepletion,thosetimeswhenlifehasusfeelinglow,joyless,
anddestructive.Noticingthephysicalandemotionalsignsandcaringforourselves
accordinglycansetusonthepathtowardshealing.
Identifyingtheetherealexperiencesrelatedtothesefourchakrascanbeadif@iculttask.
Often,weignoreouremotionalandspiritualselves,pushingthroughtheemotionaland
psycho-spiritualpainthatunbalancestheseupperfourchakras.Whetheritbeourabilitytoloveandbeloved,speakandbeheard,decideandunderstand,orfeelful@illedand
joyful,thepsychicandemotionalexperiencesrelatedtothesechakrasareimportanttoourwellbeing.Luckily,withthisframework,wecanaccesstheirimbalancesthrough
visceralphysicalexperience,puttingusonthepathtohealingforfuller,happierlives.
Cosmic Chakras ForAshtangayogapractitioners,thenewandfullmoonsarefrequentlyacausefor
celebration.Abstainingfromyogapracticeontheseastrologicallysigni@icantdays,many
Ashtangapractitionersrelishamuch-neededbreak.Astimegoeson,however,the
anticipationofthesedaysgoesbeyondtheenjoymentofararemorningspentsleeping
in.Simultaneouslyhonoringthemoon’srhythmsandpurifyingthebodythroughyoga,
webecomeincreasinglysensitivetotheaffectsofthelunarcycles.Thenewmoonbrings
withitbothagroundingaffectand,frequently,adecreaseinenergy.Thefullmoon,on
theotherhand,increasesenergy,oftencreatinganalmostfreneticfeelinginmindand
body.Botharewelcomecausesforabreakfromyogapractice.
Taking notice from the outside… Whileit’softenthe@irstwenotice,thelunarcycleisnottheonlyrhythmwegrow
attunedtothroughyogapractice.ThroughcontinuedpracticeofAshtangayoga,wegrow
increasinglysensitivetoenergiesandcycles,bothinternalandexternal.Westarttofeel
pranamovingontheenergeticlevelofthebody,pickingupthesubtlereffectsofpractice.Wealsostarttofeelmorestronglytheeffectsofexternalstimuli.Thiscanbethefoodwe
eat,ourenvironment,oreventhemovementsofthestars.
Perhapsthisiseffectmostobviousintermsintermsofthefoodweeat.Withregular
yogapractice,youmaybegintonoticehowyourpracticechangesaccordingtowhatyou
hadfordinnerthenightbefore,orwhatyou’vebeeneatingthroughouttheweek.Later,
youmaynoticeyourbodybecomemoresensitivetoalcohol,intoxicants,orevensugar.
Maybeyoufeelincreasinglyattunedtoshiftsintheweather,feelingarainfallresonating
energetically.Perhapsyou’llnoticeyourbodyandmindcyclewiththeseasons,syncing
withtheEarth’scycleswithinstinctiveintuition.Thesensationsyouexperiencewillbe
diverse,ever-growing,andcompletelyindividual.Onething,however,iscertain.The
longeryoupracticeAshtanga,themoreyou’llpickupontheeffectsexternalstimulihave
onyourenergeticsystem.
...while growing conscious of what’s within… Internally,yogapracticecontinuallydeepensourself-awarenessand,withit,our
sensitivity.Thinkbacktowhenyouwere@irstbeginningyogapractice.Everymovement
probablyfeltforeignandrevolutionary.Thebasicactionofmovingyourbodythrough
spaceandintoposturesrequiredconcentrationandnewconsciousness.Afteryou’ve
beenpracticingforsometime,however,theasanapracticebecomesmoreandmoresubtle.Awarenessofbandhas,whichevolvesthroughoutourpracticelives,invitesanuancedapproachtopostures.
Perhapsyoudevelopadelicateawarenessofthehandsandfeet,ortheintricaciesof
movementinthehips.Becauseithappensgradually,wedon’tnecessarilynoticethis
awarenessasitdevelops.Comparedtoyour@irstexperiencesofAshtanga,however,you
probablyexperienceyourbodyinasanatodayonanincrediblysubtlelevel.
Eventually,thissubtleawarenessdeepensintotheenergeticbody.Westarttofeelthe
energeticlinesoftheasanasaswetapintothemthroughthephysicalbody.Thinkaboutthepsychosomaticexperienceofasanaasitrelatestothechakras,forexample.Youmaystarttofeelthepsycho-energeticeffectsofasanasthatopentheheart,unblockinganahatachakra.Orperhapsyoufeelanenergeticsensationrelatedtostrengtheningyourbase,buildingthesecurityandgroundingofastrongmuladharachakra.Yourenergeticexperienceofyogapracticewill,again,beyourown,relatingtoyourhistory
andyourlifeatthemoment.Itwillalsoevolveovertime,asyourpracticegrowsand
yoursituationchanges.Whateveryourexperience,thelongeryoupracticeAshtanga
yoga,themoresensitiveyouwillbecometoyourenergeticbody.
…and then tying it all together. Thiscombinedexternalandinternalsensitivitymakestheparallelsbetweenplanetsand
chakrasaparticularlyinterestingframeworktoexplore,especiallyforthosepracticingAshtangaYoga.Underthisframework,eachchakrahasacorrespondingplanet.Justlikethemoon,theplanetsaffectusenergetically,dependingontheirmovementsand
positioning.Understandingthemintermsofthechakrascanhelpusbecomemoresensitivetotheseeffects,justasabstainingfrompracticeonthenewandfullmooncan
helpusbecomemoresensitivetolunarcycles.Inthenextentry,we’llexploretheways
awarenessoftheplanetsandchakrascanhelpusnavigateourenergeticlives.
Insights From The Planets Inourlastpost,wediscussedthesensitivitycultivatedthroughcontinuousAshtanga
practice.Overtime,yogapracticeincreasesourawareness,helpingusbecomemoreand
moreattunedtobothexternalandinternalstimuli.Asthisevolves,it’susefultohave
frameworkswithinwhichtostudyourexperiences.Notonlydotheseframeworksgive
usaguideformakinguseofthenewinformationself-awarenessprovides,buttheyalso
helpus@inetunethissensitivitythroughexplorationofnewpointsofconsciousness.
Tothisend,exploringtheparallelsbetweentheplanetsandthechakrasystemcanbeanextremelyusefulpractice.Combiningawarenessofbothexternalandinternalstimuli,
thisframeworkgivesusvaluableinsightintothestateofourenergeticbodyandhowit’s
affectedbyexternalcycles.Pairingeachchakrawithaplanet,wecaninvestigatetheeffectscosmicmovementwhilesimultaneouslyinquiringintoourownenergeticstates.
Mars Ourbasechakra,muladhara,isassociatedwiththeplanetMars.Marsin@luencesourphysicalstrength,offeringuscouragewithanintense,childlikeenergy.Asourroot
chakra,muladhara’seffectsalignwellwiththisdynamicplanet.Wearestrongestwhenweareatourmostrooted.Feelingsecureandgrounded,weareabletofollowour
intuition,allowingustobedecisiveasweseekoutthemostproductivepaths.With
awarenessoftheseparallels,wecanstudyhowthemovementsofMarsalignwithour
personalexperiencesofmuladharachakra.Withincreasedsensitivity,wecannoticewhenwebecomeuprooted,perhapsavoidingundesirableandreactivebehaviorsinthe
process.
Mercury Svadisthanachakra,locatedjustbetweenthepubicboneandnavel,isruledbycapriciousMercury.Inastrology,thisplanetrepresentsintelligenceandcreativity,justas
svadisthanarepresentsourpersonalgenerativeandcreativepowers.WhenMercuryisinretrograde,communicationfails,technologyglitches,andthebest-laidplansgoawry.
WhenMercuryisonourside,however,ourabilitytobuildandcreate@lourishes.
Becomingawareofthecyclesofthisplanetandallowingourselvestobeinquisitiveabout
theirenergeticaffectscanofferinterestinginsightsintoourcreativeandproductivelives.
Jupiter Jupiterguidesourthirdchakra,centerofoursenseofself.Ahealthymanipurachakrapositionsusforgenerosity,establishingastrongsenseofpersonalworththatallowsus
togivefreely.Jupiter,likewise,isagenerousplanet.Asignofprosperity,itbegets
increaseinallthings.Thiscanhavebothpositiveandnegativeeffects.Ifourmanipurachakraisimbalanced,ourinsecuritiesmayleadustowardsunproductive,evenhurtful,action.Ifourmanipurachakraisbalanced,wehaveabasefromwhichtobeproductiveandlovinginallofourinteractions.Studyingthispropensityforincreaseinboththis
chakraanditscorrespondingplanetallowsustoevaluatethemotivationsofouractionsandchoosemoreproductivepaths.
Venus Ourheartchakra,oranahata,isgovernedbyVenus.Namedforthegoddessoflove,thisplanetrepresentslove,beauty,andharmony.Imbalanceinthischakramaybringaboutdisharmonyinourlives,aswestruggletoapproachourinteractionswithloveand
compassion.Recognizingthepatternsofthisopenheartedplanetandtheparallelswith
ourownenergeticexperienceallowsustoinvestigatewhatinourlivesmaybeblocking
thisimportantenergycenter.
Saturn Vishuddichakra,locatedinthethroat,governsourabilitytospeakourtruth.Saturn,itscorrespondingplanet,functionsinthecosmoslikeateacher,helpingusgrowin
character.Throwingeducationalobstaclesinourpath,thisplanethelpsuscomeintoour
power,growingintoourfullestselves.Aswedevelopourcharacter,wegaintheabilityto
effectivelycommunicate.Understandingourselvesgivesusthestabilitytospeakandbe
heard.InvestigatingtheconnectionsbetweenvishuddhichakraandSaturn’slessonscanoffervaluableinsightsintodevelopingproductivecommunicationandmovingthrough
anyfeelingsofisolationwemaybeexperiencing.
Sun Situatedrightbetweentheeyebrows,atthesiteofourthirdeye,ajnachakrahasmajoreffectsonourmentalacuityandourego-self.It’scosmicparallel,appropriately,isthe
sun.Astrologically,thepositionofthesunatourbirthhasapowerfuleffectonour
personality,determiningthe“sunsign”thatwillformourfoundationaltraits.Aswe
movepastouridenti@iers,towardsamoreuniversalidentity,however,theajnachakradynamicallyopens.Webecomemorediscerning,lettinggoofconditioningand
increasingthepowerofourintuition.Bylookingintothepositioningofthesuninour
charts,wecanbetterdeterminewhatconditioningwestartwith,allowingustomove
throughegotowardsamoreopen,intuitiveperspective.
Moon Finally,wereachsahasrarachakra.Sittingonthetopofthehead,likeahalo,sahasraraistherulerofourspiritualwellbeing.Imbalancesherewillbefeltonadeepemotional
orintuitivelevel.Asthegatewaytoenlightenment,openingthischakrarevealsthewaytoourunconsciousSelf.Itmakessense,then,thatthischakraisgovernedbytheintuitive,subtlepowerofthemoon.Themoonis,inmanycultures,associatedwiththe
divinefeminine,castinglightonouremotive,intuitiveselves.Growingsensitivetolunar
cycles,aswedoinAshtangayoga,we@indinsightsintothestateofoursahasrarachakraandourownevolutionarypaths.
Likeanyframework,theseparallelsareonlyaguide.Theyprovideajumpingoffpoint
towardscultivatingandunderstandingthesensitivitydevelopedinyogapractice.Paying
attentiontotheexternaleffectsoftheplanetsandtheinternalbalanceofourchakras,wegainvaluableinsightstowardschoosingmoreproductiveaction,everyday.