chakras: the psychic centres of yoga and tantra
DESCRIPTION
According to the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition codified by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri, there are six lower and six higher Chakras making a total of twelve Chakras. The lower Chakras known as the Pinda Chakras are related to the physical body while the higher six Chakras, the Anda Chakras are related to the Cosmos. Chakras vibrate at very high speeds of vibration and at their highest speeds of vibration are related to the cosmos. Each of the lower six Chakras has various neuro-endocrine correlates and is associated with one of the five Jnanendriyas and Karmendriyas as also different psychological qualities. This book deals with the Chakras in a detailed manner with magnificent images that were conceptualized by Pujya Swamiji more than 50 years ago. Asanas related to each Chakra and their specific Mandala Pranayamas are elaborated in detail. The unique practices of Chakra Mediation and Mandala Dharana are also added bonuses in this book. To order this book and others from ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India please visit www.icyer.inChakras ebook sampleTRANSCRIPT
CHAKRASTHE PSYCHIC CENTRES OF
YOGAAND
TANTRA
ByYogacharya Yoga Bhismacharya
Chairman: International Centre for YogaEducation and Research, Puducherry, South India
www.icyer.com
Dr. Ananda Balayogi BhavananiM.B.B.S., A.D.Y., D.S.M., D.P.C., P.G.D.F.H., P.G.D.Y., F.I.A.Y.,
YogamaharishiDr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj
(24.07.1907 - 29.12.1993)
Who protected the Purity of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yogawith his Mighty Roar of Truth
© 2008 By Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
All rights reserved
First Edition : Puducherry 2008
Published by : Dhivyananda Creations44, 1st Cross, Iyyanar Nagar,Puducherry - 13. South India.Tel : 0413 - 2241561e-mail : [email protected]
Designed and Printed by : Sri Sarguru PrintographsVillupuram. Mobile : 94433 97875
Yoga Asana Models : Asami Koike, Shobana,G. Dayanidy, Aishwariya,Dr. Nalini Devi, S. Devasena,R. Chandrasekar,S. Tamilsengolan
Graphic Images : A. Ramesh B.F.A.,
Any material reproduced from this book may be doneso only with prior permission of the author and withdue credit to the source. This is an important aspect ofYogic Culture and we request all readers to follow thisrequest in the true spirit of Yama and Niyama.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Mooladhara Chakra
Swadhisthana Chakra
Manipura Chakra
Anahata Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra
Ajna Chakra
Sahasrara Chakra
Chakra Awareness
Mandala Dharana
Chakra Meditation
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08
15
20
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CHAKRA AWARENESS WITH HASTHA MUDRAS
Hastha Mudras or the hand gestures can be used to increaseawareness of the energies at the different Chakric levels.
Sit in Vajra Asana or in the toes turned under posture known asVajra Veera Asana.
Stretch your arms upwards and join your palms together in theAnjali Mudra. The whole back is given anexcellent stretch in this posture.
The entire Pranamaya Kosha as well as theSahasrara Chakra and all the higherChakras that exist above it are energizedby this Mudra.
Slowly bring yourhands down toyour head withy o u r w r i s t stouching the topof your head thus
forming a beautiful triangular frame foryour face.
This is the Kailash Mudra that energizesthe Sahasrara Chakra.
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When the hands are brought down fromthe Kailash Mudra and placed in front ofthe forehead we can energize our AjnaChakra or centre of inner intuition. Thisenergizes our Pituitary Gland that is themaster conductor of our endocrineorchestra and helps us to obtain excellentglandular health.
As we bring theNamaskar Mudrato the front of theneck we can feelt h e e n e r g e t i cvibrations thatr e c h a r g e t h eV i s h u d d h aC h a k r a a n dnormalize ourthyroid function.
When the Namaskar Mudra is broughtdown to the chest region we can feel thehealing energies flood through ourAnahata or heart Chakra.
When practised in the proper manner, this sequence of Mudrashelps us to recharge the psychic battery of our Pranamaya Koshaand produces health and well being at all levels of our existence.
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The system of meditation known as Yantra, based on Drishti or afixed gaze and sacred geometric shapes known as Mandalas isalmost identical in classical Yoga and Tantra.
Mandalas are geometric Yantras or forms of Shakti embodiedwithin the Chakras of the body. Each centre has its own Mandalawhich is also associated with the element of the Mahabhutaassociated with the centre.
The Jnanendriyas and Karmendriyas of each centre are alsosubservient to the power of the Mandala.
The symbols used for Mandala Dharana or Mandala Dhyanadiffer slightly with the symbols used for the Chakras themselves,and vary according to the Yoga or Tantric school of instruction.
The Mandala or Yantra can be used as a form of Dharana orconcentration alone without entering into themeditative aspect as suggested in Laya andYoga.
Mooladhara Chakra is represented by thethe Earth Symbol that is a
Yellow Square
Swadhisthana Chakra is represented by thethe Water Symbol that is a
Silver Crescent
Prithvi Mandala,
Apas Mandala,
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