Lizzie for Free : a yogi's blog
The Free State of LizArchive for November, 2011
Jivamukti yoga focus of the month: December 2011: where does she go at night?
Up on the rooftop click click click, down through the chimney comes ole St Nick.
No one sees him come, no one sees him go,
But the gifts he leaves in the morning are evidence he does show.
There are three states of consciousness that a normal person goes through during every 24-hour cycle: waking, dreaming and deep sleep. There is also a fourth state that is only known to advanced yogis, called Turiya: it is the state of Samadhi or super consciousness. Each of us is conscious when we are awake, but when we go to sleep at night, it is said that we “lose” consciousness. When we awake, often we do remember dreams, but we never remember deep sleep, and yet if we are not able to enjoy a deep sleep we will not feel rested on awaking. Scientific sleep deprivation studies show that a person will become severely ill and could even die if they are not allowed to experience deep sleep. It is interesting that spending time every night in deep sleep, a state that we don’t even remember, could be that important to us.
The Sanskrit word kundalini means a coiled serpent. Kundalini is our consciousness or awareness, our ability to know, to understand, to perceive ourselves and others, to make sense of things and put things together. In a normal person, she is said to lie dormant in the lowest chakra for most of the time. That place becomes her whole world-the world of mundane survival-eating, sleeping, working, etc. But secretly, there is nothing that kundalini wants more than to be reunited with her beloved Shiva, who resides in the crown chakra at the top of the head. But that reunion is difficult because she has been long imprisoned by her jailer, known to all as the mighty ego. Kundalini is beautiful, intelligent and capable; she is satyam, shivam, sundaram-truth, bliss, beauty. But like many women, she often will cloak her true form, awareness and capabilities and appear dumb in order not to appear too intelligent, lest she alienate or challenge the all powerful ego.
Even though when put under the light of discrimination, ego’s attributes pale next to the serene beauty of the bliss-filled, immortal Maheshvara, for kundalini, ego does have one thing going for him that Shiva could never boast of: a thinking mind, a heart filled with almost infinite varieties of emotions and a firm commitment to time in the form of past, present and future possibilities. To be married to ego insures you of a mortal trip: the promise of the adventure is enough to seduce most souls to put aside immortality and climb on board the ship, the train, the bus or the shiny motorcycle, which is revved up and ready to go-it even has your name on the custom made helmet, as if that is going to really protect you on the dangerous roads of life.
Succumbing to ego and allowing ego to run your life is addictive. Most ego addicts stay enthralled with ego’s promises for millions, maybe billions of lifetimes. But thank God, there are moments of respite from the constant demands of ego and for sure, kundalini secretly looks forward to these breathers. Fortunately relief usually comes on a daily basis. Every night when ego goes to sleep, kundalini quietly uncoils from her resting place at the root of the tree and stealthily moves through the central channel to unite with her beloved in the rooftop. She may ascend and descend several times during the night. Characteristic of her gracious nature, as she moves up and down along the way to her destination, she may take the time to stop and whisper or sprinkle magical dust in the form of a dream to gently aid the unfulfilled yearnings she knows all too well that live in each lotus chakra. But as day breaks, she faithfully returns unnoticed to her abode in the first chakra, and ego never knows of her nighttime rendezvous with her lover.
As normal people, we hide from our own true Self, pretending that we are ignorant, mortal and unenlightened. Identifying with ego, we spend our lives insisting that this is all there is to life. The spiritual aspirant, however, is not normal; the spiritual aspirant wants to wake up. Yoga practices stimulate that awakening. Yoga practices stimulate the awakening of kundalini. Meditation has been described as sleeping while awake. Instead of losing connection with consciousness, which is what happens when we fall asleep, in meditation the yogi sits and stays awake, trying to catch kundalini as she rises from her coiled resting place and ascends to the rooftop-Shiva’s abode of joy in the highest chakra. Much like children who attempt to stay awake on Christmas Eve to catch a glimpse of Santa, yogis attempt through rigorous sadhana to be able to see and unite with God. Some may view this as the extinguishing of ego, but to the yogi, when kundalini unfolds her wings and flies to her final destination it is also freedom for the ego as well. Samadhi is yoga through meditation; the yogi yokes their ego to kundalini and is able to ride the snake to the ultimate wish-fulfilling, immortal, blissful, stillness of the sahasrara chakra-the ultimate movement into stillness, turiya. Liberation is accomplished-all are freed from avidya. Kundalini is no longer held in prison by a time-bound, mortal ego. Ego dissolves into the radiance of a fully conscious kundalini, who is now known as her true Self: atman, cosmic consciousness. This final transformation is into prema-true and eternal cosmic love.
-Sharon Gannon
Focus of the Month Teaching Tips
Where Does She Go At Night? (December 2011)
1. Some background about the term Kundalini:
All yoga is Kundalini Yoga, because all types of yoga involve practices designed to raise kundalini to her highest potential-bliss. Kundalini is a way to describe consciousness. A yoga practitioner wants to expand their consciousness, raise their level of knowing into higher and higher realms of reality-raise their kundalini. A yogi does not want their consciousness to be stuck in the lower chakras–chained to ambitions motivated by money, sex and power. A yogi is someone who has lost interest in those objectives and goals; a yogi is not normal; a yogi wants liberation.
2. Allegory
The FOM essay gives teachings about the movement of consciousness into higher realms of bliss in the form of an allegory. Personifying the forces of kundalini, ego and shiva as characters in a story-as relatable persons-is very tantric. The Tantric tradition has a penchant for putting a face on the other. It helps to create connection and understanding of the cosmic forces at work in our lives.
The other story line at work in the essay is the birth of Christ, or more aptly: the Christ consciousness, which is another way of describing yogic awakening or enlightenment. I present the Christmas story as a psycho/physical occurrence, referring to ole St. Nick up on the rooftop-Santa Claus as kundalini in disguise.
3. Moving into stillness is the practice of yoga.
She is movement and he is stillness.
She (shakti) is movement and he (shiva) is stillness.
She (kundalini) is movement and he (cosmic consciousness) is stillness.
She (vibrancy) is movement and he (stasis) is stillness.
She (jiva) is movement and he (atman) is stillness.
She (prakriti) is movement and he (purusa) is stillness.
She (variety) is movement and he (unity) is stillness.
She (potential) is movement and he (reality) is stillness.
She (mortality) is movement and he (immortally) is stillness.
She (time-bound) is movement and he (timeless) is stillness.
4. To give students an experience of the dynamic essence of this essay-Moving into Stillness-you could teach a vigorous asana class following the chakras from lowest to highest (moving), followed by a long meditation and a long shavasana (stillness).
5. For chanting, you could use satyam, shivam, sundaram, or any mantra that invokes Shakti or Shiva. Or chant the bija mantras Lam, Vam, Ram, Yam, Ham, OM, OM
The Origins of the Chakra System Part 2: Hatha Yoga and the Nadis
In Part 1 of this post, the ancient story of the Churning of Milk was paraphrased as a mythological explanation from where physical form and movement stem. The chakras exist because of, and give rise to movement, and in doing so embody the elemental forms in the physical anatomical/skeletal structure. To give context and structure to the chakra system, it is helpful to have an understanding of Hatha yoga and the subtle energy channels, or Nadis.
Hatha yoga comes from the words Ha, meaning sun, and Tha, meaning moon, and concerns two important and vital aspects of the physical body – the solar and lunar forces. In sanskrit these are known as ida and pingala; ida representing the moon, and pingala, the sun. Also referred to as Shakti and Shiva, these opposing forces interact with each other, guiding and directing our actions and knowledge base. It is in accordance with these forces that we live, move, think and know.
Ida and pingala are a part of an intricate network of energy channels in the body called Nadis which are not unlike our nervous system. One difference between these two systems is that the nervous system exists in the physical body and can be seen to the naked eye, while the Nadis exist in the subtle body, unseen to the naked eye and based on energy currents, vibration and psychic energy.
It is said there are 72,000 Nadis in the body, but for the purposes of better understanding the chakras, three are of primary importance: the ida, the pingala and the sushumna, the central channel.
Ida is associated with the left side of the body, and linked to the mind, cold, passivity, femininity and the moon. Pingala is on the right side, associated with prana, heat, activity, masculinity and the sun. The sushumna is poised in the middle between ida and pingala. The sushumna plays an important role in the final stages of purification on the path to enlightenment because by purifying the Nadis, mental and pranic forces are able to move up through sushumna aided by the chakras. This may ultimately result in enlightenment.
It is thought that there is a dormant potential energy in all humans referred to as Kundalini, the sleeping serpent coiled up at the base of the spine. Through meditation and other yogic practices, kundalini is awakened, and rises up through the sushumna to the crown chakra, where it resides in utero. In childbirth it is pushed down the sushumna to the muladhara chakra, or root chakra. Through various yoga practices including meditation, chanting, pranayama and asana, various levels of awakening are attained, until the kundalini finally reaches the top of the head, Sahasrara chakra, producing an extremely profound awakening that is referred to by terms such as enlightenment, samadhi and nirvana.
Chakra means wheel and implies movement. Like a wheel spins to bring motion to a vehicle, the chakras are responsible for moving energy through the body to maintain vitality and aid in the purification process. Chakras manifest at the intersections of two or more nadis. Because there are so many nadis, there are literally uncounted numbers of chakras in the subtle body; however, there are seven primary chakras which exist based on the number of times ida and pingala criss-cross at sushumna. Impurities in the nadis, or energy flow, cause blockages of the prana leading to disease in the physical body; a free-flowing body of energy is synonymous with wellbeing, freedom and liberation.
The Hatha yoga practice is focused on balancing the solar and lunar channels in the body to facilite this state arising, and the chakras play an integral role in maintaining the balance of forces due to their wheel-like structure and ability to move energy through the nadis.
The Origins of the Chakra System, Part 1
Long ago, before our world and animate life form, before chakras, there was a great ocean, a turtle and a snake, and the gods and demons.
As the story goes, the demons and the gods were both interested in the “Amrit”, the Water of Life, and they knew they could get it by churning up one of the seven oceans, the Ocean of Milk. They set Mount Mandara on top of a turtle (an avatar of Vishnu) for a churning-pole and the hundred-headed serpent Vāsuki for a churning-rope. They wound the serpent around the mountain, and pulling it this way and that the Ocean of Milk frothed and bubbled as they churned. By creating the ripples through the Ocean of Milk, all of creation was set into motion.
The churning went on for a thousand years. Life formed on the mountain, and all the while the serpent spat venom from his hundred heads. The venom broke into the rocks of the mountain and flowed down its sides, destroying the worlds of Gods and men. All of creation would have been destroyed in that flood of venom if it had not been for Shiva.
Shiva took up the venom in a cup and drank it. His throat became blue with that draught of bitterness, but because of his act, the Gods won to more powers than the demons.
Still they churned. Then out of the Ocean of Milk came the moon, and Shiva took it and set it upon his forehead.
The Gods grew in strength as they laboured, and they laboured as they grew in strength, while the demons abandoned themselves more and more to pleasures, and they fought amongst themselves on account of the pleasures that all of them sought. And then, seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in her hand, a Goddess appeared. She went to Vishnu and threw herself upon his chest. Reclining there, she delighted the Gods with the glances she bestowed on them. All knew her as the Goddess of Good Fortune. And the demons were in despair because Good Fortune had gone to the side of the Gods.
Then appeared the sage Dhanvantari, with his hands he held the cup containing the Amrit, the Water of Life. The demons strove to seize it; they would drink it all themselves, or else they would fling it where the serpent’s venom was dripping on the rocks. They nearly overpowered the Gods in their efforts to seize the Amrit, but then Vishnu changed himself into a ravishing nymph of Heaven. The demons, distracted, went towards the faux nymph; they even fought amongst each other to get to her. Meanwhile the Gods took the cup and drank of the Amrit. That was the beginning of the wars between the Gods and the Daityas–the wars that went on for ages.
The Gods were triumphant and the three worlds became filled with radiance and power. Above the most holy mountain issaid to be the golden palace of the Lord Brahma–a palace that is built on nothing that is substantial.
While there are many versions and translations of this beautiful Hindu myth called “The Churning of the Milk”, found in the Bhagavata and Vishnu paranas as well as the Mahabharata, it is said that we can liken the seven oceans as the seven energy centres, or chakras; the three worlds as the more rudimentary energy plexus division of lower, middle and upper bodies; and the mountain as the basis for the human craniosacral system or vertebral column.
It impossible to fully understand the origins of the chakra system without the knowledge of the nadis, the energetic channels of the body, of which there are said to be 72,000. For the purposes of understanding the origins of the chakra system, three of channels are of significance: the central channel known as the Sushumna nadi; the moon channel, Ida nadi; and sun channel, Pingala nadi …. Stay tuned for part two, The Origins of the Chakra System: the Nadis and Hatha Yoga.
(Learn more about the chakra system! Lizzie will be teaching a 2 1/2 hour Jivamukti Chakra Balancing Workshop on December 4th from 2-4:30pm at Indaba Yoga Studio
…. Don’t miss it!
What is Chakra Balancing?
Sanskrit word “chakra” means “wheel”. A wheel rolls, turns and, by means of circular movement takes one on a journey. You may find it interesting, as I do, that the word also refers to cyclical phenomenae, such as:
-a circular flight pattern of birds
-a cycle of years
-a winding of a river
-an astronomical circle
This circular, cyclical movement is happening throughout the body and at different speeds; however, we can think of the chakras divided into seven primary energetic centres. These centres are analogous with many things, including: the anatomy of the body; the elements of the earth; emotions; colours; animals; and sound.
When these energy centres are open and wellness flows throughout the body, we are at ease – physically, emotionally and in our relationships. However, when they are blocked through injury, illness or disconnection with others, we are prevented from being our best selves. The chakra system is in place from an early age, so the imbalance can begin within the earliest years of development when our earliest needs for food, shelter and warmth are not met. Imbalances can be formed at anytime and within any of the chakras when energy becomes static and inert.
The goal for a yogi is to keep the energy fluid and balanced, which can be done most directly through diet, energetic movement (such as vinyasa and deeply held asanas), pranayama, sound vibration and meditation.
Sourced from ancient teachings, chakra yoga is perhaps more relevant today than ever, at a time when so many feel disconnected from themselves and the community. By rebalancing the energetic channels in the body your heart will be more open to experiencing joy.
I will be teaching a Jivamukti Chakra Balancing Workshop at Indaba Yoga Studio in Marylebone, London on December 4, 2011. Suitable for all levels except complete beginners.
Practicing yoga with your child
Photo courtesy of teen-yoga.com
Creating a yoga practice with your child no matter what age is a special thing; the mat is a unique space that is creative while also being active, energising, disciplining and calming. During adolescence (the tween/teen years) it can be an even more important shared activity, as it becomes a reference point for discussions about relationships, diet, who we are and how we interact with the world.
At 10+, kids are just starting to work out how they feel about themselves and the world around them. They want to have their independent view on things, which can be a source of inspiration for a parent when channelled in the right way. Adolescents start to see the bigger picture and how they relate to the rest of the world. As yoga is all about inquiry, it is a safe, explorative space for kids to connect to their freedom of expression and questions about the self.
At the same time, guidance and structure are necessary, and the structure of a yoga class can help to build mutual respect. Creating an inviting, non-competitive atmosphere helps to break down boundaries, and infusing laughter and joking into the class is important to lighten everyone up, even while laying the foundation for rules. In a yoga class, discipline come from the teacher rather than the parent, and in this way, the playing field is levelled between parent and child.
The teen years can be difficult on so many levels; the stress of school and social pressure, hormones…discovering who you are in a myriad of relationships. Physical activity and rest are equally important in releasing the everyday tension, and having a shared space to not necessarily talk, but explore playfully together, can be invaluable for the evolution of parent-child relationship. Over time, yoga can help both parents and children to become calmer and more compassionate beings towards each other and others.
Check out my Parents and Teens class on Wednesdays at 4-5pm at Indaba Yoga Studio.
