CHAKRAS THE PSYCHIC CENTRES OF YOGA AND TANTRA By Yogacharya Yoga Bhismacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani M.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., Chairman: International Centre for Yoga Education and Research, Puducherry, South India www.icyer.com
Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj (24.07.1907-29.12.1993) Who protected the Purity of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga with his Mighty Roar of Truth
2008 By Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani All rights reserved First Edition : Puducherry 2008 Published by : Dhivyananda Creations 44, 1st Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Puducherry - 13. South India. Tel : 0413-2241561 e-mail : dhivyananda@gmail.com Designed and Printed by : Sri Sarguru Printographs Villupuram. 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 done so only with prior permission of the author and with due credit to the source. This is an important aspect of Yogic Culture and we request all readers to follow this request 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 01 08 15 20 23 28 32 37 42 44 47
CHAKRA AWARENESS WITH HASTHA MUDRAS Hastha Mudras or the hand gestures can be used to increase awareness of the energies at the different Chakric levels. Sit in Vajra Asana or in the toes turned under posture known as Vajra Veera Asana. Stretch your arms upwards and join your palms together in the Anjali Mudra. The whole back is given an excellent stretch in this posture. Slowly bring your hands down to your head with y o u r w r i s t s touching the top of your head thus forming a beautiful triangular frame for your face. This is the Kailash Mudra that energizes the Sahasrara Chakra. The entire Pranamaya Kosha as well as the Sahasrara Chakra and all the higher Chakras that exist above it are energized by this Mudra. 42
When the hands are brought down from the Kailash Mudra and placed in front of the forehead we can energize our Ajna Chakra or centre of inner intuition. This energizes our Pituitary Gland that is the master conductor of our endocrine orchestra and helps us to obtain excellent glandular health. As we bring the Namaskar Mudra to the front of the neck we can feel t h e e n e r g e t i c vibr ations that r e c h a r g e t h e V i s h u d d h a C h a k r a a n d normalize our thyroid function. When the Namaskar Mudra is brought down to the chest region we can feel the healing energies flood through our Anahata or heart Chakra. When practised in the proper manner, this sequence of Mudras helps us to recharge the psychic battery of our Pranamaya Kosha and produces health and well being at all levels of our existence. 43
The system of meditation known as Yantra, based on Drishti or a fixed gaze and sacred geometric shapes known as Mandalas is almost identical in classical Yoga and Tantra. Mandalas are geometric Yantras or forms of Shakti embodied within the Chakras of the body. Each centre has its own Mandala which is also associated with the element of the Mahabhuta associated with the centre. The Jnanendriyas and Karmendriyas of each centre are also subservient to the power of the Mandala. The symbols used for Mandala Dharana or Mandala Dhyana differ 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 or concentration alone without entering into the meditative aspect as suggested in Laya and Yoga. Mooladhara Chakra is represented by the Prithvi Mandala, the Earth Symbol that is a Yellow Square Swadhisthana Chakra is represented by the Apas Mandala, the Water Symbol that is a Silver Crescent 44
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