Links
that I love!!!
Chic ECO
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Aroma
Boutique:
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Here you can
find the products used in the Aromayoga class. You can read
about how the products are made and what ingredients are
used. The essential oils help to open up the seven chakras
or energy centers and can help to release blocked areas of
your chakras. They also aid in releasing memory and emotion
that are stored within these centers of your body.
If you
do have any allergies and sensitivity to essential oils,
please let Tanja know before class, or just do not
participate in applying them during our pratice. In any
case, all ingredients used are complelety free of any
synthetic additives and chemicals and should not cause any
irritations, since they are diluted in a carrier oil. All
ingriedients are either organic or wild
crafted.
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Tuesday AromaYoga Class:
24. April
2007
Namaste!
Spring is finally
here....and everyone is outside to catch the rays of
the warmth and the sun that has been missed by all of
us for so long. The sun brings vitamin D into our
body, so soak it up and bring the energy where it is
most needed, then keep it inside. Keeping energy in
our body is the topic I want to talk to you about
today and it would be helpful to read this email, if
you are planning on coming to class tomorrow. How can
we keep vital pranic energy in our body? One way of
doing that in our yoga practice is through the
practice of the "bandhas".
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What are the "Bandhas"?
Bandhas
are higher level practices which activate the
Kundalini (pure energy) and proceed from the
foundation in the Asanas and Pranayama (fixed postures
and regulated breathing).
In the Hatha
Yoga Pradipika, (a beautiful, very informative book,
if you want to get deeper into the study of yoga), the
Bandhas are described as interior locks. Bandha means:
to bind, to lock. Bandhas bound/bind back the
dissipative energy in the body, (restraining the
dissipating outward flow of prana while bringing it
back from the periphery toward the center/ midline/
central channel, in order to achieve
union.
There are three classic bandhas; mula,
uddiyana, and jalandhara bandha. When practiced
together they are called tri-bandha. They are
practiced together or individually at specific times
during kriya, asana, pranayama, mudra, visualization,
and meditation practice. The activation of the bandhas
not only effect the body and the energy, but also the
mind and spiritual centers. This practice reverses the
outward flow of mind into world of the sense objects
where objects appear dualistically as separate from
our self, i.e., the world of I and it. Because the
mind cannot move without prana, bandhas are utilized
to reverse the outward flow while activating inner
flow. This will quickly activate a meditative state.
Bandhas are the internal energy valves.
In
short:
They
prevent the dissipation of, and direct the flow of
prana in the body, and convert it into spiritual
energy. These are internal energy locks which
direct the prana or life force, up the spine, rather
than allow it to escape downwards as it normally
would.
Bandhas, bind the energy from
leaking out, but it should never be viewed as a muscle
contraction. The word, bandha, means an interlock (to
lock in and interconnect inner systems), rather than
restraining, constraining, forcing, excluding,
repressing, etc. The bandhas are not physical locks,
but energy locks which connects and harmonizes one's
vital energy with the inner constellations, the outer
constellations, and the universal eternal source of
all energy. In order to learn about this activation,
we have to learn about the subtle energy, inside and
outside. But like our asana practice, also in bandha
practice we must first learn about the subtle internal
energy, by first working on the physical, coarse, and
external aspect. Then later once we become aware of
the presence of the internal and more subtle energies,
we can forgo the coarse, gross and
physical.
Bandhas take some time to tune into
and be conscious of during practice. So be patient
with yourself and ask any questions that you have. I
will try to explain it tomorrow in class and will
repeatedly go over it throughout the coming weeks. If
you feel uncomfortable practising the bandhas yet,
just sit and watch and take your time with
it.
Lets start
with looking at the first Bandha:
Mulabandha:
Muladhara Chakra: Root
Chakra,
(Pronunciation: Moola
Baun-da), Root
lock!
The root (mula) lock moves
the earth energy up through the muladhara chakra,
connecting it to the water chakra, navel chakra,
(swadhistana). Mula bandha keeps the energy flowing
between the body and the earth in a non-dual direction
(neither only up, nor exclusively down), while it is
the sushumna/ central channel/ mid-line, which
connects the earth energy with the realm of sky (at
the crown of the head). The muladhara chakra is the
most important chakra in hatha, kundalini, and tantric
yoga as well as the most mysterious. It is where our
dormant potential and animal power resides and it is
from here the kundalini becomes activated and enters
into the central channel (sushumna). Mulabandha is
designed to keep this energy flowing in this
region.
In yogic literature, the goddess
kundalini is pictured as lying dormant in the
muladhara chakra in the form of a serpent. The symbol
for this chakra is a downward facing triangle
normally, but when the chakra is activated (by an
activated kundalini) the triangle reverses upward
pointing!
How
to practice Mula Bandha?
The two main
points to consider, are the sacrum/tailbone complex in
the posterior of the body and the pubic bone in the
front. To engage Mulabhanda, inhale deeply. As you
exhale, contract and draw in the anal sphincter
muscles, as though you were holding in a bowel
movement. Then contract the muscles of the urethra, as
though you needed to urinate and had to hold it in.
Finally, contract your abdominal muscles in, pulling
the navel back towards your spine. Some people find it
useful to contract the muscles 1 inch below the navel
and 2 inches into the body. At first, you will
be contracting the muscles of the buttocks as you
learn this technique. Eventually, you will be
able to isolate the perineum (muscles of the pelvic
floor between the anus and the genitals, which holds
your organs inside the pelvis). Once you can
isolate the perineal muscles, you will be able to lift
just the center of the perineum and rather than a
large contraction pulling the whole floor up and into
your body, you will be able to use a subtle
contraction, lifting just the center of the perineum
like a gentle pinch lifting a tissue.
Inhale, release, exhale,
engage. To strengthen the muscles, hold the root lock
as long as possible before releasing. Eventually, you
will be able to hold it on both the inhalation and
exhalation by isolating the muscles of the perineum
(pelvic floor), but at first, it will probably move
with your breath.
I would like you to try to
apply the bandhas not only when you are sitting, but
also to incorporate it into every pose that you ere
doing. Especially the standing poses for the root
lock, the Muladhara Chakra. It wil be challenging at
first, but you will realize how you can keep so much
more energy inside of you and how it will benefit your
practice.
________________________________________________________________________
Uddiyana
Bandha:
Svadhistana Chakra: Navel
Chakra
(Pronunciation: Oo-di-ana
Baun-da)
Navel
lock!
The Sanskrit word
"Uddiyana" comes from the root 'ut' and 'di' which
means to "fly up." When this Bandha is practised the
Prana flies up through the Sushumna Nadi. Hence the
significant name: The Upward Flying Bandha.
While performing Uddiyana bandha, the muscle
of the diaphragm is stretched in upward direction;
this bandha is termed as Uddiyana Bandha (Upward
flying)
Uddiyana Bandha strengthens the digestive
fire and tones the body's energetic core, focusing on
the navel. The abdominal organs are massaged, toned
and purified and the adrenal glands are balanced by
the abdominal contraction. Uddiyana Bandha can also be
combined with Mula and Jalandhara Bandas, (throat
lock, the third lock), to create the great lock, Maha
Bandha.
How
to practice Uddiyana bandha:
Sit in a comfortable
cross-legged position. You can also stand to practice
this pranayama. If you are standing, bend the knees
slighty and put your hands on your knees to help
straighten your spine and gain lift out of the
core.
Place
both hands on the knees, using the support of your
hands to gain lift out of the spine and
core.
Take
a big inhale in and exhale all the air
out.
Then
holding the breath, take a false inhale - so perform
the same action of an inhale without actually pulling
any air into the body. This means pulling the abdomen
in and up under the rib cage.
Hold the contracted and
lifted abdomen in place for an immobile and empty
pause, and then release. It is beneficial to lengthen
the pause of the engaged bandha with
practice.
To release soften the
abdomen and inhale slowly and with
ease.
Do
NOT practice uddiyana bandha if you are pregnant or
suffering from stomach ailments, heart troubles or
defective blood circulation or from diseases like
hernia.
_______________________________________________________________________
Jalandhara bandha:
Vishudda
Chakra: Throat Chakra,
(Pronunciation:
Jal-an-daura Baun-da)
Throat
lock!
This is the throat energy
valve. Here the back of the neck elongates and the
throat softens. If you are sitting, the direction of
the movement is such that the occiput moves upward
(toward the vertex) away from the shoulders (as the
posterior muscles of the neck elongate and relax).
Here the occiput also moves slightly posterior
(backward), so the chin drops inward as well as
downward toward the sternal arch.
Jalandhara
connects the head with the heart and opens up the
throat chakra -- the body and the mind. Because of the
chronic dysfunctional nature of the separation between
head and heart, the efficacy of the practice depends
on leading from the heart not the head. This ensures
that the heart stays open and there is no strain to
the neck.
Jalandhara bandha is usually held at the
end of a full inhalation and/or at the end of a full
exhalation (called kumbhaka where the breath is not
moving and held/ retained).
Jalandhara bandha
prevents prana from escaping the upper body.
Jalandhara bandha is the water pipe lock. It binds the
network of subtle energy channels.
Engaging Jalandhara bandha is useful for
alleviating diseases of the throat. It also improves
the quantum of prana in the thoracic region. By
pressing the chin to the chest, prana is
captured, preventing it from escaping the upper
body. Many major nerve fibers pass through the neck;
when jalandhara bandha is performed it exerts pressure
on them and the flow of nervous impulses to the brain
is restricted. These impulses collect in the cervical
plexus, and when the bandha is released they flood
into the brain. The force of these impulses helps to
activate higher centers in the brain, those that
function with creativity and intellect.
Jalandhara
bandha can be used energetically with all the asanas
keeping the neck long and the throat soft while
connecting the energy between the heart and third eye
(through the throat). In pranayama jalandhara bandha
is often utilized in conjunction with the two other
bandhas (in traya bandha)
Benefits:
Jalandhara
bandha tonifies the throat chakra, neck, shoulder, and
arm regions. Jalandhara bandha is a great aid in
pranayama which in turn is a great boost to pratyhara
and meditation practice. It can correct TMJ and flat
neck problems when performed with sensitivity and
awareness. It relieves pressure at the cervical spine
and relaxes tension at the throat region. It opens the
chest and relaxes the shoulders. Thus it is beneficial
to any conditions that effect the upper torso, neck,
and head.
How
to practice Jalandhara bandha:
To engage this bandha, sit
in a comfortable cross legged position. Inhale so the
lungs are about two-thirds full, and then hold the
breath in. Drop the chin down, and then draw the chin
back closer to the chest so the back of the neck does
not round. Hold as long as is comfortable and then
bring the chin up first before you release the breath.
To practice in conjunction with the other two bandhas,
first draw the pelvic floor upwards, engaging mula
bandha. This leads to the abdomen drawing in and up
under the ribcage (uddiyana bandha). Finally, the chin
drops to the chest and draws back into jhalandara
bandha.
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Recommended Chakra
Oils to use to support the Bandhas:
1. Root Chakra
Oil and Mist
2. Navel Chakra Oil and
Mist
3.Throat Chakra Oil and Mist
Special on
these products, 20% off website price, until 30. April
2007
Please email for
order.
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AromaYoga
Class:
 Please
come to Centerpoint Studios weekly ongoing
ChakraAromaYoga Class.
The level of this yoga
class is from advanced beginner to intermedeate. I do
try to accomodate all levels. If you have no
experience in yoga at all, you are welcome to just
join in and sit on your mat. Observe, visualize,
meditate and experience the oils and the sounds. No
one will be send away and there is absolutely no
judgement. This is a feel good class and healing does
occur from being part of the circle. Its about healing
from the inside out and not about how many advanced
poses you can do.
Please always listen to your
body and only do what feels right at that certain
moment. Please let me know about any injuries that you
have before we start class.
Class is every Tuesday
evening from 8pm to 9:30pm.
Centerpoint
Studios are located at: 324, Lafayette Street, 7th
floor (just north of Houston) By subway: take the 6 to
Bleeker, or W/R to Prince Sreet or V/ B/D/F to
Broadway Lafayette
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Spring Specials:
-Spring Dreams Perfume roll on oil:
(5ml)
-Lindenblossom Perfume roll on oil:
(5ml)
-Rejuvenating Face Serum: (1oz.)
-Rose
Water Mist: (2oz)
20% off website prices until
the end of April, only through this newsletter. Please
email to place an order.
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Learn
more about the Chakras:
 Here
you will find some helpful information to educate
yourself about the chakras, before you come to
class
This link willl explain in more detail about
the seven energy centers, the chakras and their
importance and impact to our physical
bodies.
(Below
I mentioned two books that also have a lot of
information on the chakras.)
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Recommended
Books:
1. Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Swami
Muktibdhananda)
2. Wheels of Life, Guide on the
Chakras ( Anodea Judith)
3.The Diamond Cutter
(Geshe Michael)
4.Light on Yoga (B.K.S.
Iyengar)
5.The Secret of the Yamas (John Mc
Afee)
6.Theories of the Chakras (Hiroshi
Motoyama)
7.Ask and it is given (Esther Hicks and
Abraham)
8. Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy (Chrissie
Wildwood)
9. The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn (4
complete books)
10.Yoga Gems (George
Feuerstein)
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tanjab1@mac.com
http://www.aprilaromatics.com
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