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Blue Lotus Yoga

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85 Stanley Road, Heysham, Morecambe, LA3 1UT

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Experienced and highly qualified Yoga Teacher/Yoga Therapist specialising in one-to-ones and small groups, and occasional retreats. Yoga therapy specialisations include cancer, low back pain, arthritis, breathing difficulties, heart conditions & pregnancy.

The Chakras

The Chakras The chakras are said to be very subtle centres of energy located in the ‘pranic body'. The word chakra (sometimes spelt cakra but pronounced the same) means ‘wheel' or ‘vortex', and the energy centres may be perceived as vortices of energy spinning around. The chakras are also known as padmas or lotuses. Some people perceive these energy centres as appearing like flowers, which may open or close. The complex chakra symbolism uses the image of the lotus to represent each centre of energy. The pranic body occupies the same space as the physical body, but is more subtle than the physical body. Due to the interrelationship of these two bodies we can use the physical body as a reference point for the location of the chakras. The majority of the principal chakras are located along the spine. Chakra charts give the precise locations. Although there is some disagreement, particularly about the location of the lower chakras, it is worth noting that Rieker, in his commentary on the Hatha-yoga-pradipika says ‘it is characteristic that the tantric Buddhism of Tibet teaches that the yogi has to create the chakras at the relevant places in his body.' Rieker also says that the mind is nourished by the chakras - the chakras determine the whatever level of development we are on, and this determines the measure of our consciousness.' The chakras are not sources of energy themselves, but act as prisms or storehouses for prana (life force). Prana flows through the pranic body via a system of channels called nadis. The main nadi, the sushumna, is within the spine, and flanking it are ida and pingala which link with the nostrils. It is sometimes said that ida and pingala cross over at the points where the chakras are located, so that they intertwine. Ways of Working with ChakrasThe chakras should be in a state of harmony and balance, otherwise disease, illness or mental unease will result.You don't have to believe in the actual existene of chakras to benefit from working with them as if they exist.You can use the symbolism of chakras in visualisation or meditation techniques, or in personal development work.The archetypes of the human mind are represented in the chakras, so in discovering the symbolism of the chakras you are discovering and working with your own archetypes.You can work with various postures which stimulate or pacify (‘open' or ‘close') the chakras.You would generally work on one chakra in your yoga practice, whichever seems the most relevant to your current issues.You can make your sankalpa (a type of positive resolve used in yoga nidra or ‘psychic sleep') relevant to the chakra you are working on.

Stress

Stress You may have heard of the ‘stress response' or the ‘fight or flight response'. Danger or even just the threat of danger can cause it. A complex chain of nerve and chemical signals activates the nervous system and creates a number of changes in the body: o Glycogen stored in the liver is converted into blood sugar to provide instant energy o Stress chemicals such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are released directly into the bloodstream causing a surge of energy o Your heart rate increases, blood vessels enlarge, blood pressure increases, the digestive process stops, and your mouth becomes dry o Breathing becomes faster and more shallow, and sweating increases to cool the body o The muscles of the bladder and rectum relax, whilst tension in other muscles is increased to prepare for action o Even your pupils get bigger to allow more light in to your eyes so you can see better if the lighting is dim. The whole process provides strength, energy, and clear thinking to meet the challenge. But if we're not able to us the energy created by the stress response, it can lead to harmful stress and nervous tension. If this happens over a long period of time it can lead to serious illness. Goleman, in his book Vital Lies, Simple Truths, says: ‘The total bath of brain chemicals in the stress response elegantly prepares a person to deal with danger. In early evolution, this meant either fight or flight. After the danger passed, the body could relax. But with the advent of civilization, neither fight nor flight are called for with any regularity, if at all. More often than not, we are left to stew in these juices.' Sustained stress can lead to anxiety, high blood pressure, a poor immune system, exhaustion, constipation, stomach ulcers, and even death.

Relaxation

Relaxation Just as there is a physiological response called the ‘stress response' there is also a physiological response called the ‘relaxation response'. Its effects are exactly the opposite of the stress response. The relaxation response can be used as an ‘antidote' to stress. Some people find it easy to relax whenever they want, some can only relax at certain times. Others find it difficult to relax at all. For those people who find it difficult, it is possible to learn how to do it. There are only four things required: •1. A comfortable position This can be sitting or lying down. You need to be the right temperature - not to hot, not too cold. •2. A quiet environment Pick a time when you're not going to be disturbed. Switch off the phone. Put a ‘do not disturb' sign on your door. •3. A mental device This means something for your mind to focus on. Maybe you find it easy just to listen to your breath going in and out, or you might like to repeat a word over and over in your head, or picture something pleasant. •4. A passive attitude Just means don't TRY to relax! As soon as you start trying you tense up. Let go. It doesn't matter whether or not you can do this straight away - you've got a perfect excuse for more practice!