Yoga

Base Chakra

Chakra may now be a common term to you and you may even have an understanding of its meaning. base chakra

The chakras (meaning wheel or cycle) are culmination points for nadis (channels) of prana (energy or lifeforce). A useful analogy when considering chakras is to envision nadis as highways, filled with cars (prana) and the chakras are the intersections and roundabouts where these highways meet.

The chakras reside on the sushumna nadi, which is the central channel of energy that is aligned with the spinal column.

Let’s look closely at the base chakra.

Muladhara

base chakraMula (or moola) = base/root
Adhara = substratum/foundation/support

Known as the base or root chakra, this can be visualised as being located at the floor of the torso or base of the spine. It is the seat of our primal energy.

This is our foundation and if it is imbalanced the prana is not able to easily flow freely throughout the rest of the chakras and beyond. You may even be able to feel the subtle energy changes when this chakra is out of balance. Continue reading →

What Does Yoga Actually Mean?

Yoga is an all encompassing term which is derived from the Sanskrit word, yuj, which translates in its most simplistic form to yoke. However, the translation isn’t that straight forward and it can mean to bind, union, attach and communion or a culmination of all these words.

With such multifaceted semantics, yoga can also be interpreted as connection, contact, method, application, addition, combination and performance.

On first glance, yoga may appear as a series of stretches and postures but it’s a traditional method of practise, principles and philosophy that aims to bind or yoke the individual together with a higher being or existence.

Another way of looking at the definition of yuj is ‘to direct and concentrate one’s attention on, to use and apply’,Light on Yoga, page 19.

Yoga is both a state and a means to attaining it. Despite the differing styles and ways of practise, there is a common underpinning thread of belief that we, as people, are greater than just a body and mind. Continue reading →