Energy activation

The main nadi (sushumna) is known to run down the centre of the body, from the perineum (space between genitals and anus) to the fontanel (the centre of the top of the head).
Activating this original energy channel, opens us to receive energy from our original source and from Mother Earth.
Sit in a comfortable meditative pose. 

Asana is very important to the flow of breath and energy.  Ensure that you are supported in your seat with a cushion or thick blanket folded.  By lifting the seat, we allow the strain of holding the lower back fall away.  Close your eyes and connect to the rhythm of the natural flow of your breath.  Get a sense of the perineum by contracting and releasing the anal sphincter a few times.  Get a sense of the top of the head.  Visualise the centre column of energy as a channel of pure white light, running from the top of your head to the perineum, with the same diameter as the index finger touching your thumb. 

Abdominal breathing:
On the next exhalation, start pulling the navel into the spine, and continue for longer than normal, emptying the lungs.  Now you are able to take a full inhalation right down the bottom of the lungs, expanding the abdomen, opening the diaphragm.  Continue breathing in this fashion.
Visualise the energy pouring into the top of your head on the inhalation and drawing energy from below.  Being the embodiment of energy between heaven and earth.  Allow the energy to join at the navel centre as a ball of pure white light.
On the exhalation, breathe this light into your aura, expanding, clearing  and nourishing your entire energy system.
Continue for a minimum of 5 minutes.

The postures (asanas) activate the energy centres (chakras) by correct awareness in the asana.  We will discuss one asana per chakra.

Muladhara Chakra:   Dandasana (staff pose)

The awareness in the Dandasana is to lift in the lower region to cultivate a straight spine with relaxed shoulders, for energy to flow easily.  Let the awareness move to the base of the spine, contracting mula bhanda (root lock) and allow the awareness to move to above the pubic bone, which will enable the lower back to lift to its full potential.  This opens the flow of energy between perineum and fontanel. 

Maintaining the awareness above the pubic bone, breathing in raise the arms up and breathing out, lengthen into paschimottanasana (forward pinser).  Holding the bhanda, lengthen the spine forward, visualising pulling the top of the head towards the feet.

Svadistana Chakra: Navasana (The Boat)

When doing the preparatory boat or boat the awareness is strongly in the area above the public bone.  This awareness supports the lower back, lifts the pelvis forward and extends the spine upwards, to enable the shoulders to relax and the chest to open. 

Manipura Chakra:  Matsyendrasana (The Twist)

The twist is a natural activator of the energy in the Solar Plexus.  The internal energy can be affected deeper when
more awareness is kept in the body and asana.  By keeping the awareness in the lower abdomen, above the pubic bone, the lower back is lifted and
 chest opened, shoulders relax.  Then move into the twist with a straight spine, relax the hips so that the twist is not only done in the lumber region.

Anahata Chakra: The Cat stretch

The knees are slightly apart and the hands slide forward, dropping the chest down to the floor, lift the head if possible and place the chin on the floor.  This brings a lovely stretch to the spine, opening the energy channels in the chest and shoulders.

 

Vissudhi Chakra: Setu Bhandasana (The Bridge)

We often get pre-occupied with the asana to achieve the posture.  We forget the original purpose is not to achieve, but to activate and heal from within.  When moving up into the bridge, keep awareness of the space above the pubic bone, rolling up vertebrae by vertebrae.  This prevents the hips from overextending and it brings the back bend into the heart and neck.

 
Ajna Chakra: Light visualisation

Raise your eyeline slightly to aspire higher.  Breathing in, visualise a stream of light entering into the centre of your forehead, and on the exhalation visualise the light leaving through the centre of the back of your head.  The light is pulled through the pituatary and pineal gland.  Continue for minimum of 10 breaths.

  

Sahasrara Chakra: Crown activation

Do this sitting or standing.  Keep awareness of the spine and space above the pubic bone.  This retains the awareness of energy activation in the spine. 
 Breathing in raise arms up, visualising violet strongly. Breathing out return above the head.
Breathing in raise arms up and open sideways, visualising a fountain of energy.  Bring the arms down on the exhalation.  Continue into the second one, with the inhalation draw a line of light up the torso, stretching the arms upwards.  Exhalation return above the head, and continue a few rounds.