BIO-PSYCHOLOGY,
CAKRAS, FOOD AND ASANAS
The process
of yoga needs to be explained in three dimensions, that is, physical, mental
and spiritual. Each has its own value
and resources. Each must be discussed separately and finally synthesized with
equilibrium and equipoise.
CAKRAS
The word
"cakra" means controlling nucleus.
There are many controlling nuclei in the universe. The controlling nucleus of any particular
province or state, for example, is the provincial or state capital. The controlling nucleus of the country is the
national capital.
The nucleus
of the moon is the earth, and the nucleus of the earth is the sun. The controlling nucleus of the universe is
the Cosmic or Universal Mind, commonly called God, but better called the
Supreme Consciousness. Everything in
this universe has a controlling nucleus and each nucleus is controlled, in
turn, by a superior nucleus, in a somewhat hierarchical order.
The cakras or
controlling nuclei of the human body are formed in two ways. The human backbone is actually composed of
several small bones piled one on another, separated by pillow-like substances
called discs. Through the center of
these backbones runs the spinal cord.
SPINAL CORD
This spinal
cord seems to be one entity, but there are actually three channels within each
other containing three subtle nerves.
One central nerve descends from the brain, passing directly through the
spinal cord within the backbone to the base of the spine. The second starts at the root of the right
nostril and twists and twines around the central nerve, crossing at five points
in the trunk of the body until it reaches the base of the spine. The third nerve starts at the root of the
left nostril, twisting and twining in a similar way around the central nerve, crossing
at the same five points, reaching to the base of the spine.
Where these
three nerves cross within the spinal cord marks the location of the first five
cakras. The first cakra is located two
fingers above the anus. The second is
located at the root of the genital organs and also controls the first
cakra. The third is located at the navel
and controls the two lower cakras. The
fourth cakra is found at the center of the chest, controlling the three lower
cakras, and the fifth is at the vocal cord and controls the four lower cakras.
GLANDS AND
MENTAL PROPENSITIES
The cakras
are also formed along with clusters of glands which act like small factories
which exist at these controlling centers; around each of the first five cakras
are a number of glands. The sixth cakra
is located at the pituitary gland and controls all the five lower cakras. The
seventh and highest cakra is located at the crown of the skull where as a baby
our skull was soft. The seventh cakra is
the controller of all the six lower cakras. It is associated with the pineal
gland in the brain.
Each of the
glands or small factories surrounding the nerves produce a particular hormone
or chemical which activates a special emotion, feeling or tendency within the
mind. There are fifty factory-like
glands producing fifty hormones or chemicals in the body. Each hormone activates a unique tendency
within the mind, so there are a total of fifty mental tendencies. This chemical stimulation of the body affects
the mind. Therefore, the cakras are
physico-psychic; that is, the body influences the mind.
The three
nerves mentioned earlier are the extensions of the brain, and the brain is the
machine of the operator-mind. When a
particular thought, memory or idea about one of the fifty tendencies or
emotions arises in the mind, the glands respond accordingly and that hormone or
chemical is released into the blood activating the particular emotion or
tendency. So the cakras are also
psycho-physical; that is, mind stimulates chemical reaction in the body leading
to emotional behaviour.
Because of
the cakras being both physico-psychic and psycho-physical, this gives rise to
50 x 2 expressions in relation to the internal and external application of
mental propensities.
VIBRATIONS
This network
of seven cakras, with related glands, hormones and nerves, acts like a
transmitter and receiver. Everything in
the universe is sending and receiving peculiar energies in different wave
patterns called vibrations. Each and
every animate and inanimate energy is transmitting its own special expression
of being or existence. The cakras, as a
whole, act as an antenna, receiving and sending these various vibrations. These vibrations stimulate the nerves which
activate the chemicals of a particular gland, causing the mind to experience an
emotion, feeling or urge as a result (that is, a propensity).
These various
vibrations can be categorized into three qualities - sentient, mutative and
static. Energy qualifies, molds or
restricts our capacity to know either positively or negatively. Sometimes the positive aspect of energy
dominates the negative; therefore, we call it positive or sentient. When the negative aspect of energy dominates
the positive, we call it negative or static.
There are times, however, when neither positive nor negative dominates,
but rather each is struggling to dominate.
This dynamic situation is called mutative or neutral.
Each of the
cakras is being activated by external and internal energies. If that
stimulation or vibration activates the two lower-most cakras, we say that the
stimulus is negative or static to the mind.
If cakras located at the heart, the vocal cord or the pituitary gland
are activated, we say that the vibration is positive or sentient. When the navel cakra (third) is stimulated,
we label it neutral or mutative.
Everything of
this universe is vibrating under the influence of one of these three
limitations. Music, people, nature, food
and mind are each transmitting one of these three expressions of energy. Our cakras are being stimulated by these
external and internal vibrations day and night, whether we are aware of it or
not.
PERSONALITY
When a gland
is stimulated again and again, it becomes overactive. Some glands are very seldom stimulated. For example, in some people the pineal gland
has become calcified, hardened, which means it was not active at all. The special chemicals made by glands which
control particular emotional tendencies become dominant in activated glands and
dormant in unstimulated ones.
The
combinations of these dominant and dormant glands makes up our character, our
personality. So we can say that our
personality or individuality is the expression of the strengths and weaknesses
of the various glands located at the various cakras of our body. When the negative glands of our body
dominate, our behaviour can be categorized as static. Also, when the positive glands are dominant,
then our behaviour is sentient. This
applies to the neutral glands, as well, resulting in mutative behaviour.
By
understanding the scientific nature of our bodies, we can apply the techniques
of yoga to progressively strengthen, control and direct the energies of our
cakras for deeper mental and spiritual achievement for the benefit of all.
FOOD
We develop
the cakras by controlling the food we eat.
The body is like a refinery or processing plant. After eating, the body chemically refines
food for various uses. However, foods
containing chlorophyll are especially important in the production of lymph, the
chemical agent which causes the formation of hormones. Lymph is the food of the nervous system,
especially the brain.
The glands
use lymph to produce the various hormones which activate particular emotions
according to what we think. If we think
courageous, compassionate and benevolent thoughts, then the lymph will be
converted into the hormones of the glands which control these emotions. However, if we entertain fear, hatred,
jealousy and doubt, then the glands that control those emotions will grow
stronger.
There are
three categories of food - sentient (positive), mutative (neutral), and static
(negative). Positive food activates
sentient glands and hormones, negative food stimulates static behaviour, and
neutral promotes mutative emotions. Food
stimulates glands, glands activate emotions, emotions build personality. Therefore, we should be very careful about
the kind of food we eat.
If we do not
take precaution in the food we eat, then static food will undo all the effort
we made in practicing the yoga postures to control and activate the
glands. Static food will activate the
glands we wish to control and will not produce lymph needed for the hormones we
need to develop the higher levels of mind.
The relationship between food and yoga postures or asanas should be
understood very well.
THOUGHTS
Yoga postures
called asanas, exercise and massage the glands to control the overactive
hormones and to activate the dormant hormones.
Shyness, depression, dogmatic thinking and fear can be overcome by
performing yoga postures prescribed by a properly qualified teacher. Asanas also stimulate compassion, hope,
sacrifice, rationality and determination. By applying and releasing pressure on
those inactive or underactive glands, the hormones will work to help the
individual to move more efficiently towards expansion of mental outlook and the
Supreme Goal of life.
Thoughts
activate glands, glands produce hormones, hormones control sentient, mutative
and static emotions and mental tendencies and the collective interaction
between these psychic urges forms our unique personality. It is very important to control thought. Thousands of years ago yogi's declared, "As
you think, so you become". Mind is
the cause of freedom and slavery.
Eating proper
food and doing yoga postures is done to control the static mind and activate
the sentient, rational and intuitive mind.
If the mind is engaged in negative, static and selfish thoughts, the
glands and hormones will only respond accordingly. Precise, controlled thinking and remembering
applied to glands lead to positive, peaceful and joyful living.
People with
similar thoughts like to be with each other.
Peaceful places attract people who want peace of mind. In this universe there are many living
beings, much smaller than our capacity to perceive, which are attracted by our
thoughts. They also want the company of
our mind. This "small life"
moves throughout the universe desiring companionship according to its positive,
neutral or negative nature.
As we think,
they are attracted by our thought. If we
think positively, then the positive are pulled by our thought. If we think negatively, then the negative
move nearer to us. Their positive or
negative influence affects the glands and hormones of the cakras, helping or
hindering our progressive development.
It is the mind which is our best friend or our greatest enemy. We should choose our thoughts carefully.
FOUR
IMPORTANT ASPECTS
Therefore, we
should consider these four aspects of yoga practice:
1. We should be very conscious of what we eat
and how it affects our glandular system and hormonal (chemical) balance.
2. Our physical exercise should also enhance the
control of overactive glands and the stimulation of dormant glands.
3. Our thoughts should be properly selected to
lead us to oneness in heart, mind and movement.
4. And our thoughts should attract only those
living beings in the universe which will help us in our effort to surrender to
our Supreme Goal.
In this practice
we should take a precise, direct and sincere path under the guidance of the
Teacher called Guru in yogic philosophy or scriptures.
EMOTIONAL AND
SPIRITUAL BENEFITS OF YOGA EXERCISES (ASANAS)
Thousands of
years ago, Yogis meditating deep in jungles carefully observed the wild animals
that shared their solitude. Through deep
observation they began to detect the techniques which Mother Nature installs in
her less evolved creatures to keep them healthy, agile and alert. They watched how different animals
instinctively cure themselves, how they relax and sleep, how they awaken.
These ancient
jungle saints experimented with various animal postures on their own
bodies. After much readjustment through
constant experimentation and deep intuition, they finally created the
systematic series of physical exercises known as asanas. Many of the thousands of asanas thus devised
are named for the animals which inspired them: cobra, locust, lion, peacock,
frog, crow, fish, eagle, monkey, cock, rabbit, etc.
Asana
literally means "posture comfortably held." During these smooth motions the body remains
in a state of relaxed efficiency. The
deep breathing which naturally accompanies these postures carries a great deal
of oxygen to be absorbed in the bloodstream.
During asanas energy is accumulated rather than spent.
FIVE
FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS AND CAKRAS
In Tantric
science it is said that the human body is composed of five fundamental factors:
solid, liquid, luminous, aerial and ethereal.
The body becomes upset when these different factors are unbalanced. These fundamental factors are controlled by
different nuclei or vibrational centers, called cakras. Each cakra or centre controls a particular
area and particular glands.
The
Muladhara cakra (located near the base of the spinal
column) controls the solid factor of the body and is directly related to the
excretory function of the anus. This is
the first cakra.
The
next, second, higher (and more subtle) cakra is the Svadhisthana cakra (located
slightly higher along the spine) which controls the liquid factor of the body
and is related to the body's sexual function.
The
third or Manipura cakra at the navel area controls the luminous factor (energy,
fire) and digestion.
The
fourth cakra, the Anahata cakra (located in the centre of the chest), controls
the aerial factor and is related to the respiratory and circulatory functions
of the body.
The
fifth cakra, Vishuddha cakra (located in the throat) controls the ethereal
factor, the subtlest of the five elements, and is responsible for speech. This cakra controls all those below it; thus
it coordinates all the energies of the physical body.
The
sixth or Ajina cakra (located in the centre of the brain) is sometimes called
the "seat of the mind". It controls
mental functioning.
The
seventh and highest cakra, the Sahasrara cakra, is located at the very centre
and top of the head, and is the seat of pure consciousness in the individual.
The physical,
mental and spiritual health of the individual depends on a proper energy
balance among these seven cakras and thus among all glands (both subtle glands
and the physical endocrine glands) they directly control. Disease is related to a weakness, an
imbalance in the energy flow of one or more of the cakras.
MEDITATION
AND ASANAS
For a person
practicing meditation, the regular practice of asanas is essential. Through meditation the mind, elevated to
superconscious states, becomes increasingly subtle. The body must also become increasingly subtle
to retain the parallelism or equilibrium between mind and body necessary for
health. If the body's development lags
behind the mind's expansion, this parallelism between the mind and the body is
disrupted, leading often to sickness and difficulty in relating to the
world. A complete course of meditation
requires a system of exercises or asanas to purify and refine the physical body
and to direct its energies toward the total effort to attain self-realisation
and union with Universal Consciousness.
Asanas are thus
a vital part of a complete system of practices for physical, mental and
spiritual development. They are an integral part of the set of spiritual
practices of Ananda Marga called the 16 Points. When asanas are practiced
without cosmic ideation or other spiritual practices such as meditation, it is
called Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is merely
a psycho-physical practice. The practice
of Hatha Yoga alone, without a proper effort to discipline the mind by moral
principles and meditation, may ultimately lead to mental and spiritual
degeneration, and so is not recommended.
Asanas affect every
aspect of the human physique. They
balance the glandular secretions or hormones, relax and tone up the muscles and
the nervous system, stimulate blood circulation, stretch stiff ligaments and
tendons, limber joints, massage the internal organs, and help calm and
concentrate the mind.
ASANAS AND
GLANDS
The complex
symphony of the body is conducted by a system of glands known as the
"endocrine glands". These
glands are often called "ductless glands" because they send their
secretions directly into the blood or lymph, instead of using secretory
ducts. The chemical substances secreted
by these glands are called hormones.
They are chemical messages which act at a distance from their
source. Hormones have a profound effect
on all the body's functions, like growth, digestion, energy level, heat, sexual
development and function, water and fluid retention, etc.
The twisting
and bending positions of the asanas, held for a specific period of time, place
continued and specific pressure on the various endocrine glands of the
body. This stimulates these glands and
regulates their secretions. In the shoulderstand, for example, the contraction
of the neck muscles combined with the pressure of the chin on the chest
squeezes blood out of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. In the fish pose,
which immediately follows the shoulderstand, these glands are stretched and
flooded with blood. The combination of
these two poses effectively massages and stimulates these two glands, thus
greatly improving their function.
GLANDS AND
EMOTIONS
Hormonal
secretions are also closely related to emotional expression. In an experiment
conducted by Dr. Lennart Sevi of
The physical
expression of emotions is determined by secretions from the various
glands. Heavy doses of thyroxin, the
hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, for example, make a perfectly normal man
nervous and irritable.
Yogic
physiology has described the 50 main propensities (vrttis) of the human mind,
which control the secretions of 50 glands and sub-glands clustered around the
body's energy centers or cakras. These
expressions are both internal and external, giving 100.
Intense
emotions such as fear, sorrow, hatred, jealousy and envy create vibrational
shockwaves which can affect the entire nervous system. For example, the shock created by the sudden
news of the death of a loved one may increase the blood pressure and place a
tremendous strain on the heart. Nervous
disorders and a heart attack may result.
In extreme sorrow or fear, and even as a result of a shock of extreme
happiness, even death may occur.
The subtle
pressure of the asana postures on the various glands, combined with deep
relaxation, tends to restore the balanced activity of the endocrine and other
glands and to harmonise the emotions.
Glandular defects may be cured by asanas, and mental composure attained.
THE BENEFITS
OF ASANAS (YOGA POSTURES)
Yoga asanas
('asana' literally means posture in which it is pleasurable to remain) have
been developed steadily over thousands of years as an aid to good physical and
mental health, well-being and self-realization. Many of the postures are named
after animals which the yogis imitated in order to gain their strengths. Yoga
postures have a number of unique features which set them apart from other forms
of exercise:
1. They
stretch and relax nerves, muscles and joints, creating a pleasant feeling of
relaxation, increasing flexibility and promoting the free flow of energy
through the body.
2. They
require a minimum expenditure of physical energy and thus do not create mental
dullness.
3. They
nourish and tone specific and often neglected organs and glands by directing
the flow of blood, lymph and mental concentration to that area. The hormones
secreted by the endocrine glands control our physical, mental and emotional
states. By balancing these hormonal secretions, yoga asanas promote optimal
physical and emotional conditions.
4. They
enable the practitioner to divert the flow of energy to higher centers in the
body, giving control over desires and subtlety of awareness.
5. Through
use of the breath they purify the blood and promote calmness, concentration and
depth of perception.
6. Through
use of balance and motionlessness they promote mental steadiness and calm.
7. Through
strengthening and cleaning the organs of elimination they make the body free of
toxins and the mind clear.
8. Through
use of concentration they promote mental stability and perception.
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR PRACTICE OF ASANAS
1. Practice
on an empty stomach (ideally wait 3 hours after meals before practicing).
2. Do
not eat or drink immediately after practice (ideally wait half an hour).
3. Wear
supportive underwear and loose fitting clothes (at home, minimal clothing is
preferable if it is not cold).
4. Practice
on a blanket or mat (not on bare ground).
5. Practice
in a smoke and odour-free space.
6. Practice
in a quiet, private space with fresh air but not drafty.
7. Practice
while the breath is flowing through the left nostril or both nostrils but not
while through the right nostril (except for the 3 basic asanas which can be
practiced any time - yoga pose, half tortoise pose, cobra pose).
8. Have
a half-bath (freshen the limbs, eyes, face and neck with water) or cool shower
before asanas.
9. Avoid
contact with water for 10 minutes after completing Asanas.
10. Women
are recommended to refrain from practice during pregnancy and menstruation.
11. Warm
up before starting asanas, stay within your limits, avoid bouncing in stretches
and finish with self-massage and 2 - 10 minutes Shavasana (corpse posture).
12. Do not immediately enter a noisy environment
after practicing Asanas. Ideally go for a short walk alone.
THREE BASIC
YOGA POSTURES (ASANAS)
Yogasana
(Yoga Pose)
Sit in
cross-legged sitting position on a blanket on the floor. Put your hands behind
you and grip the left wrist with your right hand. Draw in a deep breath
(inhale) and slowly let your torso drop down to bring your forehead and nose in
contact with the floor. Exhale as you lower your head in this way. Keep your
head on the floor for about eight seconds, expelling or holding your breath. Then rise up slowly, breathing in as you
reach your initial position, and then exhale.
Practice this
round eight times.
Ardhakurmakasana
(Half-Tortoise Pose)
Get down on
your knees and sit down on your heels. While inhaling, extend your hands upward
so that your arms touch your ears and join your palms together. Then while
exhaling gradually bow down forward and touch the floor with your forehead and
nose. Stay in this pose while holding your breath for 8 seconds. Rise slowly
while inhaling back to your sitting position with hands and arms pointing
upward - arms touching your ears with palms joined together. Strive to keep
your arms straight and your buttocks on the heels all the time. Then lower your
arms to your side while exhaling.
Practice this
round eight times.
Bhujaungasana
(Cobra Pose)
Lie down on
your stomach and chest and put your forehead on the floor. Slide your arms and
hands, palms down to either side of your shoulders. Tuck the elbows to your
sides and keep your feet together. While inhaling, raise your chest off the
floor, supporting the weight on the palms, roll your head and neck back and up
and look toward the ceiling. Do in this way as if someone is pulling you back
to make your torso go up, and thus raise your head, neck, and chest (in this
order), as if attempting to look behind you at your feet. Remember, breathe in as you rise. Hold your
breath and that position for eight seconds.
Reverse the whole procedure while going down - i.e. lower your chest,
neck, and head as you breathe out and exhale as you slowly come down to your
original position.
Practice this
round eight times.
Self massage
Once having
finished the asanas, then it is time to relax.
But first, thoroughly massage your face, scalp, neck, shoulders, arms,
hands, body, legs, knees and feet. Start with your face and end with your feet.
Pay particular attention to joints. Do not use massage (or any other) oils.
Gradually your body will begin to secrete its own oils and make your skin
healthier and thus better looking.
Shavasana
(Corpse pose)
Lie down on
your back, spread your legs and hands a comfortable distance from your body and
turn your palms facing upward. Imagine yourself completely relaxed, free of
tension - as if your life force has left your body making it a corpse. (Or if
you are uncomfortable with the image of death, imagine that you are lying on a
little white fluffy cloud with sun gently caressing you with its loving warmth
and taking all tension and worry away from you.) Clear your mind of thoughts. Take long deep breaths and be in a perfectly
relaxed condition.
Duration: 2
to 10 minutes.