![]() Pranayama practice has several benefits. These include increasing oxygen supply to the body, reduction of stress and tension, improved immunity and digestion, enhancement of the body's ability to eliminate toxins, as well as promoting balance in the mind and body. While it can be very challenging to control one's thoughts, it is much easier to control breath, which has a direct effect in calming the mind. Over time, deep breathing practices can lead to lengthening of the silent periods in between our repetitive thoughts. Kundalini pranayama is said to have a cleansing effect on the chakras. There are 7 chakras in the body: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown, each symbolizing different energies. For instance, the heart chakra relates to one's ability to be compassionate, empathetic, and to give and receive love. When there is an energy blockage in a chakra, there may be ill effects on the mind and body connected to its domain. To illustrate, if the heart chakra is blocked, the person may be selfish, unaffected by other people's suffering, have difficulty being affectionate and loving, feel lonely, and value their happiness at the expense of others. On a physical level, it may manifest as lung diseases, high blood pressure, heart problems and chronic upper back pain. General signs of chakras being imbalanced include depression, fear, doubt, repression, vengeance, criticism, greed, and inability to engage in healthy, mutually satisfying relationships. Ways of balancing the chakras include pranayama, yoga postures specific to each chakra, mudras specific to a chakra, meditations focused on a specific chakra, sound healing, and yantras for each chakra. I find it helpful to use a variety of these techniques to balance the chakras at different times. Different people resonate with different techniques and teachers. I thought I would post some helpful resources that I have tried so you can see how it works for you.
5 Comments
Matteo
5/18/2020 12:53:00 pm
I tried a few of these videos you posted and they have been great. I have a regular deep breathing practice I try to do on Sundays. The chakras are so fascinating, in particular Anodea Judith's books have been eye-opening for me.
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Samantha
5/18/2020 07:23:36 pm
Hi Matteo,
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Matteo
5/21/2020 10:37:31 am
I had planned to come to Toronto in the summer but that's up in the air now. It's hectic because there's not enough PPE at the hospital. On the bright side, we've got a pretty good system going for the COVID-19 patients so I feel things are under control, at least where I work. Anyway, I'm glad to see you're doing well and hopefully we will meet again sometime.
John
5/23/2020 11:34:11 pm
I've been doing a lot of deep breathing exercises with my clients too, noticing a lot more people come in with anxiety and fear of getting the coronavirus. Do you find particular techniques more helpful than others? I find it depends on the person. The chakra yoga and breathing is newer to me, will explore that too.
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Angelina
12/2/2020 11:24:23 pm
I've been doing some of these videos and have noticed the changes within the last week. It makes a big difference. I am trying to make it part of my self-care routine on a weekly basis.
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