Yoga for the Dancer
Ahhh......Summer Fun and learning about Chakras!!! The colors of the divisions of prana (life-force) aren't exactly those that we use in the solar spectrum, but rather resemble the arrangement of colors, which we see on higher levels in the casual, mental, and astral bodies. The six radiants are violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and dark red. The seventh is rose-red and it passes down through the center of the vortex. Thus, vitality is se3venfold in it's constitution, but it flows through the body in five main streams after issuing from the splenic center, the blue and violet join into one ray and so do the orange and dark-red. The following descriptions are from C. W. Leadbeater's book The Chakras.......1) The violet-blue ray flashes upward to the throat , where it seems to divide itself, the light blue remaining to course through and quicken the throat center, while the dark blue and violet pass on into the brain. The dark blue expends itself in the lower and central parts of the brain, while the violet floods the upper part and appears to give special vigor to the force center at the top of the head, diffusing itself chiefly through the 960 petals of the outer part of that center. 2) The yellow ray is directed to the heart, but after doing it's work there, part of it also passes on to the brain and permeates it, directing itself principally to the 12 petaled flower in the midst of the highest force-center. 3) The green ray floods the abdomen, and while centering especially in the solar plexus, evidently vivifies the liver, kidneys, and intestines, and also the digestive apparatus generally. 4) The rose ray runs all over the body along the nerves and is clearly the life of the nervous system. This is the specialized vitality which one man may readily pour into another in whom it is deficient. If the nerves aren't fully supplied with this rosy light they become sensitive and intensely irritable, so that it's almost impossible to remain in one position, but, little ease is gained when moved to another. The least noise or touch is agony and a person can be in acute misery. The flooding of his nerves with specialized prana by some healthy person brings instant relief, and a feeling of healing and peace descends upon him. A person in robust health usually absorbs and specializes so much more of this vitality than is actually needed by his own body that he is constantly radiating a rushing stream of rose-colored atoms, and so unconsciously pours strength upon his weaker fellows without losing anything himself. During the night or when we sleep the nerves and muscles relax, assimilating vitality and recuperation of the physical body. 5) The orange-red ray flows to the base of the spine and generative organs. This ray energizes the desires of the flesh, and also seems to enter the blood and help to keep up the heat of the body. The ray also contains a certain amount of dark purple. If a man persistently refuses to yield to his lower nature, this ray can by long and determined effort be deflected upwards to the brain, where all three of it's constituents undergo a remarkable modification. The orange is raised into pure yellow (producing an intensification of the powers of the intellect); the dark red becomes crimson (and greatly increases the quality of unselfish affection); while the dark purple is transmuted into a lovely pale violet (and quickens the spiritual part of human nature). The man who achieves this transmutation will find that sensual desires will no longer trouble him. When a man has finally completed this change, this orange-red ray passes straight into the center at the base of the spine, and from that runs upwards along the hollow of the vertebral column straight to the brain.
The flow of the vitality (prana) in these various currents regulates the health of the parts of the body with which they are concerned. Weakness is disease in any part of the body is an indication of a deficiency in the flow of vitality to that part. By the same token, unusual activity or volume in the color rays appropriated to their centers is accompanied by health and strength of the physical organs in that part of the body.
As to the fate of the different streams of empty atoms that have done their work, after the charge of vitality is drawn from them, the colored rays become paler as they are swept along the body and eventually thrown out through the pores thus making an AURA. The empty atoms of the green ray (digestive process) become part of the ordinary waste material of the body, as well as the red-orange ray. Atoms of the blue ray (throat center) leave the body in exhalations of the breath. The rays of dark blue and violet pass out from the center at the top of the head. We all draw in vitality, but most of us do not utilize it to the fullest because in many ways we are not as pure, healthy, and reasonable as we should be. More later......Here's To Your Dancing Health!
Cat Series
Most people carry tension in their spine, which creates stiff back muscles, aching neck and shoulders. The Cat Series is an excellent way to limber the SPINE as it awakens and energizes it. The healing stretch works the entire length of the BACK while encouraging CIRCULATION from the base to the head. It has a calming effect on the MIND. The Cat conditions the BACK MUSCLES, which support your spine. It tones and firms your ABDOMINAL MUSCLES. The HIPS and SHOULDERS are loosened and flexed. The Cat not only makes the SPINE flexible, but, it also rotates, extends, and aligns it . It stimulates SPINAL NERVES. It improves breathing and brings fresh oxygen to the MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM. As you release tension in the BACK and NECK, you also restore mobility in the DIAPHRAGM. It also stimulates KIDNEY function and helps prevent INCONTINENCE. The Cat also activates DIGESTION and relieves CONSTIPATION. This exercise creates a strong lock over the GLANDS offering OXYGENATED BLOOD to keep them functioning in a balanced way. It's great for the POSTURE and it also strengthens the PELVIC AREA. The LOWER and MIDBACK MUSCLES are strengthened. Some of the variations in the series will strengthen, tone, and stretch the ARMS, LEGS, QUADS, SHOULDERS , HIPS, GLUTEAL MUSCLES and THROAT. Some of the movements help to balance and center the ENTIRE BODY. They become a balancing exercise, which improves CONCENTRATION by working opposing sides of the BRAIN, which helps to coordinate BRAIN FUNCTION with MUSCLE ACTION. The Cat also works on a deeper level on the chakra relating to our Willpower by strengthening it. If you have bad knees, you might want to use extra padding. Check with your physician if you suffer from epilepsy. You need to avoid this exercise if you have an abdominal hernia. Avoid putting your head below your heart if you have glaucoma, detached retina, or uncontrolled high blood pressure. If you've just given birth, wait to do the variations involving lifting the legs. We will learn the Cat Series in order.
Cat Five
1. Begin on your hands and knees, legs are separated and hands are in alignment with your knees. INHALE deeply and on your EXHALE lift the middle of the back up as you tuck your hips under, stretching in the small of the back. Keep the neck relaxed and your head down. If you wish to stay in this relaxing position longer then your breath retention lasts, just breathe normally. You will begin with this position, use it in between each cat movement , and always end with this position. It's your counter stretch and an important movement.
2. Breathing normally, equalize your balance between your RIGHT hand and your LEFT knee. Hold your RIGHT foot with your LEFT hand and pull your leg up and away from the trunk. Try to maintain your balance for your hold of 10-20 counts. Keep your knee in alignment, if you pull it away from the body you may throw your balance off. Return to #1 and repeat on the other side. Perform a couple of times concluding with #1.
CAT SIX
1. Begin with #1 of Cat Five.
2. Breathing normally, equalize your weight on your RIGHT hand and knee. You may adjust that hand out to the side a little for better balance. Take your LEFT foot with your LEFT hand and pull it up and away from your trunk. Try to hold 10-20 counts . Return to # 1 and repeat on the other side. Perform a couple of times concluding with # 1.
* Work on keeping a slight distance between the legs and arms when you return your hands and knees back to the floor. •