Dawn Smith Yoga

Aspects of yoga

• Chakra Sadhana
• Energy Exercises
  Activating your Prana
  Meridian Massage
• Also see the Aspects of Yoga Workshops

Chakra Sadhana

Sadhana means to practice.

Chakras are the spinning wheels of energy connected to the

endocrine glands responsible for hormonal production and smooth functioning of all the organs in our body.

Each Chakra is also said to represent an aspect of human consciousness, forming an energetic intersection between physical bodies and our consciousness. As we remove energy blockages in our Chakras we enhance our perceptions, the functioning of our organs and boost our physical and emotional well-being

The aim of Chakra focused Yoga is to experience:

• Security and stability, positive energy, patience and a sense of community that brings rewarding relationships. Muladhara/Root

• Increased sensitivity, enhanced intuition, adaptability and healthy desires as well as an ability to accept change and to go with the flow. Svadhisthana/Sacral

• A sense of self-worth, confidence and charisma. Manipura/Solar Plexus

• Self-acceptance, trust, compassion and forgiveness. Anahata/Heart

• Inner peace, an ability to easily express creativity. Vishuddhi/Throat

• Non-judgemental attitude. Ajna/Brow

• Deep understanding, and an ability to see the interconnectedness of all forms of life. Sahasrara/Crown

Energy Exercises

Activating your Prana

This exercise to activate pranic flow in the auric field will help to strengthen your body ~ mind complex. It activates prana and stores it in your…

• Hara (Japanese)

• Tan Tien (Chinese)

• Svadistana/Sacral Chakra (Hindu/Yogic)

…a highly significant energy storage area relating to the adrenal glands & metabolism that play a large role in our bodies’ response to stress and its ability to balance the immune system.

1. Standing with your feet shoulder width with your knees soft.

2. Take seven deep breaths to relax and centre your self

3. Bring your hands up in front of your navel with your palms facing each other about 8 inches (20 cms) apart

4. Visualise that you are holding a ball of sparkling, silver light energy (prana) between them

5. As you inhale slowly, expand the ball by moving your hands away from each other

6. As you exhale slowly bring your hands closer together to concentrate the silver energy. You should start to feel the energy between you hands

7. Do seven inhalations and exhalations in this way, then bring the ball of silver energy close to your navel and ‘push’ it into your body.

8. Now hold your hands against your navel and take seven more deep breaths, feel the expansion and contraction of your abdomen and the energy ball inside you increasing and decreasing in intensity.

9. Finally relax in shavasana for 5 – 10 minutes

Meridian Massage

These Chi Kung movements sweep every meridian in the direction of your energy flow to break through blockages, restore your equilibrium and increase your vitality.

Yin meridians draw energy from the earth up the inside of your legs and arms to your fingertips.

Yang meridians draw energy from the sky through your fingertips to your shoulders, head and body and down the outside of your legs.

GALLBLADDER/yang Tap all over your head with your fingertips and stroke your hair

HEART/yin Brush down inside of each arm from pit to fingertips

SM & LGE INT/yang Brush up the outsides of your arms to your shoulders

LUNG/yin Tap your upper chest

KIDNEYS/yin (front) Run your fingertips down your breastbone

BLADDER/yang (back)

GALLBLADDER/yang Pat your hips

STOMACH/yang Smooth down the outsides of your legs

LIVER & SPLEEN/yin Pass your hands over your feet and brush up the insides of your legs

REPEAT 10 TIMES