Yoga BLOG

Prem Meditation - the path of love

by Nick on Jan 27 2018
Prem Meditation - the path of love Prem translates as "love." This meditation is about the spiritual path of love, about reviving and activating love. In everyday life, love is often suppressed, caused by hurt and bad experiences, but also by stress and other issues that seem more important. If you would like to feel more of an all-encompassing love again and radiate love into the world, then practice Prem Meditation regularly. This is not a pre-conceived meditation practice, but can be performed in many ways. At the center of Prem Meditation is your fourth chakra, the heart chakra , which must be activated and nurtured. By actively engaging with your heart chakra, you will not only become more receptive to beautiful and tender feelings again, but you will also increase your understanding of yourself and others through loving sensations. Because love is the greatest force for leading a happy and contented life. Love connects and ensures that you are centered and act from within. Therefore, use Prem meditation to focus on your heart chakra to open, cleanse, heal and strengthen it. Meaning and function of the heart chakra for Prem meditation Of the seven main chakras, the fourth is the Anahata chakra. The heart chakra represents love, compassion, devotion, and joy. Many people experience strained heart chakras. Emotions are at the center of our being, and most people find it difficult to engage deeply with their feelings. Over the course of a lifetime, however, we cannot avoid engaging with our feelings. If you have neglected this recently, a Prem meditation can help. With a Prem meditation focusing on your fourth chakra, you can treat and strengthen your heart. The heart chakra processes all your experiences on an emotional and sensory level. Such feelings include love, compassion, and devotion, as well as grief and pain. If the heart chakra functions as it should, you are able to feel and pass on unconditional devotion and love. For the purest and universal love resides in the heart. When this love flows through your heart, you recognize your innermost truth. Instructions for a Prem Meditation: How to open, strengthen and heal your heart chakra You only need five to ten minutes for this Prem meditation. Ideally, practice it daily to gently open and heal your heart chakra. For this Prem meditation, go to a quiet place and make yourself comfortable in the cross-legged or lotus position . Place your palms on your knees or use the mudra. Breathe in and out deeply and begin to grow long roots into the ground as an extension of your spine. Advanced practitioners can also connect with the universe through the crown chakra. Only when you feel rooted to the earth or connected to the universe, direct your attention and breath to the heart chakra. As you inhale, visualize pure white light connecting your root chakra with the sacral chakra and flowing through your heart chakra. Then imagine the color red in the area of the root chakra and green in the heart chakra. As you exhale, allow the energy and light to re-enter the channel you chose at the beginning, either into the earth or back to the universe. Repeat this exercise and allow the green sphere of light in your heart chakra to become particularly large and wide. When you feel that you have reached its maximum expansion, you can end the meditation. To do so, place your hands on your heart chakra and sense the energy. Be grateful for the energy you have received. Slowly open your eyes and return to the here and now. Image © rawpixel / 123rf.com

The Anahata Chakra - the 4th chakra sits in the heart

by Nick on Aug 03 2016
The Anahata Chakra - the 4th chakra sits in the heart Tantra and Hatha Yoga position our 4th chakra in the center of the thoracic spine, roughly where our heart is located. The Anahata chakra also means "inner," the "invulnerable," and alludes to the fact that this 4th chakra is located at the center of the seven chakras. Thus, the heart chakra bridges the space between the three lower, worldly chakras : Muladhara (root) , Svadhistana (spine) , Manipura (solar plexus) , and the three upper, spiritually oriented chakras: Vishudda (throat), Ajna (third eye), and Sahasrara (crown). Consequently, the Anahata Chakra is associated with the element of air in this function. Your individual soul meets its cosmic counterpart here; you can connect with the cosmos between the thymus gland and the heart plexus. Furthermore, here you will find your inner spirit, your spiritual heart, love, true joy, and devotion to a divine, higher will. The spiritual heart at the center of the Kshetra energy field is also called the Hrid Chakra. The positively active heart chakra represents freedom from negative emotions. The Bija Mantra YAM symbolizes Anahata Chakra, as does RAAAM, and the aura color green alongside the inner color blue. The 12-petaled lotus flower corresponds to the heart chakra. Each petal represents a virtue of the Anahata Chakra: joy, peace, harmony, blessing, love, purity, passion, clarity, forgiveness, understanding, kindness, and patience. Signs of disturbances in the Anahata Chakra The heart chakra is related to overcoming the ego. While the first three chakras strengthen grounding and material existence, and thus can also allow the ego to grow, the Anahata chakra ensures harmony between the ego, the cosmos, and the higher self. If the heart chakra is overactive, we find manipulative behavior, neediness, and dependent love, along with aggressive emotions, suffering, and despair. Those affected feel at odds with themselves and the world. A sluggish heart chakra manifests itself in feelings of loneliness, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and a feeling of lack of appreciation from others. Physically, pain in the upper back and shoulders, tense torso and hip muscles, and deviations from normal blood pressure are common. Positively influence the Anahata Chakra The heart chakra can be brought into balanced vibration through various activities, meditations, yoga exercises, and affirmations. In Hatha Yoga, poses such as "Eagle Pose - Garudasana," " Camel Pose - Utrasana, " and "Utanasana - Forward Bend" are used to activate the Anahata chakra. Other poses include " Fish Pose - Matsyasana ," " Cobra Pose - Bhujangasana ," " Bow Pose - Dhanurasana ," and "Plow Pose - Halasana." Since the heart chakra governs not only the heart but also the lungs through the element of air, spending time outdoors and in (green) nature is also highly beneficial to the heart chakra. The black antelope and deer represent the 4th chakra; visualizing these animals in their lightness and elegance provides positive support to the Anahata chakra. Praying with your hands resting on your heart and reciting affirmations such as "I am full of joy, full of love, and connected to the Divine" also provides positive stimulation to the heart chakra. Chanting, singing bowl meditation, creative, heartfelt work, and various breathing exercises such as alternate nostril breathing, Bhramari (bee breathing), and heartfelt laughter all stimulate the Anahata chakra. Anahata Chakra Meditation in Kundalini Yoga Kundalini Yoga includes this heart chakra meditation (according to Karunesh): Stand upright in a relaxed position in a comfortable place. Keep your eyes open. Now place both hands on the center of your chest. Feel the rhythm of your heartbeat and breathe easily. Inhale new energy and exhale old energy. Imagine yourself expanding in your heart and exhaling all burdens and impurities. Connect yourself in all directions with the world and the cosmos, breaking away from all constriction. Your heart is wide and large. Open yourself. The Heart Chakra in other traditions In Tibet, the Wheel of the Heart represents the Wheel of the Heart; in Kabbalah, Tiphereth; among esoteric Christians, it represents the love of Jesus; and among Sufis, Qalb Ruh and Sirr represent the Anahata Chakra. In Qi Qong, it is the middle Tantiem. Image © elvie15veronika / 123rf.com

Heart Chakra Meditation

by Nick on Mar 07 2016
Heart Chakra Meditation Definition of chakras In traditional Hindu and Buddhist concepts, as well as in yoga, chakras are considered energy centers located along the body's central longitudinal axis. There are seven different main chakras. The perspective on the chakras varies somewhat depending on the underlying teaching. The key commonality is the assumption that various physical and mental symptoms, as well as organ regions, can be associated with the chakras, which are influenced by blockages on the one hand and openings on the other. The consumption of certain teas, herbs, foods and aromas is considered just as helpful for balancing chakras as meditation or the use of special healing stones. The heart chakra The heart chakra is the fourth chakra and generally represents love, affection, empathy, security, and the kindness of the heart. It is located in the center of the chest at heart level. It is associated with the color light green and the element air. The heart chakra lies exactly in the middle of the seven chakras and is considered the link between the three upper and three lower chakras. From a spiritual perspective, it is also understood as the connection between the worldly and spiritual realms. The heart chakra is associated with various themes, including forgiveness, surrender, the ability to trust, and the ability to feel pain. Karma is also associated with the heart chakra. Physically, the heart and lungs, as well as the chest, circulatory system, and immune system, are connected to the heart chakra. The more open and sensitive the chakra, the more beneficial the positive influence on the corresponding organs. Heart chakra meditation during yoga A heart chakra meditation can look different depending on the particular yoga school. Every yogi who offers a corresponding meditation offers their own variation. What they all have in common is the effort to open the heart chakra. To do this, it's important to release any blockages and free yourself from stress. For meditation, it is essential to choose a quiet and undisturbed place. The sitting position is either the lotus position or the cross-legged position. The hands are placed loosely on the thighs. If you wish, you can open them with the palms facing up, but the back of the hands in the upper position is also fine. Close your eyes, and gently and as relaxed as possible, focus your attention on the position of the heart chakra. It is helpful to first get a feel for the current situation. Are there any disturbing influences or pain, light or heavy feelings? Fantasizing about light and brightness in general can help open the heart chakra. In your imagination, you can let the light flow through your heart and chest. The image of brightness will automatically lead to the chakra gradually opening. Helpful meditation exercises in motion In addition to light imagination, various breathing exercises ( pranayama ) are considered essential for opening the chakra. These are performed in conjunction with opening the chest. To do this, sit and breathe calmly, spreading your arms out at chest height. As you inhale, the arms are extended outward and then brought together again as you exhale. Another exercise is performed while standing. Here, the eyes are open, and the focus is initially on a calm flow of breathing. Both hands are placed on the heart chakra. Feel the rhythm of the heartbeat with the palms. As you exhale, both arms are moved horizontally forward and the right leg is placed forward. As you inhale, return to the starting position. Furthermore, all exercises based on backbends are helpful for opening the heart chakra. The classic sun salutation , which has an activating and invigorating effect, is also considered an ideal exercise for opening the heart chakra. Yoga beginners are recommended to take a guided chakra meditation. This not only explains the position of the heart chakra, but also teaches a number of helpful meditation exercises that can be practiced together. Image © goku347 / 123rf.com