THE SUBTLE BODY
CHAKRAS AND MERIDIANS
VAYUS AND KOSHAS
The Hatha Yoga System is not purely the practice of asanas to make the body strong and supple. It is so much more than this. It is a way of life and understanding to achieve true enlightenment and to be at one with our Divine Self (God). Asana practice and meditation are gateways to attain this. But in order to understand the process needed to achieve such a wonderful journey to 'bliss', we need to understand both the workings of our physical body but also how our Subtle Body operates.
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The Subtle Body is not recognised without much scepticism by the medical world and is seen as the stuff of airy fairy hippy types or alternative medicine gurus. But its history is vast and is incorporated in many ancient cultures around the world and its workings are the secrets of jewel teachings of the yogi masters who have experienced enlightenment and the answers to human existence and its place in the wider Cosmos. Fascinating stuff indeed.
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In a nutshell, the Subtle Body or Energy Body includes seven main wheels of vibrating energy knowns as chakras associated with certain parts of the body and particular functions. By understanding and utilising the energies of the chakras we move towards an enlightened state of being. There are also five koshas or layers of the self to unwrap to move towards our true inner self. Nadis/Meridians are subtle channels that carry prana and consciousness. Granthis are knots which act as barriers to the free flow of prana and Bandhas are locks or seals that direct energy, activating the nadis and energy body to restore harmony. There are also five prana Vayus or winds that preside over different parts of the body and govern different physical and subtle activities, much like chakras.
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In order to achieve optimum health and self realisation, the life force energy (Prana, Ki, Chi) must circulate freely around the body. In Yogic terms, prana means 'the breath' but is also defined as this life force energy which acts as a medium for carrying consciousness. Prana is always depicted as the Mother Goddess called Shakti-Kundalini, the feminine quality of existence that births consciousness into being. The use of breath to regulate prana is called Pranayama Yoga (See Pranayama)
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Shakti-Kundalini is the Yin principle represented by earthly energy. In Japan and China the movement of this energy is based on intention and the force of the mind (as in Reiki). Buddhist teaching states that all reality is created on intention on the void. In India this life force is directed by the breath. It is the connecting link between the physical and spiritual bodies.
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So looking at our physical body first, lets understand the role of the Nervous System. The Nervous System orchestrates the body's control and communication centre. It is situated in the brain and spinal cord and controls our conscious and unconscious functions. Problems associated with the nervous system relate to the brain such as stroke and migraine and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. All body systems are connected so that the body works harmoniously. The system that demonstrates this connection and interdependence is the autonomic nervous system. This includes part of the peripheral and central nervous system and controls functions that occur without conscious effort.
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The Autonomic Nervous System is composed of two parts: the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. These are responsible regulating heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing rate and body temperature. The sympathetic system deals with involuntary body functions such as breathing. It also activates the adrenal glands in response to stress. The parasympathetic system is most active when the body is in a relaxed state and it also helps the body recover from a stressful episode. These two systems need to be in balance to maintain good health. If the sympathetic system is overused, it works against our efforts to maintain balance. If we fail to use the parasympathetic system to return to a state of relaxation it takes time to return to full function. Regular meditation, yoga, Chi King and Reiki are all excellent ways of balancing this important body system. These two systems are well known in the Western scientific world as they can be quantified and ratified by reason and scientific proof.
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The Subtle Body is the part of us that we can't see or touch - it's where our energy flows, which is why it's also referred to as the Energy Body. A Chakra is a transmitter or transformer of energy. They draw information through a fine network of bio-energy lines called Nadis (Meridians). There are 72,000 Nadis in the body. For Kundalini energy to be awakened, we need to understand the importance of the 'subtle' or 'energy' body (sukshma-sharira). The root or base is where the Kundalini energy is stored, coiled like a serpent waiting its awakening to travel up the spine by way of three energy channels and the chakras.
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The central energy channel is the Sushumna Nadi, whilst the associated Ida and Pingala Nadis which intertwine the Sushumna via the chakras to the Crown of the head. In its ascent, the Kundalini must pierce three 'knots' (Granthi). The first is in the root base (Muladhara) and is known as brahma, the second, known as Vishnu is situated at the navel and the third, called Rudra-Granthi at the throat.
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When Kundalini energy reaches the crown chakra, the 1000 petal lotus flower blossoms and Shakti Kundalini (the goddess) unites with the male God (Yang) Shiva - pure consciousness. The union is described as bliss and the transcendence of the body and the fusion of Earth and Heaven. Perfect balance. This is the realisation of the Self. Complete oneness. The practice of Nadi Shodhana (see yoga video) allows for balance in the Ida and Pingala and thus aids meditation. If the Ida and Pingala are in balance then the energy is flowing up the Sushumna which does happen a few times a day when the changeover from energy changes from predominately flowing up the Ida or Pingala respectively. This is the best time for meditation.
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However, if Kundalini energy is forced up the Shushmna by what is known as a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening before the nervous system and energetic system are prepared then it can lead to traumatic physical pain and inner confusion as experienced by government official and scholar, Gopi Krishna. His autobiography tells an amazing account of how he managed to tame his awakening eventually but it remained incomplete and so although he experienced much of the 'bliss' described by other yogis who have achieved full Kundalini Awakening with a prepared body, he still fell short of true realisation.
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A word to clarify Nadis and Meridians. In Chinese medicine, the aforementioned Nadis are referred to as Meridians. The ancient medical text Nei Jing states: 'The function of the channel (meridian) is to transport the Ch'i and blood and circulate yin and yang to nourish the body.' Because meridians responds to and carry stimulation as well as transmit information, they have the ability to bring healing energy to local, as well as distant parts of the body. This can create physiological and other changes as Ch'i circulates. Meridians work by regulating the energy functions of the body and keeping it in harmony. Maintaining meridian balance is the major goal of traditional Chinese medicine. This is the basis of Acupuncture treatment.
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There are 12 main meridians, six of which are yin and six are yang and numerous minor ones which form a network of energy channels throughout the body. The 12 main meridians corresponds to specific human organs: kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, pericardium, bladder, gall bladder, stomach, small and large intestines and the triple burner (body temperature regulator).
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There are 5 elements with related seasons associated with meridians. Metal relates to Autumn (lungs and large intestine), Water relates to Winter (kidney and bladder), Wood relates to Spring (liver and gallbladder), Fire relates to Summer (heart, small intestine, pericardium and triple heater) and Earth relates to Late Summertime (spleen and stomach).
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Yoga postures that aid cleansing and purifying of these parts of the body would be good to practice seasonally. Living attune with the cycles of nature bring us closer to harmony with our environment and as the first sages studied nature as their guide to the Cosmos, this working with the cycles of nature would make sense.
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CHAKRAS
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So we know that the nadis are the energy pathways but we need to examine the role of the chakras in this process. Chakras are like funnels with the wide mouths protruding out of the body with the narrow ends connecting with the spinal column, and the Chakras are directly linked with the endocrine glands which alter the hormonal balance of the body, the central nervous system and spinal fluid. It is through the Chakras that the Luminous Energy Field (Aura) informs the physical body and the emotions and it goes directly to the brain. It is the Chakras that connect us to the wider cosmic field - sometimes knowns as the Quantum Field.
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The Chakras have raised curiosity in people in recent times but the chakras originate from the very start of time in ancient scripts, religions and folklore. Essentially the chakras have to them an Hindu origin. Ancient Hindu writings, the Vedas, show the intricate knowledge of the chakras in great details. The word chakra itself means wheel, and is of the Aryan origin. Towards the end of the 3rd century B.C. India was invaded by the Europeans and hence there is a trace of German in these Vedas writings. But that is not the start of this ancient knowledge, the beginning of man was in central Africa. Here the Mount Meru holds significance when people climbed it, it was to symbolise going up the chakra ladder to achieve full awareness (1st chakra to 7th). It is for this reason that in ancient Egyptian carvings the chakras found their place.
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Indians and Egyptians have to them a common ancestor - Ethiopians. It is from these Ethiopian descended Indians that the Indian Tantra Yoga practices follows. As far as religions are concerned the chakras have again come up, just not with their normal names. In Islam, which by modern day thinkers is reckoned the most logical religion, the chakra awakening comes in the form of various prayer traditions. The specific 'namaz' positions in Islam correlate uncannily to the yoga positions of building on the chakras. Apart from that the importance of purity through flowing water is stressed upon time and again which is again, a chakra manifesting practice.
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Buddhist tradition introduced some of the more crucial yoga-chakra related positions. Buddhist monks also indulged in long hours of meditation in the hopes of achieving the 'higher self'. The Chinese concept of Zen also talks of inner peace and teaches the practitioner to let go of negative thoughts and let the positivity 'flow along the spine'. In the three religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, fields of mysticism (Jewish Kabbalah and Islamic Sufism) talk of the chakras in discrete language. In Christianity the Christmas tree was originally decorated with only 7 lights along its length. The chakras in strictly Christian traditions were referred to as the inner castles or sacraments which when worked upon released energy in the body and soul.
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The Jewish Kabbalah asked its followers to indulge in awakening their chakras and gaining higher self awareness. The star of Adam with a central eye represents the 7 energy points in the body according to tradition; these points even have names in Hebrew. The Menorah (a seven branched lamp stand) is undoubtedly the symbol of chakras in Judaism. In Sufism, the chakras again have different names but are seven in number and are named 'the subtle energies and talk of the very same enlightenment as the other religions.
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Perfectly balanced Chakras mean perfect health. There are about 360 chakras in the body, 7 major chakras, plus two further chakras that are important, several minor chakras including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and the rest are very minor.
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The seven major chakras reside within the physical body but on the subtle body field. The lower chakras (root, sacral and solar plexus) are all regarded as being the Earth Chakras and related to the Earth, the feminine, to the Mother. The Upper Chakras (throat, the third eye and the crown) are regarded as the Sky or Heavenly Chakras. The 5th Chakra (throat) acts as a 'smokestack' for the lower chakras. So the products of the metabolism (smoke) of the lower chakras need to be expelled and released.
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Above the head (but within the Aura) is the 8th chakra like a radiant sun regarded by most Indigenous peoples as the 'place where God dwells in me' - the source of the Sacred. This is often depicted as the orb in Egyptian paintings or the halo in Buddhist and Christian paintings. It is also interpreted as the 'awakening'. Shamans and Yogis understand that everyone possesses this Light but it has become dim. However, as imprints and toxic waste are removed by living the yoga life then the Luminous Body becomes luminous again.
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The 9th Chakra resides at the very centre of creation, at the heart of the Universe. It is connected to the 8th Chakra by a luminous cord. It is the Self, our true nature, Our Self which is realised.
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When energy becomes blocked in a chakra, it triggers physical, mental or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy, or poor digestion. These blockages prevent the free movement of prana around the body leading to dis-ease and the Self cannot realise. The discipline of moving Ki or Prana through these energy channels is Ch'i Kung or Qi Gong in other Asian countries.
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In the Western world the chakras were allocated colours by the Theosophical Society in the late 1930s after discovering more about them whilst visiting Asia in search of deeper spiritual meanings. Ancient Indian mystics knew about the chakras and Ayurvedic doctors who used holistic healing for balancing through 'doshas' and elements of yoga teachings. However, it is perhaps the emergence of Shaktism (an organised religious sect and a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, the female principle of the divine in her many forms as the absolute manifestation of divinity), in the East in the 5th century that most of our interpretation of the chakras comes from.
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So healthy chakras are key to pranic force circulation and so they are vital to our life. By examining each chakra we can understand how they function and as such we maintain their health.
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The Seven Major Chakras are: (see above pic)
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The Crown (top of the head) - Violet - Sahasrara
Third Eye (Forehead) - Indigo - Ajna
Throat - Turquoise/Blue - Vishuddha
Heart - Green - Anahata
Solar Plexus - Yellow - Manipura
Sacral (below the navel) - Orange - Svadisthana
Root (Coccyx) - Red - Muladhara
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Imbalance of energy in any chakra is thought to influence the corresponding gland giving rise to fluctuations in hormones that are secreted directly into the bloodstream. This can lead to immediate changes in mood, appearance, tension, breathing, digestion, intuition, intelligence and so affects the entire body. Lets look at each in turn:
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MULADHARA CHAKRA (ROOT)
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This chakra is associated with the Earth energy and the most solid parts of the body, such as the bones, teeth and nails: also with gonads, anus, rectum, colon, prostrate gland, blood and blood cells. It is situated between the anus and the genitals. Its mantra tone is Lam in the note of C. The snake/serpent is the power animal associated with it and it forms the foundation of all other chakras and as such it is important to balance this chakra. It initiates our procreation and represents our will to live and purpose on Earth. Red light, which is the the lowest frequency light, stimulates this chakra. This chakra is linked to the secondary minor chakras in the feet, knees and gonads. In balance, it makes us grounded.
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It is here where the Kundalini energy resides awaiting its awakening. Imbalances in this chakra can cause leg tension and circulatory problems suggesting holding on to the past or a lack of security. Imbalanced sexual attitudes, elimination problems by holding onto the past or getting rid of new ideas before they have a chance to blossom. Lower back, hip and pelvic pain all indicate closing down in these areas. We must be reassured that the universe will provide all that we need.
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Yoga postures which help balance this chakra are Virbhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1), Trikonasana (Triangle) and Garudhasana (Eagle)
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SVADISTHANA CHAKRA (SACRAL)
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This Chakra is associated with the Water element and the colour orange and its power animal is the dolphin with mantra tone of Vam in the note of D. It is situated in the upper part of the sacrum, just below the navel. It is concerned with sexuality; sensuality, emotions, karma and relationships. The Sacral area is our vitality and contentment in our bodies and the life-sustaining sexual energy rather than the energy we use for sex which is associated with the Muladhara chakra.
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Svadisthana means 'one's own abode'. It gives us fluidity in our actions and allows us to express ourselves through dance, music and other creative arts. Our vitality centre is watery by nature and as such subject to mood swings but it is only by embracing our dark side that we can grow. The more work these glands have to do in combatting stress, the more damaging it is to our bodies.
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As this chakra is associated with water, urinary tract and kidney problems may arise when this chakra is blocked. The spleen is closely linked to this chakra which supports the production of immune cells so an imbalance here could lead to dis-ease. Karma is also closely linked to this chakra. In India, karma is considered to be the continual wheel of birth-death-rebirth, the cycle of cause and effect and the degree in which we have become separated from God/Goddess.
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Balancing yoga postures for this chakra are Parivritta Trikonasana (Extended Triangle), Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose) and Naturajasana (Dancer Pose)
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MANIPURA CHAKRA (SOLAR PLEXUS)
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This chakra is associated with the sun and therefore connected to the element of fire and the colour gold or yellow with birds, especially eagles, as its power animal. Its mantra note is Ram in the note of E. It is situated between the bottom of the sternum and the navel. Manipura means 'place of jewels' in Sanskrit and is concerned with our power base. We feel fear and anxiety in this chakra like when we fell 'butterflies in the stomach' where we are in situations that affect our power - good and bad.
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It is concerned with overcoming our limiting personal eg. to becoming non judgemental and finding our own inner truth. Only through releasing the power of the ego can we continue on the path to enlightenment. This chakra is primarily concerned with the pancreas and the digestive organs and the assimilation of nutrients to fuel the body. The celiac plexus nerve network meets here. Our sympathetic nervous system and muscle are influenced by this chakra. This chakra can be holding onto feelings of hate and anger and if we are displaying these qualities we might become stuck at this level between dominance and submission. The solar plexus is like an inner fire burning up negative emotions so spending time balancing this chakra will aid us with our wellbeing. This chakra is where upward flowing prana meets downward flowing energy called Apana.
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Balancing yoga postures for this chakra are Gomukasana (Cow), Ardha Matsyendrasana 1 (sitting spinal twist or the Marichyasanas and Ustrasana (Camel)
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ANAHATA CHAKRA (HEART)
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The Heart Chakra is associated with the air element and the colour green. It is located in the centre of the chest on the sternum. Its mantra tone is Yam in the note of F and all mammals are the power animals associated with this chakra. If our heart chakra is healthy we give empowerment, empathy and unconditional love to those around us as well as caring for the environment and the creatures in it.
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The heart chakra influences our physical heart and lungs, respiratory, circulatory and immune systems. Just like our heart pumps blood around the body, this chakra pumps energy in and out of our auric body circulating it through the nadis. So heart problems, high blood pressure can be signs of repressed anger and strong emotions as well as stress. Arthritis, muscle stiffness and joint pain can indicate rigidity in mental attitudes. Balancing this chakra allows for increased self love and letting go of hurt feelings. According to ancient esoteric yoga teachings, the heart chakra is a 'gateway'. Locked below it are the energies of the first three chakras which are concerned with our physical presence on earth. Above it are the chakras more concerned with Spirit and higher consciousness. When we have worked through our challenging emotions, the heart chakra unlocks and the energies flow to the higher chakras and allow for great spiritual awakening.
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If we learn to be more free with forgiveness and are more open, generous and grateful for what we have we will find harmony and peace and hope in the future. Medical research has proven that if positive thought is directed to any part of the body, blood flow increases and healing processes are initiated or improved through the enhanced circulation.
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Balancing yoga postures are Bhujangasana (Cobra), Janu Sirsasana (Head to knee pose) and Matsyasana (Fish)
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VISHUDDHA CHAKRA (THROAT)
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This Chakra resonates with the element Ether (Akasha) and the colour turquoise blue. Its physical location is between the collarbone and the larynx on the neck. Its mantra is Ham in the note of G. Its power animal is all humanity.
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Development of our self expression, communication and will is associated with this chakra and is the pathway between the heart and the head. It is the centre of our personal expression and flexibility enabling us to break away from limiting external control. Vishudda means to 'purify' in Sanskrit. At the fifth chakra we have the chance to purify all the energies of the lower chakras, so that they may pass through the narrow channel of the neck into the head. This chakra develops speech, communication, song, telepathy and channelled information. Sound is the sense within it. The throat is a major pathway which when overburdened can become blocked and prone to infection. Ear/nose and throat infections are an indicator of this.
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This chakra is linked to the Thyroid which affects cellular metabolism and growth stimulation and so hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism would be an indicator of imbalance in this chakra. When we have a deficiency in this chakra we become timid, shy and unable to speak up for ourselves or we are loud and have an excess of energy and talk excessively. Blockages in this chakra can mean communication breakdown and depression.
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Balancing yoga postures are Dhanurasana (Bow), Simhasana (Lion), Paschimottasana (sitting forward bend).
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AJNA CHAKRA (THIRD EYE)
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This chakra is located in the centre of the brow and resonates with the subtle element of Spirit and the colour of deep blue. It is concerned with ESP (extra-sensory perception), clarity, intuition and balancing our higher selves. Its mantra is OM in the note of A and its power animal are spirit guides and ancestors. It deals with the endocrine and nervous systems and is concerned with completing and clearing karmic lessons. The Sanskrit for Ajna is 'to know' or 'to command' and is regarded as the place where the ego and spirit are in conflict. It is where we release the limitations imposed on us by our ego but the Solar Plexus Chakra should have done much to clear this already. Once this is achieved, we become open to inner sight through the symbolic celestial marriage of sun and moon, mind and body.
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This chakra represents the two sides of our brain; left side being our rational, analytical side with the right being our intuitive, creative and experiential side. Traditionally a downward triangle represents Ajna as representing the balancing of our masculine and feminine energies. By doing so we will each be complete within ourselves no longer depending on others for our security or nurture. When this chakra is out of balance we may experience headaches, sinus problems, hayfever hormonal fluctuations and sleep issues. If it is blocked we may over-intellectualise, become egotistical or deluded, suffer from memory loss, paranoia, negativity or deeply ingrained sarcasm. This imbalance is because the pineal gland, which sits in the centre of the brain, directly behind the eyes is responsible for the production of serotonin and melatonin which affect mood and sleep respectively. Tratakam and meditation will help develop this chakra and balance it. But we must caution into not becoming boastful with our psychic abilities that come from clearing this chakra.
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Balancing yoga postures are Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), yoga mudra in Padmasana, Halasana (Plough) and Matsyasana (Fish)
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SAHASRARA (CROWN - THE THOUSAND PETAL LOTUS)
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This chakra is located at the top of the head and resonates with Spirit and with pure white light flecked with gold and violet. It has a connection to higher consciousness and inner wisdom. Its mantra is OM in the note of B. Its power animal is the Universal Spirit and is concerned with the central nervous system and brain. Key issues are inner wisdom and ageing gracefully and releasing attachments to clear earth-bound karma to achieve unity and oneness.
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Opening as a funnel up to the heavens in polarisation from the base chakra which opens facing the earth, it is not associated with any element and must be open at all times as through it we are connected to universal consciousness. Here we finally reach a state of enlightenment when we choose to be released from the karmic 'wheel of life and rebirth'. In accordance with the traditional interpretation of karma, having recognised our divine self, there is no longer any reason to reincarnate. The Dhammapada, a Buddhist collection of aphorisms or wise words states:
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'the traveller has reached the end of his journey. In the freedom of the infinite he is free from all sorrows, fetters that bound him are thrown away, and the burning fever of life is no more, He is calm like the earth that endures: he is steady like a column that is firm; he is pure like a lake that is clear; he is free from Samsara, the ever-returning life-in-death. In the light of his vision he has found his freedom; his thoughts are peace his words are peace and his work is peace'.
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The Crown chakra in yogic terms unites the Shiva and Shakti at the Brahman Gate and this the energies of duality unite. It is the gate where 'I' can transcend, creating super-consciousness beyond time and space. This is the unification of human personality and a higher self and thus the knowledge of all that has been, and all that ever will be.
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Looking at this chakra from a physical health point of view it is associated with the Endocrine System which secretes hormones around the body via the bloodstream and regulates the action of the organs and tissues. Malfunction of the endocrine system leads to a number of problems such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and infertility caused by hormone levels either too high or too low. The glands that comprise the endocrine system are: the pituitary, pineal, thyroid and parathyroids, thymus, islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, adrenals and the gonads.
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Balancing yoga postures are Salamba Sirhasana (Headstand), Bakasana (Crow) and Salamba Savangasana (Shoulder Stand)
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VAYUS AND KOSHAS
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So prana is what keeps the body alive carried around the body by the Nadis and the Chakras, but how does it account for the many specific bodily functions? This is where the concept of the Vayus comes in. Vayu is the Sanskrit word for 'wind'. Prana can be subdivided into what is known as the Five Pranas or Five Vayus and describe the different types of movement in the body. Georg Feuerstein in his book The Path of Yoga, outlines that the Chandogya-Upanishad (11.13.6) calls these five energy currents the 'gatekeepers to the heavenly world.' All these currents are circulating throughout the 72,000 nadis. Taking each briefly in turn:
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Apana Vayu
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This is the area within the pelvis. It governs the elimination process and all that which pushes things down and out from the body (giving birth is also facilitated by Apanu Vayu)
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Samana Vayu
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This is associated with the abdomen area and governs digestion and metabolism and the regulation of body heat.
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Prana Vayu
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Situated in the chest area, it governs heart beat and breathing.
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Udana Vayu
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Situated in the throat and head, this vayu governs the vocal chords and vocal expression such as speaking or singing and represents the upward rising energies in the body.
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Vyana Vayu
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Situated throughout the whole body, this vayu governs the movement of the muscles and the circulation of energy in the limbs and extremities.
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These are the five major divisions of energetic flow in the body, according to Yoga. There are also five more minor Vayus - Naga Vayu for burping, Kurma Vayu for blinking, Devadatta Vayu for yawning, Krikala Vayu for sneezing and/or hunger and thirst, and Dhanajaya Vayu which governs decomposition of the body after death, and/or opening and closing of the heart valves. However, their roles and functions are hotly contested in yoga circles.
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KOSHAS OR AURA
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The final element of the energy body, and one common to both the meridian and chakra systems, is the Aura, otherwise known as The Koshas. The ancient Greek word 'aura' means 'breath of air' - the vital energy that breathes life into your being. Outlined in the ancient scripture, the Taittirya-Upanishad (11.2-5), the human body works on five levels called 'envelopes' or koshas. Kosha means 'sheath' in Sanskrit, and are the layers of awareness. This subtle energy field, which permeates and envelops your body is a multifaceted, multidimensional field of immense light, power and energy.
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It is important to understand your aura when studying the Chakras. The aura is a fluid like egg-shaped energy field surrounding your physical body with different layers of light energy. It is sometimes referred to as a rainbow of light as it contains all the colours of the rainbow, as do the chakras.
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'The purpose of this energy field is to support growth of the physical body, and in this respect it is like an energy grid that exists before the body does. In other worlds, it may form at the time of conception, although it cannot be detected at the time of death' according to Eleanor McKenzie in her book Reiki for Everyday Living. In general terms, aura also has seven layers. The first layer of energy, closest to the body, has the densest vibrations which grow successively lighter and faster as the layers radiate further away from the body. Each of the layers is connected to an aspect of the energy body.
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So going from 1-7 where 1 is the closest to the body, similarly as with the chakras, the layers and qualities are as follows:
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1 (Red) Etheric Aspect of the Body and is associated with the five senses
2 (Orange) Emotional Aspect of the Body and associated with all emotions
3 (Yellow) Mental Aspect of the Body and associated with the intellect.
4 (Green) Higher Mental Aspect of the Body and associated with relationships with other sentient beings and plants.
5 (Blue) Spiritual Aspect of the Body and associated with the connection to the Divine.
6 (Indigo) Causal Aspect of the Body and associated with experience of the spirit world.
7 (Violet) Ketheric Aspect of the Body and associated with connection to our higher self and the cosmos.
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There is an eighth layer also known as the White Zone which deals with our past, present and future memories and a ninth layer which is the Cosmic Field (oneness).
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The aura of every living thing, crystal, stone etc, resonates in harmony with the cosmic and elemental energies of Earth, Water, Fire Air and Spirit. They are all part of the 'field of life' and even extending throughout the cosmos, since biophysicists affirm that all matter is interconnected in the Quantum Field. In 1908, Dr Walter Kilner, a doctor in London, developed a chemically coated screen that enabled the aura to be seen by anyone, without the gift of clairvoyance. We have progressed to having the ability to record energies on very sensitive instruments and that it is a two-way communication. Kirlian photography, which studies can be traced back to the late 1700s, was officially invented in 1939 by Semyon Kirlian. This photographic process reveals auras around objects which have been photographed. Kirlian developed a machine for photography which using a high-frequency oscillator that operated at approx. 75 kHz could capture the aura of living entities and was even used to detect diseases that weren't otherwise detectable.
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The expansion and contraction of the aura means that we can pick up and interpret information from the auras of people around us. It may be constantly changing depending on mood etc, Auras will contract close to the body when we come into contact with something we don't like and vice versa.
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So in general terms, the Aura has 7 layers. In the Yogic world, there are five layers or koshas which account for the different aspects of the human experience - from our physical bodies, to our emotional and mental states, all the way to the depth of pure Spirit. You can envision the koshas as being a bit like the layers of a Russian doll, but more interconnected - parts of the whole. It is difficult to know where one layer ends and the other starts. That's important because it means that doing work on one kosha is almost always affecting the adjacent koshas in some way. For eg, work on the physical body - the grossest layer of the being - also does something to the energy body, which is the layer just next to (and surrounding) the physical. Very powerful experiences on one layer can even affect other koshas farther away - a traumatic emotional event might also manifest mentally, energetically and physically.
The diverse practices of the Hatha Yoga system are designed to have something for every kosha.
The five koshas aren't unique to Hatha Yoga; they are referenced in the Vedanta system of Indian philosophy, as well as in certain sects of Buddhism. There are slightly different interpretations of exactly what aspects are contained in each kosha. But for the purposes of learning, taking each in turn:
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Annamaya Kosha
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This is the sheath of the physical self and nourished by food. It is the mass of skin, flesh, fat, bones and filth - what man knows as his body and thought processes.
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Pranamaya Kosha
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Pranamaya means composed of prana, the vital principle, the force that energises and holds together the body and the mind. This is where the Nadis and Chakras come in. As long as this vital principal exists in an organism, life continues.
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Manomaya Kosha
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Manomaya is the mental layer involving ideas, and mental images. The mind (manas) along with the five sensory organs is said to constitute the manomaya kosha. Adi Shankara (Indian Vedic Scholar, circa 700CE) likens it to clouds that are brought in and out by the wind.
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Vijnanamaya Kosha
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Vijnanamaya is composed of intellect, the faculty which discriminates, determines or wills using the 5 senses. Adi Shankara holds that the buddhi, with its modifications and the organs of knowledge, form the cause of man's transmigration.
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Anandamaya Kosha
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This is the 'envelope' which connects the individual to the Ultimate Reality. Georg Feurestein in his book The Path of Yoga describes this connection as 'the bliss that floods the psyche in high states of ecstasy which has no parallel...Bliss is an experience, whereas Self Realisation is not an experience but a mind-body transcending event, namely the recovery of our true identity. So experiencing this bliss is the last part of the journey to self realisation'.
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Hath Yoga begins with asana to work on the physical kosha and to warm up the nadis for the high-energy practices that come after. Then pranayama is introduced, to pump more prana through the nadis and to gain better control over the flow of vayus in the body. The mudras and bandhas really step up the energetic flow, and their effects reach deeper into the koshas accordingly. All the while, the chakras are receiving individual attention from different techniques, balancing and energising the being on every level. Gradually the channels become purified, the energy flows stronger and more smoothly, and the mind begins to stabilise.
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Once the mind has stabilised, we are well on our way to achieving enlightenment as it is through stilling the mind that unites us with the Universe/God and the secret to all wisdom and knowledge. We have found our 'bliss'.
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