The body is a very useful tool for deep awareness. To awaken and fully experience life we need to be deeply grounded in the body.
Staying grounded in the body means to fully engaged in the flow of life, present with people and nature, hearing, feeling, moving and essentially “being”. The body and our breath is our gateway to this moment to moment mindfulness. The grounded sense of our being is the true power of presence. When we are no longer lost in the mind and fully engaged in the five senses, then we truly become freer, clearer.
In yogic tradition, the energy of the legs and the base chakra are our grounding points. They are related to our connection to the Earth, and our survival. Imbalances here may lead to fear or anxiety about life, money, security and basic needs. When we truly rest in the body, we can see these recurring mental fears are often irrelevant, as this moment is all we ever have, and that although our physical body may be impermanent, our energy is all in a constant state of flow and flux.
HEALTH of the lower chakras:
People with imbalances in the lower chakras and disturbances in the flow of energy through the legs (apana in Ayurveda) may experience constipation or diarrhoea, menstrual disturbances, prostate and sexual problems, and/or urinary disturbances. Sore legs, circulation problems, excess tissue, lack of muscle/fat tissue, tightness of muscles, nerve inflammation can all indicate that the base and even sacral chakras are not receiving correct inflow and outflow. Movement, asanas, pranayama, meditation and deep awareness of the legs can resume the subtle flow of energy, physical health and reduce emotional or psychic holding in the legs.
To work on the health in that area of the body understand and feel the flow of energy in your legs. The flow of prana in the yogic traditions can be compared to chi in Chinese tradition.
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE:
Yin Chi is the upward flow of energy in the body that you gather from the earth through the soles of feet. This is why barefoot walking is often so important. Ayurveda agrees with barefoot walking on the cool morning dew grass for pitta (fire) types. Ayurveda suggests that pitta type people (yang chi) are to walk on the grass early morning to ground, cool and calm. People will often sleep better when close to the Earth, and some yogis will meditate in forests on the bare ground at night during full moons to develop good flow of yin chi. Yang chi flows downward through the body. Yin and Yang Chi connect their two poles at dantien, near the navel centre. The yin and yang chi must have good flow to achieve maximum well-being and health.
To correct imbalances yourself ground deeply into your body practise using the standing poses of yoga outdoors on the grass. Ask trained practitioners how to correct flows and imbalances. Use the practice of mindfulness always as mind-body medicine.
NOTES:
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and night-time. The Yin meridians of the arm are: Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yin Meridians of the leg are Spleen, Kidney, and Liver.
Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime. The Yang meridians of the arm are: Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Warmer. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder.
Celia Roberts ©2013
