By Atul Vyas
Anxiety is the mother of all mental disorders. The world celebrated mental health day on Oct 10. For perfect mental health yoga as the most important effective and appropriate intervention. Yoga treats it through chakra balancing and activation.
The word Chakra comes from Sanskrit that translates as ‘wheel,’ in reference to seven principal energy vortices spinning like wheels and which are aligned with the spine centrally up the body. There are seven main chakras where prime concentration of prana/consciousness emanates outwards. They are subtle in nature so cannot be seen through physical means and nor their knowledge can be communicated in words, but true understanding of the chakras can be gained only experientially.
The chakras are inextricably linked to the science and practice of yoga.They exist in the subtle body, in the non physical psychic body. The seven major chakras are located near the seven major nerve ganglia.
Chakras are literally a vortex of energy and a chakra with balanced energy gives one radiant health, free of diseases and any imbalance in the energy of a chakra can cause diseases.
The base or root chakra is called Mooladhara chakra. It is located in the perineum area. When this chakra is balanced one feels secure, trusting, active, etc. If unbalanced one may feel insecure, distrusting, rigid, lethargic and suffer from high blood pressure.
Mooladhara chakra governs sense of security and sense of security is a critical element in mental health.
There are many yogic postures which activate this vital chakra which also houses kundalini shakti, the serpent power.
This chakra rules the leg, feet and solid parts including spine. It rules the anus, rectum, colon, and prostate, blood and building cells.
Its activation through yoga helps in eliminating or controlling Anxiety.
Technique
- Sit in kneeling position, legs hip width apart, and buttocks on the heels
- Rest the hands comfortably on the thighs
- Close the eyes and breath normally
- Keep the position for at least 3 minutes
Benefits
- Stimulates and balances energies in mooladhara chakra making the person feel secure, peaceful and relaxed
- Very efficacious for gout, arthritis, muscular aches and knee joints
- Improves digestion
- Highly recommended for those who suffer from growth heel sore
Note of caution
All those having problems with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis should avoid this pose.
Atul Vyas likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India.
