Pranic Healing is a technique for healing that uses energy and light. Developed in the mists of pre-historic times, this healing modality was used for healing and guidance and taught balance with nature.  

India, the most ancient civilization, shared this ‘revealed’ wisdom through the Rishis or sages.   The practice was a verbal tradition handed down directly from teacher to student.  

Pranic Healing utilizes Prana, life energy, for ‘hands on healing’ of body and mind.   Since ancient times, people have been aware of the healing energy that emanates from the palm of the hand. Placing one’s hands on areas of injury or pain is not conscious but instinctive. It ...

Your home is a living entity resonating with all of nature.  On a vibrational level, your home absorbs all that happens within and around its structure.

For us to move gracefully with the flow of life, we must surround ourselves with free flowing energy.  This includes the energy in our homes.  If you live in a home with stuck and stagnant energy, you will be stuck and stagnant as well. 

For the energy in your home to flow freely, it needs to be cleared periodically.  Just as you physically clean your home, you must psychically clean it as well.           

To space clear, discard all clutter and physically clean your home from basement to attic - windows included.

After space clearing, fill your home with healing energy, love and light.  This is accomplished by “calling” in the higher energy of spirit. 

Invoke, consecrate, dedicate, sanctify are all words that describe this process.  When calling forth spirit into your home, the intention must be specific.  Each room can be dedicated to a different intention. 

Space clearing enhances the subtle energetic flow within the structure of your home. The effects resonate on all levels---physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. 

By clearing and enhancing the energetic flow, you create sacred space for all who enter.  It becomes a haven for well-being, rejuvenation and renewal.

OM Shanthi,
 
Lalitha Devi

For inquiries or more information on Space Clearing Services:
Lalitha@lalithayoga.com

By definition, stress is emotional or intellectual strain or tension---a force or system of forces that tends to produce deformation in a body.  Western thought considers stress an inevitable part of life that requires management.  Eastern thought construes stress as a form of suffering that is to be eliminated. The science of Yoga removes stress by systematically relaxing the body and mind.

The human body is like a computer.  It stores all experiences within the human energy field in and around the physical body. Painful experiences create tension, resistance or blocks within this field. We literally ‘push down’ into the subconscious realm that which we are unable to manage. It becomes unavailable to conscious awareness for processing and release. However, the system recognizes it as an energetic block.

Disease is generally considered a result of external causes. In reality, it comes through the inactivity of prana or vital life force within. Stress damages the cells or vehicle of inner life force.  Prana withdraws from that area and then the trouble starts.

Life’s stressors block the flow of vital life force presenting an overload that breaks down the system.  Blocked pranic flow first occurs in the subtle energy field or aura surrounding the body.  It progresses to the physical body as discomfort and ultimately disease. At extreme levels of stress, the system becomes dysfunctional.  According to ayurveda, the holistic form of medicine practiced in India, the individual becomes lethargic.  Tamasic is the ayurvedic term used to describe this state of inertia.

Yoga believes that all illness is based on imbalance of prana, the vital life force. In yoga, the hypothesis is that all disease is ultimately caused by improper distribution of prana in the physical body. Even stress induced diseases which are regarded as psychological in nature are actually caused by an imbalance in pranic distribution.

Constant practice of yoga expands conscious awareness. With an expanded awareness, one can develop an awareness of the flow of prana. Subtle is a term used to describe that which is perceived through the inner eye.

Developmentally, the subtle body first forms and then the physical body and aura form within this framework. The health of the physical body is dependent upon the health of the subtle body.

Prana, the vital life force, moves through the nadis or flows of the subtle body.  The rishis, ancient seekers of India, determined that there were approximately 72,000 nadis within this bioplasmic complex.

All of creation is vibration. Each cell in the body has a unique vibration for perfect health.   Prana as cosmic vibration or life force defers to that higher intelligence to create perfect health. Prana operates within the environment created through individual lifestyle. Prana requires a clear energetic pathway to travel at the proper rate. If stressors have compromised that system, pranic flow is compromised as well.

Stress is the disease causing factor. When the system is without stress, the nadis are open and prana flows. With stress the nadis constrict. Stress is like an ‘energetic plaque’ that can progressively block off the system.  Traumatic stress levels can alter the individual physically, mentally and emotionally.

When someone is ‘stuck’, I treat with prana vidya, a pranic based form of healing from India. The science of prana vidya is designed to facilitate the proper distribution of prana around and through the body. Pranic healing is the key to unlock and open the nadis or bioplasmic pathways of the subtle body that carry prana.

Prana vidya removes stress induced blocks through relaxing the system. When the body and mind complex relaxes, prana flows freely. Self-healing powers are restored.

Through this technique, excesses of prana anywhere in the body can be balanced. Diseases that are caused by a lack of prana can be remedied by taking prana from the areas that have an excess and supplying it to the affected parts of the body. This is achieved by converting prana into a kind of magnetic force and then into a flow of psychic energy.  When prana has been converted into this magnetic energy it can also be transmitted outside the body through the fingers, a look or a thought.  It can also be used to charge an object like a mala or crystal.

As a subtle healing art, it is very difficult to learn pranic and psychic healing.  It depends on our personal capacity to awaken and direct prana.  In healing, success is determined by the power of the healer and the receptivity of the patient.

Traditionally, pranic healing was only known and practiced by yogis and healers who were proficient in the science. Today this form of healing is attracting much attention from the medical community.  High tech western medical practices are being integrated with low tech eastern healing practices that have worked for thousands of years.  East and west now embrace the complete individual---body, mind and spirit.

Integration of western and eastern practices is must be gradual. There are at least three reasons for this: rapid change can shock the system creating more stress, new energies can only be introduced as room is energetically made available and time is required for the body to integrate at a cellular level.

Once the prana is moving, yoga is introduced. Used in tandem, classical yoga and prana vidya are extremely powerful tools in moving the individual beyond stress.

Integral Yoga is a synthesis of all classical forms of Yoga. It is comprised of asana (physical postures), yoga nidra (guided relaxation), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (indrawn awareness), and meditation (one pointed awareness). According to the Bagahavad Gita, yogic practice must integrate all forms of classical yoga. This ensures even and harmonious development of the entire individual.

Asana removes pranic blocks and ensures a steady posture for meditation. Yoga nidra effortlessly empties the subconscious. Pranayama is the knowledge and control of prana.  Pratyahara creates an indrawn awareness without which one cannot successfully meditate. Meditation takes you beyond the individual mind to the One Mind.

Yoga relaxes the deeper realms of the subconscious mind so you can mentally clean house. Releasing negative thought, trauma or lower vibration from the human energy field makes room for higher vibration, higher levels of consciousness or ‘light’.  If you are reasonably healthy, yoga will make you super healthy.  If you are ill, clear the mind of negative thought and learn how to relax. 

The accumulated darkness of the ages is dispelled by bringing in the light, not cursing the darkness. Light your inner candle with yoga. Start practicing today, for this is the real cure to remove disease and relieve suffering.

Om Shanthi,

Margaret Glatfelter (Lalitha Devi)

MARMA POINTS
Ayurveda is Yoga's corresponding system of natural mind body medicine. Marma is a keystone in Ayurveda.  Marmas are important pranic centers.  They are sites on the physical body where Prana or the vital life energy accumulates.

Prana is the single most important factor in health and therapeutic treatment. All Ayurvedic therapies work on balancing Prana.
Comparisons are made between acupuncture points in Traditional Chinese Medicine and marma therapy.  However, marma is more far reaching.  It extends to the vital organs, bones, joints and points along the surface of the body.
By manipulating marma points, the Prana can be increased, decreased or redirected.  These points can be used to control body and mind.  Through the right use of marmas, our entire physical and mental energy can be consciously increased, decreased or redirected. This makes marma therapy an important tool for energetic or pranic healing. Marma therapy balances body and mind making the higher practices of Yoga possible.
In fact, each marma has a corresponding organ systems, nadis and chakras that it rules over.  Through working on the particular marma, we can control or affect these factors in various therapeutic ways.

MARMA TREATMENT
Marmas are key locations for Ayurvedic bodywork and massage. Marma sessions support all Ayurvedic therapies increasing their effectiveness and ability to awaken the healing power of the body.
In a marma session, the client lies fully clothed on a massage table.   An energetic diagnosis determines imbalances.  The client is then treated to balance Prana.
Therapeutic touch is the main method for treating marma.  Ayurveda also treats marmas with pressure, heat, oils, gemstones, breath work and mantra.
At marma sites, toxins, stress and negative emotions get lodged and are held sometimes for years.  Disease is reflected in pain, blockage or swelling in these areas even before it may manifest outwardly in the full range of disease symptoms.  Relieving pain, blockage or swelling at marma sites is important.
Through therapeutic manipulation of marmas, prana can be directed to remove blockages and improve energy flow or make connections with the greater power of life and nature.  This makes marma therapy an important tool for energetic or pranic healing.

Marma is complimentary in nature.  It is always recommended to consult one’s physician.

MARMAS AND THE SUBTLE BODY
The physical body is visible with the physical eyes. The subtle body (chakras, nadis and marmas) are viewed with the inner eye.  The correct flow or Prana or vital life energy balances the marmas, nadis and chakras.
Marmas are a manifestation on the physical level of the energies that originate from the chakras and nadis. As marmas relate to specific nadis, proper treatment of marmas regulate the proper flow of Prana through the corresponding nadis. Through these marmas, we can treat the nadis and insure the proper flow of Prana through it.  Nadi-marma points are very important.
Each chakra has a corresponding nadi that carries its energy to various portions of the body. Marmas distribute the Prana from the chakras and nadis throughout the body as a whole.

BALANCING MARMAS THROUGH YOGA
Yogic practices of asana, pranayama, pratyahara, mantra and meditation balance pranic flow. This creates balance in the individual at all levels. Asana balances the physical body.  Pranayama quiets the thinking mind.  Pratyahara creates an indrawn awareness to facilitate mantra and meditation. Marma points are invisible but can be traced to where body, mind and psychic energies concentrate together. These are places where the vital energy in the body can become blocked.  This can be due to external injuries or internal factors like fear or anger.   Such blockages can be perceived as a kind of psychic (mind) energy.  Therefore, marmas and their functioning can be controlled by meditation, mantra, pranayama and other yogic methods.  Marmas can also be used for enhancing mental and spiritual powers.

One of the main purposes of the asana practice (Yoga postures) is to insure the correct flow of Prana through the various marma regions. Through pranayama, or yogic breathing, one can increase the flow of Prana through the entire subtle body - marmas, nadis and chakras.
Pratyahara (internalization of awareness) takes Prana inward. It is this key Yogic practice that transitions awareness from the outer physical practice to the inner subtle practices such as Yogic breathing (pranayama), mantra and meditation.   Mantra and meditation heal and evolve consciousness.  Without an indrawn awareness, meditation is impossible.
Prana, the vital life energy, can be directed at will by thought---conscious awareness.  Wherever you hold your attention, you automatically send Prana. 

According to the Vedas, our Prana mirrors the world of nature.  When Prana is balanced, we are in tune with the rhythm of nature. Nature is the rhythm of the Divine Mind. We are then united with our Divine Self.

MARMAS AND MARTIAL ARTS
Prana played a key role in the code of the warrior.  It was through individual control of Prana that warriors in India developed their skills. Knowledge of marmas is key in martial arts.
Originally marma was part of Vedic martial arts or Dhanur Veda, which is one of the four Upavedas or secondary Vedas.  The word marma actually means vulnerable point. These are the points on the surface of the body that the martial artist would strike to disable or kill the opponent.  Men and animals alike wore armor in combat to protect these vital points from injury. Expert physicians in this therapy were highly regarded and often became royal physicians.
Monks in India practiced non-violence as a basis for their spiritual practice.  Not allowed to use weapons for self-defense, they were taught martial arts ‘empty hand techniques’ for self protection. 

MARMA  AND YOGA
 It is said that the great Yogis drew the prana from 18 places that hold marma.  In so doing, they drew their awareness inward for meditation. Drawing the prana from these areas is said to be the best form of pratyahara.
A good Yoga teacher must have a knowledge of marmas and how the various Yogic practices can affect them.

The Yoga student must have a good working knowledge of marmas for a successful personal practice.  Advanced Yoga students who meditate can clear marmas and regulate Pranic flow simply through thought and will power alone.

MARMA AND ENERGY WORK
A competent Ayurvedic bodyworker must know marma and all practices that affect them. Successful treatment of marmas allows one to balance Prana. Free flow of Prana translates into radiant health at all levels.

CREDITS
All information in this article was sourced from Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) during my certification course with him in Yoga and Ayurveda at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia.
Dr. Frawley is regarded as one of the most important western exponents of Vedic knowledge in the world today.  He is a Pandit or traditional teacher of Vedic knowledge (Vedacharya), an Ayurvedacharya (traditional teacher of Ayurveda), Joytish Brihaspati (professor of Vedic Astrology), and OMD (Oriental Medical Doctor).  In India, where he has lectured and taught throughout the country, his Vedic work, including his translations from the Vedas, is highly regarded.

"There is a spirit which is pure and which is beyond old age and death...this is Atman, the spirit is man"
                                                          - Chandogya Upanishad

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. It also means union or communion. It is the uniting of the body, mind and spirit with that higher power within.

In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the most important authority on Yoga philosiphy, Sir Krishna, explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga as a deliverance from contact with sorrow and pain, to Paraphrase:

When the mind, intellect and self are under control---freed from restless desire, they become free within, man becomes one. Hence the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of yoga, the yogi finds fulfillment within. Then he knows the joy eternal which is beyond the pale of the senses which his reason cannot grasp. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow. This is the real meaning of Yoga---a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.

In our everyday life, we become outwardly oriented and forget our spiritual true self. However, the definition of Yoga as uniting the individual with spirit is strictly symbolic. We are already united with that higher power within. You are not only at this very moment unified with cosmic consciousness, you are cosmic consciousness. The purpose of yoga is not to unite you with anything. It is to make you realize your existing true nature.

Yoga shifts individual ego outwardly based conscious to heart centered consciousness. When our focus is on the material world, the illusion of separation exists. We feel disconnected. In this ego based consciousness, one functions from the lower centers of greed, fear, jealousy and hate. We live a life of resistance- separate from the Divine Flow of grace.

Sri Swami Satchidananda, in his unique ability to take the most sublime teachings and put them into the simplest of terms said “we must turn the me into we” This implies a shift from outwardly ego based consciousness to heart centered consciousness. Reconnecting the outwardly oriented mind with the inwardly Divine Nature is the goal of Yoga. The spiritual heart center is where our individual divine consciousness resides. Focusing our attention on the spiritual heart center connects us with the Divine Mind.

Yoga is for everyone, not just the recluse. It is a practice that can be taken off the mat and into everyday life. Society is integrating the practices of Yoga physically and spiritually. Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth , Has been the subject of international acclaim.  Its topic is the global shift from ego based consciousness to oneness consciousness.

The Bhagavad Gita blends all different aspects of Yoga into a comprehensive whole. It was once thougth that the various paths were mutally exclusive. However, integration of all the different paths is necessary. It is the Gita that establishes this scientific approach to Yoga.

The classical Yoga of India is a holistic practice that balances mind, body and spirit. Integral Yoga, one of the oldest forms of Yoga from India, is a holistic. Sri Swami Satchidananda, of Woodstock fame, brought Integral Yoga to the world. In a modern society, Integral Yoga has influenced the work of Dr. Mehmet Oz (as seen on Oprah), Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Michael Lerner in their work on heart disease and cancer.

Integral Yoga presents a synthesis of the various paths of yoga in a scientific and systematic manner. This allows complete and balanced development of the individual. This different branches--- hatha yoga (practices to purify and strengthen the body and mind), raja yoga (the path of concentration and meditation), mantra yoga ( sacred sound vibration), karma yoga (the path of selfless service), bhakti yoga (the path of devotion), jnana yoga ( the path of wisdom) and kriya yoga ( the path of self --purification, self study and divine surrender) – are all a part of this classical form of Yoga.

Simply stated, Integral Yoga combines all classical form, blending chant, physical postures, relaxation, breath control and meditation. The individual is a mind, body, consciousness complex. Most disciplines deal with one and forget the other. Integral Yoga approaches the entire individual.

Through Yogic practices, one develops a state of perfect body health, peace of mind, mental stability, perfect intellectual clarity, higher spiritual knowledge and awareness. Teaching methodology takes into account differences in physical fitness, experience and anatomy. The practice is adapted to the individual; the individual does not adapt to the practice.

Some of the benefits of yoga are a beautiful and healthy body, improved concentration and willpower, greater joy (inner peace), complimentary treatment of illness, greater self-awareness, increased physical vitality and to provide a spiritual foundation. The ultimate goal of yoga is to expand your awareness--- your consciousness awareness to all that is around you.

“There are more things in heaven and earth…than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

-          William Shakespeare

We are all looking for happiness. Yoga is a way of living and being. It guides you along your chosen path. Yoga leads you to your maximum happiness and fulfillment in life without interfering with personal goals. Yoga changes how you view life. This change in consciousness is beyond the thinking mind. It cannot be gained through reading or lecture

The Divine Nectar of Yoga must be sipped faithfully for a long time. Only then will the flower of Higher Consciousness blossom.

Om Shanthi,

          Lalitha Devi

                                                  Copyright 2008  All Rights Reserved      


         

Do you ‘come from the heart’ or ‘live in your head’? Can we determine at will the vantage point from which we direct our thoughts? Which level of functioning brings greater peace and happiness? Eastern philosophy holds consciousness to be heart based. Western philosophy believes the brain is the center of consciousness.

The mind is of the individual, separate self. Duality is the nature of the mind.  It perceives in opposites:  love/hate, like/dislike and so on.

Dualistic thought exists in cultural orientation. The eastern perspective of awareness is spiritually based awareness.  The western perspective of awareness is scientific and deals with the physical world. Yet the Divine Eye of Collective Consciousness unites as Oneness.

In today’s society, coming from the heart is a challenge. The media, junk food for the mind, keeps our awareness outwardly based. We are dominated by our senses and the impulses of the external world. Outwardly based perception is dominated by ego.  In ego based consciousness, we live through the individual mind with our own limited power. We are out of touch with the aspirations of our heart.

Westerners approach life in a rational scientific manner. We lack the ability to perceive the subtle forces hidden in the world inside us. True healing requires both.

Nature’s Law states that if you want to fully understand something, you must become it.  Otherwise, you can understand only to your own capacity. You can study, form opinions and hypothecate but nothing matches experience. One must transcend the mind to understand that which is beyond the mind. The One Mind is beyond the individual mind.

As creator of your own reality, you must make this determination.  Experience it for yourself. 

EXPERIENCING THE DIVINE MIND

The individual must be free of past conditioning to connect with the Divine Mind. Old, outmoded thought patterns stored in the subconscious mind must be processed and released. The individual is then able to shift into state of expanded awareness.

Our lives can either be an expression of joy or an expression of discontent--- heaven or hell.  It depends on the contents of the mind.  We are at the mercy of our mind to the extent that we have not discarded the portion of it that keeps us stuck in the same mental groove. 

The mind is not calm by nature, it is ever changing.  The goal is to rise above the mind and realize our true nature – peace.

Your present personality is the starting point. Accept yourself as you are now. Acknowledge your thoughts but do not dwell on them. You will transcend them. Lack of self acceptance causes disease. Treat yourself with compassion but always try to improve.

"As individuals, we purposely dull the thinking mind so we don't have to think or feel the painful emotions at the conscious level. " - Sri Swami Satchidananda

We don’t want to experience the pain of processing undesirable thoughts and emotions at the conscious level. So we push unwanted issues into the subconscious mind. The harder we push, the greater the resistance. The greater the resistance, the more deeply the issues become imbedded. Tension is created by suppressed thoughts. We’re unhappy but we don’t know why. Issues that have been with an individual for the better part of a lifetime become part of the emotional landscape. 

When we identify with the mind, we are drawn into the life drama. When we observe the mind, we can maintain our equanimity. Yoga takes you beyond the thinking mind to release and reprogram in an effortless manner. Yoga gives you the space to evaluate then gives you the capacity to make the change.

One must to relax to bring the awareness inward.  Then you can then examine the contents of the mind and discover the problem. Relaxation opens the subtle energy body and allows free flow of prana or vital life force.  With this energetic flow, stress, resistance and blocked emotions are released into the conscious awareness to be processed and discarded.  Detached observation is essential to the process.  

We don’t need to destroy the ego.  As long as you’re alive you need an ego – a sense of individuality.  But that ego must be healthy.  The ego must be strong not selfish.

BE THE LOVE

Do not look outside yourself for love even though the light of others may be blinding.  This tells the Universe that love is something you do not possess. The Universe honors free will.  Love will remains something you do not possess. 

Yoga says that you must first be the change you desire to see in others.  Allow your inner light to shine. Be the love you desire.

The law of resonance states that we come into resonance with the vibration that surrounds us. The weaker vibration will rise into resonance with the stronger vibration and vice versa.  Use this knowledge consciously. Select what you become by actively choosing the vibrations you expose yourself to.

You are not just influenced by the company you keep; you become the company you keep. Don’t fall victim to bad company. Surround yourself with what you desire to become. You take on the vibration at the level of soul or psyche.  Our personal vibration determines what and how we manifest.  Our personal vibration extends beyond the heart, beyond the physical body.  It travels with the mind which is subtle in nature.  The mind uses the shape of our thought vibration to create. Ego based thought vibrations fueled by our own limited power produce limited imperfect results.  Divine thought vibrations resonating with the One Mind create infinite results of the highest nature.

"God heals.  I charge.  We’re partners." - Dr. Ronald M. Glick, D.O.

Just as the moon draws its illumination from the sun, the mind is illuminated by consciousness. Similarly, the individual is illuminated by the One. Love is beyond ego gratification. Nourish yourself to overflowing from Source. Then there will be enough to give others.

The heart is magnetically five hundred times more powerful than the brain. This center is so powerful because it is the center of the emotions.  The heart chakra is the level where one begins to accept and love everyone and everything unconditionally. Heart centered awareness leads to greater compassionate and creative functioning. 

Quantum physics states that matter relies on an observing consciousness to activate potential. We create with our attention. You deepest desires are held in the heart.  When you consciously view these desires, you are able to manifest them in the physical realm.

Unconditional love is Divine Grace. With Divine Grace, life becomes effort- less. You live in the Divine Flow. You then live and create your reality from the higher vibratory levels of peace, joy and love.   As one changes himself, others around him are also changed.

Yoga is thought to be a form of fitness. It isn’t. Yoga is a state of heart based consciousness or functioning from an expanded state of awareness or higher consciousness.  The soul or spirit is beyond the body or mind.  However, you may find it in your spiritual heart.

By holding your awareness in the spiritual heart, you are in the presence of and come into resonance with the Divine Consciousness of unconditional love. Align with the Divine and live auspiciously; experience success and happiness in both worlds.

When you live from the heart, you view all of creation through the Divine Eye.  Then all the love in the universe will flow in you, through and around you.

OM Shanthi,

Lalitha Devi               

                                   Copyright 2008      All Rights Reserved