I define empowerment like this; It is the capability to contain energy and our ability to channel it consciously. All the energy we accumulate, we tend to waste it on things that are not really that meaningful to us. How can we find where we want to direct our energy, and how do we channel it in that direction instead of wasting it? These are essential things we need to understand and master if we want to craft the life we want. Our goals may be materialistic, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, but either way, our level of empowerment equals our success. This is essential knowledge for anyone who wants to change or completely transform their lives.
Mudra is a sanskrit word and is translated to ‘gesture’ or ‘attitude’. In the yogic system the body consist of five layers or sheets known as the koshas. One of them is called Pranamaya Kosha which is the energy body. The energy body is made up of energy centers called Chakras and energy channels called Nadis, which connects all the chakras. Even though the energy is flowing through those channels and centers, it is always radiating energy which leaves the body, just like a lightbulb with radiate some heat. The use of mudras is a means of redirecting the energy that normally leaves the body back into the body, just like a mirror would reflect light back in the room. So with a combination of subtle physical movements we can alter mood, attitude and perception, which then deepens awareness and concentration. A mudra can be a combination of asanas, pranayama, bandha and visualisation techniques, or it can be as simple as a certain positioning of the hands.
Some yogic texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and others consider mudras to be a yoganga, meaning an independent branch of yoga which require very subtle awareness. They are higher practices which lead to awakening of the pranas, chakras and kundalini. An advanced practitioner may achieve major siddhis with the practice.
While practicing mudras you establish a direct link between three of the five koshas. The Annamaya kosha(physical body), the Manomaya kosha(mental body) and the Pranamaya Kosha. With practice, you become aware of the pranic flow in your body. Balance between the koshas happen and subtle energy will be redirected to the upper chakras, leading to higher states of consciousness.
five groups of yoga mudras.
Hasta Mudra Much prana is radiated from our hands, and hasta mudras are a means of using the hands to redirect the energy back into the body. Normally, the index finger and thumb will join together and create a loop which moves energy between hands and brain. If we bring awareness to this flow of energy it will lead to internalisation and support your meditation. Some examples are: – Jnana Mudra – Chin Mudra – Yoni Mudra – Bhairava Mudra – Hridaya Mudra
Mana Mudra Mana Mudras are head mudras. They are a big part of kundalini yoga and many of them can be considered techniques of meditation by themselves. They use eyes, nose, tongue and lips. Some of them are: – Shambhavi Mudra – Nasikagra Drishti Khechari Mudra Kaki Mudra Bhujangini Mudra Akashu Mudra Shanmukhi Mudra Unmani Mudra
Kaya Murda Kaya mudras use a combination of pranayama(breathing techniques) and Dharana (Concentration). Some of them are: – Vipareeta Karani Mudra – Pashinee Mudra – Prana Mudra – Yoga Mudra – Manduki Mudra – Tadagi Mudra
Bandha Mudra Bandha Mudra is a way of using energy locks in the body to redirect the energy. They charge the system with prana and prepare it for kundalini awakening. Some examples are: – Maha Mudra – Maha Bheda Mudra – Maha Vedha Mudra
Adhara Mudra These mudras redirect the flow of energy from the lower chakras to the brain. They are used to raise sexual energy into higher frequencies. Two examples are: – Ashwini Mudra – Vajroli Mudra
Together with massage therapist and coach Monica Abrahamsen, I invite you to our unique mini-retreat at Randøy- a beautiful island in the amazing Ryfylket. We will meet at a cozy cabin with view towards the sunrise over the Fister Fjord. urrounded by nature, we can relax, practice yoga, eat good food and have good conversations. Everyone will also get a treatment from massage therapist Monica. On sunday there is a full moon, which we will make use of with a full moon ceremony, including body movements, mediation, drumjourney and kirtan..
Date: 20.-23. Aug. Price: kun 2.800,- (2520,- For all Holistic Center costumers. Please write so in booking form) All included; 3 nights, food, daily yoga, 1 massage treatment and a rare opportunity- the full moon ceremony.
Why full moon ceremony? It’s well known that the tide happens due to the gravitational force of the moon. What is not as well known, but is getting more and more attention these days, are the effects the moons gravitational force has on our bodies. When the moon can push and pull the entire ocean it’s not hard to understand that it can also affect us. After all, our bodies do consist of 60-70% water. When the moon is full and new, the gravitational force is stronger, and so the effects are bigger. How much you notice of the effects depends on your receptiveness. Whether you can feel it or not, there is a natural upsurge of energies within the human body at these times, and so we make use of that in our practice to raise our energy. Yogis have been well aware of this and used full- and new moons consciously for thousands of years as the practice gets much more powerful.
Practical info:
Travel: We will meet at the cabin friday around 6pm. You can drive there with car, or take the boat. We will help organising the trip and make sure everyone gets there easily. The drive from Stavanger Centrum takes about 1,5 hours. We leave on monday around 3-4 pm.
Obs! After you’ve sent the form you will receive information about payment. Your booking is complete when your payment is completed. Your payment is binding, and will only be refunded if the retreat gets canceled.
Darsh Yoga 