Vital Earth

Kosha Countdown to Earth Day continues with a look at our relationship to the Earth through the lens of Pranamayakosha (the vital energy body).

This conversation invites the living soil of Annamayakosha (Earth Body) into the realm of its energetic neighbor. In Yoga, Prana (life-force or vitality) rides the breath and is strengthened, expressed, and examined through pranayama (directed breathing exercises).

The earth is not only our breathing partner, exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide, it is a breathing entity of its own. Systems on the earth ebb & flow, expand and contract, as do the systems of the body. This one simple reflection reveals an inextricable link that bonds us to each other.

Noticing how the breath impacts energy and mood, providing tools to work with when in moments of anxiety or panic. The nervous system can be agitated or calmed by mindfully shifting the breath.

This episode includes a brief discussion of the practice of raising Wind Horse; it also touches on the Yoga Vayus (Winds) as a way of deeper inspection.

Wind Horse

Raising Wind Horse can be a whole ritual (complete with altar & practices honoring the four directions,) or it can be a simple but powerful mantra meditation with five lines. While this is cursory teaching, barely touching the surface and lacking the greater context, it has merit as connection to Pranamayakosha, the Vayus, and the overall raising of the vibration. Finding a teacher is always helpful (whether in person or online).

Raising Wind Horse helps cultivate unconditional confidence. It does not rely on achievement or acquisition; it is yours without cause or condition.

“Literally, Wind Horse is a mythical Tibetan Creature symbolizing inner air or wind of the body. Lungta is associated with positive energy or “life force” and with “good luck.”  (click for more information from Wiki)

The following instructions are Sherry’s best recollection from her Shambhala Training in 2001-2002:

Ki Ki – Take your seat and feel the support of the ground beneath you.

So So – acknowledge the earth and sky as representing duality.

Ashe – collapse the concept of duality, earth and sky, to one horizon line

Ghla – with a downward gaze touch on the universal heart of sadness

Gyalo – lift your gaze and radiate outward

Here is what was read about the VAYUS, or winds (from no one source):

In yoga, the Vayus are the five movements, or winds, of prana (vitality, life-force energy) within the body. Raising Wind Horse (Lungta) has roots in Tibetan Buddhism and can be related to the Vayus (the five vital energies) in the following ways:

Prana Vayu: Moves inward and upward, governing breath and heart-rate.  Raising Wind Horse can help increase the flow of this vital energy which is responsible for the respiratory system. 

Apana Vayu: Moves downward and outward, governing elimination and reproductive functions. Wind Horse can also help balance this vital energy which is responsible for the excretory system.

Samana Vayu: Moves in a circular motion, governing digestion and assimilation. Raising Wind Horse can help activate this vital energy which is responsible for digestion and assimilation of food.

Udana Vayu: Moves upward and outward, governing speech and expression. Wind Horse can also help activate this vital energy which presides over the vocal cords and speech.

Vyana Vayu: Moves throughout the body, governing circulation and movement. Raising Wind Horse...