Chakras: The Practical Significance of Subtle Body Anatomy
The evolution of the idea of the ‘subtle body’ with tantra and hatha yoga is a subtle and profound shift in the very idea of ‘self’ and ‘soul’ — from a more static idea of Purusha or Atman in early and classical yoga, to an understanding of the self as being in process, growing in understanding, consciousness, and freedom. What is key to this process is a deeper connection to the body and what it has to tell and to teach us.
This is where the chakras come in, and the process of reconnecting to this transformative wisdom can take place — and be taught — on many levels, from explicit focus on the chakras and the tools for experiencing their energy, to a variety of relatable and accessible means of focus in asana, pranayama and meditation.
This session will explore these different levels of approach in practice and teaching, and how they relate to this emerging understanding of a soul in process — and how these come together in a fundamental experience of recognition or ‘Pratyabhijna’ as the heart of this process.
After an introductory discussion of the topic, which includes not only the role of the chakras in understanding our evolution, but also the ‘blocks’ or ‘granthis’ which hold us back from growing, the session will begin with some warmups.
It won’t be a sustained yoga asana practice, but rather an exploration of the undulating movements of the spine linked to the breath in asana, which open the doors to inner focus and breath work.
This will lead into practice of forms of pranayama linked to focus on the chakras, and forms of meditation linked to unfolding states of awareness and insight represented by the chakras.
The inner map of the ‘yoga body’ provided by the chakras offers practical tools for an open-ended process of growth, evolution, and expansion of consciousness as understood in the tantric tradition. This webinar will be an exploration of that experience.
When: Saturday June 15, 2024 2pm-4.30pm California Time. (PDT)
Recording: will be sent automatically to all registered so please, feel free to register if you cannot join the livestream but want the video. The recording will be available for 2 months.
Price: $45
Technology: Zoom will be used. You will receive the zoom link in the confirmation email.
Reminder emails: will be sent 2 days, 30 min and 10min before the event.
About Doug: Doug Keller’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to studying, imbibing and sharing the vast field of knowledge and practice known as yoga.After receiving honors and graduate degrees in philosophy from the top Jesuit universities in the United States, Georgetown and Fordham Universities, and teaching philosophy at a college level for several years, he then pursued his ‘post-graduate’ education in the practical experience of yoga at the Siddha Meditation Ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth in India, for seven years. He spent a total of 14 years doing service, practicing, training in and teaching yoga in Siddha Meditation Ashrams worldwide. He received intensive training in the Iyengar system in New York City, mainly with senior certified Iyengar teacher Kevin Gardiner. He also practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in India, and became one of the first certified Anusara Yoga teachers, producing three highly respected books on asana, pranayama and yoga philosophy.
His further expansion in learning is reflected in his latest and most in-depth work, ‘Yoga as Therapy,’ which is truly one of the most comprehensive, innovative and useful treatments of the structural aspect of yoga therapy available. And for three years he was a regular columnist for Yoga+ Magazine (formerly Yoga International, published by the Himalayan Institute), writing the ‘Asana Solutions’ column that addresses specific therapeutic problems. He is at the highest level of certification with Yoga Alliance, E-RYT 500, and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.Doug is also a ‘distinguished professor’ on the teaching faculty at the Master’s Degree program in Yoga Therapy at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, a state-approved institution of higher learning.
Doug’s teaching is rooted in a vast and inclusive perspective of study and practice that honors the insights of the many streams of wisdom that flow into the river of yoga.Website: www.doyoga.com