Subtle Anatomy Basics

Question 1

Name the seven major chakras in Sanskrit

Answer 1

Mūlādhāra
Svādhisthāna
Manipūra
Anāhata
Visuddha
Ājnā-Candra
Shasrāra

Question 2

What are chakras?

Answer 2

chakras are centers for energy (prana) in the body that act as both reservoirs for energy to be stored in as well as points to initiate energy flow.

Question 3

what is prana?

Answer 3

prana is the foundational of the universe. this is the energy we engage through working with the chakras.

Question 4

where does prana enter and leave the body?

Answer 4

the moon center (candra), located at the medulla oblongata, is where prana enters the body. prana enters and leaves the body with each breath.

Question 5

what are the two modifying forces in the practice of yoga?

Answer 5

Constriction: ensure that too much energy does not flow into a chakra.

Expansion: ensure that enough energy flows into a chakra.

Question 6

What two things happen when the prana current is strengthened?

Answer 6

Self Awareness: first a bodily awareness develops by means of asanas. This leads to greater emotional/mental awareness.

Higher Awareness: As one gains self awareness there will be a consistent growth in consciousness beyond the self.

Question 7

What is prana and apana?

Answer 7

when referencing the internal energy flows within our subtle bodies prana then refers to energy ascending from us going back into the universe while apana is the descending energy.

people can retain too much apana, causing irritation, or release too much prana, causing dissociation.