What is Yoga Pranala?
Yoga Pranala is a unique style of yoga that combines the ancient knowledge and discipline of Yoga with Mudra Pranala, an ancient healing art system based on energy movements transmitted to Linda Madani by Balinese shaman Tjokorda Rai.
Yoga Pranala supports our spiritual development by strengthening our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. This teaching prepares us to merge our individual consciousness with the source, and our individual intelligence with the universal intelligence, so we can go beyond the limits of the five senses’ mind.
During a practice of Yoga Pranala, we connect to our highest self by shifting from thinking to sensing, merging our left-brain functions of intellect and individual will, with our right brain functions of receptivity, intuition and instinct. As we bring our awareness to the heart, we internalise the experiences of the mind and our thought process becomes more peaceful.
We learn to increase our sensibility to the energy of mother-earth (feminine, negative) and to the energy of the universe (masculine, positive). The union of these poles within us appears as prana: the life force energy. Prana and energy movements are essential for healthy mind, body and spirit.
In Balinese ancient texts (lontars), pra means first; prana, power nala, inner fire; and pranala, circulation. The word Prana comes from two roots, Pra means first, and na is the unit of energy by extension spirit. Therefore, prana can be understood as first unity of (energy) spirit.
At first, we learn to move awareness in the frontal passage or “frontal nadi”, and then we explore the energy in the spine, spinal channelor “sushumna nadi”. When the spine is flexible and healthy, and devoid of blockages, the inner balance can take place.
The breathing is an essential part of a Yoga Pranala practice. The breath initiates and finishes the movement. When we are consciously breathing we are channeling prana/spirit/ conciousness. The breath is the vehicle that carries spirit within, through and around our body. At first, we use our awareness to lead the energy but eventually it is the energy that leads us.
Yoga Pranala:
Its profound, delightful and
enriching Background
Yoga Pranala is a harmonious blend of Vinyasa Flow (inspired by several yoga schools including the Sri T. Krishnamacharya’s lineage, Bihar School of Yoga and Hatha Yoga), Mudra Pranala (indigenous Balinese healing art focuses on balancing the alignment of our energy transmitted by Balinese shaman Tjokorda Rai), pranayama (breathing), Yoga Nidra (relaxation) and meditation for self-healing.
Principles of Yoga Pranala
1. Centering
The first principles is to center your awareness by bringing it to the region of the chest. Become aware of the space within your ribcage, your heart center. This is the seat of your soul. This space is called the cave of hridayakasha. Within this cave, there is a flaming light. Focus on this small flame of light within you representing your individualised consciousness. There is a small flame of light very bright with no source in a dark cave, the cave of kriyadakasha. Connect with that small flame of light within you.
2. Rooting
The second principle is to root your self into the energy of the earth. Like trees, human beings need to be rooted into the earth. Bring your awareness to the planes of contact between your feet and the floor, and feel your feet sinking into the energy of mother earth. As a result, feel the energy of mother earth rebounding back and ascending through your bones, muscles, flesh, and joints. You need only to be open and receptive to the energy of the earth, the energy of your mother. Feel the love that mother earth has for you and you will feel the power of mother earth.
3. Connection with the Sky
Become aware of the energy of the universe, the energy of father sky gently cascading upon your body just like a gentle light permeating your body not only through the nostrils but also through every pores and cells of your body. Be open and receptive to the energy of father sky, to the love that father sky has for you.
4. Spine as an Areal
Feel your spine as this connection between earth and sky. Feel your spine lengthening like an accordion. The top of the spine at your mid brain is reaching the sky and the tailbone is reaching the ground.
5. Fourth Fusion
Feel both energies merging within you in perfect balance. At times, you feel the fusion, at your heart centre, at other times at the navel, and at other times throughout the whole body. Having the energy of the earth and the energy of the universe within you is rare in human experience and yet, it is ideal for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.
6. Breathing
Inhale from above as the energy of the earth ascends from below; as you exhale, send that connection into the earth. The breath is very important because it’s the vehicle of prana. The breath initiates and finishes the movement. Hold your breath at its top and bottom. Our lungs govern our breath and without breath we cannot survive.
Rules of Alignment in Yoga Pranala
1. Centering Your Pelvis
The pelvis is the foundation of support of the spine. Remember to bring your pelvis in a neutral position so as to allow your spine to also be in a neutral position. Imagine that within your pelvis, there is a vessel filled with golden liquid. The pelvis should be in a neutral position so the vessel doesn’t overflow forward or backward.
2. Centering the Chest
Remember the four windows of the chest: Open the front window, the back widow, the floor window and the sky light. The purpose is to create space within your heart centre.
3. Erecting the Spine
Elongate your spine and so that it creates space between hips and armpits. Feel the top of spine at your mid brain, lengthening towards the sky, and the bottom of spine at your tailbone reaching the ground.
.
Om Swastiastu and a warm welcome from Linda and her dedicated team at Nālandā School
.