Where is the location and what is the physical counterpart of the elusive  Ajna and Sahasrara Chakras ( the two main head’s energetic centres )? And how do we access and stimulate them? Two extremely powerful yet simple Yoga techniques that help you locate the two upper chakras are Shambavi and Kechari Mudra. Both are described in two ancient treatises of Hatha Yoga, the Geranda Samhita and  Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The fact is that the language of the Seers was purposedly esoteric.

Bhudda's eyes in Shambavi Mudra. Swayambhunat stupa temple, Katmandu Nepal

With this and the next article I will try to map both Shambavi and Kechari Mudras from yogic into modern , tangible and scientific language. Let’s start with The Ajna Chakra – third eye – and Shambavi Mudra. Read the rest of this entry »

Winter Solstice, 21 December 2010,  is the festival of the “rebirth of the light”. This year on the 21 December Winter Solstice we see two other astronomical conjunctures: Full Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon!  Rebirth that is accompanied by a state of heightened awareness and connection with our emotions.

Winter Solstice Full moon Lunar eclipse

Winter Solstice is celebrated in many cultures as an important date as the Sun reaches its minimum in the Northern Emisphere and it’s the shortest day ( in terms of daylight ) of the year. As we get to solar minimum  we approach an important transition that is the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. It’s a time of stopping and restarting. Read the rest of this entry »

 Diwali, or Deepawali (literally translates as rows of diyas – clay lamps) is the Hindu festival representing the uplifting of spiritual darkness in the souls of people. It is a 5 days festival centred around the new moon phase of the auspicious month of Kartik, which is late October/November. Diwali falls 20 days after Dusshera (the last celebratory day of NAvarati) and this year Diwali is the 5^th November.

"Diyas" Clay Lamps . Photo Courtesy of Silvia Chance

Diwali also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and on this day Lord Ganesha, the auspicious elephant-headed Hindu god, is worshiped. Ganesha is the ruler of Mooladhara Chakra (energetic centre at the base of the spine) of the New Year! Read the rest of this entry »

My first encounter with a Mala ( Indian rosary) occurred over two decades ago, when i started my practice of Kriya Yoga. A  Kriya is a very specific breathing technique through which you uplift prana-shakti  ( life force )into sushumna nadi ( the main channel for subtle energy)  from the base of the spine to the top of your head.  Keeping count with the beads allows you to forget about the counting and immerse yourself into the practice ( performing  Kriyas or chanting Mantras for example ) .

From Top Left: Cherry Quartz, Fire Agate, Red Sustainable Coral, Fresh Water Pearl Malas. Photography by ELeonora Pecorella

A mala consists of 108 plus one bead call the SuMeru (literally translates as the central world mountain, or the axis around which everything else revolves!). Read the rest of this entry »

This month post is written by one of my students, Sybille Pouzet, a yoga teacher and amazing chef! It’s nice sometimes to know how the outer world perceive you!  Here we go…

SYBILLE:

When i moved East London about a year ago i was determined to find a yoga teacher that would suit me. Even though i love practicing yoga on my own in my room under the roof, i also love following a teacher and feeling the energy of a group class.

After trying several places and teachers, i went to Alessandra’s class at Yogahome . I can’t say i instantly loved it as i came from a different style of Yoga and found it quite hard. Something got me hooked though. Something in Alessandra made me want to jump on her “yoga train” as she said later to me. There was a sort of presence in her that i felt i should try to follow…

 As i entered Alessandra’s house i felt like going into her world. And her world at the moment is rather busy! Taking care of her son is her Sadhana (yoga Read the rest of this entry »

Kumbha Mela is a religious event that is organized on a grand scale in India every 4 years in a cycle of 12 years. Kumbha Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four locations of India:

Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers – Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of shipra river
Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river. Read the rest of this entry »

We are all finally thawing after a freezing winter and slowly trusting the arrive of the new season! Spring is in the air ! 

In coincidence with the vernal equinox ( the arrival of Spring,  literally when night and day have equal lenght ) we also have the occurrence of the Hindu festival Navaratri, literally 9 nights , celebrating  Shakti in her manifestations as Durga , Lakhsmi and Saraswati (*). 

Ganesh Lakhsmi Saraswati

  During the calendar year Navaratri is celebrated 4 times, more or less corresponding to the change of the seasons ( equinoxes and solstices). This is a time to profoundly reconnect with the Motherly Energy of the Earth, Shakti, the power lying at the base of the spine and in the very core of the planet. It is a time for reflection, cleansing, meditating , releasing the past and planting new seeds for the future. The festival of Navaratri is closed by a tenth day of music , parades and dancing to acknowledge the victory of Maha Shatki ( the divine feminine energy ). Read the rest of this entry »

OM GAM GANAPATHAYE NAMAHA ! JAI 

I honour Ganesha Ganapathi, the elphant-headed God, remover of obstacles. May he protect our journey into the new decade! JAI 

Om GAM Ganapathaye namaha.

As we find ourselves immersed into the energy of 2010 we continue to ascertain the fact that time is flying faster. So our body-mind has to be light and prompt  to be able to respond to that stimulus. As we become more and more interconnected through the wonders of global communication we either fry or completely open up and let this total shower of information wash over us. 

More and more we become aware that we are multi dimensional living beings. It is important to find methods and tools that help us stay balanced in times of great change. In a definite manner we perceive that we live in the horizontal plane ( our daily life in the wake state ) as well as the vertical plane ( spiritual state, the capacity to operate from or connnect with our divine nature ). Yoga comes to our rescue. Read the rest of this entry »

Gopura ( tower ) at the main entrance of the Virupaksha temple, Hampi India. Photo courtesy of Silvia Putignano

Virupaksha temple is the oldest and the principal temple in Hampi, Karnataka India.

Read the rest of this entry »