MBG | Pranayama is a powerful, focused breathing technique that directs our energy flow for healing and self-realization. In the book Infinite Mind: Science of the Human Vibrations of Consciousness, Dr. Valerie Hunt conducted an important study in directing the flow of energy within the subtle body.
By studying the human biofield, she found that people who lacked vitality or felt ungrounded, were often missing a certain frequency of energy associated with the same frequency as the Root Chakra (Muladhara).
Ungrounded states, where we do not necessarily feel within our body, lack physical vitality and represent an imbalance in our energy spectrum. If our Root Chakra energy is low, we may not be drawing enough energy from the Earth. This can often cause forms of disassociation or numbness.
Hypo states such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia and hypotension, as well as weakness, fatigue, depression, and general under-functioning of the body, may be an indication that the body has insufficient subtle energy in the grounding realm.
Using Pranayama For Grounding + Vitality
While pranayama is often thought of as breath-work, it is also about energy attunement, energy breathing, and energy direction. What we are intending is to draw in energy to replace the missing frequency in the biofield. In this case of being ungrounded, the color red (also associated with the Root Chakra) is missing from the spectrum of the energy biofield.
The Practice
Find a place where you will not be disturbed and adopt either a seated or standing position, preferably with the soles of your feet on the ground. Barefoot in nature is good, though not necessary. Mountain Pose (Tadasana) is great for this, provided you do not suffer from low blood pressure or any condition that limits you from standing for long periods of time.
Set your intention for the practice, which is to become more grounded, and center yourself by relaxing, turning inward to your inner stillness, and placing your attention on your breath. You can also use the practice of ujjayi breath for deeper focus, and to generate a bit of heat. Spend a few moments following your breath, inhaling through your nose, allowing your breath to expand your lungs, ribcage, and belly before exhaling through your nose.
Continue with the breathing and use the following visualization technique.
Imagine roots spreading down from the soles of your feet to the center of the Earth, anchoring you to the ground.
As you inhale, imagine that you are inhaling red vital energy from the Earth, up your roots, and up through the soles of your feet. Continue to breathe this red energy upward through your legs and into your pelvic floor and the spinning, rich red vortex of your Root Chakra where you sense the energy being absorbed and distributed to your body. Hold your breath for a brief natural pause on the end of the exhale if you wish.
Exhale from the Root Chakra down your legs, through your feet, and down your roots to the center of the Earth.
Repeat this several times, focusing on how grounded your legs and hips feel with the energy flow. Feel the stimulating effects on your body.
Optional exercise: Breathe the red Earth energy even further up the body and into the remaining chakras. You can also breathe into any areas associated with hypo-functioning, feeling the stimulating effects of the red Earth energy upon it. Exhale back down to the center of the Earth and repeat for a few cycles of breath.
If you have a medical condition, be sure to contact your healthcare provider before beginning a pranayama practice.
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