Are Chakras Real? (The Truth Based on Historical Research)

A 17th-century image of several chakras from Nepāl.

Almost every book on Yoga, Pranayama, or Tantra has a diagram that shows the seven chakras located at different positions on the body. But do these chakras actually exist physically or are they just metaphysical concepts? Did the Chakra system always exist in the ancient Yogic system or is it a recent invention? These are … Read more

Ashwini Mudra Sexual Energy Sublimation – Technique, Benefits, Precautions

Ashwini mudra belongs to a class of mudras that are used for sexual energy sublimation. These mudras are called Adhara or perineal mudras. They redirect the prana from the lower centers (Mooldhara chakra) of the body to the higher centers (Ajna chakra). Mudras included in the Adhara group are: Vajroli/Sahajoli mudra Ashwini Mudra Definition in … Read more

Vajroli Mudra Sexual Energy Sublimation – Technique, Benefits, Precautions

purple and brown colored planet

Vajra means a ‘thunderbolt’ or a ‘lightning.’ In the context of yoga, it refers to the vajra nadi that regulates the urogenital system. Vajra Nadi is also considered to be the flow of energy within the spinal column that governs the sexual systems of the body. It can be said that it is responsible for … Read more

Matsyendranath & Nath Sampradaya: Founders of Hatha Yoga & First Mahasiddhas

Nath Sampradaya

Matsyendra also known as Mastsyendranath or Minapa, is believed to live in the early 10th century. He was a prominent promoter of Hatha Yoga (a major branch of yoga) and is credited as the guru of Gorakhnath who was the founder of the Nath Sampradaya (sect) of Yogis. Gorakhnath later became the teacher of Swatmarama, … Read more

Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya – Steps, Benefits, Secrets & Precautions

woman with blue eyes wearing purple hijab scarf. pose eyes position to shambhavi kriya

Shambhavi Mudra or Shambhavi Kriya or Shambhavi Mahamudra is also known as bhrumadhya drishti, i.e., gazing at the eyebrow centre. The word Shambhavi here denotes the creative potential of consciousness. In yogic literature, Shiva is called Shambu, and Shambhavi is used to stir or awaken that Shambu. Shiva or Shambu is synonymous with supra-consciousness, heightened … Read more

Shiva Lingam: The Cosmic Consciousness

gold statue of a hindu deity shiva

Chapter Four of Hatha Yoga Pradipika is on the topic of Samadhi. It opens with its first verse praising Lord Shiva. Its 42nd verse talks about Shiva lingam. As we all know Shiva lingam is considered to be a symbol for many things. First, let’s understand the definition of the word: Definition Lingam is a … Read more

Khecarī mudrā – Instructions, Procedure & Warnings

a person sitting in meditative pose with Khechari mudra written on right side

In the previous article, we have described the basics of Khechari mudra & its benefits. In this article, we’ll learn more about this mysterious mudra and its working principles. Besides all the allegorical praise that we offered in reverence to Khechari mudra previously, it is a highly important technique for the practice of the more … Read more