Ko Ghan Yoga

Chakras and Zones
Chakras are circles of energy. Chakra can literally be interpreted as “wheel”. When the prana or life force moves through the body it circles in five centers in front of the body, at the top of the head, and the base of the spine. The Zones are not Chakras, yet they do directly relate to them. If zone 7, 8, and 9 collapse, then so do the chakras. If zone 7, 8, and 9 are aligned and active, then the life force creating those chakras move with enough force to define those wheels of energy. The integrity of the life force system depends upon posturing, and proper posturing depends on setting those three triggers (zone 7, 8, and 9) for the energy to shoot properly through the body. Then we can learn proper breathing.

The seven chakras relate to zones 1-6 except for zone four. It combines the solar plexus chakra and the heart chakra.

3 Zones necessary for structural integrity -
Functions and how to set  neutral  position

Zone 9 – Base of skull. Connection of brain and top of spine. – Lengthen neck by bringing top of head (crown) toward the ceiling. Chin in.

Zone 8 – Between shoulder blades. - Responsible for alignment through shoulders, arms, and hands. – Open chest by bringing shoulders back and down.

Zone 7 – Lower back. Responsible for alignment through hips, legs, and feet. Maintain proper tilt of the pubic bone to attain proper arch in the lower back to support upper body. 

Breathing
At the end of the inhale hold for at least a  few seconds to digest the oxygen, stretch the lungs, and support the spine. On the exhale maintain alignment and finish using the muscles in the abdomen.

How to set triggers in the zones

Each posture has a specific alignment to the three zones 7, 8, and 9. We refer to these three zones as triggers because if they are set properly the energy shoots through these systems. As you can see in the previous page zone 9 is where the brain and consciousness connect with the body. Zone 8 is responsible for the alignment through the shoulders arms and hands. Zone 8 affects and is affected by zone 7 and zone 9. Zone 7 is responsible for the alignment of lower back through hips, legs, and feet. Each zone connects to the other zones. If properly aligned the energy should wring through the spine and limbs. The energy should shoot through the body via specific network of muscles and nerves. Each posture has a specific alignment in these three zones to set these triggers. Any zone not set properly will greatly affect the flow of energy and possibly cause injury.
 
In "Hanthawaddy" every posture comes back to center. Only from the center can the new direction of triggers be set. In between each posture returning to center is crucial whether it’s standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying down. A pause after the inhale at center stretches the lungs and allows the oxygen to digest. In the pause we set the triggers and zones for the direction of the next posture. As in Hatha yoga a bend or twist in one direction is followed by a bend or twist in the other direction.

In "Min Zin" there are different breath patterns to store and transmit energy. Breathing in on the circular fashion 6-5-4-3-2-1 pause and exhale 9-8-7-6 is just one pattern. Another pattern of breath is inhale 6-5-4-3-2-1 and exhale 9-8-through shoulders arms and out through hands to generate heat. This is used in the true hot stone massage and in certain "Letha" yoga techniques. In Min Zin there are many patterns and all having their own special effects.

       This next chapter is essential to make tangible the pathways of energy and to understand how they flow from posture to posture. Breath control is the final ingredient.

Example
Setting zone 9 and its connection with zone 8 is one of the most difficult to isolate.

To practice isolation of this area, lock hands together by grabbing one thumb over head, working elbows back as far as possible, head back, chin in. concentrate on folding shoulders back above the shoulder blades, head back, ears align with elbows, chin in. Gently connect the muscles in the neck and upper shoulders.


Hanthawaddy Posture 1

Be sure elbows are back and connected to the fold in the back by the shoulders, ears even with elbows push the arms straight. As arms straighten, work the muscles through arms into back of neck and upper back. With triggers 8 and 9 set only then can the energy flow properly into zone 7 where it is supported in the arch by the contraction of the abdominal muscles created by the exhale.
           

Hanthawaddy Posture 8

Pull the shoulders and elbows back to set arch in zone 8 so it can continue into zone 9 with the chin back which pressures back into the arch of the lower back. (Zone 7)
Activate all muscles and nerves from the base of the skull through the legs.

Props we use to assist us

The longi activates the three triggers by connecting with the trigger between the shoulders and out through the arms and connecting through the lower back and legs.

Hanthawaddy posture 26

Hanthawaddy requires the wringing of all the muscles in the spine squeezing all the stale air out and stimulating all the nerves along the spine. Then the inhale slowly springs the body back to center. The Dhanda aids in this body training.