Yoga Teacher Training: Introduction to the Yogic Energy Body

In Yoga, and Ayurveda, the Yogic body is composedHow could there be energy meridians? Does
of three bodies. One is the physical body (sthulaacupuncture really work or is it a "side show?" How
sharira), which we can easily see. Another is thecome the energy meridians of Chinese medicine line
causal body (karana sharira), which we often refer toup with the Nadis of Ayurvedic medicine?
as the soul.Time has passed, and western medicine has now
The energy body (sukshma sharira), is often calledstarted to work in harmony with Ayurveda and
the subtle, vital, or Pranic body. This is very often aChinese medicine. Maybe there's something to the
mystery to many, and confusing to more, but let'sYogic energy body after all. So, what are the main
take a tour of the energy body and you willparts of the Yogic energy body?
understand it much better.Nadis (Energy Meridians): There are 72,000 Nadis in
If someone does not believe in the existence of thethe electro-magnetic body, which send vital energy
energy body - I would ask how the physical body(Prana) from one point to another. Shushumna, Ida,
runs without electricity. Without electricity, we wouldand Pingala are considered the most important to
have heart failure, and very big problems, if ourYoga students - although, 14 main Nadis should
hearts are not restarted.covered, when this subject is covered during a Yoga
How is the heart restarted? Sometimes CPR isteacher training intensive.
enough, but most often CPR helps just long enoughMarmas (Pressure or Energy Points): There are 107
for a defibrillator to be used to restart the heart. TheMarmas, and some say 108, but they can be
defibrillator causes low voltage electric current toeffectively treated for healing purposes.
enter the body through paddles or patches, whichUnfortunately, they can also be considered strike
are then applied to the chest.points in martial arts, but these energy points
At the atomic level, your body is full of electrons,correspond, regardless of the purpose.
flying all over the place, and some are flying aroundChakras (Energy Vortices): There are seven main
the body. We cannot see it, but we know it ischakras, which transform magnetic currents of the
happening. How is this? We have faith in science, butearth into energy of the physical body. This physical
science cannot measure everything.energy balances the central nervous system and the
For centuries, Ayurvedic doctors, and doctors ofendocrine system. There are also many secondary
Chinese medicine, mentioned the electro-magneticand minor Chakras.
body, but western medicine scoffed at the idea of it.