Yoga speaks of energy in the body in reference to Chakras, Prana and Marma Points, Chinese medicine speaks of Chi in Acupuncture and Acupressure and Yoda speaks of ‘the force’ because George Lucas was very interested in Eastern Wisdom. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s definition of the force as “an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.” is actually a very good definition for this energy.
Awareness of energy first became real for me when I received my Reiki Training. The word Reiki comes from combining Rei – spiritual or sacred and Ki – universal energy. My left brain was saying, “this is crazy” and my right brain was saying, “but I feel it and I like it!” After that experience, I read all I could about Energy Medicine and learned that Kundalini Yoga was the best type of yoga for balancing the energy in the body. A big part of that energy work comes from the use of Mantra, which is something that I had avoided out of fear of not doing it right.
Kundalini Yoga and Mantra came together for me when I met Atma, my favorite teacher, at a live concert by Snatam Kaur. The Kriyas (specific sets of breath, movement and mantra) are sometimes a bit unusual but they work and I love them! The mantras I learn in class have now become the favorite part of my personal practice. I love to chant when I am alone, walking my dog or driving my car.