I became a dedicated yogi in 2017—It was my second year of full time teaching, 40 hours a week on top of professional development every few weekends and after work meetings. The intense workload has led to a stiff body that barely had time to recharge and replenish.
It wasn’t until another ordinary massage therapy visit that I leant about Yin Yoga. In the middle of the treatment, the massage therapist said: “You should try Yin Yoga. It works very well for people who have a stiff body, like you.” I’ve known Yoga for a while and I’ve tried it before, I just wasn’t interested. Somehow the massage therapist’s words stuck with me and that night, I searched Yin Yoga on Youtube. The next day, I googled my nearest yoga studio, bought an intro pass and attended my very first Yin Yoga class. I remember I had the feeling of pins and needles throughout the whole class. From then on, I became a dedicated yogi, attending yin yoga classes 5 days a week. After one year I decided to practice asana too and my yoga practice has not stopped since.
Nadis
The subtle body is directly connected to the physical body. It is invisible to the naked eyes but for some people, especially those who are clairvoyant, can see the subtle body. The subtle body is consisted of three parts: the nadis (channels of energy), the chakras (focal points or wheels of energy), and the aura (luminous energy that surrounds the body).
Nadis are channels that carry energy, or prana, throughout the subtle body, very much like the blood vessels in the physical body.
There are three primary nadis within the subtle body:
-The IDA: associated with the left side of the body and with feminine energy.
-The PINGALA: associated with the right side of the body and with masculine energy.
-The SUSHUMNA: begins at the base of the spine and runs to the top of the head. This nadi is associated with enlightenment and where chakras are located.
Combining Reiki and Yoga practice
The reason why I mentioned the nadis system is because the combination of Reiki and Yoga supports the flow of the prana. The practice of yoga can open your nadis and align the seven main chakras of the body, which allows Reiki energy go deeper to the physical body for the purpose of healing. In return, Reiki can free up stagnant energy through removing blockages and boosts the natural healing process in the body, which helps to create a balanced state of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness as well as to support the body to move more lightly with ease.
Both Yoga and the system of Reiki typically associated with physical practice at first. Yoga in the West is often associated with asana practice, which is to build strength, flexibility and balance. Similarly, first emphasis of Reiki practice is at the physical level, as a hands-on healing modality. Reiki practitioners typically start practicing hand positions to channel energy to induce relaxation, and promote health.
Reiki helps to improve mobility and flexibility by clearing stuck emotions and stagnant energy that might hold one back. The more the physical body opens up through yoga practice, the deeper Reiki can go for deeper healing.
The combination of Reiki and yoga can be an effective way to help increase awareness, insight, wisdom and personal growth. It also promotes the restoration and enhancement of physical and emotional well-being.
