30-May-2012

Out With It

Apana for Elimination

You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Yogi Bhajan taught that you are also “what you eliminate.” Prana is taken into the body in the form of food, water and oxygen. The opposite, the eliminative force, known in Vedic teachings as apana, governs the ability to excrete and remove waste and toxins from your body. Keeping the apanic force strong helps defend against illness by keeping your body clean and vibrant. Apana also works on an emotional level by eliminating fear and doubt and keeping you grounded, flexible and balanced.

There are lots of great ways to sustain and strengthen the flow of apana. If you are feeling a little sluggish or tired and want to get things moving, start by working on your hips and pelvic area—the seat of the apana force—by doing some Warrior Pose or Goddess Pose. It’s also important to keep the fires of digestion stoked, so practice a few minutes of Rock Pose daily to keep your energy in balance and allow you to feel the flow!

Food and Flow (video) for a Healthy Bowel System

Apana Kriya (Elimination Exercises) (344 KB)

Recommended: The Kundalini Yoga Experience – Bringing Body, Mind and Spirit Together by Dharam Singh Khalsa and Darryl O’Keeffe