In our Yoga practice we spend a lot of time exploring the sensations of our physical bodies – we breathe, stretch and strengthen to awaken a greater sense of aliveness, calm and clarity. Yet there are so many more layers to you beyond the physical realm of muscles, bones and organs. The flow of your mental and emotional energy – comprised of memories, fantasies, beliefs, emotions and reactions – gives you shape and form just as much as your muscles and bones.

One of the ways Yogis have described these powerful energies is using elements such as earth, water or fire and, just as in nature, these elements must exist in balance for optimal functioning within our own bodies and minds. To help us understand and attain this balance the Yogis mapped out our “energetic anatomy” as Nadis (channels) and Chakras (meeting places), enabling us to perceive the flow of our thoughts and feelings as a fluid river, a steady tree trunk or a raging fire. They also prescribed particular movements, breathing and meditation techniques to help move this energy when it’s stuck or direct its flow more purposefully.