Yoga "Energy Hygiene" Technique: Candle-gazing (and heart healing mantra - free recording)

Keeping the body clean and healthy is one of the governing precepts of Yoga. 
Yogis recognize that there is not just a physical body, but a "subtle energy" body that can get fogged up with residue of stress, unprocessed emotions, and excess mental energy. 

The practice of Trataka (TRAH-tuh-kuh), or candle-gazing is often recommended to alleviate eye strain, but here I will share the use of Trataka as an "energy hygiene" technique. ​

TRATAKA: CANDLE-GAZING

1. Prepare as if for meditation - quiet space, no distractions, comfortable stable seat, long spine, attitude of openess.
2. Place a candle at eye level. Rest your eyes upon the flame 
3. Offer all heaviness/old energy into the flame to be transformed
4. With a soft receptive gaze - not so much “looking” as “receiving light” - receive the light in through your eyes and heart
5. Finish by closing your eyes and visualizing/feeling the candle flame as a steady light in your innermost heart - like a lantern shining

EXTENDED PRACTICE WITH HEART HEALING MANTRA 
You may wish to experiment with repeating this mantra several times before your trataka practice. Click here to listen with SoundCloud 

Vishoka Va Jyotishmati 
(Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1:36)
 (Vee-show, Kuh-vah, Joe-teesh, Mah-Tee)

Vishoka – free of suffering; 
Va- Or/Also; 
Jyotish- Inner light; 
Mahti- concentration of inner light

Interpretation: By contemplating and expanding  our inner light we become free from suffering.  May my inner luminosity is glow bright. (This mantra is a heart opener on the inside and the chanting equivalent of doing a large chest opener like a backbend. )

Credit: Thanks to Missy Felsenstein of Inner Sounds Yoga for sharing this powerful mantra with us during the Harvesting Wholeness series!
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