Let’s talk about how to tap into endless energy. You probably know the feeling of needing more energy, but what exactly is this energy?
Various experts have different suggestions for increasing energy. A dietitian might recommend healthy eating, an athlete suggests exercise, a yoga instructor advises yoga and meditation, and a psychologist points to emotional drives. Some say it’s about glucose levels, while others think a coffee boost helps. All these methods are valid. We can do many things that make us feel uplifted, or we could just feel uplifted. In eastern philosophies this energy is referred to as chi or prana. Let’s demystify those terms. There are two energy currents (flows) available to us that we use throughout the day.
Upflow
Think of an Olympic runner, at the starting line, focused and ready. At the sound of the starter pistol, he experiences a surge of energy that starts from somewhere below, and flows upwards with an unimaginable force. Another example of this force would be when we are startled by a loud noise, or if we touch something very hot, or if we see that our subway train is already there but there is a chance that we can still make it. The first thing we feel is this upward force.
We need to focus on this upward mobilizing force within us, felt predominantly during inhalation, starting from below the pelvis and rising above our head. This focus can energize our bodies, strengthening and quickening our physical actions. It also raises our heart rate as well as engages other mobilizing processes.
Next time you do physical exercise, try enhancing this upward force beforehand and compare the difference in your performance.
If you are still struggling with sensing it, try slowly focusing on these points. As you inhale, move up from one to the next:
- below your navel
- solar plexus (above abdomen)
- center of chest
- throat
- forehead
Focus on a slight trace that follows your point of focus as it makes its way up from one place to another. Now strengthen that trace and notice how it starts from far below and goes far above. That is the upflow.
Downflow
There is another, a yin to this yang, an opposite force, that flows downwards and is felt during exhalation. It calms and prepares us for absorbing information.
Imagine a scenario where your reminder goes off that you have a meeting in 10 minutes, and you realize that you are not prepared. You open up that document to get you ready and begin to consume the information like a sponge. During this moment, a downward force can be felt, starting from above your head and flowing down far below. It is best felt when we exhale. It is felt differently from the one going up. The upflow is invigorating, making the blood rush to your head, while the downflow is calming, making the reality around us crystal clear.
The previous tip is applicable here as well. If you are having trouble sensing the downflow, just focus on the points listed above, but in opposite order, going downwards, and catch that trace. Then start strengthening it. The downflow runs in the area that is along our backbone, while the upflow is a bit to the front of it.
It is not difficult to sense the flows. We feel them every day, all day. The challenge is to isolate that feeling. They also act as antagonists, meaning that for now, we can only focus on one or the other. This can be observed when we are asked an important question while we are doing something else. We need to stop and think, and then answer. We cannot do both at the same time.
The key is to strengthen these upward and downward movements as much as you can and be able to switch between them easily. This will give you a great deal of personal and social benefits, not to mention more control over yourself. It’s like upgrading your computer with more RAM and a better processor, enhancing its capacity for input and output. When practicing yoga or meditation, pay attention to these two flows: inhale up, exhale down. Strengthen them progressively. Over time our energy levels will become more and more elevated, but cancel each other out, so we are calm yet ready for anything, all the time. Just be cautious with the upflow if you have heart conditions. Remember that it raises blood pressure, which brings another point. As you are about to go to sleep, slow down the upflow and focus on the downflow. In the morning strengthen both. Note that once you strengthen your energy, it becomes easier to sense your subtle body and see your aura.