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10/7/2018

The Energy Body & Vital Life Force Energy

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Modern physics recognizes a unified field that pervades everything and out of which manifest all material expressions. Even the most subtle particles of matter like electrons and protons are just concentrated frequencies of the unified field. So at the root of every aspect of matter is a field vibrating at frequencies that correspond to its material expression. This field, according to Ayurveda, is our own consciousness. It is from this field that comes the creative spiritual life force (shakti) or love that fuels life itself.                              - Dr.John Douillard

What is Energy?

Modern science will argue that Energetic Anatomy (such as Meridians and Chakras) and Vital Life Force Energy (such as Prana or Chi) cannot be proven to exist, yet ancient medical disciplines that have existed for thousands of years would beg to differ. The very definition of energy according to Google is: 

en·er·gy
ˈenərjē/
noun
noun: energy1
  1. 1. the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.
    "changes in the levels of vitamins can affect energy and well-being"
    synonyms:vitality, vigor, life, liveliness, animation, vivacity, spirit, vibrancy
    • a person's physical and mental powers, typically as applied to a particular task or activity.
      plural noun: energies2.
      • a degree or level of energy possessed by something or required by a process.
        "gamma rays at different energies"
  2. power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.3.
  3. PHYSICS
    the property of matter and radiation that is manifest as a capacity to perform work (such as causing motion or the interaction of molecules).
    "a collision in which no energy is transferred"

Therefore, energy can be identified  as potential and kinetic:
  • Potential Energy is any type of stored energy. It can be chemical, nuclear, gravitational, or mechanical.
  • Kinetic Energy is found in movement. 

If different forms of energy can be defined by science, physics, chemistry, AND biology, then why is it so hard to believe that Vital Life Force Energy exists? It may not be seen, heard, tasted, or smelled, but it can be felt. All Ancient Medical disciplines had one thing in common: they all believed that every living thing possessed energy and required this life force energy in order to thrive. Life Force energy, otherwise known as Prana, Chi, or Qi, is a universal essence that animates our physical form and flows through, within, and around our bodies. Our Energetic Anatomy is closely connected to our physical anatomy and unifies our entire being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Vital Life Force Energy travels through our bodies along our Energetic Anatomy pathways. Each ancient medical discipline had their own theories, but according to Ayurveda (the oldest medical science in the world), each one of those theories was birthed from Siddha Medicine (the primitive roots of Ayurvedic Medicine). 

In Massage school I learned Shiatsu, which is an ancient Japanese modality that utilizes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory to physically activate energetic Acupressure points. These points are located along Meridians connected to internal organs and other energy channels. I was fascinated, but intimidated by all of the complex content. I went on to achieve my Reiki Master certification which is also Japanese in origin, but harnesses this Life Force Energy and uses the practitioner as a conduit to treat the recipient. Then I studied Thai Medicine, the advanced level of traditional Thai Massage that has it's own unique system of Energetic Anatomy. This energetic system is physically manipulated through acupressure to flush the entire Sen (energy line) that is blocked. 

I was taught that the ancient Thai medical discipline was influenced by Ayurveda (the science of life that derived from India), Hatha Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Indigenous Thai Culture, and Buddhism; resulting in the Thai version of Energetic Anatomy that was a simplified hybrid of Ayurvedic Nadis (energy channels) and Acupressure points from TCM theory. I was instantly obsessed and found this system to be completely holistically inclusive yet more simple than Shiatsu. But now I was even more intrigued with the Ayurvedic version of Energetic Anatomy. I already had a pretty good grasp on the Chakras (energy centers in the body), but when I went on to achieve my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification, I was pleasantly surprised that there is so much more to learn. As I continue to study Ayurvedic bodywork, I have realized that Thai Massage is great to remove energetic blockages, but it doesn't have the same Nervous System benefit that Ayurvedic bodywork does. 

It is said that there are 72,000 Nadis (channels) in the body. This very auspicious number also translates to mean "innumerable" and coincidentally we have countless nerves and blood vessels in the physical body. These Nadis are so closely connected to our physiology, that one cannot be affected without effecting the other. That is why I am so confident about the existence of Energetic Anatomy, it is the answer to how our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies are connected in one vessel. It is the answer to cure every imbalance created on every level in the body. Ayurveda also teaches us that the cause of all disease is the mind forgetting that we are sourced in consciousness, and consciousness is another form of Life Force Energy. By bringing awareness to our Energetic Anatomy, we can effectively connect to our source (pure consciousness) and eradicate all disease. The body knows what it needs to do to heal itself, we just need to quiet the mind to reconnect to that consciousness/source.

As a professional Bodyworker and Energy Worker, I can physically feel, palpate, and manipulate energy in the body just as easily as I do physical congestion like Tigger Points (knots in the muscle tissue). In my experience, having been to multiple cadaver labs in my training's and present around deceased loved ones, the remaining vessel no longer possessed any palpable energy after passing. I recently lost my beloved dog and was present during his passing. Even though he was frail from age and disease, I could still feel his energy. Once he passed, there was nothing there. I couldn't feel a thing. That to me was a tangible validation of the existence of Vital Life Force Energy and that it is present in every living being. 

The information that follows is actually all of the research I compiled to complete my YTT Elective essay. The requirements of which were only a few pages, but there was so much information that I ended up writing TEN. I apologize for the lengthy read, but hopefully you like to nerd out on this stuff too!

Energetic Anatomy & Subtle Bodies

The following is a pdf format of information compiled about the Ayurvedic theory of Vital Life Force Energy in the form of Prana and the Energetic Anatomy in which prana moves through and effects our bodies. This information is subject to copyright and may not be used without permission. 
energy_anatomy___subtle_bodies.docx
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: docx
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    Katrina Shreve

    Holistic Health Coach, Practitioner, & Teacher shares her expertise.

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