The Ten Bodies: A Guide to Your Energetic Architecture
As yogic practitioners, we understand that who we are extends far beyond our physical form. The body we see in the mirror is only one aspect of our Being, simply one doorway into the much greater architecture of consciousness, intuition, vitality, and radiance that makes us who we are.
In Kundalini Yoga, we have the Ten Body System: a map that helps us understand how we express consciousness and energy through ten interconnected layers, each with its own gifts, vulnerabilities, and potentials. When these ten bodies are balanced, aligned and alive, we feel emotionally regulated, magnetic, healthy and intuitive! The beauty of these yogic practices practices is that there are many access points to strengthen these bodies and we do so using postures, breathwork, mantra, meditation, mudra, lifestyle, and awareness.
At the heart of this practice lies Naad, the universal sound current and the vibrational harmony that sweeps us onto the path of connection with infinity. When you practice Kundalini Yoga, each class can and likely will be vastly different. Some classes will focus heavily on working the physical body, while others may weave in more meditation and exercises with breath. Embedded into each class is the use of sacred mantra. These mantras are not simply words, they are coded vibrations. Repetition of these sacred sounds cuts through ego and illusion, helping to clear the subconscious and awaken our own inner reserves of energy. When we chant, especially in groups, we are engaging with an ancient, sacred intelligence that resonates at a biocellular level – balancing our glandular system, regulating the nervous system and opening up neural pathways for deeper clarity in our life.
Kundalini Yoga teaches us to harvest our own energy. Rather than seeking external power or stimulation, we learn to generate, sustain and direct our own energy with intention. In these moments, sovereignty begins as we become the steward of our own consciousness and energy. I also love that this practice works fast. Whether you have 3 minutes, 20 minutes, 90 minutes or 2 hours to practice – you will feel changes. Consistency is the secret key, no matter how much time we have. This practice is not about escaping our busy, everyday lives for our spiritual practice but about gaining the tools, awareness and energy to infuse our daily life with more purpose, grace and awareness.
1. The Soul Body
Our original self, our essence, the part of us that remembers why we came here to Earth. When life feels confusing or heavy, strengthening the Soul Body reconnects you with your inner compass and a connected send to the world around us. It brings you back to our purpose.
2. The Negative (Protective) Mind
Contrary to how it sounds, the Negative Mind is not “bad.” It’s the body’s first responder a.k.a our initial filter that scans experiences and environment for risk and what could potentially harm us. It is protective and necessary to our survival on Earth! As you can imagine, though, when this body becomes overly dominant, everything in life can feel dangerous or overwhelming (sound familiar?). When balanced, it provides healthy caution, clarity, and groundedness in our decision making and movements.
3. The Positive Mind
If the Negative Mind is the gatekeeper, the Positive Mind is the enthusiastic researcher. It gathers information from all points, building a “case file” of possibilities, opportunities, and creative solutions. The voice of the positive mind is one that is affirmative and radiating confidence, our “yes!” mind.
4. The Neutral Mind
The Neutral Mind is one of the greatest gifts of a yogic practice. It’s the space of deep presence where all experiences can be seen clearly, without attachment or emotional distortion. The Neutral Mind gathers data from both the positive and negative minds and guides us into action from a place of loving, meditative calmness.Accessing our Neutral Mind state is like developing a “meditative set point.” Just as the body has a natural weight set point, your mind has a neutrality set point you can train yourself to return to. This herein is the practice of meditation. Over time, personal problems lose their overwhelming charge, our perspective widens and compassion becomes natural. Your ego becomes a tool rather than a tyrant.
5. The Physical Body
As it sounds, our fifth spiritual body is our physical vessel. In tantric numerology, the number 5 is the number of the teacher, because your presence communicates more loudly than your words. A strong fifth body creates groundedness, discipline, and the capacity to show up as a leader AND forms the foundation for our life here on Earth. It is the bridge between our outer bodies and inner bodies. For these reasons, Kundalini Yoga uses so many kriyas and physical postures to build and refine our prana (energy) reserves that allow us to have autonomy over our mind, intuitive and ability to meet life’s many challenges.
6. The Arcline
Our halo. The Arcline is like the filament inside a lightbulb. When charged, we glow. This spiritual body governs our integrity, our intuition, and our ability to project our energy clearly. A strong Arcline allows us to communicate with authenticity and protects us from absorbing the projections or negativity or unwanted energy of others.
7. The Auric Body
Our aura is our electromagnetic field, like an energetic skin. The aura radiates who we are before we ever say a word. We love working with the aura as its radiance and strength influences everything from our health, presence, magnetism, and how others experience us in the world. On the other hand, when our aura is weak, we feel vulnerable, depleted, or invisible. When strong, it becomes a shield of light and a field of magnetism. Practice!
8. The Pranic Body
The Pranic Body is our breath of life within. The pranic body, as the name suggests, governs prana, the life force that animates the physical body and supports our mind and nervous system. Every pranayama practice strengthens this body. When the Pranic Body is balanced, we feel vital and awake. When our pranic body is weaker, we feel fatigue, anxiety, and depletion take over our mind and lives.
9. The Subtle Body
The Subtle Body is your intuitive sensory system…the part of us that perceives beyond the physical realm. When the subtle body is strong our life is full of texture and visit experiences….we may even develop the ability to read others energy and see what is truly beneath the surface of our experiences. With this, we can navigate life with a quiet inner knowing.
10. The Radiant Body
Our Radiant Body is our magnetism and our prosperity field. It’s what draws opportunities, support, love, and protection toward us and our lives. People feel it as charisma, grace, or that indescribable glow. When the Radiant Body is strong, you don’t chase. You attract. Kundalini Yoga is a Radiant Body Technology!
