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Calibrating your Conscious Compass to the Sacred Geometry of Yoga

Unlocking Spiritual Transformation: The Sacred Geometry of Yoga Asanas - By Tracy King

Reading time: 4 minutes

The practice of yoga goes far beyond just physical exercise; it is a spiritual journey that combines the mind, body, and soul. Asanas are not simply random movements or stretches, but carefully designed alignments that conform to specific geometric patterns that can take us to a higher level of consciousness during and after our time on the mat.

One of the unique features of this practice, is the presence of sacred geometry in the various asanas or postures.  Sacred geometry is the mathematical and geometric principles that underpin the universe, and it is believed to offer a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life and existence.

Sacred geometry is closely tied to the natural world, and one of the key connections it shares is with the Fibonacci sequence or code. This sequence, discovered by the Italian mathematician Leonardo Pisano (also known as Fibonacci) in the 13th century. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. So what comes next requires what came before and builds upon it. This sequence is found in nature, from the growth patterns of plants to the arrangement of petals in a flower, and even in the spirals of seashells.

One of the most famous examples is the Fibonacci spiral. This spiral appears in various aspects of nature, such as the shape of galaxies, hurricanes, and even the spiral arrangements of the seeds of a sunflower. The Fibonacci spiral is created by drawing adjacent squares based on the Fibonacci numbers and then connecting certain points on those squares with a gentle curve. When numerous arcs are drawn connecting the corners of each square, they form a spiral that grows larger while maintaining a consistent shape and proportion.

Sacred geometric shapes, such as circles, squares, and triangles, also appear in nature and align with the underlying principles of the universe. For instance, the hexagonal cells in a beehive or the intricate pattern of a snowflake.

When we become consciously aware of the sacred geometry in our yoga practice, we connect with these natural patterns and tap into the underlying strength and wisdom of the universe. We can experientially begin to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living beings.

So how do we shape up these sacred senses?  Below are some of the patterns we can start to bring into conscious awareness:

One of the most recognisable geometric shapes in yoga is the triangle. Triangles represent harmony and balance, and they abound in various poses such as Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog). Practicing these poses helps create stability and grounding, both physically and mentally. Triangle poses also activate the fire element in the body, representing transformation and purifying energies.

Another common geometric shape in yoga asana is the circle. Circles represent unity, completeness, and infinite potential. Poses like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) and Halasana (Plow Pose) mimic the circular movement of energy in the body. These poses not only work with the energy points of the heart and throat chakras, but also symbolise the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.

The square, with its four equal sides, is another shape frequently seen in yoga asana. Squares represent stability, grounding, and a solid foundation. Poses like Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), Tadasana (Mountain Pose), and Utkatasana (Chair Pose) embody the strength and stability of a square. Practicing these poses helps cultivate a sense of rootedness and balance, enabling practitioners to feel connected to the earth and their own inner strength.

The hexagon, with its six equal sides, is a less commonly seen shape in yoga asana but still holds significance. Hexagons symbolise harmony, balance, and unity. Poses like Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) and Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose) emulate the hexagon's structure, promoting balance while encouraging energy flow between the six major chakras in the body.

Beyond the individual shapes, the overall geometry of a yoga practice is also of great importance. Sequencing asanas in a logical and symmetrical way creates a harmonious flow and energy balancing.

Incorporating sacred geometry into a yoga practice is not just about physical alignment or achieving aesthetic shapes. It is about acknowledging the underlying principles of the universe and recognising that we are interconnected with all of creation.

By aligning ourselves with these geometric patterns, we tap into a higher level of awareness and unlock the potential for transformation towards our true authentic selves and enabling not only spiritual growth, but emotional, mental and physical.

Essentially we are spiralling through a physical posture to a mental awareness, which creates an emotional feeling and a spiritual opening that infinitely spins out from the individual into the collective consciousness and allows the wisdom of the collective consciousness to plant seeds within us all.

Tracy King

Dr. Tracy King is a Clinical Psychologist, Coach, Hypnotherapist, 500 hour Yoga and Meditation Teacher and Writer who works holistically.