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Summary of Talk by Renu Datt Sharma at the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024

At the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024, Renu Datt Sharma offered a profound exploration of two ancient sciences—yoga and astrology—and their interconnected role in restoring balance and harmony. Both systems, she explained, are rooted in the five great elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—and both seek to bring these forces into equilibrium for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The Elements and the Chakras

Renu began by describing how the five elements shape not only the physical body but also the energetic system. When the elements are disturbed, imbalances ripple through the chakras:

• Earth (Prithvi) – Disruption can weaken the Muladhara (Root) Chakra, leading to instability, fear, or insecurity.
• Water (Jala) – Emotional turbulence often disturbs the Swadhisthana (Sacral) Chakra, manifesting as mood swings, attachment, or creative blockages.
• Fire (Agni) – When imbalanced, it distorts the Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra), affecting digestion, willpower, and self-esteem.
• Air (Vayu) – Restlessness in the air element disturbs the Anahata (Heart Chakra), creating anxiety or disconnection in relationships.
• Space (Akasha) – A disturbed ether element can cloud the Vishuddha (Throat Chakra), silencing authentic expression and spiritual clarity.

Through yoga, these imbalances can be corrected using asanas, pranayama, meditation, and mantras—each designed to harmonize the flow of energy and restore balance in the elements.

Astrology as the Diagnostic Tool

While yoga provides the remedy, Renu positioned astrology as the diagnostic framework. She described Jyotish Shastra—the science of light—as a powerful way to understand where and when imbalances arise.

By analyzing planetary positions and house placements, she can determine whether an element is overactive or deficient. For example:

• Jupiter (Space element) imbalance may lead to issues of expansion, weight, or growth.
• Moon (Water element) imbalance can manifest as emotional instability, depression, or blood pressure irregularities.

The natal chart, she explained, reveals the timing and activation of these imbalances, helping to pinpoint the deeper causes behind physical or psychological suffering.

Yoga as the Remedy

Once the diagnosis is made, yoga becomes the prescription. Specific practices are tailored to rebalance the affected elements and chakras. For instance:

• Grounding postures and root mantras to strengthen earth energy.
• Cooling pranayama and flow-based asanas to calm excess fire.
• Meditation and chanting to stabilize space and air.

Through this integration, each person receives a personalized path of healing, one that aligns with both their body and their astrological blueprint.

A Personalized and Cosmic Approach

Renu shared real-life examples of her work, showing how the synthesis of astrology and yoga provides insights that neither system alone could fully offer. She emphasized that astrology is not about predicting a fixed destiny, but about illuminating the energies at play, while yoga offers the tools to navigate them with awareness and balance.

Her closing words captured this synergy beautifully:

• Astrology is Jyotish Shastra—the light that shows us the path.
• Yoga is the practice that allows us to walk it.

Together, they create a holistic, spiritual approach to well-being—one that honors both the cosmic rhythms of the universe and the inner rhythms of the human spirit.

Namaste.

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