MANIPURA- Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is where our inner power resides. We are all responsible for our feelings of empowerment. This is where we take ownership of our feelings and our actions. If we blame others for our feelings or our situations then we have given our power away. Most of us have heard that in life it is not what happens to us, it is what we do with what happens to us that makes all the difference. This is the place where we make choices, where we discharge our energy out into the world, where we discern when impulses are appropriate or inappropriate. We become proactive, we can say yes or no when we want to. If we have a deficiency in this chakra, we may feel like victims of our circumstances and blame others. We have poor self discipline, weak will and may be easily manipulated. We comply and play it safe. If we have an excess, we may become angry, aggressive, inflated, with a need to control others. We are ego-centered and accomplishment-driven.

A strong ego is important to grow authenticity and autonomy. It is when our ego is healthy that we can begin to transcend the ego and see that our inner strength is fed by a higher power.

"Lack of autonomy is often characterized by blaming. If we still blame others for our problems, we have not yet individuated. Blaming places both will and responsibility outside ourselves."
-Anodea Judith

Shame is the demon of the third chakra.
Fire is the element.

SVADISTHANA- Sacral chakra

From the rootedness of the first chakra we make our way to the second chakra. Here we experience movement, feelings, sexuality, sensuality, playfulness and creativity. When we awaken to our senses, we feel more alive and stimulated. We are drawn towards pleasure. Think of the things you love... often they have to do with how they make you feel. You feel happy, free and open. You are curious and energized.
When we take in healthy pleasures, we are satiated and content.

"You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. -Upanishad IV .4.5

Guilt is the demon of the 2nd chakra because it curtails the free flow of movement.
Water is the element of this chakra.

MULADHARA - root chakra

This week we began to explore the root chakra... the chakra that roots us in our bodies, the physical world and the earth. A healthy first chakra allows us to be energetically grounded. Being grounded gives us a source of strength. We can stand on our own two feet and move forward in life. We draw energy up from our base like a current of energy and we form healthy boundaries.
Boundaries allow us to maintain our ground and contain our focus . We feel validated in our existence and know that we have a right to be here, a right to take up space, a right to have needs in order to survive... a right to nourishment, shelter, rest... ways of taking care of ourselves, a right to pleasure, acknowledgement and love. We then feel a realistic sense of security, stability and freedom. At the same time we must be able to accept limitation.
In her book, Anodea Judith lists the issues of the first chakra as follows: roots, grounding, nourishment, trust, health, home, family, prosperity, appropriate boundaries.
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine.
Earth is the element of this chakra.
Fear is its demon.

Affirmation statement: "I love my body and trust its wisdom."

Summer classes!!

Yeh, summer classes start today.
There is still time to sign up. However just for Tuesday and Friday 5:30 pm classes. Wed morning is full, as usual.
Can't wait to see you all.
This quarter we will be exploring the chakras in relation to our practice... we will be listening and sensing the body-mind wisdom of these energy centers.
My reference book for the study of the chakras is "Eastern Body, Western Mind. Psychology and The Chakra System as a Path to the Self", by Anodea Judith. If you want to delve into the study of the chakras, this is definitely the book to guide you!!!

Coming home...

Coming home from a retreat, life always seems a little wobbly at first.
For a few days I seem to have one foot in "my retreat life" and one foot in my "real life". I find myself wanting to keep part of myself in "retreat memory" as there is so much goodness there... clarity and wisdom that I want to bring to my life and my practice. Yet I know I soon have to get both feet back into the here and now. However, my feet somehow are walking differently... maybe a little slower, a little more intentional, a little wiser and a little lighter. I am smiling more, laughing more. I feel more playful and open.
I remind myself... "You are changed. You are not the same person who left a week ago. The dust of the retreat is in your heart and soul. You are nourished on many levels and you are home once again."