Welcome to the heart! The seat of compassion, empathy and unconditional love.  When we are balanced in this area we enjoy a sense of connection to all living beings that springs from the well of compassion.  To bring a greater sense of balance to your heart chakra you might surround yourself with the color green – paint a prominent wall in your home green, burn green candles, eat green apples or grapes, spend time gazing at green grass or green trees, wear green clothing.  You might begin or continue posting in a gratitude journal.  Padma Mudra is one gesture that brings an enhanced sense of connection to your heart chakra.  Meditate on someone you love! Come practice yoga asana, the Padma Mudra and enjoy aromatherapy at Yoga Adobe.  We’ll continue our focus on the heart through April 28th.

Do you feel a sense of calm strength emanating from deep within? Are you confident and able to express your feelings appropriately? If so, you are potentially well balanced in your solar plexus Chakra – Manipura.  Located just above the navel and below the base of your ribcage, Manipura is our center of personal power, energy, self-mastery and will.  The color is yellow, the element is fire and one stone that represents this energy is Amber. An essential oil that supports balance in this center is Lavender. If you are unbalanced in this area you may feel timid and unsure on one end of the spectrum or domineering and judgmental at the other extreme.  Nurture yourself through yoga or the Vajra Mudra. You may enjoy the book “Mudras for Healing and Transformation” by Joseph and Lilian Le Page for more information on using mudras, or you can attend class at Yoga Adobe any time this week for a chance to experience the energy of this mantra with me.  You might use a mantra such as this choice taken from “Chakra Workout” by Mary Horsley:  “I am loving and appropriately powerful”.  We’ll continue our focus on Manipura through April 21st. See you on the mat!

Located just below the navel, Svadhisthana is our center of creativity, fluid movement and sensuality.  The color is orange, the element is water and one stone that represents this energy is Carnelian. When you are balanced in this Chakra you will enjoy the flow of positive energy throughout your system and your life through a stronger sense of internal balance.  Nurture yourself through yoga or via foods high in water content – salads, grapes, melons.  You might establish a water fountain in your home or enjoy Juniper Berry essential oil in your diffuser.  There are many ways to support yourself in this life, what will you choose?  See you on the mat! Our focus on the sacral chakra continues through April 14th.

Have you held your hands in certain positions during a yoga class while not being sure what the gesture might mean or how it could potentially influence your sense of well-being?  During our exploration of the Chakra system we are using a specific Mudra – hand position or gesture – that relates to the energy of each of the seven main Chakras.  I’ll guide you through a visualization to bring you deeper into self while holding the mudras – and guide you out of each position.  Through April 7th we are focusing on the Root Chakra – our right to be here.  Next week, starting the 11th. our focus will shift to the Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana – seat of creativity.  Join us on the mat!