Do feel in control of your emotions, experiencing freedom of mind while fulfilling your goals in life or are you feeling alienated, fearful and lacking motivation? These sets of qualities describe the opposite ends of the energetic spectrum of Sahasrara Chakra – the gateway of the void; the area of divine consciousness waiting to be released.  Sahasrara Chakra is located at the crown of your head, the color may be violet, white, gold or silver. The right here is to know and the symbol is the thousand petaled lotus.  This week at Yoga Adobe we are focusing our practice on opening the lotus of the crown through mudra, breathwork, a bit of reflexology and, of course, yoga poses to awaken and align our energies. Our aromatherapy oil this week is Frankincense – I will share this lovely aroma with you during your final relaxation to aid you on your journey towards enlightenment!  I look forward to seeing you on the mat.

Do you ever find yourself doubting your instincts? Can you rationalize anything? Hum, you may benefit from some work to balance your sixth Chakra – Ajna Chakra; otherwise known as the third eye.  This energy center is located in the center of your forehead and is commonly represented by either purple or indigo. The element is light rays or all of the elements that lie below the third eye.  The function of Ajna Chakra is intuition, self-mastery.  When we are balanced in this area we experience clarity, contentment and discernment.  You might be a natural healer – someone who is intuitive, insightful or even psychic.  Do you know someone who is materialistic, attached to outcome and tends to isolate?  These traits can show up when we are unbalanced in Ajna Chakra.  You can support yourself in this area through aromatherapy, wearing the color purple, or sipping herbal teas.  Try drinking sage tea for vivid dreams or peppermint tea for increased intuition.  Come practice with us at Yoga Adobe May 9th through May 12th to experience the asana that support growth in your sixth chakra and perhaps you will emerge with an enhanced sense of connection with your natural instincts and intuition.  See you on the mat!

The power of the spoken word – it can reflect your truth, your creativity! What happens when you repress your voice? Do you ever notice a stiff neck, sore throat or increased sense of dependency? To support your ability to speak your truth – consider wearing a blue or turquoise scarf, eat light foods such as salads, grapes or yogurt sweetened with honey.  You might diffuse some eucalyptus oil in your home or practice Sun Salutations for the throat chakra – Vishudda.  Perhaps you’ll enjoy some yoga asana that opens the throat like Camel pose or Upward Facing Plank.  Come practice with us at Yoga Adobe May 2nd through May 5th and emerge with an enhanced capacity for clear expression.

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!

Hello fellow yoga enthusiasts!  Hope you all had a happy Easter!  Starting next week, Monday, April 4th at 7am, we’ll begin a journey through the Chakras.  There are seven main Chakras in your body – beginning with the Root Chakra – our focus for next week.  If you are not familiar with the Chakras they are energy centers of the body that align with various energy patterns in our systems.  The Root Chakra is our grounding center, where we align with our feelings of self-worth, our right to be here, our right to have what we need to survive – secure in the the generosity of nature.  We’ll use specific yoga poses, mantra, visualization and breathing to enhance our sense of connection to the natural world.  See you then!