| Our 8 week journey ... This week in the Timber Mill Studio Yoga Space we are beginning our annual Chakra Cleanse. We will be using specific Kundalini Yoga Kriyas and Meditations to cleanse and balance each of our Charkas throughout our 8 week journey. We will be working with a different Chakra each week, beginning this week at the Base of the Spine with the Root Chakra or Muladhara with the 8th week being the Aura. I'll post a blog on a Monday with info about the Chakra we are working with for the week so you can begin to connect to this area of your energetic body and your life a little before coming to class. |  |
We will then work with Kundalini Yoga Kriyas and/or Meditations together in class (if you've booked your spot or are dropping in casually) as taught by Yogi Bhajan (the Yogi who brought Kundalini Yoga to the West) to assist us in connecting and bringing awareness to this Chakra and move Prana (life force energy) through it to cleanse and balance it.
And voila, get ready for the transformation!
Are you ready to go on a transformative journey through your energetic body? Sounds pretty exciting to me :-)
My experience of Chakra Cleanses ...
I wanted to provide an annual Chakra cleanse for our Illawarra Kundalini community as I've found it so powerful myself. Last year I visited India on an Ayurvedic, Kundalini Yoga Retreat and my teacher took our group on a journey through the Chakras. It was an intense experience over 8 days, 2 x 2 hour classes of Yoga a day, 2 hours of Ayurevedic treatments a day and a cleansing, detoxing vegetarian meal plan alongside a bag full of herbal remedies.
It was interesting to me what came up in that experience as I've known about the Chakras throughout my life but never really had an intimate connection to them. Well at least not a conscious intimate connection!
"Oh yeah, they're energetic spinning wheels of colour up my spine which relate to areas of my life. Good on ya!" was my general attitude.
I could see the benefit of bringing awareness to the areas of life that they related to but I wasn't necessarily working through them or with them to create change. It was more me "thinking" about the concepts that they represented and "figuring-out" how to create transformation.
A little bit about me, I'm a very, VERY up-in-the-head type person. Fast mind, quick processor, solution oriented, think-stress-think-stress-think-some-more-to-try-to-stop-feeling-stressed-think. I seriously believe in the saying "what you teach is what you most need to learn". So meditation and yoga for me is PERFECT!
So my experience of working with Kundalini Yoga & Meditation through the Chakras, in my body rather than in my head, was really amazing! One of the experiences I had was when we were working on the 2nd Chakra (the Sacral Chakra which relates to relationships and our sexual, creative energy) was a series of dreams about my past relationships which unraveled for me years of limiting beliefs about myself. I'd always thought I was a "sh*t girlfriend" and so lived into that label. Successfully!! Ha! I also experienced, as we worked through the heart, so much anger arising as I moved and shifted old wounds that I'd been holding there. As we worked with the Throat Chakra I had immense joy arise. But I do love to talk! ;-)
Although I'm still processing and unraveling some of the healing that came up as I worked through the Chakras (as you may have already found, once you begin this "awareness" journey it never ends), it was extremely transformative to become aware of some of the things I had been subconsciously holding onto and that had been holding me back. It's created freedom for me without having to "think" about it or figure anything out.
So how your journey through your Chakras pans out for you will be your own surprise journey! You may experience similar things to me, you may have completely different things come up for you. But what I can promise is that you will receive a deeper understanding of yourself, where you may be in balance or out of balance and you'll have the opportunity to work those things through your body and energy system while observing your mind (it can take the 8 weeks off being in the drivers seat if it likes ha!).
So what are the Chakras?...
Chakra means "wheel" and so as the name implies they are a spinning wheel of energy found along our spine. Prana or our life force energy powers our chakras as it travels up and down our spine through these wheel like energy centres.
"The chakras affect our perceptions, feelings and choices. They affect the flow and types of thoughts we have, and the energies we can gather to act upon them, and manifest our thoughts. In all of our behaviour, they affect the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious. Opening and balancing the chakras opens the senses, and integrates them into a responsive network that can relate to the larger source field of energy from which we come and to which we return." (KRI International Teacher Training Manual Level 1)
What are their names and where are they located?...
According to the Teachings in Kundalini Yoga there are 8 Chakras and we will work through these in our 8 weeks together >>
First Chakra, the Root Chakra or Muladhara
It's located at the base of the spine between the Anus and Sexual Organs
Second Chakra, the Sacral Chakra or Svadisthana
It's located in the area of the Sexual Organs
Third Chakra, the Navel Chakra or Manipura
It's located at the Navel or Solar Plexus
Fourth Chakra, Heart Chakra or Anahata
It's located in the middle of the chest at the Heart
Fifth Chakra, Throat Chakra or Vishuddha
It's located in the Throat area
Sixth Chakra, Third Eye or Ajna
It's located between the Eyebrows
Seventh Chakra, Crown Chakra or Sahasrara
It's located at the Crown of the Head
Eighth Chakra or the Aura
It's located all around the body as the Electromagnetic Field
What do they look like?...
If you scroll up to the top of this blog you will see a basic picture of where they are located along the spine and the colours or vibrations that are represented for each Chakra.
The Chakra System as a whole ...
I think it's worth mentioning here that no Chakra is balanced or performing at it's optimum without the other Chakras. It is a whole system. Just like if you worked on the health of all of the parts of your head (brain, eyes, hearing, smell, bones in your skull) but forgot about your body. Your head would never reach its full health potential by singularly focusing upon it.
So this is the opportunity of working through the Chakras as an 8 week Cleanse. We get to focus in on each Chakra's individual potential without forgetting the connection of the whole Chakra system.
And voila, get ready for the transformation!
Are you ready to go on a transformative journey through your energetic body? Sounds pretty exciting to me :-)
My experience of Chakra Cleanses ...
I wanted to provide an annual Chakra cleanse for our Illawarra Kundalini community as I've found it so powerful myself. Last year I visited India on an Ayurvedic, Kundalini Yoga Retreat and my teacher took our group on a journey through the Chakras. It was an intense experience over 8 days, 2 x 2 hour classes of Yoga a day, 2 hours of Ayurevedic treatments a day and a cleansing, detoxing vegetarian meal plan alongside a bag full of herbal remedies.
It was interesting to me what came up in that experience as I've known about the Chakras throughout my life but never really had an intimate connection to them. Well at least not a conscious intimate connection!
"Oh yeah, they're energetic spinning wheels of colour up my spine which relate to areas of my life. Good on ya!" was my general attitude.
I could see the benefit of bringing awareness to the areas of life that they related to but I wasn't necessarily working through them or with them to create change. It was more me "thinking" about the concepts that they represented and "figuring-out" how to create transformation.
A little bit about me, I'm a very, VERY up-in-the-head type person. Fast mind, quick processor, solution oriented, think-stress-think-stress-think-some-more-to-try-to-stop-feeling-stressed-think. I seriously believe in the saying "what you teach is what you most need to learn". So meditation and yoga for me is PERFECT!
So my experience of working with Kundalini Yoga & Meditation through the Chakras, in my body rather than in my head, was really amazing! One of the experiences I had was when we were working on the 2nd Chakra (the Sacral Chakra which relates to relationships and our sexual, creative energy) was a series of dreams about my past relationships which unraveled for me years of limiting beliefs about myself. I'd always thought I was a "sh*t girlfriend" and so lived into that label. Successfully!! Ha! I also experienced, as we worked through the heart, so much anger arising as I moved and shifted old wounds that I'd been holding there. As we worked with the Throat Chakra I had immense joy arise. But I do love to talk! ;-)
Although I'm still processing and unraveling some of the healing that came up as I worked through the Chakras (as you may have already found, once you begin this "awareness" journey it never ends), it was extremely transformative to become aware of some of the things I had been subconsciously holding onto and that had been holding me back. It's created freedom for me without having to "think" about it or figure anything out.
So how your journey through your Chakras pans out for you will be your own surprise journey! You may experience similar things to me, you may have completely different things come up for you. But what I can promise is that you will receive a deeper understanding of yourself, where you may be in balance or out of balance and you'll have the opportunity to work those things through your body and energy system while observing your mind (it can take the 8 weeks off being in the drivers seat if it likes ha!).
So what are the Chakras?...
Chakra means "wheel" and so as the name implies they are a spinning wheel of energy found along our spine. Prana or our life force energy powers our chakras as it travels up and down our spine through these wheel like energy centres.
"The chakras affect our perceptions, feelings and choices. They affect the flow and types of thoughts we have, and the energies we can gather to act upon them, and manifest our thoughts. In all of our behaviour, they affect the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious. Opening and balancing the chakras opens the senses, and integrates them into a responsive network that can relate to the larger source field of energy from which we come and to which we return." (KRI International Teacher Training Manual Level 1)
What are their names and where are they located?...
According to the Teachings in Kundalini Yoga there are 8 Chakras and we will work through these in our 8 weeks together >>
First Chakra, the Root Chakra or Muladhara
It's located at the base of the spine between the Anus and Sexual Organs
Second Chakra, the Sacral Chakra or Svadisthana
It's located in the area of the Sexual Organs
Third Chakra, the Navel Chakra or Manipura
It's located at the Navel or Solar Plexus
Fourth Chakra, Heart Chakra or Anahata
It's located in the middle of the chest at the Heart
Fifth Chakra, Throat Chakra or Vishuddha
It's located in the Throat area
Sixth Chakra, Third Eye or Ajna
It's located between the Eyebrows
Seventh Chakra, Crown Chakra or Sahasrara
It's located at the Crown of the Head
Eighth Chakra or the Aura
It's located all around the body as the Electromagnetic Field
What do they look like?...
If you scroll up to the top of this blog you will see a basic picture of where they are located along the spine and the colours or vibrations that are represented for each Chakra.
The Chakra System as a whole ...
I think it's worth mentioning here that no Chakra is balanced or performing at it's optimum without the other Chakras. It is a whole system. Just like if you worked on the health of all of the parts of your head (brain, eyes, hearing, smell, bones in your skull) but forgot about your body. Your head would never reach its full health potential by singularly focusing upon it.
So this is the opportunity of working through the Chakras as an 8 week Cleanse. We get to focus in on each Chakra's individual potential without forgetting the connection of the whole Chakra system.
this week's chakra
the root chakra or muladhara ...
As you read the information below, begin to ponder how your Root Chakra may be manifesting in your life. Perhaps you feel quite in balance and strong in some of the areas mentioned, perhaps you feel you need a little balance and strengthening. Bring whatever comes up for you to class to consciously work through your Root Chakra to bring balance to these areas of your life.
| Foundations, survival, security, habit, self acceptance Element: Earth Location: The end of the spine between the anus and the sexual organs Organ/Gland: Organs of elimination Colour: Red Qualities: Grounded, centered, secure, loyal, stable, healthy functions of elimination. Shadow: Fear, insecurity, life feels like a burden, feeling of not really belonging on earth or in one's culture or family, weak constitution, elimination problems, reduced physical and mental resistance, sexual perversions. |  |
This Chakra connects us to the Earthy realm of our senses. We perceive the world around us through the filters of the senses. And so it is the Chakra "most deeply wrapped in the illusions of separateness, aloneness and tangibility" (KRI International Teacher Training Manual Level 1).
Our senses and the illusion of separateness allow us to exist as "me" and "you". If we saw ourselves as the truth, that we are all one, I wouldn't be able to distinguish between my hands and the keyboard I'm typing at, so how would we ever "get things done" in this world, or take action and make our vision from the higher chakras become tangible in the world? So we are not to judge this illusion of separateness as bad or wrong. It is necessary. The First Chakra keeps us grounded, as part of this world and the earth.
The First Chakra is also connected to our subconscious habits. Its where we hold and manifest our automatic behaviours of survival. The Fear response or Stress response when balanced, has the function of keeping us alive in dangerous situations and if driving a car didn't at some stage become subconscious and automatic to us, we would have to think very hard every time we drove somewhere. "Okay I've got to turn the steering wheel, change the gears, oh whoops I forgot the accelerator!" Imagine the energy that would take!
This Chakra is also associated with elimination as it's location is around and within the elimination organs of the large intestines and anus. From a physical perspective it's important for our health in our modern environment to be able to eliminate toxins effectively and from a mental and emotional perspective eliminating too fast (diarrhoea), has us not allow new ideas, feelings or people into our lives whilst not being able to let go of things, feelings and people (constipation), toxins or toxic situations build up and you end up poisoning yourself and can become bitter.
My KRI International Teacher Training Manual (Level 1) explains what you may see when your First Chakra is functioning well and the impacts you may see if it is imbalanced much more eloquently than I could write, so I quote here >>
"When the First Chakra is functioning perfectly and it is well integrated with the other charkas, it gives you certain abilities. You are secure, stable, steadfast, positively relentless and loyal. You show great endurance under non-ideal situations. There is a sense of self-sufficienty that comes from quelling of the negative mind: "I don't need anything. I'm not under threat. I'm not without resources." The checklist of imminent threats is empty. You can grasp and hold the world. You can easily accept doing something at a particular time and place. You easily receive material objects, money, gifts, etc. You feel you have a base and are not bothered by a sense of drifting emotional homelessness"
"Many spiritual teachers say one of the most difficult things for the modern person to do is to first trust the Earth, then themselves, then the invisible. The great Guru Arjan says in his sacred poem Rehiras, "Why do we worry? When the flamingo flies away, God takes care of its young". Our lack of this basic instinct of trust stops the flow of energy to the higher centres or chakras. It impedes our wholeness and our complete emotional development. We engage in many defences against the uncomfortable feeling of rootlessness and insecurity. We become depressed, cut off and full of grief. We reject the world before it rejects us. We hold onto something, anything, in order to deny the insecurity and lack of personal centre in the storm of life. It leads to fanaticism, torturing, perversion and narrow-mindedness. With the first chakra strong, trust is automatic. We trust a person to be a person. Mastering the earth element you know earth can be reshaped. Water (emotions) can be added to the dirt (old habits) and in the new flexibility with a little heat (will, challenge and discipline) a new vessel can be made. A healthy first chakra lets change occur in steps."
So has this information brought a new awareness and connection for you to your Root Chakra? Perhaps you'd like to jot down a few things that came up for you so as to keep them present before you come to class this week.
Remember this information is not to be used in judgement of yourself. It is simply opening up new awareness to connect with and accept yourself fully. Approach it with an attitude of curiosity "Oh wow, I can see that in me, how interesting!" Light and Dark exists within us all. It's in fully integrating all parts of ourselves, so allowing all parts to exist within us without resistance that a natural balance occurs. Peace and Love arises.
Bring ALL of you to class this week and don't forget your Root Chakra :-)
Class times to choose from …
If you're participating in the Yoga Cleanse or would like to casually pop into a class this week the times are >>
Monday 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Thursday 9.30am - 11.00am
Saturday 8.30am - 10.00am
If you're participating in the Meditation Cleanse or would like to casually pop into a class this week the times are >>
Tuesday 7.00am - 8.00am
Wednesday 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Want to do the Chakra Cleanse but haven't booked yet?…
There's still time to book for the 8 week Chakra Cleanse so pop over to the Kundalini Yoga & Meditation classes page to prebook your spot by CLICKING HERE.
Our senses and the illusion of separateness allow us to exist as "me" and "you". If we saw ourselves as the truth, that we are all one, I wouldn't be able to distinguish between my hands and the keyboard I'm typing at, so how would we ever "get things done" in this world, or take action and make our vision from the higher chakras become tangible in the world? So we are not to judge this illusion of separateness as bad or wrong. It is necessary. The First Chakra keeps us grounded, as part of this world and the earth.
The First Chakra is also connected to our subconscious habits. Its where we hold and manifest our automatic behaviours of survival. The Fear response or Stress response when balanced, has the function of keeping us alive in dangerous situations and if driving a car didn't at some stage become subconscious and automatic to us, we would have to think very hard every time we drove somewhere. "Okay I've got to turn the steering wheel, change the gears, oh whoops I forgot the accelerator!" Imagine the energy that would take!
This Chakra is also associated with elimination as it's location is around and within the elimination organs of the large intestines and anus. From a physical perspective it's important for our health in our modern environment to be able to eliminate toxins effectively and from a mental and emotional perspective eliminating too fast (diarrhoea), has us not allow new ideas, feelings or people into our lives whilst not being able to let go of things, feelings and people (constipation), toxins or toxic situations build up and you end up poisoning yourself and can become bitter.
My KRI International Teacher Training Manual (Level 1) explains what you may see when your First Chakra is functioning well and the impacts you may see if it is imbalanced much more eloquently than I could write, so I quote here >>
"When the First Chakra is functioning perfectly and it is well integrated with the other charkas, it gives you certain abilities. You are secure, stable, steadfast, positively relentless and loyal. You show great endurance under non-ideal situations. There is a sense of self-sufficienty that comes from quelling of the negative mind: "I don't need anything. I'm not under threat. I'm not without resources." The checklist of imminent threats is empty. You can grasp and hold the world. You can easily accept doing something at a particular time and place. You easily receive material objects, money, gifts, etc. You feel you have a base and are not bothered by a sense of drifting emotional homelessness"
"Many spiritual teachers say one of the most difficult things for the modern person to do is to first trust the Earth, then themselves, then the invisible. The great Guru Arjan says in his sacred poem Rehiras, "Why do we worry? When the flamingo flies away, God takes care of its young". Our lack of this basic instinct of trust stops the flow of energy to the higher centres or chakras. It impedes our wholeness and our complete emotional development. We engage in many defences against the uncomfortable feeling of rootlessness and insecurity. We become depressed, cut off and full of grief. We reject the world before it rejects us. We hold onto something, anything, in order to deny the insecurity and lack of personal centre in the storm of life. It leads to fanaticism, torturing, perversion and narrow-mindedness. With the first chakra strong, trust is automatic. We trust a person to be a person. Mastering the earth element you know earth can be reshaped. Water (emotions) can be added to the dirt (old habits) and in the new flexibility with a little heat (will, challenge and discipline) a new vessel can be made. A healthy first chakra lets change occur in steps."
So has this information brought a new awareness and connection for you to your Root Chakra? Perhaps you'd like to jot down a few things that came up for you so as to keep them present before you come to class this week.
Remember this information is not to be used in judgement of yourself. It is simply opening up new awareness to connect with and accept yourself fully. Approach it with an attitude of curiosity "Oh wow, I can see that in me, how interesting!" Light and Dark exists within us all. It's in fully integrating all parts of ourselves, so allowing all parts to exist within us without resistance that a natural balance occurs. Peace and Love arises.
Bring ALL of you to class this week and don't forget your Root Chakra :-)
Class times to choose from …
If you're participating in the Yoga Cleanse or would like to casually pop into a class this week the times are >>
Monday 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Thursday 9.30am - 11.00am
Saturday 8.30am - 10.00am
If you're participating in the Meditation Cleanse or would like to casually pop into a class this week the times are >>
Tuesday 7.00am - 8.00am
Wednesday 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Want to do the Chakra Cleanse but haven't booked yet?…
There's still time to book for the 8 week Chakra Cleanse so pop over to the Kundalini Yoga & Meditation classes page to prebook your spot by CLICKING HERE.
i'm very much looking forward to doing this chakra cleanse with you. i will be alongside you, doing each of the kriya's and meditations and processing my own stuff too (woo hoo!) so i'm excited to share this together xx
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