Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ~Anaïs Nin, Diary, 1969

This summer has been the season of writing our new story. Not living in the old stories that invite self-doubt, self-sabotage and feeling as if we are lacking or not enough.  We have been exploring  each of our chakra’s one step at a time and as we move through our bodies it is amazing what rises from the subtle body. Old feelings of doubt seem to bubble to the surface.

As with reflection, there is always back lash. Doubt sneaks in making us question our progress.  The old stories begin to speak to us louder. Hey admit it,  they are comfortable and it is easier to pull in and embrace your old friend. Coming across the quote from Anais Nin, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” really hit home. Especially this week after much exploration within the third chakra, Manipura, where our will, determination, self-esteem and autonomy lie.

As the old stories sneak in and we begin to embrace and believe them the world around us shrinks. Almost sucking the light from us. Why? Well, because we have written a new story and we know what that feels like. We have seen the sun, felt the warmth and looked around that big beautiful world of “I am enough”, ” I am most awesome”

When your world begins to shrink as you let the old story creep its way back into the cracks of your new story, breathe and repeat the mantra “I am enough” and slowly with each inhalation and exhalation you will feel the world around expand back into the new story as the walls tighten and seal the cracks to keep the old story out.

You are Enough!

Finding the fire within

It’s not who you are that holds you back, It’s who you think you are not. ~Hanoch McCarty

This week we are exploring our third Chakra in our subtle body. The third chakra or Manipura in sanskrit and to some known as our solar plexus, located behind the navel.

Manipura is represented by the element Fire and is the color yellow. Issues surrounding Manipura are energy, activity, autonomy, self esteem, will and power. As all the chakras work together the Manipura links the flow of energy to our heart or Anahata Chakra.

Moving Through our Chakras creating space and  beautiful balance of manifestation and liberation….

As we move in a just so way always keeping our focus toward center our fire. Imagine as the Muladahara Root Chakra creates a container that is solid but not restricting, our Svadhisthana energy flows like water through Manipura creating energy and power. The heat of the energy creates the fire that burns away all our old stories that we tell ourselves. The ones that limit us that hold us back. As the old stories burn away they make space for the flow of energy from Manipura to meet our heart or Anahata chakra where our courage lies in our vulnerability. Knowing that our possibilties are limitless as our life expands with our courage.

…..next week we visit Anahata Chakra

CHAKRA SERIES: Release ~Awaken~Energize

Chakra Series: Introduction~ A 7 Week Series

7-chakras-beginnersRelease, awaken and energize your chakras

The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. Learn about the different chakras, what they mean in our lives, where they are located and what asanas you can practice to stimulate or balance them.

In a 7 week series we will explore the different Chakras and how the energy flows. Each class is designed to give you a view of the energy and asanas that stimulate and balance. Below is a very basic overview of the 7 Chakras. To explore and learn more I will see you in Class!

Week One: Root or Muladhara Chakra Beginning Tuesday Sept. 6th

  • Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded.
  • Location: Base of spine in tailbone area.
  • Color: Red
  • Element: Earth
  • Emotional issues: Survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food.

Week Two: Sacral or Svadhisthana Chakra – Beginning Tuesday Sept. 23rd

  • Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. Our center of Creativity.
  • Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and 2 inches in.
  • Color: Orange
  • Element: Water
  • Emotional issues: Sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, sexuality.

Week Three: Solar Plexus or Manipura Chakra. Beginning Tuesday Sept. 30th

  • Our ability to be confident and in-control of our lives.
  • Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area.
  • Color: Yellow
  • Emotional issues: Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem.

Week Four: Heart or Anahata Chakra  Beginning Tuesday Oct. 7th

  • Our ability to love.
  • Location: Center of chest just above heart.
  • Color: Green
  • Emotional issues: Love, joy, inner peace.

Week Five: Throat or Vishudda Chakra Beginning Tuesday Oct. 14th

  • Our ability to communicate.
  • Color: Blue
  • Location: Throat.
  • Emotional issues: Communication, self-expression of feelings, the truth.

Week Six: Third Eye or Ajna Chakra Beginning Tuesday Oct. 21st

  • Our ability to focus on and see the big picture.
  • Color: Indigo
  • Location: Forehead between the eyes. (Also called the Brow Chakra)
  • Emotional issues: Intuition, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions.

Week Seven: Crown or Sahasrara Chakra Beginning Tuesday Oct. 28th

  • The highest Chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually.
  • Color: Purple
  • Location: The very top of the head.
  • Emotional issues: Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss.