I had no idea when I started this no shit experiment that what I was actually doing was gathering all the information and courage required to put together this Chakra Yoga Workshop.
Had I known at the time that this was where it was all going, I'm not sure I would have kept up with it. Not because it's not wonderful, because it is. But because I can be fearful and I can be lazy. So, I'm glad I wasn't tuned into the higher beings at work and just kept on plugging away.
I've totally thrown myself into the chakras. Through study, yoga, and writing. At times it's been a bit intense, and even a bit scary, but it's been a totally rad ride. And it's shaping the way that I teach and the way that I move and the way that I feel about my body, myself, and the world.
So there. In your face fear and laziness.
Chakras! Chakras are energy wheels in the body that govern all aspects of our health; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. There are seven major chakras and 21 minor chakras. The chakras that are most talked about and the chakras that we'll be exploring throughout the workshop are the seven main chakras that run up the length of your spine. Starting right at your root - the space between your pubis and your tailbone - up to your crown chakra, the space at the top of your skull.
Exploring the chakras opens up a path for greater healing. As we move our way up through the chakras we start to discover more about ourselves and our place in the world. Shedding old skin along the way and opening up space for our true unique talents and gifts.
The seven main chakras are all interdependent of one another and if one is out of whack it will affect the others.
Many people talk about 'kundalini rising' and using the chakras on the path to enlightenment. And that's all good and wonderful. However, to actually clear all of your chakras - allowing a smooth route for Kundalini to uncoil and slide her way up to meet her consort, Shiva - for that burst of enlightenment, is a little unrealistic for those of us new to the journey.
So, the practice here is in learning to find balance in the chakras. To study them through reading and movement and to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves - body, mind and spirit.
We're just giving Kundalini a little poke. Waking her up. Getting her ready for her journey. In doing this we'll not only stir things up, but we'll develop the tools we need in order to deal with whatever it is that comes up.
Stephen Cope refers to this as "building a fortress of the self". Creating awareness and equanimity.
Sharon Ganon refers to the chakras as being "doors to perception" And goes on to explain that "our reality only exists based on our perception". By bringing our chakras into a more aligned place, our perception of situations and the ways in which we react to these situations will be more in tune with our personal Truth. Using the 'fortress of the self' we'll be able to see more clearly and not be as directly affected by upcoming situations or attached to their outcome.
Our physical bodies act as energetic maps for our emotions. Everything we feel, we store in our bodies. By looking at imbalances in the body and by matching these imbalances to their governing chakra we can start to look at which chakras need a bit more work, and emotionally what we might be holding on to.
Working through the chakras is not for the faint of heart. But if you're open to change and open to channeling in some major energy and light than this work is for you.
It's the Chakra Ride. Admission: total vulnerability.
Enjoy!
*I'm working out of a book called "The Complete Guide to the Chakras". by Ambika Wauters
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