While it is generally acknowledged that there are only 7 chakras, I once took a Kundalini yoga class where the teacher talked about an 8th chakra, the aura. Ever since then I have included the aura in my annual Chakra session. My thinking is that, once we have balanced the 7 chakras located within the …
The Yoga Room
The 7th Chakra: Sahasrara
The Sanskrit name of the seventh chakra is Sahasrara, which means “thousandfold.” Although this chakra is represented by a thousand-petaled lotus, the number 1000 is not meant literally; instead, it implies the infinite nature of this chakra, which provides us with our most direct connection with the Divine. Although some associate this chakra with the color …
The Sixth Chakra: Ajna
Can you recall last night’s dream? Can you imagine how you would like your body to feel tomorrow? These imaginative abilities–visualizing the past, creating positive pictures of the future, and fantasizing–are all aspects of Ajna chakra, whose Sanskrit name means both ‘the perception center’ and ‘the command center.’ Associated with the color indigo, the 6th …
The 5th Chakra: Visuddha
The 5th Chakra is located in the area of the neck, throat, jaw, mouth and shoulders, and it resonates with our inner truth and helps us find a way to convey our voice to the outside world. This chakra, associated with the color blue, is all about our ability to communicate clearly and be able …
The 4th Chakra: Anahata
The 4th Chakra–the heart chakra–is called Anahata, which means ‘unstruck’ or ‘unhurt.’ Its name implies that deep beneath our personal stories of brokenness and the pain in our hearts, wholeness, boundless love and a wellspring of compassion reside. The 4th chakra is located in the area of the heart, upper chest and upper back, and …
More Yoga of Knitting Workshop Fun!
We had another cozy afternoon of knitting and yoga fun yesterday at our encore ‘Yoga of Knitting Workshop’ with Natasha Schaffer. There was a nice mix of returning knitters from the last workshop and students who were coming for the first time with various degrees of knitting experience. We started the workshop with a few …
The 3rd Chakra: Manipura
The 3rd Chakra, Manipura, is associated with the color yellow. Its name means ‘lustrous gem.’ Located in the area of the navel and digestive system, it is involved in self-esteem, warrior energy and the power of transformation. It governs our digestion and metabolism. It helps our motivation, determination and willpower, and supports us in overcoming …
The 2nd Chakra: Svadisthana
The second chakra is associated with the color orange. Its name, Svadisthana, translates as ‘one’s own place or base.’ This chakra has to do with our ability to feel our feelings and emotions. It allows us to be open to sensuality and to life in general. Associated with the water element, this chakra helps us …
The 1st Chakra: Muladhara
Last week we began our “Balancing Your Chakras” session here at The Yoga Room by focusing on the 1st Chakra. Muladhara (Root) Chakra is associated with the color red. It is located at the base of the spine, and has to do with tending to our basic survival needs, establishing a healthy sense of groundedness, …
The Law of Dharma
For the last week of our Nov-Dec session our 7th Spiritual Law of Yoga was the Law of Dharma, which states that every being has a purpose in life. You have unique abilities and your own way of expressing them. There are needs in this world for which your specific talents are ideally suited, and …