Weekly Chakra Yoga Class
Weekly Chakra Yoga Class
Thursdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Diane Anderson 206 478 0745
Cost $15 (class cards and memberships are available to reduce cost)
There are seven major chakras in our bodies. They run along the spine and correlate with certain body parts, organs, senses and emotions.
The chakras help to regulate and balance our physical and emotional selves. Having blockages in the chakras can cause illness, confusion and emotional upset.
By learning how our energy centers affect us and how we can help to balance it all can enhance our lives tremendously.
Ideally all the chakras should be balanced- open and spinning at a similar rate to each other. But often, some are overworking, and others not working enough. That is the meaning of yoga itself: to seek balance.
Each week we will have a balanced yoga class that will allow the last 20- 30 minutes to spend on the chakra for that week. During our practice, the philosophy of chakras will be discussed, some chanting of the mantras of the chakras, pranayamas, (breathing exercises) & handouts will often be available to take home.
Each class will end with an amazing chakra meditation lying down comfortably in Shavasana.
Questions? Call or email Diane directly at 206 478 0745 or email diane@nwcommyoga.com
Here is an example of the handout and work of the 3rd Chakra:
3rd Chakra: Manipura
The third chakra is the Manipura chakra. It means Lustrous Gem and its color is yellow. It is located in the area of the navel to the solar plexus. Its function is Will and Power. The verb associated with the 3rd chakra is "I can". Its developmental stages are from age 14 to 21.
To stimulate an underactive 3rd chakra is to “break inertia”
Low Self esteem and a general lack of motivation for life can be a sign of an underactive 3rd Chakra. Physical exercise in any form that increases heart rate is helping to strengthen this chakra.
The 3rd Chakra has everything to do with a higher vitality. People with a strong 3rd Chakra have such characteristics as inner strength, a purpose in life, a career, and high self confidence as a result.
The element of Manipura is Fire, think of “digestive fire”
The glands and body systems it affects are the pancreas, adrenals, digestive system, and muscles. When it malfunctions, the resulting problems are ulcers, diabetes, and/or hypoglycemia, stomach problems in general.
On a non physical level, conscious positive thinking, saying positive affirmations, affirming that you have High Self Esteem, or, that You have the Esteem of God, Christ, Buddha, in this way, you are aligning your power with a stronger and positive power.
Bhanda work such as Udianna banda, & Nauli Breath of Fire all help to strengthen Manipura.
Chant or Seed Sound of 3rd is “RAM”
Poses that stimulate Manipura
DHANAURASANA - The Bow This third chakra posture, the Bow, focuses on the belly. The posture helps to massage the abdominals and the solar plexus and stimulates digestion. Other poses:
NAVASANA- Boat and DOWNWARD BOAT, LOCUST, COBRA, BRIDGE
DOWNWARD BOAT, LOCUST, COBRA
4th Chakra: Anahata
LOVE
Love is the basic principle associated with the heart chakra. Love is the expansive state of Spirit, the transcendence of boundaries and limitations; it is a state of being, emanating from the center and radiating out to all that it encounters. It is not dependent on an object, as the passionate nature of the 2nd chakra might be, but exists within the individual as an independent state and spreads to all that it encounters. Fueled by the fires of passion and will below, it is an upliftiting energy; opening us to the expansion of Spirit characteristic of the chakras that dwell above.
Yoga poses that help to balance and open the heart chakra are all of the chest opening poses. Backbends such as Camel, Upward Dog, Bridge, Wheel, even supported restorative backbends with props are wonderful for this chakra.
Pranayama (yoga breathing exercises) is practice of the heart chakra, as the element of Anahata is air.
At the heart chakra we enter into “self-reflective” consciousness. The lower chakras run largely on instinct, and their consciousness orientation may beyond our control, such as the survival instincts that kick in when we are threatened.
This is “center” of our being; connecting the first 3 chakras of matter and physicality, with the Spiritual centers.