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“With Valentine’s Day around the corner I’ve been attempting to soften my heart, to open it to the richness and wonder of the world, to increase my ability to connect in a meaningful way to those with whom I come in contact. And so I’ve been contemplating my heart…
As one diagnosed with a heart murmur as a child, I learned early on the mechanics of the heart. Scientifically, it is a muscular organ with four chambers which pumps blood throughout the body by means of rhythmic contractions. However, it is also symbolically the center of our emotional and spiritual life.”
The article also inspired a poem, Yoga of the Heart by Bob Weisenberg of Yoga Demystified, who encourages us to contemplate the infinite wonder of the heart. I am deeply honored, Bob.
The word chakra literally means ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit. In yogic terms chakras refer to energy centers, often depicted as wheels or flowers, which receive and transmit energy enabling the body to function. There are seven chakras in your body, corresponding to locations on the body running from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Chakras are associated with our physical, mental and emotional health. Each has an associated colour and gland.
When your chakras are balanced you function at your best. When there is imbalance you feel sick, sluggish, and simply ‘out of whack.’
1st – red– Root or Base Chakra (Muladhara)
Located at the base of the spine here resides our life force. The lessons learned from this chakra are about survival and potential. This chakra corresponds with the adrenal gland responsible for dealing with stress.
2nd – orange– Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
Located in the lower abdomen this chakra connects to sensing and feeling energy. Sexuality, creativity, procreation, need for approval, and self-acceptance are governed by this chakra. This chakra corresponds with the gonads or reproductive organs.
3rd – yellow– Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Located above the navel this is the location of our mental energy and personal power. When you get a ‘gut’ feeling it is coming from your 3rd chakra. This is the location of your sense of humour, curiosity, and will-power. This chakra corresponds with the pancreas which controls digestion and produces insulin.
4th – green– Heart Center (Anahata)
Located in the center of the chest, the heart center contains emotional energy. Here is the expression of love and compassion, peace and renewal. This chakra corresponds with the thymus gland which produces white blood cells and combats disease.
5th – blue– Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Located in the throat and providing the right and ability to express oneself, this communication centre helps us to understand, develop creativity, and face truth and fear. This chakra corresponds with the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism.
6th – indigo– Brow or Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Located in the forehead, between the eyes, the Third Eye refers to intuition. Here we learn wisdom, develop our memory, and trust in personal insights. This chakra corresponds with the pituitary gland which is considered the master gland as it stimulates all the other endocrine glands.
7th – violet– Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Located at the top of the head, the crown chakra is the location of inspiration and spiritual energy. Developing a personal connection to the universe stimulates this area. This chakra corresponds with the pineal gland which produces melatonin responsible for sleep-wake patterns and seasonal functions.
Here is a brief Chakra balancing video. Simply sit back, relax, and focus on the colours and the related body regions that are mentioned as they come into view. Remember to breath.
This is a fairly standard question, but one which a lot of people are embarrassed to ask since the word gets tossed around so frequently these days. So here is a simple explanation of Namaste.
Namaste is a form of greeting or salutation, which, literally translated means ‘I bow to you.’ When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest (prayer position). The higher the hands, the more reverence and respect shown. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning. Yoga students generally repeat namaste at the end of a yoga session to express appreciation for sharing and growing together.
Our feet connect us with the earth. They are our foundation in life. But most of us stuff them into shoes and forget about them, until they protest with blisters, calluses, bunions, etc. (Yuck, old lady feet!)
Summer arrives and we whip out the pedicure materials, scraping, buffing, and polishing to have cute toes in our sandals. This seasonal approach is not enough to truly care for your feet.
Get in touch with your feet
In yoga there are three corners of the foot: the big toe knuckle, the little toe knuckle and the centre of the heel. Stand tall trying to balance your weight evenly on both feet feeling these three areas connecting to the earth. A visualization that may work is to imagine you are wearing horseshoes. I always think of a triangle with strong points and straight sides (yes, I loved geometry in school)
Foot energy
The feet are the site of a minor chakra which gathers and distributes energy. This energy helps you to step out into the world, interacting effectively with other people. To harness this energy, lift the arches of your feet (Pada Bandha – foot lock) when doing standing poses (Mountain, Warrior, Tree) and imagine that your feet are drawing up energy from the earth. Direct this energy up your legs to your pelvis to help steady you throughout your day.
Self foot massage
Slide your fingers between your toes (I know this is hard, but stuff them in there). Move your fingers around, side to side, back and forth, feel how your fingers stimulate all those lovely reflexology sites, and then release your fingers. Now firmly rub all parts of your foot working from the big toe across the top, then the ball, arch and finally heel. Next, roll your ankles, first one direction, then the other. Repeat this same sequence for the other foot. Finally stop, close your eyes, and focus on your feet. How do they feel?
Partner/Chain foot massage
Find a willing partner and give each other a foot, or find a bunch a friends and sit in a circle each holding the foot of someone beside them linking the group into a foot massage chain (lots of fun to do for slumber parties). Give one another a foot massage. Do whatever you think will feel good. If something your partner is doing feels good, do it back to them. Experiment. You really can’t go wrong unless you’re just holding the foot like it will attack you. Get in there, dig your fingers into the arches, wiggle the toes, massage the top of the foot, play ‘This Little Piggy’. Have fun! Your feet will thank you.
Hope this helps you feel more grounded and keeps your feet happy and healthy.
