Just as your physical body has distinct parts and organs, so does your energy system. The Sanskrit word “chakra” literally translates to “wheel.” In yoga and meditation, chakra refers to wheels of energy throughout the body.
There are seven main chakras running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. This invisible energy, or Prana, keeps us vibrant, healthy, and alive. Each chakra in the body is like a swirling wheel of energy where matter and consciousness meet.
The parts of us that are invisible to the eye can have a profound effect on our everyday wellbeing. Deepak Chopra says that each of the seven chakras is governed by principles of consciousness that we can use to cultivate greater harmony in our lives and in the world.
The Seven Chakras are:
- Muladhara or Root Chakra, located at the base of our spine, or groin area, represents our foundation.
- Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra is our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. It’s located in your lower abdomen, about one to two inches below your navel.
- Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra is located behind the navel or the solar plexus. It represents our ability to be confident and in control of our lives.
- Anahata or Heart Chakra represents our ability to love and is located just above the heart in the center of the chest.
- Vishuddha or Throat Chakra is located at the center of the neck and represents the passage of energy between the lower parts of the body and the head. It’s driven by the principle of expression and communication.
- Ajna or Third Eye Chakra is found in the space between the eyebrows. This is your center of intuition.
- Sahasrara or Crown Chakra is also referred to as the thousand-petal lotus chakra. It is the center for trust, devotion, inspiration, happiness, and positivity. This is the top chakra located at the crown of the head and is our source of enlightenment, spiritual connection, and connection to our higher selves.
You don’t want to miss our Restorative Chakra Workshop with aromatherapy and crystals from 4-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Sign up in advance and save!
• DK Dyson, “The Oil Empress,” is an E-RYT 200 Yoga Teacher & Practicing Yogini for 55 Years.
DK is a Certified Holistic Counselor from Dr. Laila Afrika and a Priestess Medicine Woman, certified with Queen Afua (CEO of Sacred Women in Brooklyn, NY). Aromatherapy and the use of crystals are incorporated deeply in both Certifications.
DK uses essential oils and crystals on herself and her family, as part of her daily routine of health and wellness, and she also offers oils at her classes, while explaining their benefits and uses. She also always carries a variety of crystals with her, wherever she goes. She believes all we need can be found in nature if we approach it with respect and reverence.
• Sarah Orlowicz (RYT© 200) is known for her down-to-earth, all-inclusive teaching style, and her ability to create a safe, comfortable space for her students. Her classes focus on gentle movement and deep relaxation for rebalancing the nervous system and releasing stress. She has done extensive restorative yoga training with Jillian Pransky, has earned Relax and Renew® Certification with Judith Hanson Lasater, and has trained in and studied the lymphatic system and yoga for lymph flow.
Art is also a passion of Sarah’s. She has run several workshops integrating yoga and art — leading students through a process of letting go of expectations and judgments using movement and meditation, in order to allow for free-flowing creative energy to express itself in the physical form on paper or canvas.
Sarah offers her loving guidance to people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, with any amount of strength, flexibility, and even skepticism. She feels that yoga is a unique and beautiful way to connect more deeply with self, others, and the world. She welcomes you to join her on her journey!