Welcome to the Chakra Series
We hear the word “chakra” thrown around in yoga and in other conversations, so what does it mean? We can simply think of it as an energy center in our body with specific qualities and traits.
In this second portion of the Chakra series we will focus on the upper chakras, which is the relationship between ourselves in the world. These are: Heart, Throat and Third Eye. Each week we will focus on one moving from Heart to Third Eye, and the fourth week we will wrap all three together and bring attention to the Crown Chakra, which is beyond our body, therefore beyond yoga.
Save the date for Sunday, April 25th at 10am cst for the Full Chakra Flow Yoga Class where we combine all the movements and intentions into one fluid experience.
Short Welcome from Cass to the Upper Chakra Series.
Chakra Workbook
This workbook is intended as an additional resource for you to dive deeper into the chakras and your relationship to them. See instructions on the first page and let Cass know if you have questions.
Click on image to download workbook.
Chakra 4: Anahata - Heart
Chest, Upper bBack and Arms. Open, spacious, free. Accepting and Empathetic.
We put a lot of emphasis on the space of the heart, and it is true that the heart is the most energetic space of the body. The metaphorical heart center includes the lungs, so our two most vital organs embody this space. It is also where our arms connect to our body, arms that carry the energy of communication with others. When speaking of the Heart Chakra the energy is less related to our intimate loved ones, and instead about relationship to the community at large. How we interact with all people around us. A balanced heart chakra presents itself by being open, accepting and having clear and positive boundaries. In the body a balanced heart space is both open and strong, allowing for free movement and deep breaths. In the yoga this week we will focus on flowing arms and an open chest - which is especially important in this time of digital communication.
This fourth chakra class is an open, fluid and strong yoga flow will wake up your heart space and breath.
For most people, the voice is how we communicate with the world and how we represent ourselves to others. The throat is the space of the voice, and inherent authenticity. Representation of our own personal truth to be heard as such to those we encounter. The throat chakra represents our stance in the world, therefore we activate it by not only using our voice and opening the throat, but also by reaffirming our physical stance on the earth. Physically we often think of the throat and neck as ‘tight’ and truthfully this is often the case. This small conduit transmits both our communication, as well as the energy that moves from our body to our brain and back again. So as we affirm our standing and personal truth, we will simultaneously soften to help release tense energy from the neck, shoulders and jaw.
Stand strong, open up and soften with this vinyasa flow.
The sixth Chakra is about clearing the mind so we can get quiet and see. Often people think the best way to do this is to jump right into meditation, and for a select few that works, but for many of us, we need to get calm and centered first. It takes repetitive movement and focus on the breath to help first the body settle, then our energy, and finally the mind can follow suit and quiet too. Our minds are strong, and they work hard to stay alert, so we really need to put in work up front to get quiet.
I wrote a lot about where I’m at this week if you want to read more.
This repetitive flow will warm you up and clear your mind, no downward dogs needed!
This week is all about presence and managing your energy in the world. The upper chakras represent your relationship to the world around you: Your ability to be open and accepting while maintaining your own personal balance (the heart). Your integrity, representation and honest communication through actions and words (the throat). Your ability to manage what comes at you with grace, clarity and the ability to get quiet and still when needed (the third eye). As we weave the upper chakras together, the overall theme is how do you take the wild world around you, and stand in it with honest, empathetic, clear presence. Not only does this work help your relationships to others (those you know and those you don’t), but it also helps model for the world we want to live in: more accepting, more authentic, less reactive. The main thing to remember is this is not ‘one and done’ work, instead, it requires daily attention and maintenance to ensure that we are showing up for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for those in the greater community with balanced presence and energy.
This flowing, strengthening sequence will leave you feeling free, steady and centered.