Monthly Archives: August 2016
#WellnessWednesday: Crown Chakra
The crown chakra allows us to open up to enlightenment, the interconnectivity of everything in the universe. Activities associated with this chakra are more spiritual in nature, allowing for the quiet that allows us to open up to and feel connected. Such activities can include prayer, meditation, singing hymns or spiritual songs, or chanting.
Asanas
Yoga poses that promote stillness and silence are the key poses relating to the crown chakra, but being still is often difficult. We spend much of our lives multi-tasking and scurrying to and fro. If you find stillness and meditation difficult, you can pick your favorite poses from the root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, and third eye chakras. Just make sure to give yourself ample time to focus on stillness with the following poses:
- Lotus (Padmasana); and
- Corpse pose (Savasana).
Namaste,
Debra
#TastyTuesday: Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is the seat of our highest spiritual awakening and enlightenment. There is no food associated with this chakra. Often fasting or detoxing are recommended. I’m not a fan of either practice as I think they are dangerously close to demonizing food and our relationship to it. To maintain the energy of this chakra, it’s a good practice to drink a lot of water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
A better practice is to eat mindfully. A Zen proverb says, “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.” So often we eat while watching TV, at our desks, or while checking our phones that it’s a good idea to unplug and simply enjoy our meals. We can also practice gratitude for the food we are eating. Find out where your food comes from. Lots of work went into it. A plant or an animal gave up its life to sustain yours. All things to be aware of and acknowledge.
Namaste,
Debra
#MondayMeditation: Crown Chakra
We conclude our journey through the chakras this week with a look at the crown chakra, or sahasrara. The seventh chakra is the seat of our connection to the Divine, spirituality, and beauty.
When our seventh chakra is not balanced, we fail to recognize there is something greater than ourselves. We might feel that happiness is only from external sources. We are narcissistic, arrogant, and ungrateful. We are limited by our bodies, our intelligence, or our feelings. We see emotions as weakness.
When the sahasrara is in balance, we feel connected to beauty and the spiritual realm. We understand that we are something more than our physical body. We are open to enlightenment, joy, peace, and wisdom. We realize we are connected in every way to the rest of the universe.
Healing Through Visualization and Mantras
We can balance the chakras in many ways, including meditation and visualization.
Light meditation: This chakra is associated with violet or white. Try this meditation from 1001 Meditations by Mike George, with the rays of light being either violet or white. Both are healing colors.
“A thousand petals. Realizing our connection with the Source is the aim of meditation. We can connect to the Source through the crown chakra — called the sahasrara, meaning ‘a thousand petals’. The sahasrara chakra is depicted as a full-blossomed lotus radiating a thousand rays of light. Visualize this on the crown of your head as you meditate. This will lead you to a realization of your true self, and a oneness with the supreme consciousness.”
Mantra meditation: You can meditate using a simple mantras. One option is to repeat “I understand” with each breath, mentally saying “I” with the inhale and “understand” with the exhale. Or you could vocalize the Bija mantra of the solar plexus by taking a deep breath in and chanting “OM” on the exhale.
Lovingkindness meditation: You can also practice a version of the lovingkindness meditation to reflect on the unity of us all.
Namaste, dear readers,
Debra
Schedule for the Week of August 29, 2016
This week is chakra seven week. It’s also birthday week for yours truly (the older I get, the more I celebrate). Here’s where I’ll be:
Monday
- 4 p.m., Yoga at the Museum (Art Museum of Greater Lafayette)
- 7:15 p.m., Yin Yoga ((Community Yoga)
Tuesday
- 9:30 a.m., All-Levels Hatha (McAllister Center)
Wednesday
- 9:30 a.m., Classic Yoga (Community Yoga)
- 7:15 p.m., Restorative Yoga (Community Yoga)
Thursday
- 9:30 a.m., All-Levels Hatha (McAllister Center)
- 5:45 p.m., Classic Yoga (Community Yoga)
- 7:15 p.m., Yoga for Better Balance (Yoga Balance/Morton Center)
Saturday – I turn the age equal to the atomic number of palladium. Or the international direct dialing code for phone calls to Sweden, if you will.
Cheers!
Debra
#FunFriday: Third Eye Chakra
I’m not sure if it’s the deeper introspection required by this week’s chakra or what, but I’ve gone a bit more mellow with this week’s musical selections. Hope you enjoy.
A balanced third eye chakra allows us to realize our dreams, so here is a lovely song about dreaming:
Since this chakra involves sight and insight, I thought of the wonderful Ms. Etta James:
The element associated with the ajna is light:
The color of this chakra is a deep indigo:
So here’s hoping you have been able to find balance and tune into your imaginations.
Yours in love and light,
Debra
#ThoughtfulThursday: Third Eye Chakra
Last week, working with the throat chakra helped us find ways to creatively communicate truth. Today, we continue our journey through the spiritual chakras and look to questions that will help us trust our inner wisdom associated with a balanced third eye chakra.
When the ajna is out of balance, we are unable to trust our instincts and discern between truth and illusion. We feel cynical and lack imagination. We fail to see patterns within ourselves and in the outside world. We can get stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. When this chakra is too open, we are over-reactive and can’t see through all the sensory input around us; think of being “unable to see straight”. When this chakra is too closed, we become insensitive and don’t pick up on any of the sensory cues around us. A telling sign that this chakra needs work is over-analyzing or getting stuck in our heads. We get stuck in theories and ideas and never seem to be able to take action.
When in balance, the third eye chakra allows blend theory with living, thoughts with feelings. We trust our insights and wisdom. We also know that knowledge can only take us so far and we are able to accept the unknown and trust that the best will come. Inner peace and serenity come through acceptance, not from the universal world. We know that everything we need is within us.
Self Reflection
Finding balance in this chakra requires us to find ways to trust our intuition. Some questions to think about:
- When was the last time I ignored my inner voice? Listened to it?
- Do I trust my intuition?
- Am I pursuing knowledge and wisdom?
- What inspires me?
- Can I see the deeper truths beyond black and white? Right and wrong?
- What patterns do I engage in that don’t serve me in the best possible way?
- What new pattern can I envision that would be more appropriate?
- Why am I not doing what I love and enjoy the most?
Affirmations
The following affirmations will help reinforce your trust in your inner wisdom.
- I see.
- I grow from my mistakes.
- The answers to all my questions lie within me.
- I see truth in all situations.
- I accept my path.
- I am connected to my highest truth.
- I trust that my life is unfolding exactly as it should.
- My mind is open to new vision.
- I am open to all possibilities that exist beyond my limited knowledge.
- I can see clearly.
- I am wise.
- I am focused.
Yours in truth and wisdom,
Debra
#WellnessWednesday: Third Eye Chakra
When the third eye chakra is balanced, we are open to insights and trust our intuition. We are open to seeing patterns in a literal and figurative sense and have increased mental clarity and focus. Activities to help bring balance to the sixth chakra include working logic puzzles and light therapy and reading spiritual texts can also help. Visual arts like painting and creating mandalas can also stimulate this chakra.
Yoga Practices
Asanas (physical poses), pranayama, and meditation that bring us back to the core of our being are important to help balance the third eye chakra. Practices can include the following:
- Yoga nidra;
- Bee breath (Brahmari);
- Hero pose (Virasana);
- Child’s pose (Balasana);
- Easy pose (Sukhasana);
- Down dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana); and
- Forearm balance (Pincha Mayurasana).
Peace,
Debra
#TastyTuesday: Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra, when in balance, helps us determine between truth and illusion. One of the greatest is illusions is separation. Our society is so focused on “us versus them” that we forget or fail to recognize that we are all really part of a greater whole. We are all connected to each other and to the world around us. Food can be one of the greatest ways to bring people together.
Foods that can help bring the ajna into balance are dark blue or purple foods like eggplant, dark grapes, plums, and black currants.
Mixed Berry Cobbler
This week’s recipe is an adaptation from Betty Crocker’s 40th Anniversary Cookbook’s recipe for fresh blueberry cobbler (full confession: I didn’t buy enough fresh blueberries so I used some frozen mixed berries to make up the difference).
Last week’s recipe was from the edition that my grandmother gave my mom; this week is from the edition that my mom gave me. Some of my best memories from childhood are of working with my mom and grandmother in the kitchen and the joy of sharing food and fun with family.
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 4 c. berries (I used 2 1/2 c. blueberries and 1 1/2 c. mixed berries)
- 1 t. lemon juice
- 3 T. shortening
- 1 c. flour
- 1 T. sugar
- 1 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/2 c. milk
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Stir in berries and lemon juice. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole; keep berry mixture hot in oven.
Cut shortening into flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in milk. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto hot berry mixture.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Serve warm.
Namaste,
Debra
#MondayMeditation: Third Eye Chakra
We continue our journey through the chakras this week with a look at the third eye chakra, or anja. The sixth chakra is the seat of intuition and mental clarity.
When our sixth chakra is blocked, we are closed minded. If it is closed, we’re too attached to logic; too open, and we spend too much time daydreaming. We feel cynical and separated from others. Physically, we may suffer from headaches and depression.
When the third eye is in balance, we are able to understand the deeper truth beyond words. We are able to trust our inner wisdom. We are open to different perspectives and can easily determine between truth and illusion.
Healing Through Visualization and Mantras
We can balance the chakras in many ways, including meditation and visualization.
Light meditation: The color of the ajna is indigo or a dark, purple-y blue. Try this meditation from 1001 Meditations by Mike George:
“Meditate on this energy centre by visualizing a purple sphere spinning in the middle of your forehead. This will sharpen your mind and strengthen your connection to the wisdom of the cosmos.”
Mantra meditation: You can meditate using a simple mantras. One option is to repeat “I see” with each breath, mentally saying “I” with the inhale and “see” with the exhale. Or you could vocalize the Bija mantra of the solar plexus by taking a deep breath in and chanting “AUM” on the exhale.
Namaste, dear readers,
Debra
Schedule for Week of August 22, 2016
My schedule this week is a little lighter than normal but there are plenty of chances to come see me. So do it! 😉
Monday
- 4 p.m. Yoga at the Museum (Art Museum of Greater Lafayette)
- 7:15 p.m. Yin Yoga (Community Yoga)
Wednesday
- 9:30 a.m. Classic Yoga (Community Yoga)
- 7:15 p.m.Restorative Yoga (Community Yoga)
Thursday
- 5:45 p.m. Classic Yoga (Community Yoga)
- 7:15 p.m. Yoga for Better Balance (Yoga Balance/Morton)
Saturday
- 9:45 a.m. Gentle Yoga (Cancer Support Community, Main Campus)
Namaste,
Debra
