Yoga at the Academy- A Spring Chakra Tune Up

with Stephanie Carney

 

A new six-week series of yoga at the Academy Building in Lyme Center begins Tuesday, March 17, and continues on Tuesdays for a total of six weeks, ending on April 21.

 

Imagine! Around us is a pulsating electromagnetic energy field described either as a rainbow like aura of colors or as a luminous light body. The human aura is comprised of the seven layers of the external energy field of the body. This subtle energy field interacts with our physical body by flowing via a network of water rich pathways known in India as nadis or similarly as meridians in China and Japan, through concentrated spirals of energy known as chakras, the Sanskrit word for wheels of light. Internally, there are seven major chakras and twenty-one minor chakras. Each chakra has a role in balancing some aspect of the subtle life force energies that enter through the aura and in transforming that energy into a form that is acceptable to the body. Additionally each chakra gives out messages through the aura to our immediate and wider environment.

By working sequences of yoga poses, we can stimulate the unimpeded flow of energy through the chakras and their associated bodily systems and organs thereby sharpening our senses and intelligences. Each class will target a specific energy center through movement, music and readings associated with particular chakras.

 

Class 1:

Muladhara Chakra  or the Root Chakra

This chakra is the home base and provides for our physical survival in part by channeling earth energy upward through the feet and legs to stabilize it, then moving the energy on up through the spine to balance the endocrine system. Grounding, or rooting, is the main function of the muladhara chakra.

 

Class 2:

Svadisthana Chakra or the Sacral Chakra- One’s Own Place

We are creating a vessel in the first chakra…and in the second chakra we fill this container with fluid and movement.  This movement of the second chakra takes us into the world of balance and grace. The sacral or belly chakra provides us with our creative energy allowing for emotional survival.

 

Class 3:

Manipura Chakra or the Solar Plexis Chakra

This is the chakra of willpower, change and personal growth. It represents the power of youth and continues to give us a sense of our personal power in the world ruling over our will and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, Manipura brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.

 

Class 4:

Anahata Chakra, the Fourth or Heart Chakra

The fourth chakra  is the balance point, integrating the world of matter manifesting in the lower three chakras with the world of spirit in the upper three chakras. Anahata is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity.

 

Class 5:

Vishuddha, the 5th or Throat Chakra

 Vishuddha is the first of the purely spiritual chakras. Because the 5th chakra is located in the throat and governs higher communication, speaking, hearing and listening, it helps us to understand our inner truth and convey it with our voice to the outside world.

Class 6:

Ajna, the Third Eye or Sixth Chakra

This energy center is important to developing "traditional" knowledge: the ability to study and retain facts, to function with a clear mind, to think rationally and make decisions based on logical input. It also fuels our "ethereal" side: our intuitive nature, clairvoyance, our aptitude to perceive information about people and things by non-logical methods, to interpret our dreams and to visualize the future we'd like for ourselves. This chakra is a true synergizing point for all kinds of intelligence.

Sahasrara, the Seventh or Crown Chakra

Although this chakra is represented by a thousand petaled lotus which is the symbol of purity and spirituality, the number 1000 is not meant literally; instead, it implies the infinite nature of this chakra, which provides us with our most direct connection with spirit. Even though the mind cannot be seen or felt concretely, it creates the belief systems that control our thoughts and actions.

 

Morning classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 10:00 AM

Evening classes begin at 5:45 PM and end at 7:15 PM.

$72 for the series of six classes or $16 by the class.

 

Classes are appropriate for beginners as well as experienced yoga practitioners. Participants may choose to participate in either the morning or evening class on any given day. Please dress in layers, bring a yoga mat and sturdy wool or cotton blanket. All other props will be provided. Questions? Email, or call 603-795-2419.

 

Please let me know if you plan to attend the series.  Thanks!