This term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body.
These wheels or disks correspond not only to major organs but also to emotional, physiological and spiritual states of being. Since our energy is always in motion, it is important to keep our chakra’s spinning and aligned.
With practice, you can visualize chakras in the body. Each chakra is a swirling wheel of energy..and they make up the energy in the body called Prana, which is our essential vital life force. Prana is also referred to as chi, ki or life energy.
Located just above the pubic bone and below the navel lies your second chakra, the sacral chakra, or Svadhishthana. Svadhishthana, literally means the dwelling place of the self. It is the pleasure center. Whereas the root chakra governs survival, the second chakra seeks enjoyment and pleasure.
Color=Orange
With your foundation solid, ie. the root chakra you can then look to your second chakra for creativity. View this chakra as the way in which we experience and enjoy the finer things in life, using all of our senses: feeling, tasting, touching, seeing, hearing, all seeking pleasure.
This chakra is also very reactionary to issues in our society: cultural struggles, mistreatment of women as a whole, as well as being in an environment where sexual expression is welcomed, and others where it is unacceptable. Both can both create imbalance.
A balanced second chakra leads to feelings of wholeness, abundance, pleasure, and exuberant joy. When this chakra is out of balance however, this may lead to feelings of emotional instability, resistance or fear to change, sadness or depression, sexual instability or addictions.
Sacral Chakra=”I feel”
If the imbalances sound familiar to you, you may be thinking, “How do I bring my sacral chakra back into balance?”
As ironic as it may sound, “feeling” is the most important practice for your sacral chakra, in all its forms. Take off your shoes and socks and walk barefoot through the cool grass or sandy beach feeling the water envelop you. Walk through a garden and smell all the fragrant flowers, feel the variety of textures of the petals and leaves.
Just as much as you look outward for sensations of touch, taste, smell, etc….look inward. Instead of going through the motions of washing and moisturizing yourself for example, slow it down and find the pleasure in caring for yourself. Use an aromatic oil and make it a ritual. If/when you decide to self-pleasure…take your time, remove the “routine” of it. Rediscover your love and care for yourself.
Create…
Spark your creativity. What is it that you like to do to bring out your creative side? Draw, paint, sculpt, cook, photography, garden, etc? Do that! Often!! The more you work to embrace your creative side, the more in balance you will be…and your energy will reap the benefits.
Stay present…
Staying in touch with your emotions is key for the sacral chakra. How you do this well is in the eye of the beholder. Journal, meditate, talk to someone, whether a friend or professional. All acceptable ways of staying present with your feelings, and working to continually navigate them rather than avoiding them.
A few other self-care tips are:
-Speak from a place of love and compassion rather than from anger or a place resulting in being passive-aggressive.
-Take time every day for silence and contemplation. It is not about lack of thoughts, but allowing yourself and your body to slow and find center; to be present.
-Never neglect yourself, your physical body. Pay attention to the messages it is giving you.
Repeat affirmations to yourself such as:
I experience the present moment through all of my senses.
I allow myself to experience pleasure in all of its forms.
I embrace pleasure and abundance.
I allow all emotions to flow through me, with gratitude and love.
Aromatherapy for the Root Chakra
There are a number of essential oils that help support the sacral chakra and encourage creativity to the user. You can use them in a diffuser, or place in an inhaler and use whenever it is needed.
A few others are:
Sandalwood, patchouli, bergamot, neroli, sweet orange, clary sage, rose, etc. (not an all-inclusive list).
This is a good start to get you on your way to balancing the sacral chakra. Take some time every day to visualize the chakra spinning freely in all its glory to support you on your path to feeling secure, and well on your way to greatness. <3
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
You may be asking yourself, what is a chakra? The Sanskrit word Chakra translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body.
These wheels or disks correspond not only to major organs but also to emotional, physiological and spiritual states of being. Since our energy is always in motion, it is important to keep our chakra’s spinning and aligned.
With practice, you can visualize chakras in the body. Each chakra is a swirling wheel of energy..and they make up the energy in the body called Prana, which is our essential vital life force. Prana is also referred to as chi, ki or life energy.
Located at the base of the spine, the sacred pelvic floor, lies your first chakra, the root chakra. Much focus and energy is placed here during a yogic practice, and for good reason. Kundalini energy begins here as well. Kundalini is a Sanskrit term meaning “snake”, and is an energy that begins at the root chakra, and spirals up the spine out through the crown chakra at the top of the head. Kundalini energy can be accessed through yoga after diligent practice, orgasm, as well as during life threatening situations. Working with Kundalini energy is a bit of an advanced practice, so for now let’s move back to the root chakra itself.
Color=Red
As I previously stated, energy begins at the root chakra, and is the basis for the energy flowing in the body clearly and cleanly. Think of it like you are building a home. This home needs a solid foundation, as you intend to live in it for a long time. The foundation needs to be solid.
Our root chakra represents stability. This includes our basic survival/needs such as shelter, food and water, as well as feeling at home in your body and on this planet. The stability also crosses over into a solid and experienced yogic practice. If we move from the stability and openness of our root chakra, our poses will become effortless. If your muladhara is stable, you will be stable because your foundation is good, but if the foundation is unstable…you will not be stable either on or off the mat. When our basic survival needs are being met, as well as our emotional ones, as in feeling grounded, secure, and safe, our root chakra remains stable, flowing and clear.
Oftentimes we have imbalance or disorder in our lives, and each chakra has symptoms if you will that correlate with each. Physical imbalances may manifest as issues in the colon, bladder, lower back, legs or feet. You may find yourself unable to focus, moving from one thing to the next without appropriate attention or intention. This can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and stress. Imbalances may leave you feeling of lethargy, being stuck, feeling unable to take action, and manifest intention.
Root Chakra=”I am”
If the imbalances sound familiar to you, you may be thinking, “How do I bring my root chakra back into balance?”
Grounding yourself is the most important practice for your root chakra. Grounding via yoga and meditation are helpful. If you have found sitting in meditation a challenge, you will be happy to know that you can practice meditation anywhere, even while walking!
How it’s done…
Before starting to walk, take a moment while standing still. Bring awareness to your body. Take some deep breaths, inhaling deep into the belly. Focus only on your breath. Now allow the breath to return to normal. Bring your awareness to your body, notice how your body feels as you are standing, and become aware of all of the sensations in your body.
Walk at a relaxed, normal pace. Pay attention to the sensations in your body as you walk. Keep bringing your attention to what is going on internally.
Just as when you are seated for meditation, your mind will wander to various thoughts, but easily and without judgment, bring your attention back to the experience of walking. Notice how the body feels in great detail as you walk, from the alternating of the your legs and feet and the swinging of your arms and hips.
Keep grounding…
Earthing is a fantastic way to remain grounded. Get barefoot and feel the earth. This can be grass, sand, or pebbles for a little added self-reflexology treatment.
A few other self-care tips are:
Try to make decisions from a place of trust instead of fear.
Place extra focus on all of the abundance that you have in your life rather than what you feel that you are lacking.
Consistently work to deepen your connections on a spiritual level.
Repeat mantra’s to yourself such as:
I am connected therefore I am safe.
I am strong and stable, and always at peace with my surroundings.
If you are as into mantras as I am and speak them/chant them while meditating, here is the actual mantra for the first chakra:
Mantra: Mul Mantra
Ek ong kaar, sat naam, karataa purakh, nirbho, nirvair
Akaal moorat, ajoonee, saibhang, gur prasaad. Jap!
Aad such, jugaad such, Hai bhee such, Naanak hosee bhee such.
Here is the translation:
One Creator. Truth is His name. Doer of everything. Fearless, Revengeless, Undying, Unborn, Self illumined, The Guru’s gift, Meditate! True in the beginning. True through all the ages. True even now. Oh Nanak it is forever true.
Aromatherapy for the Root Chakra
There are a number of essential oils that help support the root chakra and bring grounding to the user. You can use them in a diffuser before practicing your meditation, or place in an inhaler and use whenever it is needed.
A few others are:
Sandalwood, cedarwood, rosewood, frankincense, spikenard, patchouli, palo santo, rhu khus, and vetiver (not an all-inclusive list).
This is a good start to get you on your way to balancing the root chakra. Take some time every day to visualize the chakra spinning freely in all its glory to support you on your path to feeling secure, and well on your way to greatness. <3
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
I decided to place my current essential oil videos here in one neatly packaged blog for you! If you have any questions for requests for future ones, feel free to shout!
This is my most recent video, regarding putting essential oils on ticks to get them to release their hold on you. The short version is DON’T DO IT. Click below for the longer version…
Next up is the use of anti-germ blends. You can use them safely and effectively…but it is not like you think! Watch to learn more!
What aromatherapy is…and what it’s not. Whaaaaa? Watch below to see what I mean!
This one is a biggie……essential oils in the bath..what is the proper way????
Lastly (for now)…when it comes to essential oil safety, at times people can try to barrel roll over you to get their point across….that does not help anyone..because no one can hear you when you are mean!
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
Aromatherapy, Not Always or Never, Not Black and White II. What do I mean by that? A quick visit to social media groups can leave you dizzy with information, some of it is erroneous; hearing statements like never use on babies, never take internally, and always dilute are commonplace.
There are times when scientific facts are misunderstood, taken out of context, and times where being overly conservative comes as a result of learning information that may instill fear or uncertainty, especially on the Internet and social media. And while it is true that we should all (myself included) work from a space of education, knowledge, experience, and comfort level, knowing the facts is equally important.
Aromatherapy would not be where it is today if it were not for what some call vintage aromatherapists, those that have been in the field for decades. Were vintage aromatherapists practicing aromatherapy differently than it is today? That is a big question, not a simple yes or no answer. One thing we do know, there are absolute differences in the realm of safety, as we simply did not know then what we know now. Just as in the allopathic model of medicine, new technologies and advances are constantly being made. Doctors consistently need to keep current on their education in order to not be left behind by the up and coming who are learning the latest and the greatest. It is equally important to keep learning and evolving in our education and our practice, learning never stops.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I have deep heartfelt gratitude for every vintage aromatherapist out there. I relish in the various views and outlooks within aromatherapy. Their breadth and depth are truly awe-inspiring.
I have seen people treated unfavorably in the past as well as recently for their efforts. Just as we should not discredit a vintage aromatherapist who may have done some things differently 20 years ago, we should not discredit someone making a valiant effort to learn aromatherapy as it is today.
But hang in here with me to this very important point:
“You should not make up your own rules because you are not in the know about something” OR “Not be willing to be open with how things are constantly changing.”
Facebook is not the place to go for an aromatherapy education or consult. I do not want to rock the boat here, but there are some who are uneducated/undereducated giving incorrect advice. There are also some who have varying levels of education giving the same said advice, and others still who are making up their own rules. If you really want to know about aromatherapy: use, safety, esoterics, energetics..all of it….you must apply yourself to gain that knowledge. A home user should work within their realm of experience, as should a new student, an experienced clinical aromatherapist, and so on and so forth; but the “recommendations” or “facts” do not change.
There are plenty of myths being perpetuated, widely varied levels of education, and many opinions out there. If there is one thing that we do know, it is that aromatherapy is a holistic modality, case by case basis, risk vs benefit, beautiful in all of its many facets, therefore will never be a one size fits all. It simply will never be “never take internally”, “never use oils on babies”, “always dilute” and my favorite “there’s an oil for that”. But we can say “not recommended for the essential oil enthusiast or home user”, “not recommended unless you work with a professional”, “not recommended without further education” or something of the like.
Even the big guns will tell you, and they often do, that the guidelines are just that, guidelines. Recommendations. A starting point. You MUST do your own research and obtain your own education beyond this.
I want to assure you, for those that are not familiar with my work, my niche, I am big on safety. I have also stepped up my education and will continue to do so in order to know as much as I can. My bookshelves are heavy. I am humble in knowing there will always be more to know. I try to always take the stance of “Yes you can use do X, but you really need to know how, when, and where it is appropriate”. I will not use the words always or never. I will also not give these types of details on Facebook. I will continue to do my best to keep essential oil enthusiasts safe, that is very important to me, but what you see me say and do on Facebook is not necessarily what I would be saying/covering one on one. Why is that? In regards to Facebook…I do not know your medical history, if you are taking medications, your constitution, or even your likes and dislikes. Not the place for a consult. What I don’t do is change the “recommendation” at the basic level. I answer dozens of questions in private every single day, and I can truly say I consider it a blessing to be able to help as many as I do. If I can help even one person a day, then one step at a time, I am living my why.
BEFORE YOU GO! Remember to sign up for my FREE Facebook group! Hang out with me and THOUSANDS of other Essential Oil lovers looking to learn, click on to join Real Essential Oil Education Group!
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Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
Are you familiar with the dosha’s in Ayurvedic practice (Vata, pitta, kapha)? If so, let’s move forward to get some basics surrounding each one of the dosha’s, and how you can help to find and maintain balance in your life.
If you do not know what your dosha is and want to find out, take this quiz here, then come back and read on.
Vata:
Vata types tend to be chilly, have dry skin, and are light. What I mean by light is somewhat flighty, and ungrounded.
Vata’s are governed by movement, the nervous system, and overall elimination.
Vata’s in balance have an abundance of energy, a highly creative mind, and are very lively and enthusiastic.
On the other end, vata’s out of balance tend to suffer from constipation, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and challenges in their digestive system.
Helping Vata to Find Balance
A primary consideration for Vata types is working to stick to a routine in all things: diet, work, exercise, sleep, and play. Vata’s should try to stay warm, as they tend to be thin and cold. A nice hot cup of herbal tea is a good idea as a calming routine to find balance. Examples would be a tea containing ginger as a warming herb, or a nice glass of warmed turmeric milk (recipe below from Wellness Mama).
Ingredients
2 cups of milk of choice (almond, pecan, coconut, and dairy all work in this recipe)
1 teaspoon Turmeric or Turmeric Spice Mix
½ teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup or to taste (optional)
Pinch of black pepper (increases absorption)
A tiny piece of fresh, peeled ginger root or ¼ tsp ginger powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
First, blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
Then, Pour into a small saucepan and heat for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
A morning practice of Abhyanga is also very helpful, using slightly warmed oil. Follow this link to learn more about this practice. You can use an essential oil blend if you so choose.
Here is an idea:
Frankincense Boswellia serrata (grounding) 3 parts
Vanilla bourbon CO2 Vanilla planifolia (calming) 2 parts
Black pepper Piper nigrum (warming) 1 part
Dilute properly in your carrier oil
**Always check contraindications before use.
Pitta
Pitta types tend to run hot, are intense personalities, have strong digestive systems (hot pepper? no problem) and have a strong sex drive.
Pitta’s are governed by their strong digestive fire, metabolism, and overall fiery nature that can manifest in not only the body but the mind as well.
Pitta in balance has beautiful skin complexion, strong digestion, and abundant energy.
Pitta out of balance can have skin issues (rashes), heartburn and indigestion, and the fire of the body and mind goes into overdrive, causing sweating, irritability, and short-temperedness.
Helping Pitta to Find Balance
When the outdoors are hot, seek the cooling indoors, shade, or a nice dip in the water. Balance and rest are key when hot. Cooling foods will go a long way such as fruits or cucumber and drinking plenty of liquids (skip the alcohol).
Pitta needs to remember to not take life so seriously, and let go of the need to be so tidy and organized. Live a little!
When using carrier oils, choose the cooler ones such as coconut, almond, or olive.
Cooling hydrosol facial mists containing cucumber or peppermint hydrosol are a winner for every pitta.
A cooling massage oil can help to soothe the fiery soul of a pitta:
Spearmint (cooling) Mentha spicata 3 parts
Lavender (soothing) Lavandula angustifolia 2 parts
Eucalyptus (cooling) Eucalyptus radiata 1 part
Dilute properly in your carrier oil
**Always check contraindications before use.
Kapha
Kapha types are typically heavy, slow, solid, and tend to have oily skin.
Kapha types are governed by the overall structure of the body. The primary function is protection.
In balance, Kapha is strong with excellent stamina. They have large, soft loving eyes, and radiant skin. They tend to have thick and shiny hair. In balance, they have brilliant sleep habits and regular digestion.
However, when Kapha is out of balance, they tend to be overweight, sleep becomes either excessive or scant, they can easily become depressed and allergies tend to manifest in the form of sinus issues, skin rashes and the like.
Helping Kapha to Find Balance
Kapha needs consistent activity. Variety in exercise is great as they tend to get bored quickly…otherwise “change” is not a good word for Kapha types, so keeping a routine is good. This does not mean a vacation from the daily routine is a bad thing; hard working Kapha NEED breaks just as much as they NEED routine.
Kapha’s should maintain a regular sleep schedule, wake early, and avoid the afternoon nap. Kapha tends to dislike extreme heat or cold, and like somewhere in the middle.
A neti pot routine is great for all dosha’s, but Kapha needs assistance when allergies are at their high to keep cleansing the sinuses.
Kaphas should avoid clutter and keep things organized to stay calm. And remember, exercise is key for all Kapha’s.
Kapha’s should choose a stimulating aroma’s. Here is an idea:
Sweet marjoram Origanum majorana (bright and stimulating) 3 parts
Sweet orange Citrus sinesis (bright and cheery) 2 parts
Chamomile Roman Anthemis nobilis (balancing) 1 part
Dilute properly in your carrier oil
**Always check contraindications before use.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
Hi everyone! Welcome back and happy new year to you. I want to take a moment to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey over the last few years. My followers have quadrupled and in turn it has truly sparked my love for writing, I am so grateful for the path I am on.
All of you know that safety surrounding essential oils and the practice of aromatherapy is my passion. Keeping all of you safe is so incredibly important to me, but that is not all that I have a passion for.
I am passionate about self-care and self-improvement. I am always reading books about life; betterment, spirituality and ways to improve this life experience. I have wonderful friends that I cherish and adore. I practice yoga and meditation and have for over 10 years, and I LOVE to dance to move and shift negative energy. I take what works with me on my path and leave what doesn’t.
Aromatherapy is a passion of mine for its breath and depth, all of its many facets and colors; I am much more than a safety specialist.
To date, my absolute favorite aromatherapists are ones that like to bring focus to the esoteric uses of the oils. My two favorite books are ones written by Robbi Zeck and Gabriel Mojay.
I love how essential oils make me feel. I love their energy, and I treasure how they bring so many of us together for one true cause, happiness! Essential oils act as a bridge to bring together body and mind, to help us reach new levels of awareness, and are truly a doorway to learning more about ourselves. They are healers of our spirit.
I invite you to go and grab that one essential oil right now that can consistently bring you peace. That essential oil that can settle your thoughts and soften your heart. I will wait……………………………..
Now sit in a comfortable position and follow one of the links below. Ready? No outside noises here, headphones may be important. Hit play when you are ready, bottle under nose…and soar. (You can also lay in corpse pose and start your favorite diffuser). Whatever position that will leave you the most comfortable without falling asleep. If thoughts come into you head, acknowledge them and then gently let them go.
