Class Theme- Week 2 December 2015- Earth, Water, Fire- Shine Bright

Our energy focus moves higher this week with the third chakra, Manipura, city of jewels.  Located at our solar plexus region, we connect to the element fire and samana vayu to bring transformation: the nourishment we draw into us needs the power of conversion to fulfil its purpose- digestion and assimilation, will power and confidence. 
 
This chakra represents our right to act as an individual and be our unique selves: to shine like a polished gem.  To suppress or reject this is to experience a sense of shame with our self.  Balanced energy here shows a person with self esteem who is in touch with their sense of personal power to meet life’s challenges. Combining warmth with confidence, they possess self discipline to realise their purpose, yet retain a sense of spontaneity and humour.
 
Our chakras energies build upon each other and are interwoven.  The stability and movement we explored in the lower two chakras shine more brightly when we harness the power of our third chakra energy.  In our practice, we work to activate this power centre, alternately relaxing then engaging to stoke the fire within, like a bellows fanning the flames.  When the fire burns brightly, feel its impact in each asana to better support stability and movement and feed the body with energy as you support full breath.  Also notice the change in energy as we move into more restorative poses.  With calm vitality, shine bright!