Cassandra Green

The chakras are an energetic system of the body that deal with the inflow and outflow of energy.  If you've ever gotten a good or bad "vibe" from someone, then you've experienced the chakras.  While Western science may not embrace the chakra system, they are part of the ancient science of yoga.  Chakras, or wheels in Sanskrit, are spheres of energy along the major nerve ganglia of the spine.

So why should you care about the chakras?  My best answer is that they regulate every interaction you have with another person (the exchange of energy) and they invite harmony into your body, physical and energetic, when balanced.

For seven weeks, I'll share with you information about each chakra, how to get "in tune" with it and foods to eat to enhance it.

THE ROOT CHAKRA

The root chakra called Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine.  On a physical level, it has a huge amount to do with elimination.  Invariably when I talk about this in class, the discussion turns to (and this is no technical term for you science types) poop.

One way to know where you stand with your root chakra is to think about how you eliminate when you travel.  Do you retain and not go to the bathroom for a few days or do you go the minute you step foot in the airport and every two hours thereafter?

The link between travel and the root chakra is because it deals with stability, home and your foundation.  Some people can travel anywhere and the entire world is there home.  Others, however, have difficulty adjusting because this chakra is out of balance, either overactive (pooping all the time) or under active (retaining).

Emotionally, the root chakra allows you to feel confident that you have a right to exist.  More physically, it is that your basic life needs are met; food, shelter, security.   How important is your home environment to you?  Do you cling to it (as I do...that's my Cancerian nature) or would it be easy to up and move?

TUNING IN

How do your "roots" feel based on this brief discussion?  To tune in deeper, go to a quiet place a sit for a few moments.  Bring your awareness to the tailbone area and imagine you are growing roots deep into the earth.  Use lots of specific imagery such as layers of dirt and see your root system growing.  Then allow a red glowing light to surround this area.  With each breath you take, the light becomes more intense.  Stay here for a few minutes, noticing any sensations, thoughts, or intuitions about your root chakra.

FOOD

Protein is the food of the root chakra.  If you have an overactive root charka, you may be eating too many of these foods.  If you feel like your root chakra needs a boost, try incorporating more protein rich foods into your diet such as healthy, hormone/antibiotic free range meats, high quality soy, mushrooms or legumes (beans).  I find foods that balance the root chakra, no matter where you stand and aren't as heavy, are root vegetables.  There are a variety of lovely stews using beets, potatoes, onions, leeks, garlic and more of these subterranean delights.  Another benefit is that a lot of these root foods are anti-inflammatory as well!

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Physical activity really supports the balance in this chakra and I recommend 30-60 minutes 3 or 4 times a week.  Being outside with nature is one of the best forms of exercise for this chakra so get out and explore!

NEXT WEEK

Next week we'll visit the 2nd chakra.  There are lots of really GREAT foods to experience and I'll give you some tips on some sensual activities that support it.  Ooh la la.

Until next time, have a beautiful week!

Cassandra

It's very rare that I can recommend something to clients that will change their life in two days or less.  However, this topic, though easy to implement, is really important and is something that can dramatically impact your quality of life.

Do you experience unexplained and what seems untreatable:

• depression
• crazy cravings
• trouble sleeping or
• unstable emotions?

Because of busy lives, unbalanced diets, vegetarian and vegan diets (ONLY if not done in a planful way), and the depleted nutrition content of food, you may not be receiving proper amounts of amino acids from protein.  These amiino acids are precursors to neurotransmitters in the brain which send signals that affect all of the areas listed above.

There are many indicators in our society of increased neurotransmitter depletion, especially since the 1950s (introduction of processed and fast foods).  It's now considered normal to be on antidepressants.   More and more people are finding themselves with incurable lethargy, stress-related illness and food craving imbalances.    I'm not saying that the stress of our fast-paced lives doesn't exist, however, we can become ill-equipped to deal with it if deficient nutritionally.

The good news is that we are able to use amino acid solutions to correct the imbalances in a very short amount of time (as quick as 48 hours) to help restore balance and then figure out a nutrition plan to support long-term health.

How do you figure out if you could benefit from amino acid solutions? 

I would love to go into great depth here but I generally have 2 ways  I recommend proceeding because of the in-depth nature of each individual's symptoms.  Either of the methods below will help you identify if you have low levels of a variety of neurotransmitters affecting mood and health.

• Work with your healthcare practioner to do lab testing (blood or urine) and receive recommendations

• Utilize The Mood Cure and the accompanying book by Julia Ross to determine likely deficiency and treatment recommednations (including dosage)

You can obtain amino acid solutions from nautral markets and, in general, amino acid therapy is a low-risk* treatment option that can have a big payoff.   

Once you are aware of your neurotransmitter levels, you'll want to supplement the appropriate amino acids solutions but look at long-term ways of boosting those levels through your food so you rely on solutions less and less.

It is also important that you are receiving all the appropriate micronutrients your body needs as your cells reproduce. I always recommend supplementing with a high-quaility multi-vitamin, mineral and fish oil (or flax oil if vegan/vegetarian) every day.  Also, add to your body's ability to function properly with proper rest, exercise, destress time, hydration and fun! 

*As always, check with your healthcare provider before beginning any new nutritional therapy.

Excellent question.  Well, it was Mick Jagger who sang, "Tell me, who do you love?"  Thank you to The Rolling Stones for asking this important question.  With Valentine's Day upon us, I think we owe them an answer and it's a question we should ask ourselves as yogis (or better yet as humans) everyday.

Back to the question, "Who do you love?"  Mick wants to know! 

And, how do you expand agápe-esque love to someone that you didn't give birth to? To take this even deeper, does unconditionally loving someone mean that you must be (or stay) in a relationship with them, approve of their life, or know their every desire?

My personal answer is no.  In a way it's very liberating to step back, even from people you are close with, and have the realization that without the kids, the history-- whatever it is-- that you can offer them something deeper in terms of love. 

Let's address that strangers question...how do we love someone who just flipped you off in traffic or that we've never even met?  My biggest offering here is to go into your day honoring that every person wants to be happy, that is their True Nature and birthright.   Here are four simple tips:

1. Be patient
2. Try to see other's side of things
3. Exude love with awareness at least one time each day to many who need it
4. Be aware you are part of something greater

I'll end with Paramahansa Yogananda answering how we balance unconditional love with being a doormat:

"Whoever has control of feeling follows truth, shares that truth wherever he can, and avoids annoying unnecessarily anyone who would not be receptive anyway. He knows when to speak and when to be silent, but he never compromises his own ideals and inner peace. Such a man is a force for great good in this world."

Now tell me, who do you love?

In light and service,

Cassandra

As a yoga instructor, I am blessed to meet so many amazing people.  I am in the position to be with people when they are vulnerable ( like taking yoga for the first time), and it is humbling.  I'd like to share 5 things I really want you to know but maybe aren't obvious.

1.  I do notice you.  I may not be able to compliment everyone by name but I do notice your effort and work in class. I notice how you are at the desk when you come in and how you are when you leave.  I always like to say goodbye to you and I hope to see you next class.   When you're not there, I notice that too.

2.  Farts and sweat don't bother me.  In terms of farts,  It happens ALL the time...really.  If I can, I will always to avoid making any comments whatsoever about it and if need be I'll try to make you feel better by making light of it. If you are sweating, I am not offended or afraid of it.  At some point our sweat may drip in a pool together as I help you with a twist.  No biggie!

3.  I like to know more about you than just yoga stuff.  As an instructor I often only see one aspect of people.  I'd love to learn more about you; your career, your passions, your family-life, what you enjoy doing.  While there is a level of formality, know that I'd love to have a greater appreciation for just who you are and what you're all about.  Don't hesitate to chat for a moment if it's slow or tell me how your day really was when I ask.

4.  I want you to use yoga props and modifications...especially when they are being offered and, in some cases, pushed under your rear by yours truly.  They are your friends and I want you to be safe.  Think of props as extensions of your arms, legs, etc.  Sometimes I coach a whole sequence with props and then practitioners have to use them.   Why can you be so stubborn about this?  :)  In terms of modifications, the most common one I notice is that  practitioners will NOT come to their knees for high plank to low plank.   Sometimes I end up calling a practitioner out by name or talking to them after class.  This is not to embarrass them but to keep them safe.  Think about both of these areas and commit to being more aware of how you might need to use these more in your class.  If you're not sure, ask your instructor.  Both will save you from injury and help you grow in your practice.

5.  Know that your yoga poses don't define you as a person.  Be neither proud or down on your asana (pose) practice.  I don't care if you can do a headstand or not.  I care that you are there, seeking to uncover your True Nature.  While I may challenge you in your postures, I hope I challenge you even more to do the true hard work...the daily practice of awareness. 

BONUS  I know I said 5 but I couldn't help myself.

I learn more from you than I teach you.  I cannot tell you how much you teach me week in and week out.  You teach me not just as I lead class, but by what you share as humans, as part of our collective light.  Because of you, I have to work hard to stay diligent in my studies and to be authentic in my life.  Thank you for that.

I hope you remember some of these next time you are with me or your yoga instructor(s).  Ask them if this stuff is true, share, smile and be yourself.  -Cassandra