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There’s no question that heart palpitations at menopause are related to changing hormones. However, my experience has been that in many midlife women heart palpitations are primarily from increasing heart energy trying to get in and be embodied in a woman’s life. At midlife our hearts and bodies often become increasingly sensitive to those things that don’t serve us, including caffeine, refined carbohydrates, aspartame, alcohol, or monosodium glutamate, all of which may over stimulate our hearts. You also might need to avoid scary, violent, or emotionally draining news, movies, books, or individuals. Your heart may also be telling you it’s time to pay attention to your deepest desires or what your heart is longing to express.

The following letter from Terri, one of my e-letter subscribers, is typical of how midlife heart palpitations often present.

I am a forty-eight-year-old female with no major health problems. I do not take any prescription medicine. I walk five times a week and go to the gym about twice a week to do some light weight lifting. My periods are still fairly regular. I have a fairly healthy diet, although it could be better. I drink about a cup of coffee a day, but usually don’t drink soft drinks. About a month ago, after a fatty fast-food meal and a large cup of coffee in the early evening, I started experiencing heart irregularities. I felt like my heart was skipping a beat and was going to beat out of my chest!

This went on for a couple of days and I went to see my doctor. She did an EKG, which was slightly abnormal, and scheduled me for a stress echocardiogram and Holter monitor. Of course, by the time I had these tests, the palpitations had stopped and the results were normal. Then about a week later, they started again.

I have cut out drinking coffee and started doing more yoga. I have also started taking more magnesium, in addition to my multivitamins. I have monitored what is going on with my life and I can’t seem to find any pattern to when these occur. Most nights when I lie down in bed they usually start up, especially when I lie on my left side. My doctor wants to start me on a low dose of a beta- blocker. I told her I would like to start using natural progesterone cream routinely for a couple of months because I feel these palpitations may be related to hormonal changes.

I would really like to avoid taking heart medications. However, these palpitations can interrupt my sleep and are very uncomfortable. Are these palpitations hormonally related?

My suggestion to Terri was that she go through the program for creating heart health I outline in the chapter “Living With Heart, Passion, and Joy” in the revised edition of The Wisdom of Menopause. Her midlife heart is obviously becoming very sensitive, alerting her to the need to balance freedom and connection and also to nourish her heart fully. I concur with her intuitive desire to start on some natural progesterone as a way to balance potential estrogen dominance. (Note: Natural progesterone is not the same as Provera. Provera is a man-made form of progesterone, and studies have shown this synthetic hormone can harm the heart.) Besides, progesterone is known to be very calming to the nervous system. It may well help her with sleeping. In addition, her heart is telling her to stop caffeine. The caffeine in one cup of coffee can take up to ten hours to be metabolized in women, so it exerts a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system and the nerves of the heart for quite some time. For many women, heart palpitations stop as soon as they begin to take progesterone cream or estrogen, stop caffeine, and also normalize blood sugar and insulin levels through dietary change.

But it’s also important to find out what your heart is yearning for. One of my patients with heart palpitations found that they stopped soon after she asked for a promotion at work, something she hadn’t had the courage to do before. She got the promotion and finds her work more fulfilling than ever. Her heart no longer has to speak so loudly. 

What kinds of messages have you received from your heart? What steps have you taken to honor those messages? Please leave me a comment and let me know.

(Comments are not posted immediately, however, are typically visible 3-36 hours after you enter them.)

Adapted with permission from The Wisdom of Menopause (Random House, 2012).

This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. 
All material in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

For up-to-the-minute as well as timeless medical advice in Dr. Northrup’s extensive library of articles and podcasts, visit DrNorthrup.com.

Article source: http://www.healyourlife.com/blogs/christiane-northrup-blog/your-midlife-heart

Today is my birthday.  I’m 50 years young.  Throughout my years on this beautiful blue dot, I have had many people comment to me that I don’t seem as old as I am. People have always guessed my age – whether I was in my 20’s, 30’s or my 40’s – to be much younger than the numbers indicated. 

People frequently ask me, “How do you do it?  How do you look and act younger than your age?”  I always just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” 

Well, my time in Costa Rica gave me time to ponder this question.

Here’s what I came up with:

1. I bring happiness with me in every thing I do.  I don’t count on the activity I am engaged in (job, task, outing and meeting) to bring me happiness.  I simply carry the happiness with me at all times.  The results are more pleasant.
2. I choose to have fun in all I do. – At my mother’s funeral, my family chose to focus on the fun times we had together rather than the pain and sorrow of the moment.  We were laughing together in the viewing room the night before the funeral as we had tea with Mom.
3. Play!  NEVER, NEVER stop playing!!!! Play Games (like the “Punch Bug” game while driving in the car), have pillow fights, share gentle teasing, play sports…
4. I laugh often, tell jokes, learn jokes, rent videos that make me laugh.  I do silly things that make me laugh at myself.
5. I Cuddle!  I cuddle up with a person, a pet or a good book… and often.
6. I don’t take myself too seriously.  “Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”  – Oscar Wilde
7. I enjoy the very moment I am, in rather than the moment I could be in.
8. Tina has ensured this one – eat healthy.  I spoil myself and over-indulge occasionally.  But generally, I eat a well-balanced meal and walk away from each meal slightly hungry.
9. I Love completely and fully.  I love myself, my friends, my partner, and I love what I do. I believe that if you aren’t passionate about something, you should ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?”  For example, don’t be in a romantic relationship if you aren’t in love with that person; don’t work at a place if you can’t find something to love about it (be it the place or the people or the work itself).
10. I spend time with people that I love.
11. I spend time doing what I love.
12. I like to volunteer my time to worthy causes.
13. I enjoy the simple pleasures in life –  like cookies! 

These things have worked to keep me feeling young.  Maybe they’ll for work you, too.  Try them out!

For me, life is meant to be enjoyed, so I actively choose to live my life from a place of love and compassion.  Life can deal me cards that I may not necessarily like, yet it is up to me to learn to play those cards. 

I believe life is all about choice… So I choose to be happy….

I choose to be happy!!

Neil

The digital world is a beautiful thing. Apps boost our productivity and elevate our personal lives. eBooks make reading more accessible and elegant. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter connect us – and allow for the sharing of information in radically new ways. But along with the opening of new frontiers that technology brings, I’m witnessing a closing of something else. We just don’t personally interact in the same ways that we once did. Tempers have grown quicker. Conversations have become shorter. And good manners are becoming obsolete.

People write things online that they’d never dare to say to another human being in person. Critics abound. Cynics flourish. And controversy seems to get more views than simple acts of decency – and humanity. Yes, I completely get I’m painting the world we reside in with some broad brush strokes. Yes, there are massive amounts of people who are polite, kind and awesome. And yes, there are complete communities of individuals interacting impeccably and doing great things. But I just wanted to put a voice to the fact that I see a loss of something as tech dominates our lives. Something simple. Something real. Something essential. We’re losing the way we used to relate to each other.

So, during this month where so many of us are thinking about celebrating the relationships that fill our lives with a depth of richness and joy, I wanted to offer you 6 of the best communication strategies I’ve learned to flourish in business and in life. I encourage you to apply these at home, at work and out on the streets with people you may not even know. As William Penn once noted: “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

#1. Be Real
Call it being authentic. Call it being yourself. The fact is that few things are as powerful as standing in the presence of a person who is really really comfortable in their own skin. What I’m suggesting is that you speak with your unique voice and that you live under your true values and that you present the real you to the world around you. Please trust me on this one. I promise you that when you get to the last hour of your last day, you will regret having lived the life society sold you versus the life that you knew deep within was meant for you.

#2. Smile
Sure this sounds obvious. But what makes greatness is the daily executing around simple ideas. And if smiling during good and hard times was so easy, then why is it so hard for most people? I travel across the planet constantly. But no matter whether I’m in Qatar or Napa, Buenos Aires or Malaysia, Mumbai or Amsterdam, a quick and genuine smile to a stranger always connects. Unites. Uplifts.

#3. Use People’s Names
The fantastic Dale Carnegie taught us well. He observed that a person’s name is the sweetest sound to their ears. And yet, it’s so very easy to forget to go the extra mile and remember – and then use – someone’s name. World-class communicators get that when they address people by name, it brings them closer. And makes them stand out.

#4. Look People In The Eye
Okay. I really need to rant mildly on this one. Sure we all have our smart phones and iPods and PCs. But this new way of communicating where our mouths move while we speak to the person in front of us but our eyes stay on the screens before us sends a message to that person that they just are not that important. The best gift you can give a customer+teammate+loved one is the gift of your presence. In this age of easy digitization, giving the human being you’re communicating with 1000% of your attention is a spectacular method to lead the field. So, look people in the eye. Engage with what they are saying. Make them feel special. No, make them feel–for the brief moments they interact with you – that they are the most important person in the world.

#5. Be Honest
Again, simple, I know. But leadership and success really does come down to the daily doing of a series of fundamentals staggeringly well. Be the most honest person you know. Let your ethics drive your behavior. And please remember, anyone can be honest when times are easy. The true measure of your leadership is how honest you are when everything’s falling apart.

#6. Choose Good Words
I was up in the mountains last weekend. Wanted to get some breakfast. Walked into a new Italian restaurant that advertised breakfast until 11:30 am. It was 11:40. I asked the man behind the counter: “Is it possible to still get breakfast?” His instant reply: “Absolutely not.” Now I understand this man wasn’t trying to be rude. He was most likely unskilled with his words. Just not a great communicator. But his words had impact (as all words do). A more effective communicator could have said, “I wish we could but we’ve just switched over to the lunch menu. I think you’ll love it. C’mon in and give it a try.” It’s all in the languaging. Instead, his words caused me to try his competitor. And to think that this is a restaurant that just doesn’t care that much.

So there you are Great Communicator. Six pretty fundamental yet powerful ways to amp up the impact of your communication during this month focused on appreciating relationships. Try them. Apply them. And innovate around them. Those around you will be grateful you did.

In Leadership,

P.S. If you’re ready to take your relationship skills to a whole new level of exceptionalism and influence, I encourage you to invest in “Winning Relationships Digital Bundle“, the audio and eBook package I’ve put together for you. We’re offering it at a 37% discount until March 1st so click here to order.

Tags: conversations, Relationships

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Article source: http://www.robinsharma.com/blog/02/create-great-relationships/

Click the link above to sneek a peek at the great movie we are showing at Self-Connection books in Calgary in conjunction with the world-wide launch of this new movie on Sat, March 10th.

CONNECT WITH US
UP COMING EVENTS
March 10th, 2012 7:00 pm

Self Connection Books
Cost $10.00

LIMITED SEATING

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ONLINE ONLY

All proceeds going to support Kiva.org

BestUCanB, We’ve been sharing a lot with you about our experiences in Costa Rica and about our insights as a result of that retreat time. Yet through all of that sharing, we have kept relatively quiet about what might possibly be the biggest news we have ever shared. 

Tina has been quietly embracing her spiritual/medicine name, Woman that Dances with Light, and has been channelling very impactful healing sessions with people (even while we were in Costa Rica). The impressive results of these healing sessions have convinced her that she can no longer deny offering this gift to the world! 

And while Tina was dipping her toes into the world of healing, Neil decided to step back into what may well be his greatest talent and embrace his role as a Personal/Business Coach once again.

To affirm that we’re on the right path, the Universe has offered us both the opportunity to be the Headlining Presenters (along with Pamela Steele of Steele Wizard Tarot) at Western Canada’s Largest Gem & Mineral Show in Lacombe at the end of February.

The hosts of this exciting annual event, Chris and Melissa Roth, have been travelling all around the world, collecting the best metaphysical tools – crystals, fossils, beads and singing bowls – that the world has to offer.   THIS is the place to be from Feb 23 to Mar 4^th!

Tina will be teaching Nia classes and offering private HAAL sessions (Healing ArchAngel Assisted Light). Neil will be offering two condensed versions of the Passion Test workshop, as well as One-on-One Coaching….

And we’d love to share all this with you!!

(As further enticement, we are offering our services at greatly reduced, never to be seen again prices!!! The number of sessions available are very limited, so call the staff at Silver Cove to book NOW!   403-789-1308.

Full details and schedule at www.silvercove.biz 

BestUCanB, we hope to see you Feb 23, 24, 25 and/or 26 in Lacombe!!

Tina and Neil Thrussell
and the entire Best U Can B Team
www.bestucanb.ca

PS – Whether you are married, single in love or out of love…..  From all of us at Best U Can Happy Valentines Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI7KsbAa5wo

Quote Of The Week “Our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive” Don Miguel Ruiz   Video Of the Week Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams Note:  This is well worth your time and effort to watch all of this..  This man is incredible….   Connect With Us   BestUCanB Before I (Neil) begin, let me start off with this disclaimer:  My intention is not to criticize my fellow healers or trainers, as they all have a great purpose and I believe that most people need these services to evolve. The esoteric services help us see things in a way that our mundane self does not. So, I am all for them and the work they do. It serves our higher purpose and dreams. However, I do have an issue I would like to share with you. So here goes. I am going to tell it straight up — these are my thoughts Currently BestUCanB most of us can’t teleport or translocate so that leaves us with the daunting task, if we want to get from Point A to Point B, of putting some kind of physical energy into our transportation to get us between the two points. (e.g. We need to walk, ride, drive or fly to get between the two points) This concept is the very same for our dreams — we still need to put energy (effort) into achieving our dreams. There is NO success without the energy of action. What I have observed is that a great number of people have become so focused strictly on the esoteric aspects of their personal growth (eg. My chakras are clear. The divination card I drew today says it will be a good day. It is a “3” year, so it’s a year of change.) that they have slowed down, or stopped completely, focusing their energy on the basics, much to the detriment of actually fulfilling their life dreams and goals. “There are two great days in a person’s life–the day we are born and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay So, my request or dream for you is that you take your esoteric tools / gifts along with you and journey back to the basics. Why do I say this? Because in my month away with Tina, I have had a lot of time to ponder (contemplate / evaluate / muse) about my life and life in general. I have come to realize a number of personal observations: When people are stuck in a rut, they don’t know what to do next. The words of my pee wee hockey coach came to me. When you don’t know what to do, go back to the basics: ·        keep your head up ·        keep your stick on the ice ·        keep skating and things will happen. When I remembered this, I started to eat healthier, get more daily exercise and I recently went back to the beginning of my personal growth teachings and reviewed some of the most profound lessons I have heard. I listened to Don Miguel Ruiz’s Audio book The Four Agreements. I found this to be very powerful for me, as it took me back to the very basics (keep your head up, stick on the ice and keep on skating) and it helped bring me clarity on many things in my life and how I was showing up. I thought if it served me to go back to these basic lessons, maybe it would serve you, too. So, we would like to share The Four Agreements with you. We invite you to listen to them.  If you have already listened or read the book, we ask you to listen to it again; this time with NEW or fresh ears…  We trust you will find it very powerful… Four Agreements Part 1 Four Agreements part 2 Finally our wish for you is to DREAM BIG. Dream bigger than you have ever dreamed before in your life…   Don’t let the realist into your head. Make your dreams audaciously huge! Going back to the basics will help clear the space so that you can dream big and move forward with your dreams/goals. We (I) highly encourgae you to listen to The Four Agreements.   In Light and Love, Tina and Neil Thrussell and the entire Best U Can B Team http://www.bestucanb.ca/

This email was sent to blog@bestucanb.ca by neilthrussell@officef5.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Unsubscribe/Subscribe | Report this email | Privacy Policy Mailing address: 63 Martin Crossing Park NE, Calgary AB T3J 3N7 If this email is unwanted or Spam, please forward this email with your comments to abuse@officef5.com for review.

The word PRIDE looks simple but it serves different purposes in life. In layman terms, to me it means pleasure or satisfaction taken in achievement and as the opposite as arrogant or disdainful behavior actions.

 In biblical terms pride is listed as the first of the seven capital sins.

1. Pride
2. Avarce
3. Lust
4. Anger
5. Glutton
6. Envy
7. Sloth

Is Pride is listed the greatest of sins because too much pride in something takes you from a loving place and places your values and judgements to a place of that you somehow are better than another.

“Proud people breed sad sorrows for themselves.” by Emily Bronte
“Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.” by Thomas Jefferson,
“Temper gets you into trouble. Pride keeps you there.” Unknown

Whats your thoughts?

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Your imagination is your own fertile field for growing any seedlings that you choose to plant for a future harvest.

You may have been told that you have always been a dreamer, as if this were a fault. I can speak here from experience. Family, friends, teachers, and even advisors frequently disparaged ideas that burned brightly in my imagination. I often heard comments such as, “Wayne, you’re such a dreamer. Get real. You are never going to make it as a writer, or a television performer, or a movie personality. Be realistic—we know what’s best for you.”

When I was being discharged from the Navy at the age of 22, my superiors warned me that starting college at my “advanced age” was loaded with uncertainty, particularly since I had no higher education experience, and I would be competing with younger recent high school graduates. Since I already had a skill as a cryptographer in the Navy, they advised me to pursue what they felt was best for me. But I had a dream—an imagination filled with the idea of teaching, writing, and speaking to large audiences. I saw myself onstage. I saw myself as a prominent author. And this vision could not and would not be sabotaged by someone else’s vision of what I should or could become.

As a young boy in a foster home, I almost always ignored other people’s ideas about what I should be thinking or doing—I simply was indifferent to their opinions regarding what I could imagine for myself. I have carried this kind of inner discipline regarding my own imagination with clarity, refusing to allow external opinions to cancel or diminish what for me was hallowed ground.

Not long ago, others advised me that acting in a movie was not sensible for me as a 68-year-old man with no acting experience. I once again remembered to hang the DO NOT DISTURB sign at the entrance to my imagination, and proceeded to take acting lessons and adopt the self-enforced regimen that allowed me to create a movie. It is a product that fills me with pride today—all because I have diligently practiced the following rule:

Never, and I mean never, allow anyone else’s ideas of who you can or can’t become sully your dream or pollute your imagination. This is your territory, and a KEEP OUT sign is a great thing to erect at all entrances to your imagination.

Stay in a state of grace and gratitude for this resplendent gift that is always yours to do with as you choose.

Article source: http://www.healyourlife.com/blogs/wayne-dyer-blog/just-imagine

FIRST OR ROOT CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Muladhara (root)

Location: Base of spine, at the seat of Kundalini

Symbol: A circle surrounded by four lotus petals, with a square inside it.

Central issue: Survival, stability, acceptance, self-preservation, deep-rootedness, perception, grounding, fear and safety

Color: Red

Essential oils: Patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood

Crystals and Stones: Garnet, Ruby, Agate, Onyx, Haematite, Red Jasper, Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone, Red Coral;

Stars and Astrological signs: Planets Mars, Pluto, and Saturn; Signs of Aries, Taurus, Scorpio, and Capricorn;

Sound or mantra: “Lam”

Sense: Smell

Body: The physical body

Orientation to self: Self-preservation

Goals: Stability, grounding, physical health, prosperity, trust

Rights: To be here, to have

Developmental stage: Womb to 12 months

Identity: Physical identity

Level of relationship: Tribal

Demon: Fear

Element: Earth

Hormonal glands: Sexual and adrenal

Organs: Immune system, base of spine, legs, bones and bone marrow, feet, rectum, physical body support

Excessive: Sluggish, lazy, tired, monotony, obesity, overeating, hoarding, materialism, greed, Fear of change, addiction to security

Deficient: Fearful, anxious, restless, lack of discipline, underweight, financial difficulty Chronic disorganization

Balanced: Good health, vitality, well grounded, sense of trust in the world, feeling safe and secure, stability, prosperity, ability to relax

Physical Dysfunctions: Frequent illness, disorders of the bowel, large intestine, bones, teeth, problems with legs, feet , base of spine(chronic lower back pain, sciatica); eating disorders; depression; immune-related disorders; skin problems; lack of energy;

Addictions: Food, gambling, shopping, work

Traumas and Abuses: Birth trauma, abandonment, physical neglect, poor physical bonding with the mother, malnourishment, feeding difficulty, major illnes or surgery, physical abuse, inherited traumas (eg. war, poverty, etc.)

Spiritual challenge: How well we manage our physical world;

HEALING STRATEGY: Physical activity, lots of touch, massage, reconnect with the body, grounding, Hatha yoga, look at earliest childhood relationship to mother, reclaim your right to be here;

AFFIRMATIONS:

It is safe to me to be here.

The earth supports me and meets my needs.

I love my body and trust its wisdom.

I am interested in abundance.

I am here and I am real.

I trust my Higher Self fulfills all mu needs. My life is full of prosperity.

SECOND OR SACRAL CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Svadhisthana (sweetness)

Location: Lower abdomen

Symbol: A circle surrounded by five or six lotus petals.

Central issue: Sexuality, emotions, financial, creativity, codes of honour and ethics

Color: Orange

Essential Oils: Rosemary, juniper, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang

Crystals and Stones: Amber, Citrine, Topaz, Moonstone, Fire Agate, Orange Spinel, Fire Opal;

Stars and Astrological Signs: Moon, Planets Venus and Pluto, and the signs of Libra, Cancer, and Scorpio;

Sound or mantra: Vam

Sense: Touch and taste

Body: Ethereal body

Orientation to self: Self-gratification

Goals: Pleasure, healthy sexuality, feeling

Rights: To feel, to want

Developmental stage: 6 to 24 months

Identity: Emotional identity

Level of relationship: One-on-one

Demon: Guilt

Element: Water

Hormonal gland: Pancreas

Organs: Sexual organs, large intestine, lower vertebrae, pelvis, the kidneys, appendix, bladder, prostate, hip area, the lymphatic system, all the body fluids;

Excessive: Sexual, pleasure addiction; excessively sensitive and strong emotions; invasion of others, seductive manipulation; obsessive attachment; emotional dependency.

Deficient: Poor social skills; frigidity, fear of sex, lack of desire, passion, excitement, denial of pleasure; fear of change; rigidity in attitudes

Balanced: Graceful movements; emotional intelligence; ability to experience pleasure; nurture of self and others; ability to change; healthy boundaries

Physical Dysfunctions: Sexual dysfunctions; ob/gyn. problems; Dysfunctions of reproductive organs, spleen, urinary system; loss of appetite for food, sex, life; chronic lower back pain, sciatica;

Addictions: Alcohol, sex, heroin

Traumas and Abuses: Sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, rejection, emotional manipulation, physical abuse, alcoholic families, denial of child’s feelings, inherited (untreated incest, sexual issues)

Spiritual challenges: Negative one-to-one control patterns need to be confronted

HEALING STRATEGY: Movement therapy, emotional release, inner childe work, boundary work, assign healthy pleasures, develop sensate intelligence

AFFIRMATIONS:

I accept and acknowledge my sexuality. My physical health is strong and pure.

I deserve pleasure in my life.

I absorb information from my feelings.

Life is pleasurable.

I move easily and effortlessly.

 THIRD OR SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Manipura ( lustrous gem )

Location: Solar plexus, below the diaphragm

Symbol: A circle surrounded by ten lotus petals, and inside it a triangle

Central issue: Power, self-esteem, self-image, energy, will, responsibility

Color: Yellow

Essential Oils: Juniper, lavender, bergamot, rosemary

Crystals and Stones: Citrine, amber, tiger’s eye, peridot,, yellow tourmaline, yellow topaz

Stars and Astrological Signs: Sun, the planets Mercury, Jupiter, Mars and the signs of Leo, Sagittarius and Virgo

Sound or mantra: Ram

Sense: Sight

Body: The astral body

Orientation to self: Self definition

Goals: Vitality, purpose, strength of will, vitality, spontaneity

Rights: To act and be an individual

Developmental stage: 18 months to 4 years

Identity: Ego identity

Level of relationship: Basic relationship with inner self

Demon: Shame

Element: Fire

Hormonal glands: The pancreas and the adrenal

Organs: The respiratory system and diaphragm, the digestive system, stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, the small intestine, the lower back, the sympathetic nervous system

Excessive: Overly aggressive, dominating, controlling, blaming, arrogance, manipulative, power hungry, stubbornness, hyperactivity, excessively ambitious and competitive

Deficient: Low energy, weak will, poor self-esteem, passive, sluggish, fearful, poor self-discipline, emotionally and physically cold, victim mentality, blaming of others, unreliable, poor digestion

Balanced: Feeling of tranquillity and inner harmony, self-acceptance, respect for the nature and emotions of others, feeling of unity with the rest of humanity, responsible, reliable, confidence, spontaneity, sens of humour, able to meet challenges

Physical Dysfunctions: Arthritis, digestive disorders, ulcers, colon and intestinal problems, anorexia or bulimia, pancreatitis, diabetes, gallstone, allergies, problems with the stomach and liver

Addictions: Amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, work, anger

Traumas and abuses: Shaming, authoritarianism, physical abuse, fear of punishment, dangerous environment, age inappropriate responsibilities, inherited shame from parents

Spiritual challenges: Maturation of the ego

HEALING STRATEGY: Risk taking, grounding, emotional contact, deep relaxation, stress control, vigorous exercise, sit-ups, psychotherapy (release or contain anger, build ego strength, work on shame issues, strengthen will)

AFFIRMATIONS:

I can do whatever I will to do.

I honour the power within me. I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly.

In a smooth and healthy way, I release all unresolved emotions. I claim my personal power.

FOURTH OR THE HEART CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Anahatra (unstruck)

Location: Chest, hart, cardiac plexus

Symbol: A circle surrounded by 12 lotus petals, and inside it a six-pointed star

Central issues: Love, unconditional love, self-love, forgiveness, relationships, intimacy, devotion, depression and loneliness

Color: Green and pink

Essential Oils: Sandalwood, rose, cedarwood

Crystals and Stones: Rose quartz, emerald, jade, aventurine, malachite, rhodonite

Stars and Astrological Signs: Planets Venus, Saturn, Sun and the signs Libra, Leo and Sagittarius

Sound or mantra: Yam

Sense: Touch

Body: The feeling body

Orientation to self: Self-acceptance

Goals: Stability, trust, physical health, prosperity, grounding

Rights: To love and be loved

Developmental stage: 4 to 7 years

Identity Social identity

Level of relationship Loving relationships with significant others, with oneself and with all life

Demon: Grief Element: Air

Hormonal glands: The thymus gland

Organs: Hearth and circulatory system, lungs, bronchial tubes, shoulders and arms, diaphragm, thymus gland, the immune system, the skin, the upper back

Excessive: Demanding, jealousy, co-dependency, poor boundaries, overly sacrificing, possessive

Deficient: Antisocial, withdrawn, cold, shy, critical, judgmental, intolerant, loneliness, depression, fear of intimacy and relationships, lack of empathy, narcissism, bitter

Balanced: Compassionate, loving, self-loving, empathetic, peaceful, balanced, good immune system

Physical Dysfunctions: Disorders of the heart, lungs, thymus, breast, arms, asthma, allergy, circulation problems, immune system deficiency, tension between shoulder blades

Addictions: Tobacco (smoking), sugar, love, marijuana

Traumas and Addictions: rejection, abandonment, loss, shaming, constant criticism, abuses to lower chakras, unacknowledged grief, divorce, death, conditional love, loveless environment, sexual and physical abuse, betrayal

Spiritual challenges: To learn compassion, the value of forgiveness, unconditional love

HEALING STRATEGY: Self-discovery, codependency work, forgiveness, inner child work, work with arms, reaching out, taking in, breathing exercise

AFFIRMATIONS:

I freely and easily give and receive love. Totally forgive others and myself for all past errors and judgements.

I am worthy of love.

I am loving to myself and others.

There is an infinite supply of love.

I live in balance with others.

 FIFTH OR THROAT CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Vissudha (purification)

Location: Throat

Symbol: A circle surrounded by 16 lotus petals, and inside it a circle, or a circle containing a triangle

Central issue: Communication, self-expression, self-discipline, speaking one’s truth

Color: Blue, light blue, turquoise

Essential Oils: Lavender, patchouli

Crystals and Stones: Lapis lazuli, aquamarine, sodalite, turquoise, sapphire, blue lace agate, blue tourmaline, blue quartz

Stars and Astrological Signs: Planets Venus, Mercury, Uranus and Mars and the signs of Taurus, Gemini and Aquarius

Sound or mantra: Ham

Sense: Hearing

Body: The mental body

Orientation to self: Self-expression

Goals: Clear communication, creativity

Rights: To speak and to hear the truth

Developmental stage: 7 to 12 years

Identity: Creative identity

Level of relationship: Relationship with our personal truths

Demon: Lies

Element: Ether – Akasa

Hormonal glands: The thyroid and parathyroid gland

Organs: Throat, thyroid and parathyroid glands, the neck, vocal cords and organs, mouth, teeth and gums, jaw, ears, muscles

Excessive: Too much talking, talking as a defence, inability to listen, gossiping, interruptions, over-extended, stuttering

Deficient: Fear of speaking, small, weak voice, difficulty putting feelings into words, shyness, tone deaf, poor rhythm

Balanced: Good listener, resonant voice, good sense of timing and rhythm, clear communication, lives creatively

Physical Dysfunctions: Raspy throat, chronic soar throat, mouth ulcers, gum difficulties, scoliosis, laryngitis, swollen glands, thyroid problems, headaches, pain in the neck and shoulders, ear infections and problems

Addictions: Opiates, marijuana

Traumas and Abuses: Lies, secrets, verbal abuse, constant yelling, excessive criticism (blocks creativity), authoritarian parents, alcoholic, chemical dependent family

Spiritual challenges: To recognize that your strength of will is measured not by how well you exert your will over others, but how well you control yourself. Conscious self-control and discipline means living according to the truth that every thought you have is either a potential act of grace or a potential weapon. Right thought leads to right speech leads to right acting.

HEALING STRATEGY: Learn communication skills, letter writing, inner child communication, practice silence (excessive), story telling, singing, chanting, toning, release voice, loosen neck and shoulders

AFFIRMATIONS:

I easily and gracefully express my deepest feelings and emotions.

I hear and speak the truth.

I express myself with clear intent.

Creativity flows in and through me.

My voice is necessary.

 SIXTH OR THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Ajna (to perceive)

Location: The centre of the forehead, brow

Symbol: A circle surrounded on each side by two large lotus petals ( or a lotus with 96 petals ), and inside it a triangle

Central issue: Intuition, imagination, ability to see one’s life clearly, use of the mind/intellect

Color: Indigo

Essential Oils: Geranium, lavender, rosemary, spearmint

Crystals and Stones: Amethyst, azurite, fluorite, lapidolite

Stars and Astrological Signs: The planets Jupiter, Uranus, Mercury, Neptune and signs Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces

Sound or mantra: Ham-ksham

Sense: Intuition (the sixth sense)

Body: The high mental body

Orientation to self: Self-reflection

Goals: Psychic perception, imagination, clear seeing, accurate interpretation

Rights: To see

Developmental stage: Adolescence

Identity: Archetypal identity

Level of relationship: Our relationship to knowledge, wisdom and vision

Demon: Illusion

Element: Light

Hormonal glands: The pituitary and the pineal gland

Organs: The brain, nervous system, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, face, the pineal and pituitary gland

Excessive: Hallucination, nightmares, obsessions, delusions, difficulty concentrating, headaches

Deficient: Poor vision and memory, insensitivity, lack of imagination, difficulty visualizing, difficulty seeing the future, can’t remember dreams, denial

Balanced: Intuitive, perceptive, imaginative, good memory, able to visualize, able to think symbolically, able to remember dreams

Physical Dysfunctions: Headaches, eye and ear disease, nose and sinus problems, facial nerve problems, nightmares, brain tumour, stroke, neurological disturbances, seizures, full spinal difficulty, learning disabilities

Addictions: Hallucinogens, marijuana

Traumas and Abuses: Frightening environment (war, violence), what you see does not go with what you are told, invalidation of intuition and psychic occurrences

Spiritual challenges: Pride and the ability to make judgements. The spiritual lessons relate to insight and intuition, to seeing beyond the visible.

HEALING STRATEGY: Meditation, visual stimulation, create visual art, coloring and drawing, working with memory, dream work, hypnosis, guided visualization, past life regression therapy

AFFIRMATIONS:

My inner vision is clear and strong. I trust my intuition and inner vision.

I see all things in clarity.

I am open to the wisdom within.

I can manifest my vision.

SEVENTH OR CROWN CHAKRA

Sanscrit name: Sahasrara (thousand-fold)

Location: The crown of the skull

Symbol: A lotus with thousand petals

Central issue: Awareness, spiritual search for meaning, issues of karma and grace, grace bank account, spiritual awakening, divine discontent

Color: Purple, white, gold, silver

Essential Oils: Jasmine, frankincense

Crystals and Stones: Diamond, clear quartz, moldavite, selenite, pyrite

Stars and Astrological Signs: The planets Saturn and Neptune, the signs Capricorn and Pisces

Sound or mantra: Om

Body: The soul, the karmic, causal body

Orientation to self: Self-knowledge

Goals: Wisdom, knowledge, spiritual connection, consciousness

Rights: To know

Developmental stage: Throughout life

Identity: Universal identity

Level of relationship: Relationship to our life’s true purpose, relationship between the ego and the higher self, relationship to God and spirit

Demon: Attachment

Element: Thought

Organs: The muscular and skeletal system, skin, central nervous system

Excessive: Over-intellectualization, spiritual addiction, confusion, dissociation from body

Deficient: Spiritual cynicism, learning difficulties, rigid belief systems, apathy, materialism, greed, domination of others

Balanced: Sense of spiritual connection, open-minded, wisdom and mastery, broad understanding, intelligent, thoughtful, aware, ability to perceive, analyse and assimilate information

Physical Dysfunctions: Energetic disorders, mystical depression, coma, migraines, brain tumours, amnesia, chronic exhaustion not linked to physical disorder, sensitivity to light, sound and other environmental factors

Addictions: Religion, spiritual practices

Traumas and Addictions: Spiritual abuse, forced religiosity, blind obedience, misinformation, lies, withheld information, invalidation of one’s beliefs

Spiritual challenges: Hope and faith, spiritual conscience. Spiritual quests and questions of your life: For what purpose was I born? What is truth? What is the deeper meaning of life? Can I find that? Failure to hear and respond to these questions can lead to anxiety and depression.

HEALING STRATEGY: Reestablish physical, emotional, spirit connection, spiritual discipline, meditation, examine belief systems, goal setting

AFFIRMATIONS:

I accept and acknowledge my spirituality.

Divinity resides within.

I am open to new ideas.

Information I need comes to me.

I am guided by higher power.

I am guided by inner wisdom.

The world is my teacher.