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Sahasrara chakra is the chakra of our divine center located at the crown of the head. Sahasrara means thousand-fold or infinity, and the chakra is associated with the color violet and with the consciousness element. The qualities of this chakra are divinity and...
Ajna chakra is the chakra of intuition and clarity located at the third eye, which is between the eyebrows. Ajna is associated with the color purple and with the mind element. The qualities of this chakra are inspiration, intuition, and inner vision. Through Ajna...
Through the practice of yoga we become more aware of how we hold our bodies—how we stand, how we walk, and how we move about. This awareness takes, well, practice. In yoga class we work on lengthening the spine with a stable, engaged core while lifting and opening the...
Vishuddha chakra, the communication chakra located at the throat, is associated with the color blue and with the space element. The qualities of this chakra are communication, truth, and self-expression. Vishuddha governs not only our communication with others,...
At The Yoga Sanctuary you will find a community of like-minded individuals and friends who come together to practice yoga. This aspect of yoga practice—coming together as a group with similar intentions—is known as sangha, or community. Sangha originates from Buddhism...
Anahata chakra, the heart chakra located at the center of the chest, is associated with the color green and with the air element. The qualities of this chakra are unconditional love and compassion. Anahata is the gateway between the lower and upper chakras....
The practice of yoga, especially asana and pranayama, not only supports our structural physical health, but also the internal physical health of our organs. One particular internal benefit of yoga is the support of digestive health, governed by the Manipura Chakra....
Manipura chakra, the solar plexus chakra located at the navel, is associated with the color yellow and with the fire element—it is our power center. The qualities of Manipura are self-esteem, power, gut feelings, ego, and confidence. From Manipura chakra we develop...
One of the most fundamental, yet often overlooked, characteristics to cultivate during yoga practice is groundedness. Even teachers can assume that students are grounded during class simply because they are standing, but without a proper ground, the asana, or posture,...
Svadhisthana is known as “the seat of the self,” or the seat of the soul. It is located at the sacrum, just above the base of the spine. Svadhisthana is associated with the water element. All bodily fluids are governed by this chakra. And as a water chakra, the energy...
The practice of yoga brings an array of experiences and feelings. Many are pleasant, and some, well, not so pleasant. The not-so-pleasantness shows up as resistance—physical, mental, and emotional resistance. This is a natural part of the practice. The tendency is to...
In yoga class we are presented with an array of yoga postures, or asanas, each pose fitting each body differently. For example, one person may find comfort in downward facing dog while another person finds the pose greatly challenging. Throughout the class, each...
Muladhara, the root chakra is located at the very end of the spine and is activated by the perineum and pelvic floor. Being the root chakra, Muladhara is associated with the element of earth. Its qualities include survival, family, primal, and materialistic concerns....
Chakras are the seven main vortexes of energy, or prana, which correspond to different areas of the body. They begin at the pelvic floor, move up through the sacral area, the solar plexus region, the heart, throat, eyebrow center and end at the crown of the head. The...