What are Chakras?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel' or 'turning' and is used to describe the energy centres within the etheric body (aura). We have seven main chakras and many other smaller ones each connected to an individual sound, light and colour. Chakras allow us to absorb and transmit energy into and out of our environment and the people and objects within it. This is why the mood of others can affect us so greatly and why we often feel drained or tired after being around highly-energetic equipment such as computers. They are connected to our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual planes.




For the body to heal and be in full health, our chakras must be balanced and in alignment. When a chakra is fully functioning, we describe it as being 'open' rather than 'underactive' or 'overactive'. Learning how to bring awareness to our chakra system and how to re-balance ourselves, allows us to have more control over our health and live life abundantly.




Over the next seven months, we will be exploring each chakra in detail and suggesting ways to bring balance and harmony to that particular chakra. Once you gain this understanding, it will give you endless insights into the way our environment and the people in it interact and influence one another.



So make sure you don't miss May's blog post where we will be exploring the first chakra, the Root chakra (Muladhara).

'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hot stone detox

I’m sure many of you have experienced a massage at some point in your life, maybe you were even given an indulgent gift voucher for your local spa this Christmas, but have you ever had or wondered about a hot stone massge? January is a great time to try hot stone therapy as it is a super detox massage with an abundance of other healing qualities that are often ignored.

Hot stones have been used for spiritual and physical balancing since 1500 BC and the benefits of thermal heat have been known and used for thousands of years. In 1993, hot stone massage was developed as an alternative therapy to offer a deeper form of massage that works on many different levels.

Hot stone therapy uses basalt stones (volcanic molten rock) which are excellent conductors of heat to massage and re-balance the mind, body and spirit. These basalt stones contain a powerful vibrational energy that assists the internal energy flow within the body and, as a result, directs energy to areas of blockage. As these energies move in and out of the body, negative energies are released and complete homeostasis is achieved when the body starts to facilitate self-healing and repair.

Physical benefits of hot stone therapy:
-Stimulates microcirculation and cell function promoting the rate of tissue repair
-Stimulates metabolism by 10-15% due to the rise in body temperature (great for clients wanting to lose weight)
-Effects last much longer than traditional massage, up to ten times longer
-Detoxifying
-Ten times deeper than traditional massages
-Stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins

Psychological benefits of hot stone therapy:
-Creates total well-being
-Dissolves stress
-Restores emotional balance
-Nurturing

During a treatment hot stone placement is used to re-align the chakras and concentrate on specific areas of blockage, while additional stones are used to massage the body. To get the most out of this treatment the body must be treated holistically and, therefore, at least one hour is usually needed.

As a therapist this is one of my favourite treatments to give as it can have such a powerful effect on clients and can tell me so much about blockages within the body. If you are intrigued and want to experience this wonderful therapy make sure you choose a therapist who understands the treatment fully and is passionate about its effects. Why not use this post to share your thoughts and recommendations of your own hot stone therapy experiences, they can be truly inspiring.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and exciting 2010!

Kirsty x