“From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.” – Emerson

The Crown Chakra – Sahasrara in sanskrit – translates as “thousand-fold”. The Crown Chakra is the transcendence of consciousness. It is our innate wisdom and connection to something greater than ourselves – Source, God, the Universe, nature, Gaia, intuition, highest self… different identifying words as we attempt to grasp the unseen, yet felt, force that seems to guide us.

Do you feel it in your day-to-day life?

Before we begin a deep dive into the Crown Chakra, let’s take a moment to tap into the space at the top of our heads.

"Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is an adequate perception of the world." – Hans Margolius

The Third Eye Chakra – Ajna in sanskrit – can be translated as “authority”, “command”, or “perceive.” Given this name as the Third Eye Chakra is the center of intuition, intellect, and consciousness.

Take a few moments to tap into this intuitive center.

It’s the week of Halloween in the United States. But this candy-filled, costume-inspired holiday holds much deeper meaning and significance in many other cultures.

In Celtic tradition, it’s referred to as Samhain.

In many parts of South America, it’s known as Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

In both, there is an emphasis on honoring past loved ones and ancestors. There is a reverence for passing down traditions, lessons, and ancient knowledge for future generations to flourish.

Today, you may notice there are beliefs, perspectives, and ways of living that our ancestors used to honor, that no longer fit the current state of the world or society.

In fact, you may notice some beliefs and ways of living actually hinder future generations from flourishing.

While there is value in passing down traditions and wisdom, there is also just as much beauty and value in learning from the past, moving forward differently, and correcting it for the future.

So while we focus this week’s blog on honoring our past ancestors, we also acknowledge there is still much healing to be done on an ancestral level for most of us.

We acknowledge that sometimes we carry the baggage from our ancestors and we need help and support in releasing it all before moving forward.

Continue on to learn more about how to connect and heal and learn from your ancestors, as you intentionally create your unique future.

"Honest, open communication is the only street that leads us into the real world… We then begin to grow as never before. And once we are on this road, happiness cannot be far away.” – John Joseph Powel

The Throat Chakra – Vishuddhi in sanskrit – translates as “pure,” or “purification.” The Throat Chakra seeks authenticity in communication and authenticity in expression… pure authenticity.

Before we begin, take a moment to bring your attention to your throat.

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside awakens." – Carl Jung

The Heart Chakra – Anahata in sanskrit – translates as “unstruck,” “unhurt,” or “unbeaten”, and is located exactly where you’d think: within your spine, at the center of your chest.

Mark your calendars this week! Saturday, October 14th there will be an Annular Solar Eclipse in Libra!

But what the heck does this mean for you?!

Well, while it’s a beautiful celestial event that you get to witness in most of the country, astrologically there’s A LOT happening with this transit as well.

So let’s break down all the pieces of this celestial event – what an eclipse in Libra even means, how this eclipse can affect you, working with this energy on your mat, and where in the Klamath Basin you can enjoy this eclipse!

“If you always put limits on everything you do - physical or anything else - it will spread into your work & into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus. And you must not stay there. You must go beyond them.” – Bruce Lee

The Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura – translates as “place of shining gem,” and is located within your spine, at the level of your navel.

Manipura Mindfulness

If you’re able, find a comfortable seat, or lay down, and take a few moments to connect with your breath.

Allow your breath to slow down and deepen.

Bring your hands to your navel and as you breathe, feel as your hands rise and fall with the movement of your belly.

Begin to notice the heat of your hands on your belly.

The warm sensation of your own body heat warming and stimulating your core.

Visualize a large, bright, yellow ball of light residing here.

As you deepen into each breath, watch this light grow and expand

Until it envelopes your entire being.

Sit in this radiant warmth and notice what you feel.

The sacral chakra – Svadhishthana – means, “the dwelling place of the Self.” It’s located just below the belly button, in the lower part of your abdomen.

If you’re able, place your hand here for a moment and just breathe.

Notice how this space fills with air as you inhale.

Notice how it contracts and empties as you exhale.

Feel the warmth of your hand as it rests on your lower belly.

See if you can relax your shoulders and your neck a little more as you do.

When you’re ready, close your eyes, and bring your awareness and your mind’s eye to this space in your body.

What do you see?

Is there anything you feel here? Physically or emotionally or otherwise?

Take a few moments.

Before continuing further, maybe take note of anything you picked up on as you brought your awareness and your breath to this space in your body. It could be a simple thought, an emotion, a visual… Notice if any of the information you read about here, aligns with your experience.

Let’s begin.

I think it’s safe to say that if we – as adults – feel overstimulated by this technology-driven society, our children are probably feeling it as well … and I’d guess maybe even more so.

With nervous systems on overdrive, stress, anxiety, and those seemingly out-of-nowhere-meltdowns abound. Sometimes, kids throwing a tantrum – or giving you that attitude that always hits the perfect nerve – is really dysregulation without the understanding and knowledge of how to come back into emotional regulation.

So, finding ways to create grounding and mindfulness, and promote their overall well-being is crucial.

While yoga is often associated with adults, it’s truly for people of all ages… including kids! Yoga actually offers amazing benefits for kids as well. And really, the younger they become familiar with the practice, the more equipped they’ll be as they enter into adolescence and adulthood… making it easier for them, and you!

I’m sure we’ve all been there – and if you haven’t, tell us your secret! That lower back pain that twinges in just the right area… at the most inconvenient time.

That one twinge makes you feel like you’re decades older than you are and well, now you’re ready to lay flat all day just to avoid it.

Except that option is probably, nearly, … impossible.

Your best bet is, realistically, to find ways to 1.) prevent the twinge from even happening, and 2.) when it does happen, find ways to effectively soothe that area of your body without having to lay flat for hours on end.

Luckily, yoga is an effective way to achieve both. For centuries yoga has been practiced as a natural, safe, and preventative way to alleviate all kinds of illness, ailment, and pain. For today, we’ll just focus on the back.

Another year is ending, another beginning. As we close out 2022, a 6 year (we’ll dive deeper into that soon), it’s a great time to reflect on the year 2022 for you personally. Whether you believe in New Year’s resolutions or not, it’s always beneficial to pause and examine what’s working, what’s not, and adapt before moving forward.

Winter Solstice, December 21, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is a turning point in seasons, where we reach the darkest point before the days begin to get longer and the journey towards light begins again. Internally and externally we similarly go through these cycles of duality, of darkness and light. Some days are chaotic and messy and disorganized and it feels overwhelming and scary and never ending. But then there’s a turning point, a change in the mundane, in mindset, in skill, and everything feels like it flows better, easier.

If you’re familiar with yoga I’m sure you’ve heard of a dozen or so different types of yoga classes. Restorative. Yin. Vinyasa. Hatha… There are many. At first it can seem confusing to know which yoga class is right for you. But trust me, there’s beauty in having so many options!

We want to nurture this community, which is why we sent out a survey last month - to hear directly from you about what you love about Sol Luna, what you want more of, and what you want to experience at Sol Luna Yoga. Well, we heard you and we love all the feedback! To kick off 2023 we are implementing some of your requests, suggestions, and feedback into the studio.