It seems that Cebu is undergoing some sort of spiritual Renaissance. Last Sunday, Holly Dychanco and her Inner Circle hosted the first of what will potentially be a series of workshops centered on self-development.
As a guest speaker, I shared some of my knowledge about Chakras. Though originating from India dating back to the Vedic period approximately 2,500 BC, the Chakras are also used in more recent practices such as Reiki energy healing or Pranic Healing and of course, yoga.
Last month, Inner Space sponsored a very public event in the food court of SM City about Meditation, bringing this practice to a larger audience. On a smaller scale, yet equally noteworthy, was Wellnessland Health Institute’s Meditation Workshop with Chris Luard, a nomadic meditation teacher who will be returning to Cebu in November for another series of classes at Wellnessland as well as at the Gassho Center for Healing Arts.
As per my personal experience, I have also noted a definite shift in people’s consciousness as they become more open to new practices. Yoga is of course mainstream now, but people are also bringing mindfulness practice to the workplace. The demand and interest for this has been on the rise and it will only increase from there with apps like Calm and Headspace that many millennials are now using.
But back to the Chakras… what exactly are they? The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit meaning wheel. As such, you can imagine them as wheels or hubs or energy along the meridians or energy lines of the body. The seven main chakras are located along the central line of the body, which coincides with the spine. Each of these serves a specific function, or governs certain aspects of the body, both physical and emotional or mental. To be our healthiest, happiest selves, the idea is to keep these so-called wheels of energy clear or aligned and balanced. Chakras get blocked or unbalanced by… life.
Working with the chakras is interesting because it calls for self-inquiry and exploration. You don’t just clear them once and you’re good for the rest of your life – it’s a constant dance of keeping them clear through proper thought, exercise, diet, and action, among other things.
In my practice, I use aromatherapy, crystals, and of course Reiki to clear and balance the chakras. Once they get blocked or congested, disease, both mental and physical usually occurs. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! When we feel heavy or lethargic, or our immune system is down, most likely our chakras are out of whack. In a perfect world, they would self-regulate (like a car changing its own oil or an air conditioner changing its own filter), but the reality is that we have to actively work at keeping them clean, and sometimes we need an outside boost.
We take such good care of our vehicles, but why not of our own selves? After their chakras have been cleared, clients note that they feel significantly lighter. But as Holly’s mentor says, don’t believe me, try it for yourself!
I would love to hear your comments at reikicebu@gmail.com.
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