The 5th main chakra (energy centre) is known as Vishuddha, the throat chakra. It is related to our ability to communicate with others, self expression and authenticity. When it is out of balance we may have difficulty communicating, be scared to speak our true feelings or feel indecisive. Or we may be the other extreme. Talk a lot and not listen at all to others, over react, gossip and use a lot of negative language. Having a balanced throat chakra helps us express our feelings and emotions with compassion and love. It allows us listen well to others and can help us have stable relationships.

Physical Yoga postures that are great for the throat chakra include reverse warrior, fish pose, bridge pose and plough*. Lions breath (Simhasana) where you stick you tongue out and breath out, is one of the funniest and one of the best things to do to relieve stress in the throat and balance Vishuddha. 

Tips for finding, honoring and expressing your truth..

• Use your voice without speaking. Sing, Chant, hum, laugh, scream, Om... 
• Read aloud. To yourself or others, hear and appreciate the sound of your own voice without judgement. 
• Look at your posture. Check if your posture supports you in communicating with others, do you walk with your head down or speak to the floor instead of the person? 
• Write a script about something you find hard to speak about. Try writing it out and then practicing saying that difficult conversation you keep  putting it off. A great way is to be truthful, kind and also ask yourself if what you are saying is necessary.
• Listen to others. Honor others as you would wish to be heard yourself.  
• Try positive affirmations. (see above) Focus on the ability to express, being heard and listening to others. 
• Say 'no' If you know in your heart something is not right for you don't allow others to talk you into it, honor your own inner guidance. 
• And finally...Get Juicy! Drink green juices, herbal teas, nourishing soups and lots of water!

Anahata is the fourth main energy centre in the body according to the chakra system. It is located in the centre of the chest and is all about love. When this energy centre is unbalanced we maybe closed emotionally, fearful or hold resentment towards others. When we connected to our heart chakra we can experience joy , happiness, compassion and unconditional love. 

Imagine you are frightened of something and notice what happens to your body as you feel this emotion. You might start to close in on yourself, bring your shoulders forward into protection mode. Now imagine walking around like that all day! Its not fun. Now imagine a loved one coming towards you and opening your arms wide to embrace them, or lifting your chest up to the sky on a summers day to receive the healing energy of the sun.  Opening up your chest invokes such a wonderful feeling within us and in our physical yoga practice backbends are the king(or Queen) for opening up the heart. Upward facing dog, cobra, camel and bow pose are just a few feel good poses that get the heart energy open and flowing! 

Here are some other simple tips to help feel the L.O.V.E!! 

• Express your emotions. Journaling or writing out your feelings can be a great and non-violent way to express you feelings, find peace with them and allow that energy to be transformed. 
• ​Forgive. Try your best to 'let go' of a grudge or resentment you have been holding onto. Feel lighter and feel more love in your heart.
• Positive Affirmations (see above). Focus on love, speak love and be love. xoxo
• Go out in Nature. Take in the lush shades of green in the natural world. Feel the breeze on your skin and allow yourself to absorb the healing energy of the earth. 
• Love Yourself. Treat yourself as you would treat your best friend. With love and compassion.
• Allow yourself to receive. Open your arms wide, open your palms and let the good stuff in! 

The third Chakra (energy centre) known as the Manipuri Chakra relates to our willpower, ambition and ability to take action.  It is located just below the rib cage and above the navel. Manipuri is also the place of our intuition, it is our 'gut instinct'. When something is wrong we often feel the tension in our guts or when things are just right we feel warm and fusy inside. With the Manipuri Chakra out of balance we may have low energy, doubts, feel out of control of our lives, worry what others think or be overly critical towards others.

In a physical yoga practice core work, spinal twists and warrior poses help to ignite the inner fire (also known as Agni), helping us to access the energy within our Manipuri Chakra. We get a great workout and burn off impurities in the body and also in the mind. Next time you do a warrior pose, focus your on your solar plexus and see if you can feel the power within you. Doing this can simply remind us we already have  the ability, strength and knowing inside us to live a life true to ourselves.

Here are some tips to get create vitality, energy, action and balance the Manpuri Chakra.

• Work that core. Take a dynamic yoga class, do some Pilates exercises or simple hold a plank and feel that fire in your belly!
• Try positive affirmations. Focus on knowing you have the ability within you to make positive choices and live a life you love.
• Be good to your gut. Stay well hydrated and make sure everything is moving smoothly. 
• Trust your instinct. If something isn't right it probably isn't. Listen to your inner guidance. It knows!
• Stand tall. Good posture can instantly make you feel much better and improve energy! Instead of slouching down and hiding your wonderful self from the world, stand proud and feel empowered.

Thanks for reading.Until next time.
Lots of Love
Hana & Aya x

The Sacral Chakra(Svadhisthana) is the second of the seven main chakras (energy centres) of the body. Located below the navel in the pelvic area. The sacral chakra is associated with creativity, sensuality and the ability to experience pleasure. The root chakra (the first chakra) gives us grounding and from that stability we can find freedom, movement and flow. When the Sacral chakra is out of wack it may manifest in having a sense of being ruled by your emotions or the opposite, feeling numb, uninspired and out of touch with yourself. 

In a physical Yoga practice hip openers are great for unleashing trapped energy in and around the sacral chakra. Its very common in todays busy and demanding life to get tight hips from all that sitting and then rushing around from here to there. We are often just moving our hips in only one way, all day every day, forwards and back (our poor hips!). Our hips are the biggest, most powerful joint in the body. Hips openers can have a LOT of sensation. As we stretch and release our hips it can help us  let go of stiff and rigid beliefs in our minds and allow our creativity to flow. This gives us more ability to feel alive, present and joyful. 

Here are a few other tips to help balance the Sacral chakra, unlock your creative energy and find expression and joy!

• Move those hips.  A fun way to release the hips is to dance like no ones watching, shake shimmy, circle and roll those hips! Bellydance, salsa and any dance style that focuses on hip movements are great to get positive energy flowing to the sacral chakra. 
• Connect with nature. The Sacral chakra is associated with water.Sit and relax by water, be it the ocean, river, lake or stream. 
• Take a bath.  Have a luxurious bath, add a few drops of essential oils, relax and indulge your senses.
• Create. Paint, draw, doodle, get messy and don't worry about things being perfect. Bake without a recipe, experiment and unleash the creative potential within. 
• Try positive affirmations (see above). Focus on inspiration, vibrancy and feeling alive!

Allow yourself to experience the joy of your wonderful and unique body. Feel, trust, move and unlock the wonderful creativity inside you!

There are seven main energy points (Chakras) in the body which run run vertically upwards along the spine.  Muladhara is the first chakra, located at the base of the spine and is also known as  the root chakra. This chakra harnesses our ability to feel safe, steady and grounded. It connects us to our physical bodies, environment and the Earth. Our root chakra can be out of balance when we don't have this sense of stability in our bodies or our lives we may feel as if we are slipping and sliding all over the place, we may feel unsafe or fearful. ​

So lovelies, trust and love your beautiful bodies and feel the earth supporting you in all you do! 
Om Shanti xoxox