Jivamukti
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the intention of this class is to start the healing process through a new way of looking at ourselves and others.
frequently asked questions
Q: What are chakras?
A: The word "chakra" means wheel. It refers to the rotating motion of the 7 main energy centers: root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third-eye chakra, and crown chakra. When the chakras are balanced, we are able to live harmoniously with ourselves and others, even when life isn't perfect. When one or more chakras are blocked, we may find ourselves struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In this class, we work on bija mantra chanting, physical poses, words of affirmation, and personal introspection to resolve our recurring fear, guilt, anger, resentment, abandonment, and other difficult emotions. While doing one chakra balancing class is not going to solve all our problems right away, taking this step invites openness for further healing.
Q: Do I have to do all the poses in class?
A: The yoga poses are made up of mostly beginner-friendly poses (tree pose, triangle, cobra) with a few more challenging poses (shoulder stand, headstand). None of the poses are required, as yogis are encouraged to prioritize not only physical safety, but the focus on mantra chanting and affirmations part of the inner work. Whenever needed, one can also come out of the pose to rest. While the class is physical in nature, it is the emotional and spiritual connection to the intention that make up the most work needed for healing.
Q: What makes this different from a regular Jivamukti Open Level class?
A: The Jivamukti Chakra Balancing class is different from a regular Jivamukti Open class in that the sequence is simpler, the music choice is instrumental only, and there are no verbal or physical assists. This is because more space is given to the yogi to explore the inner workings of their consciousness. In this class, the physical poses are sequenced according to each chakra. Once the yogi gets into a yoga pose, they are asked to chant the bija mantra and use silent affirmations to address the people (past and present) in their lives. This class can be taken repeatedly, through the same or different Jivamukti yoga teacher, as a tool for continuous reflection and healing.