Exploring Your Chakras through Yoga
OLLI, Fall 2024
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This 10-week course includes lectures on the sacred energy system in the body and how the chakras impact our well-being, personalities, and the types of ailments we tend to experience. A Chakra Self-Discovery Quiz is a self-assessment tool to uncover which chakras may be overactive or underactive so you can customize your journey through the course. We will then focus each week on one of the seven chakras or one of the three granthis, the energetic knots between chakras that keep us stuck in repetitive behaviors. Each class will include lecture, movement, mudra, breath, sound, and sacred imagery.
WEEK 1: Introduction to the Chakras
Monday, September 9 In our introductory session, learn what the chakras are and how they relate to our health and emotional well-being. We will also go over a the Chakra Self-Discovery Test which is homework for next week. WEEK 2: Muladhara Chakra - The Roots of Support
Monday, September 16 The root chakra resides in the center of the pelvic floor and provides a base of support for the physical body and emotional experiences. Associated with the color red and the stable earth element, the first chakra governs our sense of belonging, identity, heritage and relationships to family and money. We will practice balance poses, grounding mudras, and sound. WEEK 3: Brahma Granthi - Transform Fear into Confidence
Monday, September 23 Granthis are energetic knots that form between the chakras and prevent prana from traveling freely along sushumna nadi. There are three granthis in the chakra system and each one is associated with different mental/emotional states. We will begin by exploring Brahma Granthi, located between Muladhara chakra in the pelvic floor, and Svadhisthana chakra in the lower abdomen. This knot keeps us bound to primal feelings of fear for survival and insecurity. Even though we intellectually know that our lives are not in danger, everyday stressors can make us feel as though we are. When in that state of stress, some people behave with aggression, others with a lack of confidence. We will practice core strength and confidence-boosting mudras to help untie Brahma Granthi. WEEK 4: Svadhisthana Chakra - Going with the Flow
Monday, September 30 The second chakra is also known as the Sacral Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Svadhisthana. Imagine it as an invisible wheel of energy located a few inches below the navel in the center of the pelvis, right in front of the sacrum. Svadhisthana translates as "sweetness" or "one's dwelling place." It governs our creativity, pleasure, and procreation and presides over our emotions, dreams, and fantasies. We will practice hip opening poses, fluid breathing, emotional processing mudras and sound. WEEK 5: Manipura Chakra - The Fire of Transformation
Monday, October 7 The Third Chakra is also known as the Solar Plexus Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Manipura. Imagine it as an invisible wheel of energy between the navel and the heart at the base of the diaphragm. Manipura translates as “the City of Jewels.” It governs our autonomy, purpose, growth, self-esteem, and determination. We will practice twists, firey breath, warming mudras, and sound. WEEK 6: Vishnu Granthi - Surrendering the Ego
Monday, October 14 The second energetic knot is located between Manipura Chakra and Anahata Chakra at the base of the sternum. This granthi keeps us stuck in ego-driven concerns. Sometimes we feel the need to overpower others in order to get our own way, or dominate in personal relationships so that we don't feel dominated by others. This aggressiveness can color every interaction and even the way we relate to ourselves. Surrendering to things as they are can help us to let go of this need to always be on top. Not surrender by allowing others to take advantage of us, but rather accepting our current circumstances so that we can find peace. We will practice restoratives and mudras that balance confidence and surrender. WEEK 7: Anahata Chakra - Opening Your Heart
Monday, October 21 The Fourth Chakra is also known as the Heart Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Anahata. Visualize an invisible wheel of energy located in the center of the chest and at the center of the energetic body. Anahata translates as "unstruck," referring to a musical instrument playing subtle notes of the heart without being touched and to a heart that is un-afflicted by resentment or sorrow. This chakra governs our emotions, forgiveness, compassion, unconditional love, and understanding. We will practice heart-opening poses and mudras, expansive breath, and sound. WEEK 8: Vishuddha Chakra - Speaking Your Truth
Monday, October 28 The fifth chakra is also known as the Throat Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Vishuddha. Visualize an invisible wheel of energy located at the throat, acting as a bridge between the heart and the mind. Vishuddha translates as "purification," referring to this chakra's role in transforming all of our experiences into wisdom through purifying the personality. This chakra governs our power of choice and our sense of truth; it is where we learn to speak for what we believe in and take responsibility for our decisions. Ideally, this chakra maintains connections with each of the other energetic centers to draw energy from the mind, heart, and body through the act of communication. We will practice gentle shoulder, neck, and jaw movements with communication enhancing mudras, breath and bija mantras. WEEK 9: Rudra Granthi - Overcoming Expectations
Monday, November 4 The last knot that may impede our progress forward through the chakra system is Rudra Granthi. This energetic knot lies between Anahata and Ajña chakras and can show up in us as a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of service. In what ways do you serve others in your life and in your community Why do you serve? Do you serve to gain praise or to make yourself feel better? If so, then you are caught up in this energetic knot. Try to serve others selflessly without regard for how it makes you look and without expectation of anything in return. We will have a group discussion and practice mudras that balance giving and receiving along with mantras. WEEK 10: Ajna & Sahasrara Chakras - Seeing the World Clearly
Monday, November 11 The Sixth Chakra is also known as the Third Eye Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Ajna. Visualize an invisible wheel of energy located at the eyebrow center, which rules the eyes, ears, nose, brain activities, central nervous system, and sense of Self. Ajna translates as "center of command," referring to this chakra's ability to act as the orchestra's conductor, keeping all of the other chakras in tune with one another. The Seventh Chakra is also known as the Crown Chakra or, in Sanskrit, Sahasrara. Visualize an energy vortex at the head's crown that opens downward towards the body and upward towards the cosmos. All wisdom must pass through the crown before blessings can be manifested from the lower energetic centers. This center rules the brain and connects your individual awareness with divine consciousness. We will practice eye yoga, mudras that enhance focus and connection, and other meditation techniques with sound. |
Cheryl Fenner Brown, C-IAYT
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I began my yoga teaching journey in 2004 with a 740-hr training with Hatha teachers at Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, California, followed by an 800-hr Integrative Yoga Therapy training at Kripalu in 2015. I am certified as an E-RYT 500 and continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance. In 2016, I was among the first teachers certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists as a C-IAYT. I have taught over 9,300 hours of public classes and workshops and love teaching how posture, breath, and attention can completely transform how they feel in their bodies and about themselves. Students appreciate my deeply educational approach to yoga; I weave anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama, and yoga nidra together for a well-rounded experience delivered with compassion and humor. Encouraging each student to honor where they are in their bodies every time they step onto the mat enables profound self-awareness. I specialize in helping people in midlife (and beyond), those with structural injuries, and cancer patients thrive.
I began my yoga teaching journey in 2004 with a 740-hr training with Hatha teachers at Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, California, followed by an 800-hr Integrative Yoga Therapy training at Kripalu in 2015. I am certified as an E-RYT 500 and continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance. In 2016, I was among the first teachers certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists as a C-IAYT. I have taught over 9,300 hours of public classes and workshops and love teaching how posture, breath, and attention can completely transform how they feel in their bodies and about themselves. Students appreciate my deeply educational approach to yoga; I weave anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama, and yoga nidra together for a well-rounded experience delivered with compassion and humor. Encouraging each student to honor where they are in their bodies every time they step onto the mat enables profound self-awareness. I specialize in helping people in midlife (and beyond), those with structural injuries, and cancer patients thrive. |
