We learn in this chakra that “All is one.” The developmental stage of this chakra is the womb to 12 months. Our behavioral patterns and superstitions develop in this chakra and are inherited through our tribes. Adults can also pass down imbalances to children in this stage. So when we become older we may start to recognize which patterns and behaviors are healthy or destructive to our personal being. When the patterns or behaviors are destructive we may to separate or distance ourselves from our tribe. Just to clarify- a tribe doesn’t have to be an immediate family- it can also be a group of people or friends we associate with. Separation from one’s tribe can be very difficult, showing the shadow side of this chakra. A teacher once told me we experience a “Muladhara shakedown”. The shadows of the Root Chakra are primal fears that are caused by a weakness in our tribal connection. These primal fears include: lack of loyalty and trust, lack of tribe or family identity, physical survival and financial crisis.

When this chakra becomes imbalanced a person can feel they don’t belong, fears kick in and they can start to feel ungrounded. They can lose the connection to this space, and energy can become stagnant or blocked here.  Root chakra  imbalances can also cause physical ailments in the physical body. These include low lethargic depression, sciatica, immune disorders, eating disorders, and chronic pain. In order for to feel balanced again in this chakra,  a healthy connection in this space needs to be reestablished, and things that at are not serving the person need to be released. These could include fear, feelings of abandonment, anger and so on.

This is a great time of year to restablish a healthy connection  to this space. As the colder season is upon us we start to slow down and rest, which is very grounding. Now that we find ourselves spending more time indoors, journaling and reflecting on this space are good ways to release and restore. Also, spending time with our families and friends now that the holidays are here helps to reconnect and rediscover our roots.

Here are some more ways to help get back in touch or heal the root chakra;

• Plug into nature, going for walks. This may seem difficult during the winter, but even getting outside for a few minutes can help.
• Eating grounding foods such as root vegetables, proteins such as beans, nuts and eggs.
• Listening to drumming music can help us feel that earthy tribal connection.
• Practicing yoga asanas including, Tadasana (Mountain Pose), forward folds, Virabhadrasana’s (warrior poses) any pose where you are sitting on the floor and the  sit bones (root) are on the floor.
• Create a family tree, Take this time that you are spending with your family and find out a little more about your roots and heritage.
• Journaling statements such as I am connected to… I am releasing fear attached to… I am strong, grounded, safe, and secure. I have a right to be here… are all very helpful.

The root chakra is our base and foundation. It is so important that we stay connected and open in this space.

You are here. You are connected. You are solid, but you are molten inside. Deep within your roots you find your past, your memories, your primal self. Your connection here is simple, direct. You remember your heritage, your ancient self, as a child of the Earth. She is your teacher.
-from Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith

To define Reiki, the word Rei means a higher source or guided. Ki is universal energy.  So Reiki is guided energy.

We are all made up of energy. A fun way to experience what energy feels like is to come to a seated position or standing and begin by closing the eyes. Now bring your arms straight out in front of you and with your arms extended turn one palm up and one palm down to the floor. Now open and close your hands a few times. Reverse the hands now and open and close a few more times. This starts to activate the hand Chakras. Chakras are energetic spaces in our body. Next bring your hands together and start to rub your hands together very fast. When you start to feel the heat build up bring you hands far apart. Then slowly start to bring your hands in close to one another until you almost feel like you are holding a small ball in between your hands. Play with this, maybe bringing your hands in and out and seeing if this energetic ball expands or shrinks. This is what energy feels like.

So how is Reiki done? Reiki is received with the practitioner’s hands either above or touching the body, always asking for permission. The practitioner then asks a higher source to allow the Reiki energy to begin flowing. Reiki is next intended to flow to the person and to the areas in the body and mind that need energy, balance and healing. Reiki allows the person to be in a relaxed state in their mind and body which allows the healing process to occur naturally.

I also like to describe Reiki with a visualization technique. Imagine a driveway with potholes in it. Then visualize a rainstorm and eventually as the rain washes over the driveway the potholes begin to fill. Reiki flows the same way. The practitioner asks for Reiki to flow (rain starts) then Reiki is guided with intention to flow to the areas in the body. The body begins to receive this healing energy and fills in our “energetic potholes.” (Rain begins filling the holes up) Overtime we develop these “energetic potholes” in our body and mind from stress, trauma and emotional issues. We become sick, unbalanced and our energy is low. Reiki helps to restore our energy and brings a sense of balance back into the mind and body so we can begin the process of healing.

Reiki has tremendous amounts of benefits. These range from:

• Promoting relaxation
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Strengthens the immune system
• Releases blocked emotions and suppressed feelings
• Relieves chronic pain and tension
• Clears toxins from the body
• Gives energy and balance in the body
• Encourages emotional release
• Promotes sleep
• Relieves fatigue
• Increases energy
• Strengthens natural self –healing

Reiki is also being integrated in the hospital systems. Reiki can help patients recover from surgeries at a much faster rate. It also helps lessen the side effects from chemotherapy in cancer patients and can also help patients have a more positive outlook on their road to recovery. Reiki is also becoming very useful with animals. In my own experience I have noticed how animals are very in tune with energy. Animals also receive the same benefits as we do from Reiki.

My own personal experience with Reiki was life changing. I remember how quickly the tension in my shoulders and back was relieved. I didn’t have any pain for months afterwards. I also could not believe how fast I was able to relax, which isn’t always easy for me. Reiki also helped me to release pent up emotions that I kept buried for a long time. This inspired me to become attuned to Reiki so that I could share this amazing energy with people so that they can find healing in the mind body and spirit.

“Reiki literally wakes up our divine essence so we can see our spirit behind the veils.” Colleen Benelli

Energy exercise was taken from Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith

I have experienced many moments of not feeling so grounded over the last year or so. After working in the medical field for 15 plus years, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and begin my journey into the holistic health field. I trained in Reiki and Body Wisdom and have gone on to open my own business.

During my training and trying to build my business I experienced many times when my fears took ahold of me. I would question myself, “am I on the right path?” or “what if I fail at this?” I was constantly worrying about the unknown.  I realized that these were my fears and that I needed to face them. But I knew that I needed to be strong and grounded to do so. In order to do this I would remember to use the tools that I learned during training to help myself get grounded again.

During my Body Wisdom training, I learned from a fellow student a great grounding meditation. I remember when I was having a moment where I wanted to give up and quit training. The student told me that I should go and sit under a tree. She said to breathe out my fears and try to let myself get connected to nature. I thought to myself “a tree?” “How is a tree going to calm me down?”  But I did it. I went and sat underneath that tree and closed my eyes. I started with some deep breathing in and out. When I exhaled I let out all the fears and anxiety. Every time I inhaled I would breathe in the fresh earth energy. As I sat there I let my body melt into the ground, into the earth. I felt this deep connection with the earth and a sense on calmness rush over my body. I said to myself “I can do this!” I felt at that moment so strong and that I could conquer anything! I always come back to this meditation whenever I am feeling anxious or fearful. It helps me reconnect with my body and being with nature helps ground me.

When sitting outside isn’t an option, you can practice this indoor visualization meditation. I learned this one from another energy healer. Sit in a chair with your feet planted on the floor. Close your eyes and begin to take in a few deep breaths in and out. Start to feel your tailbone rooted to the chair and feel your feet melt into the floor. Continue with the deep breathing in and out. As you exhale, let out any fears or worries you may be experiencing. When you inhale pretend you are breathing in the fresh earth air. Continue with this for about three cycles. Return to normal breathing after the last cycle. Start to visualize that roots are growing out of your feet. Then come back to the deep breathing again. When you exhale imagine the roots growing out of your feet and into the floor. The floor can represent the earth. When you inhale feel like you are breathing in fresh earth energy.  Continue to let the roots spread deeper into the earth until you feel yourself grounded and feeling strong again.

There are other ways to become grounded without meditation. These include journaling, using statements such as “I am grounded,” “I am strong,” I am safe and secure,” “I trust life,” “I am connected to the earth.” Also saying “I am releasing fears attached to” is very powerful.

You can also ground by getting outside and taking a walk through the park or do some gardening.  Cooking and eating foods such as root vegetables are very helpful. Also drumming or listening to drums is a great way to make a connection to the earth.

All of these methods are very useful to bring grounding into our lives. When we are grounded we are able to feel strong and secure so that when our fears come knocking at our door we able to face them and let them go.

Welcome to the official website for Shades of Healing!

The new full website for Shades of Healing is now live!! You can now book private sessions, sign up to receive special discounts and follow the blog.

Open House!

Holistic Health Cleveland
(main location for my practice)
Sunday, July 13, 2014
11:00am-5:00pm
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Come and join us for product and session specials, office tours, informative talks and demos. Come for one presentation or stay all day!!!

For more information on the Open House, visit www.holistichealthcleveland.com.