Consciousness: This chakra is associated with the parts of the consciousness concerned with food and sex. It is about the body's communication to the Being inside, about what the body wants and needs, and what it finds pleasurable. The person's ability to have children is also associated with this chakra. If there is not a clear relationship with the element of water associated with this chakra, the person's relationship with water will be a reflection of their relationship with the parts of their consciousness associated with this chakra, i.e. food, sex, or having children.

This chakra is also associated with the emotional body, and the person's willingness to feel their emotions.

Element: Water

When this chakra is in its clear state, the person is in touch with this communication, and listening to and responding appropriately to what the body wants and needs.

When overactive or unbalanced, you are over-emotional, being ruled or swamped by your emotions. Because of this, clear or rational thought may be very difficult for you .

If malfunctioning, you find the expression of emotions difficult, and hence may be prone to volcanic outbursts of rage, as the emotional energy that is dammed up suddenly bursts through in an unhealthy way.

If blocked, you tend to suffer from lowered vitality, picky or distracted behavior, and nervous debility

Parts of the body controlled by the Orange Chakra include the reproductive system, the abdomen, and the lumbar region of the back.

The sense of taste is associated with this chakra, as is the element of water. When someone does not have a clear relationship with water (swimming, for example, or being on a boat), this reflects their attitudes about the parts of their consciousness that this chakra represents.

Tensions on the will side or the emotional side of this chakra indicate tensions in the person's consciousness as conflicts between either the will or the emotions with what the person's body is asking for.

Did you know?

There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange, purple or silver!

Buddha and the Gift

Buddha had been traveling from village to village teaching. In every village there was a very angry and rude young man who came up and began insulting him. "You have no right teaching others," he shouted. "You are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake." Buddha walked to the next village and there was this man again verbally abusing him

One day, while Buddha was walking to another village, the man ran to catch up with Buddha. He began insulting him as they walked. Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead, he stopped and asked the young man, "tell me, if someone offers you a gift, and you refuse to accept the gift, to whom does the gift belong ?" The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, "I assume it would belong to the person who is offering the gift. 

Buddha smiled and said, "That is correct. So if I refuse to accept your insults and abuse, who do they belong to?*

The man bowed his head and walked away.

Joe's Tips

Essential Oils for the Holidays

Here's a mix that can connect your family to the history of the holidays. Let it become a truly special part of your Holiday tradition:

15 drops of Lemon oil

15 drops of Juniper Berry oil

30 drops of Frankincense oil

30 drops of Myrrh oil

10 drops of Cedarwood oil

Aromatherapy Tree in Every Room

The smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree can instantly take one into the heart of the season. The blend below recreates this special scent, allowing us to enjoy it in places a tree would just never go!

10 drops Fir Needle oil

10 drops Spruce oil

10 drops Cedarwood oil

10 drops Juniper oil

Try this special mixture in your favorite room diffuser to enjoy it's wonderful aroma anywhere you need it!

Yin and Yang

The Chinese Character for Yang refers to the sunny side of a hill while the character for Yin refers to the shadow side of the hill. Yin and Yang describe the world we know as a relationship between complimentary opposites.

Yang:

Yin:

Anything which shares the qualities in the first column is considered Yang. Anything which shares the qualities of the second column is considered Yin.

Yin and Yang in Nature

Day and summer are generally Yang: it's hotter, there's more activity, and more light. Night and winter are generally Yin: it's colder, there's more rest, and more darkness.

Yin and yang are not two separate things. They are one thing expressed in two ways, like two ends of one stick or the two sides of a coin. Thus we can say that the 24 hour cycle expresses itself as day and night. This is symbolized as the dark half and light half of the Yin-Yang symbol which is enclosed in a circle.

Yin and Yang become each other. Day belongs to Yang but after reaching its peak at mid-day, the Yin gradually begins to unfold until it is night and, in turn, when Yin reaches its peak at mid-night the Yang gradually unfolds until it is day again. This cycle is true for all opposites. Thus, any phenomenon may belong to either Yin or Yang but it contains the seed of its opposite. This is symbolized as the small black and white dots in the Yin-Yang symbol.

Yin and Yang at CHI

Yin and Yang is the central pillar of Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine. Health is seen as a balance between Yin and Yang of the body and dis-ease is seen as an imbalance. In dis-ease there is either too much Yang and not enough Yin or too much Yin and not enough Yang.

Recall that Yang is hot, dry and active like fire; yin is cold, moist and passive like water. Symptoms of too much yang and not enough Yin are: feeling hot, restlessness, dry skin, scanty urination, constipation and fast pulse. Symptoms of too much Yin and not enough Yang are: feeling cold, not thirsty, low energy, edema, frequent urination, loose stools and slow pulse.

The goal of much of our work at CHI is to bring a relative balance between Yin and Yang of the body. Where there is not enough Yin nor Yang, techniques and procedures that tonify Yin or Yang are chosen; where there is too much, techniques and procedures that reduce excess Yin or Yang are administered. When Yin and Yang are brought into relative balance, not only is there an improvement in the symptom*s picture, but there is also an increase in well-being and vitality.

Heat or Ice?

RICE for First Aid

Rest the injury

Ice the injury

Compress the injury with an ace bandage

Elevate the injury above your heart

ICE

Effects of Ice

Ice initially constricts local blood vessels and decreases tissue temperature. Ice will:

METHODS OF USE:

1. ICE MASSAGE: Freeze water in a Styrofoam cup then tear the edges exposing the ice yet leaving cup to hold onto. Using a gentle, continuous, circular motion, rub the ice over the problem area for 5 minutes.

During the ice massage, you will feel the following stages:

Cold, Burning, Aching, Numbness

2. ICE BATH*: Immerse the part (ideal for hands or feet) in a bucket of water then add ice. If fingers or toes are not involved, it may be more comfortable to leave them out. Immersion should be for 5-10 minutes (20 minutes maximum).

*Not recommended for those with Raynaud's or those who already have cold extremities.

3. ICE PACK: Use a refreezable ice pack or put crushed ice in a thin towel or plastic bag and place over area to be treated. Keep T-shirt or towel between body part and ice. This is very important with the refreezable packs as they can cause frostbite with improper use. Use for 10 -15 minutes. Maximum ice time is 15 minutes with at least one hour between sittings.

Stop use of ice as soon as numbness is achieved to prevent possible cold damage.

HEAT

Effects of Heat

Heat dilates or expands local blood vessels to bring blood to the treated area. Heat will:

Remember, always ICE an injured area first! Heat may be used 48-72 hours after the initial injury. It is best utilized when the pain is dull and low grade and the muscles are generally tight. Use moist heat, not dry heat. Moist heat packs and ice packs are made for home use and are available at CHI

METHODS OF USE:

1. HEATING PAD: Heat is most effective when you use warm, not hot, materials. Heating pads allow you to control the temperature. Avoid direct skin contact by placing a towel on the skin first. Apply heat for 15-20 minutes at a time every two to three hours.

Holiday Help

For many people, the holiday season is a time of excitement and joy. For others, it brings a variety of stressors that leave them feeling miserable. Just remember: Stress doesn*t come as part of the holiday season*it gets invited year after year. The following tips can help you reduce your stress during the upcoming holiday season.

Set realistic expectations. In other words, know your limitations. Do your best, or focus on doing just what you do best, and let others pick up the slack. Realize that the holidays and holiday activities do not need to be perfect. Give yourself permission not to get caught up in the *holiday madness.* Remind yourself that it*s okay not to overspend during the holiday season.

Prioritize. Decide what activities, traditions, etc., are important to you, and plan an agenda to accomplish them. Break down your plans into smaller tasks and tackle the most important ones first. Learn to delegate part of the tasks to others, then step back and let them do it. Learn to say *no* to unwanted obligations, activities, or requests.

Take breaks. Finding time for yourself, even if it*s just five minutes, can help recharge your batteries and leave you feeling refreshed. Sit down and prop your feet up. Enjoy a cup of hot tea or your favorite beverage. Change your environment or your activity. Do something you enjoy, not something you feel you have to do.

Reduce expectations concerning family. Accept the fact that spending time with family can be stressful. Try to be understanding that family members are human. In other words, no one is perfect!

Start your own traditions. If you have your own family, decide how you want to celebrate the holidays. What do you want to emphasize with your family? What messages about the holiday season do you want to pass on to your children?

Most of all, do something that makes you happy!

Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy

Physical Level

Mental Level

Emotional Level

C H I
Center for Holistic Instruction, PLLC
21316 Davidson Street
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 895-6788

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Health Solutions... Naturally!