Yoga classes in Exeter, book here
My yoga classes run in themes for five weeks. This allows for people to put in place adaptions to suit their body and learn the different options of each yoga flow that are right for them. After the five weeks you will find each yoga flow published on my blog, with a free interactive copy. You will find the yoga class for this theme below.
Yoga class - Seven Charka Yoga
In many Eastern and spiritual belief systems, chakras are seen as spinning wheels or circles that life energy (Prana) flows through. Each chakra influences the body in unique physical, emotional, mental and spiritual ways. This is because each energy organ vibrates at its own frequency and velocity.
A chakra vibrates from the inside the physical body to the outside radiating through the skin, it also pulls information from the outside of the body to the inside.
Each chakra vibrates at a different frequency the lower in the body it is, the lower the vibration.
When your chakras are in balance, Prana is able to move through them and connect you to the world around you. Chakras are thought to provide subtle energy that helps your organs, mind, and intellect work at their best level.
All seven chakras, when in balance with our energies, offer our relationship with ourselves and others support.
There are seven chakras.
Root chakra
The root chakra provides the foundation on which we build our life. It supports us in growing and feeling safe into exploring all the aspects of life. It is related to our feeling of safety and security.
The first chakra is associated with the following functions or characteristics:
- Security, safety
- Survival
- Basic needs (food, sleep, shelter, self-preservation, etc.)
- Physicality, physical identity and aspects of self
- Grounding
- Support and foundation for living our lives
The symbol of the root chakra is composed of a four-petaled lotus flower, often stylised as a circle with four petals with a downward-pointing triangle. Its colour is red.
Sacral chakra
The sacral chakra is the second chakra. It is associated with the emotional body, sensuality, and creativity. Its element is water and as such, its energy is characterised by flow and flexibility. The function of the sacral chakra is directed by the principle of pleasure.
The sacral chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioural functions:
- Emotions, feelings
- Relationships, relating
- Expression of sensual pleasure
- Feeling the outer and inner worlds
- Creativity
- Fantasies
- The sacral chakra is most commonly represented with the colour orange.
The symbol of the sacral chakra is composed of:
- A circle with six petals
- A moon crescent
The circle represents the elements of water. Typically, the moon crescent is coloured in silver and represents the connection of the energy of the moon with water. These symbols point to the close relationship between the phases of the moon and the fluctuations in the water and the emotions.
Solar plexus
The solar plexus chakra is between the navel and the lower part of the chest. That’s why it’s often referred to as the “solar plexus chakra.” It’s closely connected to the digestive system, especially the gastric and hypogastric plexi, its main function is to help transform matter into energy to fuel your body. It governs metabolism and is commonly associated with the pancreas
The main meanings associated with the third chakra are:
- Will, personal power
- Taking responsibility for one’s life, taking control
- Mental abilities, the intellect
- Forming personal opinions and beliefs
- Making decisions, setting the direction
- Clarity of judgments
- Personal identity, personality
- Self-assurance, confidence
- Self-discipline
- Independence
Heart Chakra
The main meanings or functions associated with the heart chakra are:
- Love for oneself and others
- Relating, relationships
- Compassion, empathy
- Forgiveness, acceptance
- Transformation, change
- Ability to grieve and reach peace
- Compassionate discernment
- Center of awareness, integration of insights
When the heart chakra is open, you may feel being deeply connected, the harmonious exchange of energy with all that is around you, and the appreciation of beauty. However, when there’s a blockage in the heart chakra, you may experience difficulties in your relating with others, such as excessive jealousy, codependency, or being closed down, withdrawn.
Throat Chakra
The Throat chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioural characteristics:
Expression, in particular ability to express your truth, to speak out
Communication, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal, external or internal
Connection with the etheric realm, the more subtle realms of spirit and intuitive abilities
Propensity to create, projecting ideas and blueprints into reality
Realising your vocation, purpose
Good sense of timing
The Throat chakra is about the expression of yourself: Your truth, purpose in life, creativity.
Note that this chakra has a natural connection with the second chakra or sacral chakra, center of emotions and creativity as well.
The throat chakra’s emphasis is on expressing and projecting the creativity into the world according to its perfect form or authenticity.
Third Eye Chakra
The Sanskrit term ‘Ajna’ signifies ‘perception’, ‘command’ or ‘something beyond wisdom’. The Third eye chakra helps to provide a clear vision, trust our inner instincts, and make significant decisions aligned with our higher purpose.
The third eye is primarily associated with the pineal gland, a small gland that lies deep within the brain tissue and mainly secretes melatonin which plays a key role in regulating the body’s internal clock mechanism thereby influencing the circadian rhythms and reproductive hormones. It also plays a crucial part in regulating the functions of the body’s neurological system including the brain, eyes, nose, ears, pituitary gland, and pineal glands.
The crown chakra
Associated with the element of thought, this energy centre controls your connection to spirit, as well as your sense of universal consciousness, wisdom, unity, and self-knowledge. Its associated colour is violet, reflective of its connection to spirituality and enlightenment.
This yoga flow moves through the seven chakras and finishes with a 5 minute chakra meditation.
The crown chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioural characteristics:
- Consciousness
- Awareness of higher consciousness, wisdom, of what is sacred
- Connection with the formless, the limitless
- Realisation, liberation from limiting patterns
- Communion with higher states of consciousness, with
- Ecstasy, bliss
- Presence
- The crown chakra is associated with the transcendence of our limitations, whether they are personal or bound to space and time.
How yoga activates the chakras
Yoga activates the chakras through various techniques, including physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and chanting. Each chakra is associated with specific poses, breathing exercises, and meditative practices that help to stimulate and balance the energy within these centres. The yoga flow below has been created to work with each of the chakras.
Meditation
This yoga flow finished with a chakra meditation:
"Start at your root chakra: Bring your attention to the base of your spine. Picture roots growing from your body into the earth, connecting you and keeping you grounded. Visualise the colour red as you take deep breaths in and out.
Move up to your sacral chakra: Move your attention upward to your sacral chakra, which is a little south of your belly button. Imagine an orange glow, symbolising creativity and passion. Breathe into this area, allowing creativity to flow into you.
Come to your solar plexus chakra: Shift your attention a little higher, to your solar plexus chakra. Envision a yellow light radiating from this area, representing personal power and confidence. With each breath, imagine that you’re inhaling strength and exhaling all your self-doubts.
Focus on your heart chakra: Next, bring your focus higher, to the heart chakra in the middle of your chest. Visualise a green or pink light in your chest that expands outward with each breath. Think thoughts of love, and forgiveness—toward others and yourself.
Bring your attention to the throat chakra: Direct your attention to your throat chakra. Picture a ight in your throat that’s helping you to always speak clearly, truthfully, and assertively.
Shift to the third eye chakra: Slowly, shift your focus upward, to the middle of your forehead, where your would be. Imagine an indigo light that’s taking over your mind, clearing it of clutter and leaving only clarity behind.
Go up to the crown chakra: Finally, bring your attention to the top of your head, to the crown chakra. Picture the colour white, elevating you to a higher state of consciousness where you are one with the divine.Picture all your chakras in alignment: Visualise all your chakras being in alignment, from base to tip. Picture the energy flowing upward through your body, healing you and giving you strength."
It can be complete as part of the yoga flow, or by itself when you feel the need to rebalance the energies in the body.
Want to try one of my yoga classes?
I run yoga classes in Exeter- Exminster & Topsham, Devon
My Exeter based yoga classes are suitable for most levels of yogis. There are flowing sequences, often using sun salutations and vinyasa to warm the body and move through the yoga postures.
The yoga classes include an element of all styles of yoga, to bring a fresh angle to yoga and will encourage the use of yoga props in a fun and informal environment to help you explore your practice. My styles include Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga & Restorative Yoga.
Variations to yoga postures will be given throughout the class allowing each person to adapt the class to their personal level of yoga practice. All equipment is provided.
Classes are available at Kiva & Zen Studios in Topsham, Exeter, Victory Hall in Exminster, Exeter.
Book a yoga class today and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of my Exeter yoga venues, while rejuvenating your mind and body through the practice of yoga.
Each session is designed to help you connect with your inner self, cultivate mindfulness, and improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Whether you're a beginner to yoga or an experienced practitioner, there's a class for you in my Exeter venues.
As a Yoga Teacher, I underwent my initial yoga training in India and am both qualified and registered with the Yoga Alliance. Since completing my initial yoga qualification, I have undertaken further yoga studies both here in Exeter and in locations around Europe.
Book your yoga classes in Exeter
You can view my online brochure, of the wellbeing services I offer in Exeter, here.
