Terpenes + Chakras + You. Every #terpenetuesday From May 11- July 13, 2021 right here @hipbees on Instagram :)
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Skin is the largest organ of the human body, while it acts as a barrier and protection, it can also act as an indicator of internal health.
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Our philosophy is that the systems are all connected, and if you want to have truly glowing and dewy skin we need to be aligned on the inside as well as with what we put on the outside.
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There are ways terpenes can enhance simple practices and awaken mindfulness in a new and playful way.
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This is going to be fun and informative.
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Without going into full history and a long dissertation, the chakras are the energy centers that we have in our bodies. We have 7 major ones, corresponding to certain nerve bundles and major organs. Sometimes they are referred to as spinning disks or wheels of energy. There are many people that dedicate their lives to understanding how these energy centers work, and how to keep them unblocked. When chakras are open and energy is flowing freely then we feel more at home in our human experience. Working with the chakras is a way to bring awareness to our bodies, our thoughts, and our feelings.
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Every week we will explore one chakra. Delving deeper into understanding the benefits of getting to know each one better. There are sounds, colours, frequencies, yoga poses, crystals, and yes, terpenes associated with each chakra. We will look at all of this in relation to the 7 major chakras, which are: ❤️ Root Chakra also called Muladhara
🧡 Sacral Chakra also called Svadisthana
💛 Solar Plexus Chakra also called Manipura
💚 Heart Chakra also called Anahata
💙 Throat Chakra also called Vishuddi
💜 Third Eye Chakra also called Ajna
Root Chakra, Muladhara
Considered to be the first of the major chakras, the root chakra represents our foundation and is responsible for our sense of safety and security on this earthly journey.
Location: Base of the spine (first three vertebrae), pelvic floor
When it develops: 1-7 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Terpenes for balancing Muladhara: Valerenol, Linalool, Myrcene, Beta-Caryophyllene
Colour: Red
Element: Earth
Stones: Hematite, garnet, red jasper, black tourmaline, and bloodstone.
Seed sound: LAM
Yoga poses for balancing Muladhara:
Pavanamuktasana, knee to chest pose
Janu Sirsansana, head to knee Pose
Malasana, squatting pose
Virabhadrasana I, Warrior 1
Balasana, child's pose
Balancing the root chakra creates a solid foundation for opening the chakras above. When the root chakra is open and energy is flowing we feel confident in our ability to handle challenges, and we feel grounded and safe, and able to be free to enjoy life.
The root chakra is directly related to our basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as our more emotional needs such as letting go of fear.
A blocked root chakra can manifest in areas related to survival such as money, home, and food. If there is an imbalance in the root chakra you may experience uncertainty, instability, anxiety disorders, fears, or nightmares.
Physical imbalances may manifest as problems in the colon, with the bladder, with elimination, or with lower back, leg, or feet issues. All of this will most certainly influence the appearance of your skin. Sometimes when the skin is dull, flakey, spotty, etc it is surely a sign that we are out of balance on the inside.
Can you heal an unbalanced chakra overnight? No. It will take more than one time of trying a yoga pose, holding a crystal in your bra, chanting LAM all while diffusing lavender oil (but all of this is awesome and good and you should definitely do it).
Although we cannot balance a chakra overnight, we can begin to bring awareness to this area of our lives. A check-in can begin as a simple whisper (like reading this post for example).
We can be curious about our own foundation and where we are at with things. Then if we want to explore bringing balance to this energy center we can try some tools and techniques. Gently exploring, and watching to see the results in our body.
There are certain tools that can help us on our journey, for example, sounds, teas, terpenes, stones, and yoga poses, however, without awareness of the response in our body, we will never know if these tools are having an effect.
Working with terpenes while exploring the root chakra can soothe any memories and tensions that may arise while we are opening up to understanding our foundation.
For example: set aside 15 minutes to think about YOUR feelings associated with foundational themes. Seriously sit and just think, while doing so diffuse some vetiver essential oil (FULL of terpenes that soothe the root chakra). Don't have any? warm up some Groovy Glow in your palms and apply to face, neck and pulse points. DO NOT try to solve or fix anything, just watch and ask your body to relax and work the thoughts out for you. Before getting up from where you were sitting, thank yourself for making the time to sit consciously with your thoughts and then make sure to leave them there, you can always write them down or come back to them later. Set time aside for formal "thinking" and checking it. Then the rest of the time just watch how being aware of your root chakra energy can come up during the days. You don't have to DO anything, your body does it all without you forcing it.
Excess energy in this chakra can lead to greed and arrogance.
🍃To calm your root energy diffuse the terpenes valerenol, linalool, myrcene, or beta-caryophyllene while getting rid of items you no longer need and practicing forgiveness.
Low energy in this chakra can leave you feeling unhinged or disconnected from your job, family, and true self.
🍃To increase your root energy access the terpene pinene by walking barefoot in nature, or gardening.
Sacral chakra or Svadhisthana
Considered to be the second of the major chakras, the sacral chakra is responsible for our creativity, our sexuality, and our ability to feel fully alive.
Location: Between the navel and the pubic
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Terpenes for balancing Svadhisthana : Limonene, Linalool
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When Svadhisthana first develops: 8-14 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: Vibrant orange
Element: Water
Stones: Tiger's Eye, Carnelian
Seed sound: VAM
Yoga poses for balancing Svadhisthana:
Baddha Konasana, Bound Angle pose
Bhujangasana, Cobra pose
The sacral chakra is directly related to our sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality. An unbalanced sacral chakra can manifest in areas related to libido, intimacy, creativity, and feelings of connectedness.
Balance in the second chakra allows you to feel comfortable in your own skin and accepting of your emotions. It also allows for a creative expression of self.
Excess energy in the sacral chakra may cause us to become hyperfocused on pleasure. It can lead to excessive indulging and co-dependence.
Calm your sacral energy by putting clear boundaries around relationships, including those with substances.
🍃Access the terpene linalool by diffusing lavender or ylang-ylang in a calming acupressure pressure session.
Low energy in the sacral chakra can lead to creative blocks, feeling unloved, and feelings of lack of control. Increase your sacral energy by spending time near water, such as oceans, rivers, or lakes.
🍃Access the terpene limonene by dry brushing or an invigorating self-massage with sweet orange essential oil diluted in almond oil.
Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura.
Considered to be the third of the major chakras, the solar plexus chakra is associated with personal power, self-esteem, and transformation.
Location: Upper Abdomen (in the stomach area)
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Terpenes for balancing Manipura: Geranial, Linalool, Pinene, Beta-Caryophyllene
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When Manipura first develops: 15-21 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: Yellow
Element: Fire
Stones: Amber
Seed sound: Ram
Yoga poses for balancing Svadhisthana:
Kapalabhati pranayama or breath of fire
Dhanurasana (bow pose)
The solar plexus chakra directly speaks to our ability to be confident and in our life. Think back to the last time you had butterflies or felt a pit in the stomach: That's the Manipura chakra at work!
Balance in the third chakra allows us to feel free to express our true selves. Out of balance we can feel shame and self-doubt.
Excess energy in the solar plexus chakra may cause tempers to flare and we may feel a need to control everything and everyone.
Calm your solar plexus energy by taking slow, calming breaths.
🍃Access the terpenes Geranial, Linalool, and Beta-Caryophyllene by diffusing cedarwood and lavender in a flotation tank (or just laying on your bed).
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Low energy in the solar plexus chakra can lead to poor appetite, anxiety, disorganization, and difficulty staying on task.
Increase your solar plexus energy by spending time in the sunshine, enjoying spicey foods, and wearing the colour gold.
🍃Access the terpene pinene by being outside near conifer trees, or diffusing some fir essential oil while you practice Kapalabhati (breath of fire).
Heart chakra or Anahata
Considered to be the fourth of the major chakras, the heart chakra is deeply associated with love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace (for ourselves too, not just others!).
Location: Center of your chest (merges lower chakras (finite) with upper chakras (infinite))
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Terpenes for balancing Anahata: Geranial, Linalool, Pinene,
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When Anahata first develops: 21-28 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: Green
Element: Air
Stones: Rose Quartz
Seed sound: Yam
Yoga poses for balancing Anahata:
Salamba Bhujangasana (Sphinx Pose)
High Lunge (with thumbs hooked overhead)
The heart chakra directly influences our ability to give and receive love—from others and ourselves. Balance in the fourth chakra you will experience compassion, love, and acceptance.
Excess energy in the heart chakra and you may experience jealousy or co-dependency.
Calm your heart chakra energy by writing letters to people expressing gratitude. 🍃Access the terpenes Geranial and Linalool by diffusing while writing letters or practicing a gratitude meditation.
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Low energy in the heart chakra may include feeling shy or lonely or experiencing an inability to forgive.
Increase your heart chakra energy by practicing heart-opening yoga poses. Also, deploy the affirmation "I deeply and completely love myself". A lot, all day long. Not just once while you are brushing your teeth.
🍃Access the terpene pinene by being outside near conifer trees, or diffusing some fir essential oil while you write love notes to yourself (not easy but very worthwhile).
Throat chakra or Vishuddha
Considered to be the fifth of the major chakras, the throat chakra is associated with our ability to speak and communicate clearly and effectively.
Location: Center of your neck
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Terpenes for balancing Vishuddha: Myrcene, Pinene, Beta-Caryophyllene
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When Vishuddha first develops: 29-35 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: Light Blue
Element: Space (sometimes called ether)
Stones: Aquamarine
Seed sound: Ham
Yoga poses for balancing Vishuddha:
Matsyasana (Fish)
Chakravakasana (Cat/Cow)
The throat chakra directly influences our ability to speak our truth and communicate it in a clear and kind way. Communication also requires input from others, so healthy communication also means respectful listening.
Balance in the fifth chakra is being confident to express ourselves truly and clearly, without fear.
Excess energy in the throat chakra may be expressed as gossiping, yelling, and verbally critical of self and others.
To calm our throat chakra energy we can LISTEN to others without waiting for our turn to talk.
🍃Access the terpenes Pinene and Beta-caryophyllene by drinking warm herbal tea containing rosemary, thyme, or sage, and journal rather than speaking.
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Low energy in the throat chakra may include feeling shy, not being able to talk, or acting in a passive-aggressive way.
To increase the throat chakra energy sing! And share all those thoughts that you are keeping inside:)
🍃Access the terpene myrcene by having a refreshing mango smoothy and then dropping into some throaty chants :).
Third Eye chakra or Anja
Considered to be the sixth of the major chakras, the third eye chakra is associated with intuition, foresight, and is driven by openness and imagination.
Location: Center of your forehead
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Terpenes for balancing Anja: Myrcene, Ocimene, Beta-Caryophyllene
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When Anja first develops: 36-42 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: Dark Blue/Purple
Element: Light
Stones: Amethyst
Seed sound: Sham
Yoga poses for balancing Anja:
Child's Pose (Balasana)
Wide-Legged Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana)
The third eye chakra registers information beyond the surface level. Visions and intuitive insights are not uncommon for someone with an open third-eye chakra.
Balance in the sixth chakra is seeing “beyond wisdom,” In balance, you experience expanded imagination, clairvoyance, synchronicity, and intuition.
Excess energy in the third eye chakra may feel like that buzzy energy of over-caffeination or sleeplessness. It can be difficult to concentrate or stay on task.
🍃 To calm Anja energy access the terpene Beta-caryophyllene by diffusing clove oil. Also, it is helpful to spend time under the moon and stars.
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Low energy in the third eye chakra impedes your ability to remember and concentrate. Processing speed slows and you may be prone to procrastination and indecision.
To increase your Ajna energy:
🍃To increase Anja spend time in the sun (safely). Also, it can help to access the terpene Ocimene by having a refreshing drink made with mint tea, or diffusing frankincense essential oil. Also, you can access a tonne of Ocimene by stopping to smell the flowers :).
Crown chakra or Sahasrara
Considered to be the seventh of the major chakras, the crown chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually
Location: Two inches above the top of your head. Unlike the other chakras, the crown chakra isn’t actually on your body. It’s located just above your head and “radiates infinitely upward and outward, connecting you to your soul, higher self, purpose, the universe, source, and the divine”.
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Terpenes for balancing Sahasrara : Terpinoline, Myrcene, Ocimene
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When Sahasrara first develops: 43-49 years old (*note we can always revisit the balancing of this chakra throughout our lives)
Colour: White or Ultra Violet/ Imagine a colourless colour if you can
Element: Light
Stones: Clear Quartz
Seed sound: Om
Yoga poses for balancing Sahasrara:
Sirsasana (Headstand)
Nadhi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
The crown chakra is your connection to your source, spirit, or sometimes referred to as the collective consciousness
Balance in the seventh chakra maintains your self-awareness, wisdom, and connection to the inner compass that guides you to your highest self.
Excess energy in the crown chakra can result in us feeling very ungrounded and look like materialism and rigid self-identity.
🍃 To calm Sahasrara energy access Terpinolene by burning dried sage (ethically sourced) or sage essential oil while literally just sitting and WATCHING your thoughts and releasing them to love.
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Low crown energy leads to depression, a sense of disconnection from life, and a lack of compassion
To increase your Sah energy:
🍃To increase Sahasrara spend time outside your comfort zone learning something new. Also, it can help to access the terpene Ocimene by having a refreshing drink made with mint tea, or diffusing frankincense essential oil.
I always look at the Crown Chakra as the final frontier. What is important here is that little by little we begin to awaken to ourselves and be gentle as we go. Always explore with love.
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Here at Hipbees we truly believe in a holistic approach to self-care. That means consciously choosing what we put onto and into our bodies so that we can best show our bodies LOVE.
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When our bodies are out of balance, they usually send us signals and signs that something isn't working, and that it's time to pay attention and change something up. Usually, that something is related to stress, food, water consumption, alcohol intake, exposure to toxins, or not enough rest.
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When we pay attention to what is feeling "off" we can usually point it back to an area of our lives and the corresponding Chakra. In the previous Tuesday posts in this series, I have highlighted each Chakra and the area of our lives it relates to.
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When we approach ourselves with absolute loving-kindness and treat ourselves with a devotion to nourishment, the chakras become more balanced and we start to glow from the inside out.
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Our skin literally sends a message to the world "I am doing a good job taking care of me, and I will keep you safe too".
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Our job is to LOVE our bodies deeply, and listen to our bodies, watch how we are feeling, know where we are stuck, and take the action to bring our systems back into alignment.
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Nature has given us so many tools to help us achieve these goals (terpenes are just one of them), and we need to use them in ways that work best for us. Everyone is different, and that is beautiful.
I hope you are curious, just stay open to what presents itself. And always if you have any questions please reach out to us at hello@hipbees.com.
