The quality of belly dance is like that of shimmer, “It not only colors your life, it makes you sparkle” –Pooja Wadke
This week we will focus more on the energy within us and how belly dance can balance this energy. All of us are energies vibrating in different frequencies, these energies allow us to feel connected to ourselves, others and nature. There are 7 major chakras in the body and they are described as a “gateway between the physical and metaphysical”. Each chakra has a specific function and these functions depend on the flow of universal energy through them. It is very important to have balanced chakras. This is one of many reasons that belly dance is so wonderful!!
Belly dance can be used to direct the energy flow through the chakras by breaking the typical energy patterns that may hold you back and in turn has numerous positive therapeutic advantages.
“Our chakra system is a path to the self, our guide to what is holding us back.” -Pooja Wadke
So how does this ancient art form energize your body and mind? The answer lies in the rolling, shimmying, undulating and circular movement patterns found at the core of belly dance. Each chakra has its own frequency and the rolling, undulating moves in belly dance allows you to connect deeply to your inner-self match these frequencies, awakening the chakras! Perhaps the most notable energy release comes from the sacral chakra, many women find that this chakra becomes blocked over time.
“The Sacral Chakra relates to our basic emotional needs, relationships and pleasure. When balanced we are able to express our inner power and beauty and experience the joys of life.
By finding our centre we can learn to spiral energy in and out from the core of our being. In life we may spiral out in many directions, yet know that our centre allows us to recollect when needed. By using belly rolls and undulations, one massages internal organs and releases stagnation. We tend to store many of our emotional troubles in our bellies, so moving our stomach independently helps build emotional stability. It also aids in the digestion by waking up the system and allowing “chi” or life force to flow through.”-Dawn Mey
Below we have provided a helpful list from Dawn Mey with Almeya Bellydance studio that demonstrates how belly dance can be beneficial for each of the chakras and their function. We encourage you to continue learning about how belly dance can enhance your connection with yourself, others and nature through chakra movement. Follow the link in our Bio for more resources and information on how belly dance can be beneficial for each of your chakras.
The Root or Base Chakra – Red
The Root or Base Chakra governs our connection to the earth and our survival instinct. When we balance this chakra, we feel emotionally stable, physically fit and healthy.
Grounding into mother earth, allows us as belly dancers to use her as a base to maintain control, balance and stability. Planting our feet into the floor can help us feel a sense of oneness with our surroundings, while maintaining a foundation within ourselves. In a grounded posture, moving the pelvis and developing a sense of perineum one can gather the energy from the earth and move it up the spine.
The Sacral Chakra – Orange
The Sacral Chakra relates to our basic emotional needs, relationships and pleasure. When balanced we are able to express our inner power and beauty and experience the joys of life.
By finding our centre we can learn to spiral energy in and out from the core of our being. In life we may spiral out in many directions, yet know that our centre allows us to recollect when needed. By using belly rolls and undulations, one massages internal organs and releases stagnation. We tend to store many of our emotional troubles in our bellies, so moving our stomach independently helps build emotional stability. It also aids in the digestion and bowel movements by waking up the system and allowing “chi” or life force to flow through.
The Solar Plexus Chakra – Yellow
The Solar Plexus Chakra governs issues of personal power and anxiety. When it is in balance we feel we can do whatever we choose to and accomplish our task easily and effortlessly.
By opening up the Solar Plexus Chakra it allows the inner self to radiate like the sun, and help spread the rib cage allowing for deeper, well rounded breaths and further flexibility in the movements
The Heart Chakra – Pink or green
The Heart Chakra is our central Chakra that connects our physical body to spirit. Once the energetic issues in this Chakra are resolved, we become a compassionate, understanding and generous person who is able to feel self-love as well as love for all living things.
Lifting the chest, creates a more open and proud heart. In belly dance we dance with the heart open and giving, yet knowing that we have ownership over this chakra just as we do any other part of our body. Dancing from the heart helps posture, self confidence and our capacity to love.
The Throat Chakra – Blue
The Throat Chakra is all about personal growth through self-expression. When balanced we are able to accept things as they are and work with many situations. We are able to take responsibility for our personal needs and have the power to make changes in our life and express our creativity through speech, music and art.
Opening this communicative Chakra helps overcome conflicts sooner and can assist in taking the weight off our chest, so we can dance and live feeling light and free. In belly dance the neck is long as the head floats up to sky and the shoulders are relaxed. The dance speaks of feelings and this helps us get in touch with them and we get to know ourselves better.
The Third Eye or Brow Chakra – Purple
The Third Eye or Brow Chakra is the gateway to knowledge and expanded consciousness. When it is opened and balanced, we have a healthy sense of an ego or separate self and we can trust our inner guidance.
The Third Eye is about vision and creating. Belly dance gives power to the vision and can therefore help us accomplish our goals and dreams and by connecting to our Third Eye we can make them and their manifestation an everyday part of our lives
The Crown Chakra –White or Violet
The Crown Chakra is the home to our pure spirit where we become one with the divine. As we go through our most challenging times, experience tragic things in our lives or become disillusioned, this is when we start to look within for answers. When the Crown Chakra is balanced we have that feeling that all is well and we find inner peace.
When our Crown Chakra is open and aligned we are alert and feel as light as a feather. In Belly Dancing the upper body and head is very light and flowing given its base from the lower body. By opening the Crown Chakra and allowing our energy to rise up and explode out, we can refill our bodies with energy and life, continuously calling more Qi in through our movements in a cycle of renewable creativity
https://www.almeyabellydance.co.za/blank-3/2016/12/28/Blog-Post-3
http://www.kawakib.com/articlesZAG31.html
http://www.chakradance.com/blog/the-sacral-chakra
https://cmtaisiteblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/anubha-mams-article/
http://www.heartsoulhealthwellness.com/new-blog-1/2017/11/7/why-i-started-tribal-belly-dancinghttps://www.kellystclaire.com/blog/belly-dance