Imagine Yourself As a Tree…
Your legs - 1st chakra - are the roots of the tree, anchoring you into earth, keeping you grounded and connected to reality. Energetically, your relationship to basic survival needs - nourishment, security, connection - is reflected in your roots.
Your hips and pelvis - 2nd chakra - is the base of the tree that emerges from the roots and supports the trunk. There’s mobility here, but it’s still grounded, connected to earth. Energetically, this is your source of creativity, growth, and the emergence of self into the world.
Your abdomen and solar plexus - 3rd chakra - is the trunk of the tree, supporting the growth at the top and creating a strong, sturdy sense of self. Energetically, this is the home of your deeper self, beyond identity, ego, and labels - the Self that knows it’s worth, stands firmly in the world, and is empowered to simply be.
Your heart, arms, and shoulders - 4th chakra - are the branches of the tree, reaching out and exploring the world, inviting other creatures in. Energetically, this is our center of emotional connection and expression, drawing in those we love, pushing away that which is harmful.
Your throat, jaw, and voice - 5th chakra - is wind moving between the branches, the sound created by the tree as it dances with nature. Energetically, this is your expression of your truth - self, creativity, emotional connection, vision, and wisdom - into the world, regardless of the form that takes.
Your eyes, ears, and brain - 6th chakra - are the leaves of the tree, the part of the tree that directly interacts with sunlight, soaking it in and transforming it into sustenance. Energetically, this is the source of your vision, imagination, and insight.
The crown of your head - 7th chakra - is the constant, ephemeral interactions between the tree and the universe; the gaseous exchanges that occur again and again and again, sustaining the life of the tree and creating the conditions for life on earth to survive. Energetically, this is your wisdom, your point of connection to everything: your source of inner purpose and the outward, life-affirming ripple created when you know and live your purpose. It is the deep knowledge that you are One with the universe.
This week, use your practice to explore your sense of connection (and disconnect) with each of these parts of your body-tree. The parts of you that feel disconnected physically will likely feel disconnected energetically. Use poses and pranayama that wake up the energy and felt connection to the areas that need integration.