Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68173
CHAKRA BALANCING MASSAGE CHAKRA BALANCING MEDITATION This simple practice—for both therapist and client—engages the whole brain. During the practice, one visualizes a spinning wheel of colored energy at the location of each chakra (right brain visual) while silently repeating the word of the chakra (left brain language). You may either choose to focus on individual chakras or you can do the practice moving through all seven chakras—in either direction. • Find a reasonably quiet place. • Choose and employ any aromatherapy at this time. • Sit comfortably with the spine erect. • Close your eyes and focus on deep diaphragmatic breaths so that as you inhale, your abdomen expands and as you exhale, your abdomen contracts. (1 minute) • Focus your attention on the area of the chakra. • Imagine a colored, spinning wheel of energy in the area of the chakra. (1 minute) • Notice any sensations, emotions, thoughts, feelings, or memories that arise when you concentrate on the chakra. (1 minute) • Repeat the word associated with the chakra quietly to yourself. (6–10 minutes) • At times, your mind will drift away from the word and visualization to thoughts in your mind or sounds in the environment. Once you realize you are not focusing on the chakra, gently bring your focus back to the word and visualization. • Stop focusing on the chakra and sit easily. (1 minute) • Slowly open your eyes. To begin, stand on the left side of your prone client. Place your right hand over the first chakra and your left hand over the fifth chakra. Focus your intent for the work and connect to the client before beginning the individual chakra energy work. For best results, divide up the energy work throughout the session. For example, after the deep-tissue massage and while the guest is prone, perform the energy work on chakras 1, 4, and 5. After the reflexology, when the guest is supine, focus on chakras 2, 3, 6, and 7. Throughout the course of the Chakra Balancing Massage, feel free to incorporate other elements to enhance the experience, including essential oils, breath exercises, aromatic steam towels, and scalp massage. At the end of the treatment, give the client a meditation practice that can be used any time she is feeling stressed or needs to take some time to herself (see Chakra Balancing Meditation at left). This Chakra Balancing Massage incorporates the chakras through a variety of techniques. Some of these techniques are familiar to the client, while others provide an opportunity to introduce something new. The combination of the techniques can leave your clients feeling relaxed, focused, and ready to book their next experience. spa global educator for the Aveda Corporation. He teaches workshops in the Aveda network around the world. Contact him at mzollico@aveda.com. Marc Zollicoffer is the massage/ connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 53