We are energetic beings and as such, we respond to the various vibrations resonating within the Universe, including light, sound and other harmonics. “Harmonics 1. Of or relating to harmonics. 2. Integrated in nature.” (Freedictionary.com)

And of course, harmony means, “a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity.” In music, the parts might be of a set of strings on a guitar, striking a harmonious chord. Thus, if we are to live in harmony with ourselves, we must arrange all the parts of our being so that they are congruent. I like the metaphor of living in harmony because it incorporates the concept of vibration.

In my work as a Life and Laughter Coach, I focus a lot on chakra work. Chakras are that part of the energetic body that overlaps into all other parts of your being, including your emotional, physical and spiritual states. It is my belief that keeping the chakras balanced is the best way to bring about harmonic resonance in all parts of your life.

So…what exactly is a chakra?

The word Chakra is Sanskrit for “wheel.” Chakras are round, spinning energy centers located throughout the body, with the seven primary chakras running from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. As your chakras spin, they create a vortex which either attracts or radiates energy on a vibratory level. They can draw on any kind of energy you come into contact with, from microwaves to emotions and thoughts. This is because our chakras connect our physical bodies to the energetic forces of the Universe.

There are hundreds of chakras located throughout the body, and my main focus on the seven primary energy centers that run from the base of the spine up through the crown of your head. Each of these primary chakras governs the organs found within that part of the body in which the particular chakra is located.  When your chakras are functioning properly, you are happier, healthier and more in tune with yourself. But, if any of your chakras are out of balance, it impacts the organs and glands that are connected to it, and can also affect the neighboring chakras forcing them out of alignment. A chakra can become imbalanced when it is over-active, under-active or blocked. So, learning about your chakras and how you can energize and balance them is key to living in (literal) harmony.

Here is a list of the seven main chakras and where they are. We will go into further detail later, but for now, just know that: 

Chakra #1 - The Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine. This chakra governs issues of security in life.

Chakra #2 - The Sacral Chakra is located about two inches below your belly button. This chakra is the seat of creativity, including your ability to create (as in sexuality) as well as your imaginative creative powers.

Chakra #3 - The Solar Plexus Chakra is located at the top of your stomach. This chakra is where your personal power resides, as in will-power. It also governs metabolism and action.

Chakra #4 - The Heart Chakra is found in the center of your chest. The heart chakra is all about love--unconditional, compassionate, free flowing love!

Chakra #5 - The Throat Chakra is located in your throat area. The throat chakra governs your ability to speak your truth.

Chakra #6 - The Third Eye Chakra is in the center of your forehead. This chakra regulates your psychic abilities and intuition--traits everyone has but for various reasons, not all develop.

Chakra #7 - The Crown Chakra is located at the top of your head and above. This chakra is all about spiritual awareness, knowledge and understanding. 

As each chakra is associated with the organs and glands of that particular area of the physical body in which it is located, each chakra is also associated with certain core traits that are the basis of our being, much like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Upon closer examination of the chakra associations, we begin to see where patterns of disharmony exist in our lives and then we can begin to identify those particular chakras that need work. Whatever their relation to this structure, the chakras are entirely non-physical. We use the mind to access, explore and balance our chakras. What we tend to misunderstand about the human mind is that it does not exist solely within the brain. The brain, after all, is connected to the nervous system which runs throughout the body. Thus, emotions may get locked in certain areas of the body. I've both experienced and witnessed the release of powerful emotions while doing yoga, laughter yoga, pranayama and bodywork.

If you are ready to unlock your held emotions, I can help support your release. I am available in person and via Skype. Contact me at dawn@msblisscoach.com.

You may think that positive thinking may not work but you are wrong. Positive thinking is the only thing the brain understands, it is constantly at work regardless of the words you use.

Recently I watched a Youtube video in which the speaker implored us to “not to think about water for 30 seconds.” And when the clock starts, it’s all we can think about. The reason for this is because negatives exist in language only and not in experience. To the brain, negatives work just like positives. Once you call attention to something, your brain begins processing the information. Your brain is not a vacuum. It has to fill the void.

C.G. Jung said, “what you resist persists.” Once you call attention to it, the mind has to fill the gap. It’s just how the brain works. So, trying to avoid thoughts of despair often do not work. Indeed the adage, “Oh, try and think positive!” seems easier said than done, but it is happening regardless if you try or not!

Psychotherapists know this and use it to their advantage when helping clients. Knowing how the brain works is key to implementing action to change your unfortunate situation.

Our fears can actually steer us into the wrong direction. You may want for all the success and money in the world, but still never achieve it.

Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the punk rock band Nirvana, always knew that rock and roll would somehow be part of his life. He was very good at what he did, and enjoyed certain success throughout his career as a rock star. When he first set out on his journey, however, he was not aiming for super-stardom. He simply was expressing himself through his creative outlet and it turned out a lot of people enjoyed listening to what he and his band had to say. Nirvana took the world by storm, changing the sound of rock and roll forever. But many will say Kurt was a reluctant participant in his success. I disagree. Kurt always wanted to be a rock star, and in the movie, About a Son, is quoted as saying, “I didn’t want to be a fringe alternative band… I’d rather be a rock star.”

What happened is that despite his desire to succeed, his unconscious mind had him in grips. His long-held limiting beliefs ultimately contributed to his death. Kurt was okay with being a rock star but didn’t know how to reconcile the rewards that came with success. He was afraid of being perceived as “a sell-out.” He was ashamed to drive his Lexus around Seattle and have his punk rock friends beg for quarters to take the city transit.

In my opinion, he deserved all the icons of success he generated. But because of his limiting belief system keeping him back, he was unable to receive the rewards of his hard work. His unconscious thought patterns kept him trapped in a state of emotion that killed his creativity and ultimately contributed to his own tragic end.

The point I’m trying to make is that you can control your thoughts. It may be difficult to do at first, especially if you are out of tune with yourself. When you live in a state of disharmony, you tend to lack control of your thought patterns, ignoring your own personal truth.

If you want to make positive change to your thought patterns, here is an experiment you can try.

First, create your desired emotions in your mind and then move into them physically. You may be feeling down in the dumps and wish to change it. So, for a few moments, think about the way you are feeling and then think about the way you wish to feel instead. Once you have seen it, felt it, tasted it, smelt it, heard it, take action to create that reality.

Sometimes you have to fake it til you make it. WHAT???? You ask? Fake it? Doesn't that fly in the face of living an authentic life? Let me ask you this...have you been living an authentic life? Have you been completely honest with yourself? Or have you been hiding from your truth and letting those fears niggle away at your unconscious?
It is easier than it sounds. Trust me, I know! I went through it myself and am here to tell you that it is a great way to change your state!

Like in laughter yoga. You laugh for no reason, but soon the laugh which started as a forced expression turns into real, guttural, authentic belly laughter.

Ways to support your transition include:
Treat yourself. Get a pedicure. Make art. Listen to your favorite music. Eat a bowl of ice cream. Do what makes you feel the way you want to feel. You may feel bad still, but you start to see that pampering yourself raises your vibration. Taking responsibility to provide self-care is an excellent way to change your emotional state, which you may still be "faking."

Ask yourself, "what do I really want?" Once you identify what it is that you want, create an action plan to achieve it. Identify limiting beliefs, obstacles and energy blocks so that your dreams can manifest on the physical plane in just the manner you expect them to. Use your action plan to step into that life you wish to live!

It seems so obvious and all, but once I realized the full extent of the power of this little tidbit of information, it has quite literally changed my life. Don’t let unconscious, niggling fears sabotage your chance of success.