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Chakra
colours and musical response
For centuries, Eastern scholars have believed that emotions, dance moves and sound have a direct relationship with the chakra system. Lets begin by studying the diagram below. This diagram shows the colours of the chakra system and the associated instruments, musical quality and elemental properties. It is my own research, and seems to be congruent for all instruments, every time they are played. Yogic chakra systems - meaning 'wheels of light' allude to the subtle energies that emanate from certain parts of the body and resonate with a particular colour. Bellydancers may like to tune their costumes into this ancient theory - wear what colour that resonates with the essence of your dance. If you are experiencing the negative traits associated with the chakra, wear the correct colours and re-attune yourself with those qualities. The dance of the seven veils is a mythological dance that comes from the story of the Babylonian deiety Ishtar's descent into the underworld or the "Welcome dance of Shalom", which later metamorphosed into the Biblical story of Salome. The seven veils are represented by seven chakras and colours. For further reading, I have an indepth article just published in Wellbeing Magazine Jan/Feb issue 2007 'The Power of Dance'. |
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 Wear a RED costume to feel sexy, earthy |
 Red - base chakra represents security, instinct, sexuality, passion, earthiness The base chakra is the first chakra, the most primal "wheel of light". Drums will activate this earth chakra. It is the base of the pelvic floor, activated by the 'earth star'. In Hindu and Buddist philosophies, the belief in a personal core chakra called the 'earth star' connects each individual to the earth and enters the body at the base chakra. It holds our earthly energies (as opposed to the light spirit energies). Kundalini yoga (and tantric sex by the way!) is based on the merging of the masculine and feminine principles at this base chakra - the meeting point from where the 'earth star' energies rise up through the left (feminine) and right (masculine) channels via the feet and legs to meet at the base of the pelvis - our first chakra. Red is associated with the planet Mars and the bold sign of Aries. The colour of Aries is red - headstrong, bold and primal in nature in the first astrological house, and matches the qualities of the first chakra. Element: EARTH Qualities: Positive - Passion, Negative - Anger Listen for: Base tabla, tabla, katem, doholla and deep drums Music to try: African style dance, drum solos, Nubian dance |
 Wear ORANGE to feel more creative. |
Orange
- centre/belly chakra for creativity, abundance, birth and power This second chakra is also known as the 'hara' centre in Japanese Martial arts philosophy. Developing this chakra gives one the ability to birth new and creative ideas and projects. It is a life force energy and strengthening it will improve health. A strong lower abdominal core will also support your back by working in sympathy with back girdle muscles. In dance, yoga and martial arts this centre point must be filled with awareness to activate it. The process is largely mental, but the muscle strength and power generated is so concentrated it becomes a physical manifestation of intense energy with zesty potential for a dynamic, creative force. It is our main power centre and in Pilates, the movements are focused on the activation of the core muscles around this chakra. As our centre it is also a 'home-base' or material possessions chakra. The sign of Taurus (peach or Orange with LIGHT) ruled by Venus the feminine planet of beauty in astrology is traditionally the house of possessions and abundance also represented by the throat and neck area (the opposte and equal) and zesty creative Gemini's colour is orange. Hindus offer oranges to the Gods for abundance! Element: EARTH/FIRE Qualities: Positive - Creativity, Negative - Destruction Lisetn for; Cello, oud, qanoon, string instruments Music to try: Passionate flamenco with guitars or classical Arabic qanoon orchestrals |
 YELLOW or GOLD costume for radiance. |
Yellow
- solar plexus chakra is about confidence, the ability to shine,
courage |
 Wear a GREEN to celebrate the heart |
Green
- heart chakra deals with emotions and love - the pathway to the heart
The fourth chakra is emotive and heart-based, it also directly affects the chest area on a physical levelExpansive green, like the luscious fabled garden of Eden, represents freedom and nurturance, a relaxed nature and open heartedness. Green is the colour of the rolling fields, deep water and nature. It manifests itself in the heart area - the emotional seat of the body. The chest and heart areas are relaxed and comfortable when this chakra is balanced. When unbalanced, however, through grief, resentment or closed-heartendness, there will be a physical tightness around that area. Dancing with an 'open-heart' and relaxed upper body is vital to authentic, flowing expression. The signs of Virgo, Libra and Scorpio are all associated with the colour green in its various stages. Virgo is light green (or green with LIGHT) for purity and discernment. Libra, like the scales is a perfectly balanced green, a secondary colour between yellow and blue primaries. Lastly, Scorpio is dark green (or green with DARKNESS) that represents Plutonic secrecy, envy and the shadow self. The three shades of green reflect the main vibrations of the heart chakra - the love centre and the dramatic emotions it is capable of. Element: WATER Qualities: Positive - Love, Negative - Envy/Resentment Listen for: Violins, accordian, saxaphone (many baladi instruments) - element Music to try: Heart opening music includes emotive songs by Om Kolthsoum, Warda or Feiruz. |
 Wear BLUE for dance with clarity, precision |
Blue
- throat chakra reflects clarity, communication, speaking the truth The fifth chakra is based around the throat, voice, voacal expression, song and speech. The colour blue represents freshness, clarity and the ability to communicate clearly. The throat chakra, when activated allows for truth, vocal expression and clear self expression. Clear water and the element of air and wind is associated with this chakra. The throat area should be relaxed, as a clenched jaw interferes with self expression and the ability to 'speak out'. Interestingly, in yoga, the throat and orange creativity chakras are interlinked, and one strengthens (or weakens) the other. In astrology, Sagittarius, the philosopher and altruist - the traveller who returns to tell tales, the humanitarian, the activist - is represented by the colour blue. Element: WATER/AIR Qualities: Positive - clear communication. Negative - repressed opinions Listen for: Flutes, oboe, zills (drums of the air), vocals especially mawaal "calling" Music to try: Egyptian balads that begin with a mawaal introduction and songs with lyrics |
 Wear INDIGO costume for deep intuition |
Indigo
- third eye chakra represents intuition, inner knowing, deep compassion
The sixth chakra rests between the eyes, it intuitively sees
the "unseen". This chakra represents the spiritually
charged "third eye" area or sixth sense, otherwise known
as deep intuition. It is the sympathetic partner of the yellow chakra,
hence an intuitive feeling often is accompanied by a "gut feeling"
or physical sensation in the solar plexus. The indigo chakra is
the chakra of the sphere of the mind, mental awareness and a sense
of understanding, compassion and mental clarity. Isis, mother goddess
of compassion, reflects this chakra with her indigo wings, and the
mythical eye of her son, Horus. Ruled by Uranus, Aquarius, the unconscious,
electrical impulse of intuition is represented by the Indigo colour. |
 Wear VIOLET to dance with divinity |
Violet
- crown chakra represents highest spiritual
awareness and connectivity The seventh chakra is linked with spirituality and connectiveness. Spirituality and royalty are symbolised by the colour violet. It is the colour at the end of the spectrum before white light (also ultra violet light). The crown chakra reflects us as spiritual beings, spirit over matter. The chakra is light, etherial and tuned to its highest source. It is the opposite of the base chakra, dense and earthy, and it is also the sympathetic partner of the heart chakra. With spiritual awareness and complete understanding in a metaphysical sense, the heart will also be open. Violet is the colour of Pisces, the ruler of the feet - the polarity of the Crown chakra. Its symbols are the fish, the unconscious self and the spiritual realm. Element: ETHER Positive - Highest Spirituality, connected to source, Negative - Disconnection from Source Listen for: Lightest of reed pipes, kawala and whirling derwish music Music to try: Whirling music, flute solos |
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Models
are A-Z Teachers Suzanne, Isabelle and Nayima -
plus WAMED festival guest Morocco!
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The
white light is the cleansing energy of the total alignment
of all the chakras (colours of the spectrum) and is widely used in
healing and visualisation. Dancers wear white when the dance feels
light. It is what the Sufi's and Mervlana wear and also what they
channel into when whirling - they report to visualise a stream of
white light they believe enters their body through the crown chakra.
White light is used in Reiki hands on healing and many other types
of energetic cleansing and healing arts. Black is void of colour and is powerful, describing shadow and the unseen - often dancers wear black when they are about to transform themselves in some way. Notes by Keti Sharif 2005 |
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