Your Sensory Toolbox

• The Imagination/Visualization
• Breath
• Movement
• Color/Light
• Sound
• Aromatherapy
• Connecting with Subtle Energy: The Basic Elemental Life Force Energy of Earth
• Air, Earth, Fire, Water & Cosmos

The Power of Chi & Life Force Energy

Everything in creation is made, fundamentally, of energy: electromagnetic energy vibrating at different frequencies that correspond to sound, light and color. The existence of electromagnetic fields around every object in the world - known as an Aura - has been studied extensively, by science - yet made popular with the advent of Kirilian Photography in 1939 by Semyon Davidovich Kirlian. The Chinese refer to this energy as 'Chi’ (pronounced Chee), in Japan it is “Ki” - the vital life force energy of the Universe, present within every living thing. Chi Gong is the practice of moving this Life Force energy from nature, into the energy field of the physical body, building stamina, strength and flow in the physical body itself. Therefore, Life Force Energy, or Chi, from nature/ air/ food, is the foundational building block to health and vitality.

ENERGY CLEARING 101

When you feel lousy, have a headache, feel your energy low or stagnant, this means your "chi" or life force energy is not flowing through your meridians or "chi" channels. Obstruction to the flow can happen when we think too many constricting thoughts, get wound up, feel upset or stressed out, or from a lack of movement or exercise. So using the breath, movement, sound, aromatherapy, stones, even rubbing alcohol (!) will begin to cut through the stress and you’ll begin to feel lighter and more grounded. There are many simple, sensory tools to awaken and relax your energy and body. Here are a few of them:

Clear Energy Field with Essential Oils or Rubbing Alcohol

The human energy field is a matrix of complex energy strands that interweave and interface with one another. Rubbing alcohol, when rubbed on the base of the head (occipital), heart, solar plexus and navel, even the wrists knees and ankles (energetically vulnerable points) will soothe and calm discordant energy. Essential oils in these areas will have the same calming effect.  

The Power of Stones

Stones hold the metals from earth, and therefore draw out stagnant energy or tension. Gently hold a stone you feel called to, in the palm of your hand.  Rub it on the soles of your feet. (Metal spoons on the soles of the feet work wonders too, for emptying out bodily tension.)

Breathing Sky Chi

Stand on the earth, in a beautiful place in nature…. even if simply in your imagination. Connect with the very core of Mother Earth… moving your energy very deeply into the center, or core of the earth. Breathe…. and relax. Feel yourself breathing up emerald green light through the soles of your feet… like a plant drinking in the sustenance from earth. Notice how you feel. Nurtured… supported…. held….

Breathing Earth Chi

Stand on the earth, in a beautiful place in nature…. even if simply in your imagination. Connect with the very core of Mother Earth… moving your energy very deeply into the earth grid.  Breathe…. and relax.  Feel yourself breathing up emerald green light through the soles of your feet… like a plant drinking in the sustenance from earth. Notice how you feel.  Nurtured… supported…. held….

The Sensory Bath

As you draw a bath, make sure you have natural food coloring, your music device, and any essential oils you’d like to use. Ask yourself what you would like to experience most, then refer to the Sensory Chart below to help you determine the music/sounds, aromas and colors you’d like to use in your bath. Once in the bath, breathe in the tones of the space around you… in the air, in the water… and notice how you feel....

SENSORY THERAPY CHART

The Five Elements hold every nuance of our energetic being — grounding us (earth), uplifting us (air), expanding us (cosmos), inspiring or igniting us (fire), and helping us release (water). These elements balance us and can be "applied" — through the sensory world….through the use of specific colors, sounds, aromas, touch and breath work. Follow this Sensory Therapy Chart to help you balance you in your life any time, any day.

AIR: Open, Spacious, Uplifting, the Qualities of Innocence, Peace & the Divine Child.

Aromas:	Lavender, rose, bergamot, etc. Any oil or oil blend that takes you higher and lifts you up.
Colors:	Light tones such as Light Blue, Pink, Peach, Violet, Pastels
Sounds:	Bells, chimes, Harps, Strings, any music that offers this kind of spaciousness such as ambient music that is light and airy, gentle breezes blowing
Breath:	Slow, round, open, connected breathing

EARTH: Deep, Grounding, Steadying, Enriching, Slowing down, Connecting, Releasing, and Receiving

Aromas:	Pine, Cedarwood, Spruce, Fur, Frankincense … The Aromas of a Rich, Fragrant Forest.
Colors:	The Deep colors of the Earth~ Dark browns, Neutrals, Emerald-Green Tones
Sounds:	Slow, steady, Deep Tones, Rhythms, and Music that slows us down, Crickets at night
Breath:	Slow, Open, Deep breathing— Connecting with the earth/center of the Earth

FIRE: Energizing, Builds momentum/Tension, Heat/Energy, Burns it away, Purifying, Transmuting old patterns.

Aromas:	Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, Sweet orange, Bergamot, Lemon
Colors:	Red, Orange, Yellow/gold, Fiery Magenta, Hot Pink
Sounds:	Rhythmic music that is fiery, quick moving, builds in intensity, great for a cardio workout, or releasing pent-up emotions
Breath:	“Fire Breathing” - from the yoga tradition; a fast, connected in/out breath that purifies stuck or stagnant energy

WATER: Fluid, Relaxing, Tranquilizing, Releasing, "Letting go"

Aromas:	Peppermint, Spearmint “Any mint aroma”, Eucalyptus, Lavender,
Colors:	Green tones, Blue, Turquoise, Purple, Violet
Sounds:	Flowy, Tranquilizing Tones and Rhythms, A Flowing River or Ocean sounds
Breath:	Drink in deep fluidity and exhale

COSMOS: Expansion, spaciousness, growth, inspiration, the possibility, life mastery, our higher callings

Aromas:	Frankincense & myrrh, sacred aroma blends, complex scents with depth that cause us to stretch ourselves
Colors:	Midnight blue, black, deep purples/ Celestial Golds and Silvers
Sounds:	Space Sounds - Voyager Space Sounds, most slow, ambient, spacial music
Breath:	Breathing Space ~ slow and infinite… like a whale’s breath