Aromatheraphy and Chakras
Ancient Indian wisdom tells us that Chakras are energy centres within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, emotions, organ functions and immune system.
People who practice meditation and mindfulness will be more aware of their body and its chakra locations. With practice, they achieve balance in all areas of their life through balancing of chakras.

There are 7 chakras throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency, colour and manages specific functions.
Meditation, breathing techniques, good food habits will bring the balance of chakras. One can also chant Chakra Mantras and there are different ones for different Chakra balance. These are:
Root Chakra: Laahm
Sacral Chakra: Vaahm
Solar Plexus Chakra: Raahm
Heart Chakra: Yaahm
Throat Chakra: Haahm
Third eye Chakra: Ohmm
Crown Chakra: Contemplative silence.

Essential oils can help you achieve that balance and this is what we want to discuss today.

Chakra Oil

1 – Base - Root Chakra - MuladharaEssential Oils you can use: Patchouli, Ginger, Vetiver, Cypress

2 – Groin - Sacral Chakra - SvadhishthanaEssential Oils you can use: Cedar, Sage, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli

3 - Solar Plexus- Solar Plexus Chakra - ManipuraEssential Oils you can use: Sandalwood, lavender, Fennel, Ginger, Pine

4 – Heart - Hearth Chakra - AnahataEssential Oils you can use: Rose, Rosewood, Lavender, Sandalwood, Jasmine

5 – throat - Throat Chakra - VishuddhaEssential Oils you can use: Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile, Lavender

6 - third eye - Third Eye Chakra - Ajna Essential Oils you can use: Sandalwood, Basil, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary

7 – crown - Crown Chakra - Sahasrara​Essential Oils you can use: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh

First Chakra — Root Chakra - Muladhara
Aromatherapy Oil to be used : Patchouli, Ginger, Vetiver, Cypress Essential Oil (Tip: Also stimulates the second chakra - Sacral Chakra)
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and is represented by the colour red and physical element of Earth. It is a symbol of physical world, survival and self-preservation. Its balance brings stability, prosperity, physical health, a sense of safety and security, and being present in the moment.
You can use oils like Patchouli, Ginger, Vetiver, Cypress to balance the root chakra. They make you content and relaxed, giving rise to having a large energy within you, so you can get things done. This can help you reach your goals, overcome fatigue and feeling down.
 
Second Chakra — Sacral Chakra - SvadhishthanaAromatherapy Oil to be used : Cedar, Sage, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Neroli Essential Oil  - Also stimulates the fourth chakra (Heart Chakra)
The sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen below the navel centre. It is represented by the colour orange and the physical element of water. It is associated with vitality, self-gratification, and passion.
A balanced sacral chakra gives you emotional intelligence, sexual satisfaction, passion and the ability to embrace change.
You can use essential oils of Cedar, Sage, Ylang Ylang and Patchouli to balance this. This will help you with pure love and lightness of being, driving away sorrows and bringing a peaceful, stable calm. It can also help to foster hope and lead you away from fear. Neroli specially helps you to love yourself.
 
Third Chakra — Solar Plexus Chakra - ManipuraAromatherapy Oil to be used :  Sandalwood, Pine, lavender, Fennel, Ginger (Also stimulates the fourth chakra -Heart Chakra)
The 3rd chakra is located above the naval centre, and is represented by the colour yellow and fire. It represents willpower, motivation and vitality. It is associated with following organs- pancreas, liver, spleen, stomach, lower back muscles, the metabolism and digestion.
A balance of this chakra increases confidence, warmth, self-discipline, reliability, and a positive sense of self.
Sandalwood, Pine, lavender, Fennel, Ginger essential oil are good for restoration of emotions that have become jaded. We hope this oil releases you from old wounds, bringing the ability to experience your emotions in real time, which allows you to bring growth and inner peace to your future relationships.
 
 
Fourth Chakra — Heart Chakra- AnahataAromatherapy Oil to be used : Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Rosewood or Rose Essential Oil
The fourth chakra, called the heart chakra is located in the low center of the chest and associated with the colour green and the element of air.
It is related with the lymph glands, heart, rib cage, lungs, skin, arms, hands, circulation and the immune system.
Since it represents self-acceptance and love, a balanced heart chakra will bring you self-love, contentment, compassion, acceptance and peacefulness.
You can use few wonderful oil like Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Rosewood or Rose Essential Oil. They will encourage free emotions, harmony and the capacity to express your emotions. The aroma will also help to release constricted feelings stored in the chest, internalized grief, melancholy, and repressed emotions.
 
Fifth Chakra — Throat Chakra - VishuddhaAromatherapy Oil to be used : Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile, Lavender Essential Oil
The fifth chakra is in the throat and is represented by blue or turquoise color and physical element of ether. The throat chakra is associated with self-expression and communication, and is connected with thyroid, esophagus, neck, shoulders, arms, hands and hearing.
A balanced throat chakra will develop clear communication, good listening skills and good sense of time.
Try Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Roman Chamomile, Lavender Essential Oil which will help you to share your gifts with the world. These oils heal feelings of being overly delicate, withdrawn, or fearful. These oils should help you communicate more effectively.
 
 
Six Chakra — Third Eye Chakra - AjnaAromatherapy Oil to be used : Sandalwood, Basil, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary , Sandalwood Essential Oil
The third eye chakra is located in the centre of the forehead. It is represented by indigo and light. It means self-reflection and knowledge. It is associated with the pituitary gland, left brain hemisphere, left eye, nose, ears, sinuses, conscious mind, the endocrine system and neurological system.
A balanced third eye chakra will help you to have strong intuition, good memory, ease remembering dreams, ability to visualize and a guiding vision for life.
Sandalwood, Basil, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary Essential Oil have an therapeutic scent that are highly effective when meditating. Used by healers and spiritual leaders worldwide, these oils bring an inner awareness and higher consciousness.
Sandalwood helps break down illusions, helping you align with your most authentic self.
 
 
Seventh Chakra — Crown Chakra - SahasraraAromatherapy Oil to be used : Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lime Essential Oil
The seventh, crown chakra is in top portion of the head. It is represented by the colour violet, and physical element of thought.
It is associated with self-knowledge, self-will, and divine connection and also with the pineal gland, pituitary gland, cerebral cortex, cerebrum, the right eye, the right brain hemisphere, central nervous system, the subconscious mind, and large muscle control.
People with balanced crown chakra will have wisdom, intelligence, ability to analyse, spiritual connection and open mindedness.
Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lime Essential Oil can be used for detaching, enhancing your perception of the truth inside any situation.

​Our evolutionary biology ensured that everything necessary for our survival makes us feel good. Nature made sure that the life in the human body is designed to be a blissful experience.

Like all other animals, humans also seek pleasure and avoid pain. Therefore, our brain has self-produced neurochemicals that rewards us with pleasure and make us feel happy when we achieve our goals.
This biological design is generous, but in today’s digital age it lays dormant sometimes. That’s because we are increasingly removed from our physicality and each other. Our biology is short-circuiting. The balance of neurochemicals that evolved for millennia has been disrupted by our modern lives, making us more prone to depression and anxiety.
​
Pharmaceutical companies are eager to readjust this imbalance with a pill but we have the power to make ourselves happier by changing our lifestyle choices. Simple lifestyle choices and behavioural changes can improve our brain chemistry, make us feel better, and motivate us to maximize your human potential.
Our body produces hundreds of neurochemicals. Only a small fraction of these have been identified by scientists. We will not know in our lifetime exactly how all of these molecules work. But here’s what we know about the Neurochemicals of Happiness
Let’s start with DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphin)

1. Dopamine “The Reward Molecule” 
Dopamine is responsible for reward-driven behaviour and pleasure seeking. If you want to get a hit of dopamine, set a goal and achieve it. If you want to get a regular dopamine high, create smaller, regular achievable goals. Think of them as steps to get to the big goal. This way you will have multiple Dopamine high. Make sure you achieve each step of the way with a reward like going to your favourite restaurant, opening a bottle of wine etc.
Many addictive drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, act directly on the dopamine system. For example, Cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine, leaving these neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap longer.
You will be surprised to know that our cell phones are as addictive as cocaine & methamphetamine because they play with our dopamine the same way, making us feel aroused, motivated, and happy.
Most likely you are addicted to your phone or at least some app on it. If you don’t believe us, download an app that tracks your phone usage and start paying attention to how many times you pick up your phone each day. It might just surprise you! And if you start to work towards decreasing that number by just 10 or 20 a day, the benefits may just surprise you too.

​2.  Oxytocin “The Bonding Molecule” 
Oxytocin is directly linked to human bonding and increasing trust and loyalty.  In some studies, high levels of oxytocin has been correlated with romantic attachment. If a couple is separated for a long period of time, the lack of physical contact reduces oxytocin and drives the feeling of longing to bond with that person again.
There is some debate as to whether oxytocin has the same effect on men as it does on women. In men, vasopressin, a close cousin to oxytocin, may actually be the “bonding molecule.” But the bottom line is that skin-to-skin contact, lovemaking, affection and intimacy are key to feeling happy.
Working out at a gym, in a group environment, or having a jogging buddy is a great way to sustain these human bonds and release oxytocin. In cell-phone & internet world, we are often "alone together" on our digital devices. This reduces our happy hormones and makes us very lonely. Hence, it is more important than ever to maintain face-to-face intimate human bonds and "tribal" connections within your community.
Research shows that the strong emotional bonding between humans and dogs may have a biological basis in oxytocin. If you don’t have another human being to offer you affection and increase oxytocin your pet can also do the trick!

​3. Serotonin: “The Confidence Molecule”
Serotonin has a wide variety of functions in the human body including but not limited to mood, digestion, bone density etc. It widely contributes to wellbeing and happiness. Higher serotonin allows people to put themselves in situations that will bolster self-esteem, increase feelings of worthiness, and create a sense of belonging.
Low serotonin will trigger sadness, depression, anxiety, low energy, negative thoughts, tension and irritability. You may even crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex.
To increase serotonin pursue things that reinforce a sense of purpose, meaning, and accomplishment.  Daily include activities that reinforce behaviours that build self-esteem, make you less insecure, and create an upward spiral of more and more serotonin.
Popular anti-depressants regularly include Serotonin-Specific Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Some example are : Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, etc. The main indication for SSRIs is clinical depression, but SSRIs are frequently prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Do not increase any happiness hormone by taking drugs, even serotonin. Scientists do not fully understand the role of serotonin in mood-disorders which is why it is important that you work closely with a trusted doctor. But most likely, you can fix it yourself by being in vicinity of loved ones and loving them back.
Take that phone off you and see the magic happen!

​4. Endorphin: “The Pain-Killing Molecule”
Endorphin translates into “self-produced morphine."  Endorphins resemble opiates (pain killers) in their chemical structure and have analgesic properties. Endorphins are produced during strenuous physical exertion, sexual intercourse, and orgasm. Make these pursuits a part of your regular life to keep the endorphins pumping.
Endorphins are linked less to "runner's high" now than endocannabinoids, but are connected to the "feeling no pain" aspect of aerobic exercise and are produced in larger quantities during high intensity "anaerobic" cardio and strength training.
For those who cannot exercise, here is a fun fact - acupuncture needles trigger the production of endorphins. Higher levels of endorphins were found in cerebrospinal fluid after patients underwent acupuncture. Acupuncture is a terrific way to stimulate the release of endorphins. Next time you can visit your CTM for the same endorphin high.
We would like to include these 3 more terrific molecules besides DOSE

​5. GABA: “The Anti-Anxiety Molecule” 
GABA slows down the firing of neurons and creates a sense of calmness. You can increase GABA naturally by practicing yoga, meditation or “The Relaxation Response.” . A study suggests yoga might increase GABA levels naturally.
Another study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found a 27 percent increase in GABA levels among yoga practitioners after a 60-minute yoga session when compared against participants who read a book for 60 minutes
Benzodiazepines (Such as Valium and Xanax) are sedatives that work as anti-anxiety medication by increasing GABA. These drugs have many side effects and risks of dependency, so be careful. Try yoga instead!

​6. Adrenaline: “The Energy Molecule” 
Adrenaline, plays a large role in the fight-or-flight mechanism. Its release creates a surge in energy, increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and works by causing less important blood vessels to constrict and increasing blood flow to larger muscles.
You can create an adrenaline rush by taking short rapid breathes and contracting muscles. This jolt can be healthy in small doses, especially when you need a feel-good moment. It can also be triggered by doing things that terrify you or being thrust into a situation that feels dangerous. Think Bungee jumping!
A surge of adrenaline makes you feel very alive. It can be an antidote for boredom, malaise, and stagnation. Taking risks, and doing scary things that force you out of your comfort zone is key to maximizing your human potential. However, people often act recklessly to get an adrenaline rush. Don’t be an "adrenaline junkie," 

7. Endocannabinoids: “The Bliss Molecule” 
Endocannabinoids are self-produced cannabis that work on the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors of the cannabinoid system. Anandamide (from the Sanskrit “Ananda” meaning Bliss) is the most well known endocannabinoid.
 
We may be going in but of a grey of discussion but interestingly, at least 85 different cannabinoids have been isolated from the Cannabis plant. It is likely that we self-produce just as many variations of endocannabinoids, but it will take neuroscientists decades to isolate them.
 
A study at the University of Arizona, published in April 2012, suggests that endocannabinoids are, most likely, the cause for runner's high. The study shows that both humans and dogs show significantly increased endocannabinoids following sustained running.
 
 
Please note: We are NOT recommending taking any medication, but managing your DOSE organically, by feeling good with that deep human connection. Or getting a pet, engaging in meditation or Yoga. Please let’s do it the right way!

Aromatherapy and why it works?
There are direct and indirect way aromatherapy works. Certain scents directly are liked to increasing certain hormones. For example, the smell of vanilla and lavender has been linked with the production of endorphins.
 
However, there are many more indirect effects. Sense of smell & taste is actually the same sense. When we eat it smell something, it triggers a nostalgic memory. It happens because smell and memories are interlinked and processed by same part of the brain.
 
The nostalgic memory now boosts the DOSE hormones because our brain has trouble telling the difference between what's real and imagined.
 
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“We’re going to do some team building!” and employees start re-running ‘The Office’ in their mind!
 
Team building has a bad rap. But effective team building can build trust, mitigate conflict, encourage communication, and increase collaboration. Effective team building also means more engaged & happy employees, which is good for company culture.

​1. Networking, socializing and getting to know each other.
You spend most of your waking hours at work. Wouldn’t it be fun if you knew each other and became friends? Sometimes it’s difficult to make friends because your conflicting roles. This is where the company’s leaders need to ensure that while the employees get a good dose of healthy competition, they do not end up engaging in a contentious scenario.
 
Socializing and making friends in the workplace is great to increase empathy & solidarity. It not only increases morale, but it also allows for the office to work better at solving everyday workplace issues. Holding a team building activity can be short and sweet over lunch, or it can be a well-planned event that everyone has more time to plan for! Holding impromptu or spontaneous event to show your appreciation really helps.

2. Teamwork and boosting team performance.
Everyone like to do what they are proud of, but sometimes the lack of time or understanding makes it difficult. Team building activities indirectly improve projects that involve teamwork, because it helps the teams understand each other better. After working on team building activities together, employees better understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. This in turn helps them work even better together on future progress vital to a company.
 
Sometimes team building day out have set the tone for a positive work culture for next few weeks and months. Each team is different and every individual has something unique to contribute.
 
3. Bragging rights and some healthy competition.
Healthy competition can increase productivity. By channelling that increased productivity into post team building activity day, teams can bond in a more effective way in office scenario and contentious environment. Learning to work well together can take some time, but you’d be surprised at how fast teams can come together when there is an incentive to win. Give them a short-term and long-term office goal and they will do wonders for themselves and the company.

4. Celebration, team spirit, fun, and motivation.
 
Team building day is incomplete without a celebration. After any team wins, the team needs to have fun celebratory office-ritual, which motivates them to want to win even more. For example, the sporting competition are almost always accompanied with cheering, singing, even national anthems. Find your own cheering ritual!
 
5. Collaboration and the fostering of innovation and creativity.
Some people imagine better when alone and other think better when together. But even the most creative ideas need to be implemented and need to be practical. This is too much for one person to imagine and better done in a team. People tend to have a larger tolerance for critical suggestions, when they are around people they are comfortable with. We all know that everyday workplace collaboration is key to a successful business. Hence, good team building events not only bring people closer together, but they also contribute to a more practical implementation of creative ideas in a workplace.
 
6. Communication and working better together.
Everybody wants a friendly work environment, where people are comfortable and happy to work with anyone. So, it is no surprise, that communication is the top reason why people choose team building.
Indeed, one of the best outcomes for team building is that they improve communication. While this is a general goal for every office, you may find certain areas of communication that could be focused on. Overall trust and empathy are usually the key to increasing communication.
 
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