Chakra Cycle Soap

          Happy New Year!!! 
    Let me just take a minute to wish each of you a year filled with hope, happiness, health and positivity!  I hope it has gotten off to a good start.  Mine has!
     Last week, at the yoga studio, they began a seven-week Chakra Cycle.  This excites me!  In yoga, meditation and even Ayurveda practice, Chakras are seen as the seven centers of the body through which energy flows.  Some refer to them as “wheels” because the literal translation from the Sanskrit is “wheel” Each is represented by a specific color (coincidentally, the same as the rainbow), as well as a particular seed sound for meditative purposes.  All of the seven Chakras, are focused in different parts of the body and each offers us a different vital energy. The first five Chakras also represent a specific natural element such as Earth or Water... 
            Wait, hold on … what does all this have to do with soap?

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     ​Well, Kimsoapia is all about healthy, all natural soaps and the Chakras provide healing energy flow!  So I was inspired by this cycle to create a Chakra Cycle Soap to heal each part of the mind, body and soul.
​   But first, before we talk about Chakra Cycle Soap, here’s a little background information based on my interpretation of the seven Chakra’s according to what I’ve learned while practicing yoga, as well as what I’ve read on my own from a variety of sources.  I am, by far not an expert, so if this piques your interest, by all means, start your own research journey to learn more. Belief in the properties of the Chakras is over five centuries old.  It can be viewed as a personal way of thinking for some and a truism for others.  One can choose to view the Chakras in any way you feel comfortable doing so; meditatively, philosophically, as energy, etc. provided  you are open to receive the energy offered. 

     ​Interestingly, the Chakras begin from the bottom up.  They are the Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra.  Each is associated with a part of the body for which it can provide healing energy.

     ​The Root Chakra is located from the base of your spine and runs from there to your feet.  It is represented by the color red.  Its associated element is Earth and its healing focus is groundedness and stability.  It is associated with the sense of smell.

     ​The Second Chakra, the Sacral Chakra is located in the sacral region of your body (lower abdomen, kidney and genital area.    It is associated with the color orange, the element of Water as well as creative impulse and ability to go with the flow, and the sense of taste.

     The Solar Plexus Chakra (or Manipura) can be found in the area above your navel but below your chest.  Its element is Fire.  It is associated with the color yellow, the sense of sight and the ability to transform and adapt.

     ​The fourth Chakra is the Heart Chakra.  And as you might guess, is located around the heart and chest.  The Heart Chakra’s energy is focused on compassion and the ability to love, but not necessarily or exclusively romantic love.  Its element is Air, its color is green and it is associated with the sense of touch.

     ​The fifth Chakra, the Throat Chakra is associated with the sense of hearing, the color blue, creativity and, as you might have already imagined, communication.  Its element is Space.

     ​The last two Chakras are not associated with any bodily senses or worldly elements as they are considered beyond the physical and this world.  They are the Third Eye and Crown Chakras.  The Third Eye Chakra which is represented by the color indigo, is located between the eyebrows and its “wheel” of energy focuses on the mind – Intellect and Intuition.  Lastly, the Crown Chakra can be found at the top of your head and is represented by the color purple.  It is representative of Spiritual insight and Enlightenment.

     Check out these articles if you wish to learn more about the Chakras.

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Quick, Effective Ways to Open and Balance the Seven Major Chakras

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Chakra Basics

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7 Chakras for Beginners - Dr. Oz

​     So, inspired by my yoga class and with a few other articles and books nearby, I began my mini quest of kreating a new kreation. Chakra Cycle Soap.  Of course it will incorporate all seven colors (as close as possible, using herbal pigments) as well as a blend of the essential oils which were recommended for meditative and healing use when focusing on a particular energy. Although there are a multitude of recommended essential oils to choose from, I have decided upon a blend of Patchouli, Bergamot, Lavender, Jasmine, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Peppermint in a base of Olive, Sweet Almond and Jojoba Oils.   
     l considered layering from bottom up, but decided to let fate and karma decide as so many variables go into making soap and using so many essential oils, pigments, micas etc.  Color layering requires pouring at a very tick trace to prevent bleed through and blending but each essential oil and/or pigment may impact trace differently. This can cause some colors to thicken more quickly than others. Color can be very tricky and deep colors like reds, blues and purples are difficult to attain with only herbal pigments.  So, I did incorporate a little mica color as well for some.  Not to mention, oils, curing and other factors can often cause colors to morph and change into something you never intended. Purple and Indigo were challenging and did not fare as well as I'd hoped.  But, in the end,  it's all about intention and I know my intentions were pure.

As you can see, the top color should have been purple for the Crown Chakra

​Here are the healing properties & common uses of the Essential oils I used:

Essential Oil	Properties	Use for
Patchouli	cicatrisant (wound-healing), antiseptic, aphrodisiacal	​eczema, dandruff, dry skin
Bergamot	relaxing, soothing, cleansing	​emotional stress, tension, joint and muscle pain
Lavender	calming, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory	​burns, cuts, scrapes, migraines, relaxation
Jasmine	​anti-depressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiacal, emmenagogic	​depression, wound cleansing, enhancing libido, menstrual and menopausal symptoms
Eucalyptus	​antispasmodic, anti-bacterial, decongestant, deodorant	​cough, congestion, disinfectant, joint pain, immune stimulant
Lemon	invigorating, disinfectant	concentration,focus, cleansing and cleaning, infection, fever, as an insect repellent
Peppermint	cooling, soothing, antimicrobial, anti-fungal	​headaches, pain, soreness, temporary relief from congestion and respiratory issues

For information on the uses and properties of olive, sweet almond and jojoba oils as well as other good stuff, see my Blog posts The Good Stuff and More Good Stuff.  

     Well that's about all for this post.  Remember it takes six weeks to cure properly so keep your eye out in 6 weeks for Chakra Cycle Soap.  Or sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates.