Guest: Keri Kruspe & CHAKRAS #authorkkruspe

Squirrel!

…dealing with shiny objects that demand constant attention

By Keri Kruspe

The other day I was at a writer’s meeting, (Mid-Michigan RWA Chapter) chatting with Diane Burton when she noticed a ring I wear on my right middle finger. She exclaimed what an unusual ring it was and wanted to know what it represented. The gal sitting on her other side called out “it’s a chakra (pronounced shah’krah) ring!”, which made me smile since that’s exactly what it was.

 I admitted that I wear it for a couple of reasons, (the main one is because it’s pretty!) but also because it’s a constant reminder to keep myself in balance. While I am not a “hard core” practitioner, I do like the idea of keeping oneself in balance.

During our conversation, Diane confessed she’d never heard about chakras and wondered if I’d write about it and share it on Paranormal Romantics blog. I immediately said “yes”! I’d love to share with others my search for balance. Besides, maybe the info could be used as a personality trait for a heroine in a paranormal romance novel….

So I did a little research and this is what I’ve come up with:

In a simple definition, Chakra physiology is the connection between the physical body and the metaphysical centers of energy, called chakras, believed to be located throughout the body. A general consensus is there are seven major chakras located along or near the spine from the base of the spinal column to the top of your head.

Each chakra is thought to influence the internal organ or section of the body where it is located, along with the associated endocrine glands and nervous system.

Yogapedia defines Chakra Physiology as:

When the chakra energy is balanced, it helps keep the body healthy. When it is not balanced, the physical body – as well as your “emotional” body – can be negatively affected.

The chakras, their associated glands and the effects on the physical body include:

·         Root chakra (reproductive glands) – affects sexual development and secretes sex hormones.

• Color – Red 
• Element - Earth

·         Sacral or spleen chakra (adrenal gland) – controls metabolism and the immune system

• Color – Orange
• Element - Water

·         Solar plexus chakra (pancreas) – also controls metabolism

• Color – Yellow
• Element - Fire

·         Heart chakra (thymus gland) – also regulates the immune system

• Color – Green
• Element – Air

·         Throat chakra (thyroid gland) – regulates both metabolism and body temperature

• Color – Light Blue
• Element - Sound

·         Third eye chakra (pituitary gland) – produces hormones and controls functioning of the lower five glands

• Color – Indigo
• Element - Light

·         Crown chakra (pineal gland) – controls biological cycles

• Color – White or Violet
• Element – Thought

Hmm…this information may be interesting, but how can I apply this to my everyday life and not just use it as a research assignment?  How can I maintain some type of balance in my life as I tend to obsess with my writing all the time?

 Here are some thoughts:

1.      Meditation is probably the most effective way to balance the chakras. There are many chakra meditations that can be found online, but it is also easy enough to practice on your own. Each chakra is associated with a color that can be used to help you go deeper into your meditation and make it more effective.

2.      A regular yoga practice is incredibly effective at balancing the chakras. As with meditation, you can visualize and focus your attention on the different chakras throughout your practice. Visualize the colors that correspond to the chakra you are focusing on as you are doing the postures.

3.      The use of breathing techniques not only helps to relax the body, but it also allows you to control the flow of energy throughout your body. There are numerous techniques you can explore that works best for you.

4.      Aromatherapy can be used for a variety of different ailments. Plant-derived oils can also be used for chakra balancing as they correspond to different chakras. The oils can be used by simply breathing them in or applying them topically.

It’s easy for us as writers to lose sight of taking care of oneself. Like most writers, I tend to get absorbed in the worlds I create, and I sometimes forget to stop and “smell the roses”. I’m so concerned about launching my third book while marketing the first, creating a reader magnet and making an outline for the next installment while checking on my social media while creating a new ad while….while…anyway, enter my inner squirrel and see how easy it is for me to get lost with “shiny” things. 

Not to mention how I work full time, have a forty-year relationship with my husband that needs constant TLC along with trying to be a part of my children and their children’s life.

…and we got a new puppy to nurture…a Jack Russell. The dog should be a redhead – she’s so feisty.

By no means do I think I’m unique. We all have busy lives, constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions. Any time I feel overwhelmed, I glimpse at my silver ring and take a deep breath and notice what I’m paying too much attention to. That way I can “listen” to what my body is telling me, (am I tired, stressed, confused?) and take a step back and know it’s okay to come back to my passion of writing once I’m rejuvenated.

Oooh…look…pop up…snap chat…gotta check…

Keri Kruspe, author of Otherworldly Romantic Adventures – to inspire others to discover the possibilities of “what if…”

Keri has been an author since the age of twelve and has always been fascinated with otherworldly stories that end in Happily Ever After. Her current sci-fi romance trilogy, An Alien Exchange (winner 2018 SPF Galaxy award) had its first release winter 2018. The story continues with D’zia’s Dilemma and concludes with Ki’s Redemption, releasing end of May 2019.

A native Nevadan, Keri resides with her family in the wilds of Northwest Michigan where she enjoys the stark change in seasons and the pleasures each one brings. An avid reader, Keri loves an enjoyable bottle of red wine, a variety of delicious foods and watching action/adventure movies…usually at the same time. You can find her most days immersed in her fantasy world on her latest novel while foot tappin’ to classic rock. When not absorbed in her writing, Keri works alongside her husband in building their dream home or discovering intelligent life in America in their RV. 

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