COLOUR THERAPY

Colour Therapy is a complementary therapy for which there is evidence dating back thousands of years to the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and India. Colour is simply light of varying wavelengths, thus each colour has its own particular wavelength and energy. The energy relating to each of the seven spectrum of colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras/energy centres of the body. If you can imagine the chakras as a set of cogs/wheels, they are rather like the workings of a clock or an engine; each cog/wheel needs to move smoothly for the clock/engine to work properly. Thus good health and wellbeing is achieved by a balance of all these energies. Balance of the energy in each of the body's chakras is very important for health and wellbeing. Colour therapy can help to re-balance and/or stimulate these energies by applying the appropriate colour to the body and therefore re-balance our chakras. Red relates to the base chakra, orange the sacral chakra, yellow the solar plexus chakra, green the heart chakra, blue the throat chakra, indigo the brow chakra (third eye) and violet relates to the crown chakra. Colour is absorbed by the eyes, skin, skull our 'magnetic energy field' or aura and the energy of colour affects us on all levels, that is to say, physical, spiritual and emotional. Every cell in the body needs light energy - thus colour energy has widespread effects on the whole body. There are many different ways of giving colour, including; Solarized Water, Light boxes/lamps with colour filters, colour silks and hands on healing using colour.

As babies we first experience colour in the womb where we are enveloped in a nurturing and comforting pink. Then as a child we associate with colour as part of our first learning processes. These first associations contribute to our consciousness. As we get older we attach many different feelings, memories and meanings to certain colours and this can then become a feature in our subconscious. We can build up prejudices to colours which have happy, sad, or frightening connotations for us.

All life experiences make an impression upon us. Some experiences will be positive and some negative. It is these negative experiences which can manifest themselves physically over time as dis-ease. As an example. perhaps we have, over the years, been in a situation where we have felt unable, for one reason or another, to speak our mind, or to express our own truth. This can manifest as a problem in the throat chakra. The throat chakra relates in the spiritual aspect to self expression. Thus, if our self expression has been blocked, the energy in this area will not be free flowing and in turn this can lead to a physical manifestation of dis-ease.Noting strong colour preferences can also be a helpful aid to finding possible problems and working with the appropriate colour/colours to help to dispel negative feelings, free blocks and re-balance the body emotionally, spiritually and, in turn, physically.

Colour Therapy is a totally holistic and non-invasive therapy and, really, colour should be a part of our everyday life, not just something we experience for an hour or two with a therapist. Colour is all around us everywhere. This wonderful planet does not contain all the beautiful colours of the rainbow for no reason. Nothing on this earth is here just by chance; everything in nature is here for a purpose. Colour is no exception. All we need to do is to heighten our awareness of the energy of colour and how it can transform our lives. A professional therapist will help you to do this. The capacity for health and wellbeing is within us all.

Colour therapy is safe to use alone or alongside any other therapy whether orthodox medicine or another complementary therapy and is safe and helpful for adults, children and animals too. Please be aware that no complementary therapy should be considered as an alternative to professional medical advice where necessary and no properly qualified complementary therapist would suggest that, neither would they suggest that you stop taking your medication etc. If you are taking medication you should consult the prescribing professional before you stop taking it.

Light neurobics with "colours of light" (VIBGYOR)

Colour is a form of vibrational energy that has played an important role in health and healing for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians built halls of colour in their great temples at Thebes and other places, where they researched the influences of light and colour.

Each colour of the spectrum is associated with a range of wavelengths, which means that there are hundreds of subtle nuances of colour. Not all of these are visible to the human eye, since colours vibrating at similar rates look very much alike. Violet wavelengths are the shortest, ranging from around 380 to 450 nanometers (nm.). Red wavelengths are the longest, panning 630 to 760 nm.

Different colours affect the mind, body and spirit in different ways and most cultures associate colours with particular qualities, feelings, and so forth.

Colour is one of the nine basic 'cures' applied in Feng Shui, the Chinese art of divination and directing energy (qi) to create conditions that are conducive to health, happiness and good fortune. Some basic concepts about different colours are as follows:

• White: White is technically not a colour, as it is the result of all the colours mingling together in equal proportions. In the west it is associated with purity, innocence and cleanliness.
• Violet and Indigo: These colours are associated with spirituality, loyalty, divine and love. Leonardo da Vinci claimed that the power of meditation could be enhanced tenfold under the influence of violet rays passing through the stained glass windows of a quiet church. In muted hues this colour can be helpful for treating headaches, neuroses, and certain forms of schizophrenia and dementia.
• Blue: Blue is associated with faith, caring, peace and fidelity. Cornflower and lavender blue in particular represent spiritualism, thoughtfulness, constancy and kindness.
• Green: Green is universally considered to be the colour of growth, healing, selfless love and tranquillity. The green colour of plants promotes love and harmony to ease troubled minds. Green is associated with the heart and when we think green, it attracts whatever we need to feel nurtured and calm. Too much green can create a static condition because it alleviates all stress.
• Yellow: Yellow represents patience, tolerance, contentment, happiness, wisdom and mental energy. It helps to expand horizons and brings fulfilment. In China, charms against evil spirits are written on yellow paper.
• Orange: Orange represents purity, togetherness and feminine sensuality.
• Pink: Pink is a warming, soothing , reassuring colour that represents love and romance. When you feel angry, think pink and the anger will evaporate.
• Red: Red is a passionate and stirring colour which relates to will power, life and courage. It is a highly emotional and energizing colour. If you are over emotional or hyperactive, it is best not to surround yourself with this colour. In China, red is the symbol of virtue.

Science suggests association of colours for therapeutic purposes

Science suggests that there is a basis for these associations. Studies have shown that colour can influence mood, perception of temperature and time, and even the ability to concentrate. It is being used increasingly in hospitals, offices, mental health clinics and prisons to create a positive environment.

Red light has been found to speed up the circulation and raise blood pressure, while blue has a calming effect on these processes. The effect is the same even if the patient is blindfolded, which implies that colour does not have to be seen to exert its effects. Blind people can see different colours through their third eye, so it seems highly likely that we respond to different colour vibrations via the subtle anatomy, the subtle bodies, aura and chakras.

Colour Therapy:

Red is hot. It can stimulate and excite. It connects to our physical self.