Everything in the universe is energy. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the people we know, our thoughts, feelings and our physical body, as well as the environment in which we live, all absorb and radiate energy. We tend only to believe that which we can see and sense, but our senses perceive only a self limited band of the spectrum. There is a greater reality that what appears to be. We are not merely physical and chemical structures, but beings composed of energy and it is possible to increase our awareness of that energy.

* To work with one's energy is to touch the mind as well as the body. Energy is a bridge that connects our physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual life.

The 'Chakras' from the root word 'Wheel' are arenas of energy located in our physical body. Chakras tell a story reflecting our accumulated experiences, our beliefs and our stance in life. Experience has shown that every single thing that has ever happened to us, every thought, feeling, belief and attitude is stored in our physical body, we are all living history books. The Chakras store information and act as databanks keeping track of where we have invested our energy and how well we manage our power. Our energetic design is as complex and well-ordered as our biological make-up. Each Chakra relates to a different part of the physical body and to specific internal organs. There is direct relationship between the condition of the Chakra and our health, well-being, personality and the facets of our mind/body that govern all aspects of growth, development and daily physical activity. Chakras are centres of activity for the reception, assimilation, and transmission of life energies. All the actions, thoughts, feelings and beliefs that we create return to points within ourselves, 'what you sow, so shall you reap'. Our Chakras as core centres, form the co-ordination network of life energies.

By becoming aware of the energy that flows inside, through and around us we connect at a deeper level with ourselves. There are a number of ways of aiding this awareness. Everybody has the ability to access and obtain a practical understanding of the state of their Chakras, what they represent at various levels, the part they play in our day-to-day lives and the process of becoming whole. So we can take charge of and be responsible for our lives. The process of becoming whole means to become conscious of our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, feelings, speech and behaviour and develop a healthy relationship with ourselves, to know and accept ourselves as spiritual beings. If we do not have a good relationship with ourselves how can we expect to have a good relationship with another? If we do not keep our promises to ourselves or follow our own instincts how can we trust ourselves and develop a healthy level of self-esteem. If we can't rely on ourselves for love, forgiveness, support, acceptance, care and attention how can we ever feel safe and at peace. Our relationship with the outer world is a direct reflection of our relationship with ourselves.

So what has all this got to do with energy? Well energy does not lie, it records things as they are. If we are not happy or not being true to ourselves our energy will let us know. So no matter how much we keep busy, tell ourselves not to be selfish, insist that we are doing what we want to do, if it is against our true nature our energy will let us know and at some point we will have to listen. The human experience can be very demanding and often damaging to our true nature. Our energy becomes depleted, this can lead to depression, emotional trauma, fatigue, or our body lets us know through physical discomfort or illness. There is always some manifestation of the effects of depleted energy, therefore violation of our energy is not an option.

Learning the obstacles we have chosen to overcome and the necessary energy activation needed to achieve these goals can make life much easier for us. We need only learn that we already possess the energy required to realise these goals. Energy when invested positively will accumulate in the form of harmony, a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life.

Everybody feels energy and has intuition, we all know what it feels like to walk into a room after two people have had an argument, we talk about a place having an atmosphere, we have "feelings" when something is not quite right. Everyone has guidance, it doesn't have to come with a blinding flash of light and an angel appearing at your side to be official. If you are uncomfortable in a situation or with a certain person, that is guidance, if you are depressed, that is guidance. We are continually being told through our thoughts and feelings what is best for our highest good, the important thing is to pay attention to them and trust and respect those feelings enough to follow them. When we are in a balanced and peaceful state we are able to hear and trust the guidance within, that is coming from our highest good, the key is to quieten the doubts and fears and bring ourselves into 'present moment awareness'. Present moment awareness is that point of stillness where every moment is a new experience. We are not projecting our past into the present or the future and we have no expectations.

Sound, movement and meditation have been used for thousands of years to achieve present moment awareness, clearing and cleansing the chakras and energy pathways in the body thus aiding the release of unwanted or outdated beliefs and attitudes we store both consciously and unconsciously thus allowing the physical body to function to its full potential.

Everything in the universe vibrates at a certain frequency. Sound is a vibration. Resonance is the frequency at which sound naturally vibrates therefore everything has its own sound. Our internal organs vibrate at certain frequencies, as do our bones, our muscles, tissues and cells. In other words we are a symphony of sound, when everything is in harmony and vibrating at the right frequency we are healthy and peaceful in mind, body & spirit and "in tune" with life. However, when one or more parts of our being is out of tune due to imbalance in our physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual selves it affects our whole being and overall sound. It is not unlike having one instrument or section out of tune in an orchestra, thus creating disharmony in the overall composition. When we hurt ourselves our automatic reaction is to wail or scream, this is because we instinctively know that sound aids in releasing the pain thus putting us back in harmony as pain creates disharmony in the body. In the same way physical pain is released, sound can also be used to release emotional pain, and aid self healing and transformation through chanting, toning, singing etc. The most important thing is the intention you put behind the sound consciously focusing on what it is you wish to create.

Intention brings our energy to life, and puts meaning behind our actions, thoughts and words. Our thoughts are the seeds which create our reality. Every single thing that has ever been created started as a thought. When we work with intention we are aware of what we are creating. Therefore we have far more power over what we are doing.

Experience has shown that tissue holds memory and that movement, stretches and breathing for example yoga, Qigong, tai chi, dance and forms of body work, can aid the release old tissue held memories, reprogramme our response to personal life experiences and bring our body back into harmony. Through movement we open up the energy centres and pathways in the body, developing physical and mental awareness and allowing energy to flow freely nourishing, rejuvenating and cleansing our organs, tissues and cells, the whole of our physical body as well as our mind and spirit. This in turn leads to peace of mind, calmness of spirit and a vibrant and healthy physical body.

Meditation is the most effective way of reducing stress. It builds energy, opens us up to creativity, accesses the body's natural healing powers, enables problem solving, tapping into full potential, reduces the severity and frequency of stress related disorders, prepares the mind and body for the day ahead, or preparing to sleep, bringing us in to 'present moment awareness' and much more. There are many treasures by the wayside. Meditation is an invaluable aid to self-development and personal growth and the very act through which we start living consciously. There are infinite varieties in techniques of meditation. The key is find a way that works for us. Once achieved a few times, it begins to create its own rhythms and its own affect on the vibrations in and around us. It then becomes an integral part of life staying with us through waking consciousness, sleep and all other activities. At this point meditation becomes a joy not a discipline and commands its own validation.

Developing energetic integrity and embodying practical principles related to energy brings us back to our true nature, working towards wholeness which brings the ultimate goal, unity. "All is One".

(*Donna Eden - "Energy Medicine")