Anna Balkan, Designer

When I walked into Anna Balkan Designer Jewelry Gallery in Norcorss, GA, I immediately felt welcomed, inspired and empowered. Anna’s jewelry is composed of the finest natural semi-precious gemstones and pearls from around the world and she has a unique style.

I met Anna when she attended one of my “How to create Balance through Colors” workshops. We connected right away. The combination of her experience working with colors and my passion to help women balance their chakras through colors created a wonderful partnership. We both breathe, live and love colors.

Last time I visited Anna in her gallery, I observed her interaction with her customers. It was very clear to me that her gallery has become a meeting place for women who are looking for ways to explore and express who they really are. A customer entered the gallery wanting to exchange a piece of jewelry she got from her husband. Anna warmly welcomed the woman and asked her what in this piece was not herself. After hearing her response, Anna asked her what would represent her true self. Having quickly heard the woman’s life story, Anna was able to show her an art piece that was perfect for her, and the woman left with tears in her eyes, so touched by the meaningful conversation she had with Anna.

Anna and I are planning a series of empowering events for women.
The first event is a special FREE workshop on Tuesday 12/7/2010, 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Please join us to color your world with art and mystery that honors the deep beauty that you are.

Color Your Life – Tuesday 12/7/2010, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, FREE.

You can’t be put in the box. You’re too passionate, sophisticated and smart. One way to share who you really are with the world is through color.

Click HERE to register.

Hope to see you on Tuesday!

How would you know if your base chakra, located at the base of your spine, is the energy center in need of balance?

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is your energy low and you often feel tired or sick?
2. Do you suffer from depression?
3. Do you feel insecure and unsafe?
4. Do you ever feel like you don’t belong?
5. Do you often choose to “run away” from life by having an addictive behavior?
6. Do you have any physical problems with your legs, feet or do you have a chronic constipation?
7. Do you feel sometimes like you “don’t want to be here”?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you are in need of balancing your first chakra. One of the things you can do yourself is to add the color red into your life. I often meet people who are tired or depressed and they wear only black or grey. Black or grey are actually the worst colors to wear when you are tired or depressed. Wear red. It will cheer you up and energize you.

Any shade of red will be beneficial Use it in any way you want: clothes, accessories, items in your home, items in your work, using red crystals and even food. Add red peppers, tomatoes and strawberries to your meal. You will be surprised how energized it makes you feel.

Colorful Salad

This is your last opportunity to submit colorful food photo to my color food contest. Here is one of the photos we received this week. How do you feel looking at this colorful salad?

Hurry up and submit your pictures by Sunday. The winner will receive a FREE Coaching Session.

Colorful food by May Bingham

Last week, after the wonderful “Be Present” Class I led with Sandy Bramlett, I got lots of feedback through emails from the women who attended the class. They were motivated to welcome colors into their lives in creative ways.

One of the participants, May Bingham from Atlanta, sent me the 2 photos and the description below. I decided to do a photo contest and I invite you to send me photos of colorful food. I am going to use May’s photos as the first photos in this special contest. So hurry up and submit your photos. I will post the winning photo on my website at the end of September.

Here is another photo from May and what she wrote:

Colorful food by May Bingham

“After Michal’s color presentation, my mind went wild thinking about colors, combining them in art, in apparel, my garden, my house, … etc., Well, on the way home from the workshop, my head was full of ideas …

I love color, in my heart, in my work, in my life… have to have color.
So, today I was hungry, got all the vegetables I had in the fridge and as you see from the pictures, one color called for another … the cabbage leaves with the red onions looked great together until the cooked cabbage got dark and adding the fresh spinach brightened it up…

Here is a picture of the final product … some warmed up leftover black beans and rice, topped with the green and purple color plus some red …

Fixing the meal, arranging the composition for the photographs, etc., fed my spirit like dancing…”

Take a picture of your colorful meal. Share your thoughts and email it to: healing@balancedmoments.com

The winning photo will be posted here at the end of September, and the winner will receive a 45- minute Sample Coaching Session for FREE.

Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra (energy center). This chakra is our power center, our action and motivation center. When in balance, we are able to take an action, create a reality, “get up and go.” Some of the qualities of yellow are fun, lightness and sense of humor. What does it say about us if we never wear yellow, not even as accessories? It might mean that it is challenging for us to take an idea or a goal we have and take an action in order to achieve it. It might mean that we are too serious and “heavy” about things and are missing some fun energy and sense of humor.

Another question that came up was about black. Here are some facts: color is light. Black is the absence of light, or the absence of color. Yes, it might make people look slim but at the same time, they cannot shine when they wear black. Black shuts off our emotions and usually creates a distance between us others, almost like a wall. I wear black when I need to detach myself, for example, after giving a workshop about colors or after giving lots of color consultations. Any other day, I use colors to energize me and uplift me.
This week, challenge yourself: welcome yellow and other colors. Stay away from black. Write a comment: how did it feel?

For example, let’s say that someone doesn’t like blue. Blue is associated with the throat Chakra which is related to communication, it might mean that this person has some challenges with communication or that using this color will make it easier for him to communicate.

So be creative and add colors to your life. I love talking about Chakras and colors so feel free to always ask me specific questions.

Since green is the complementary color of red, consider using green when your Base Chakra is overactive which means that you are too excited and can not calm down, when you are angry, aggressive, hyper or you have high blood pressure. In all those cases, using green will help you to balance your Base Chakra.

The spiritual challenges of the fourth chakra is to learn compassion, forgiveness and the meaning of conscious love, , also called “unconditional love”. When functions well, we experience love, compassion, empathy, acceptance, peace, respect, bonding, forgiveness and grief. If things go wrong, we experience difficulties with relationships, codependence issues, negativity and pessimism, destructive criticism, passive aggression, bitterness, jealousy and lack of forgiveness

Forgiveness is a big part of the Heart Chakra and I will write a separate blog about forgiveness next week. In the meantime – be creative, use green in different ways if you are in need to forgive.

Any ideas of how to add green to your life?

1. Red is at the top of the rainbow. It has the longest wavelength and it carries the least amount of energy.
2. Red is associated not only with energy, but also with grounding, survival and passion.
3. Too much red can lead to aggression, violence, hyperactivity.
4. Red is connected to the first energy center – The Base Chakra.
5. Stimulate your Base Chakra with red when you experience one of the following symptoms: when you can’t “get off the ground”, when you’re always tired, experience lack of energy and lack of enthusiasm.
6. The base Chakra is the lowest energy center of the body. One of the qualities of this Chakra is creating contact with the earth. It allows us to become solidly real – present in the here and now – and alive with the energy that comes from earth. Without grounding, we lose our center, our attention wanders from present moment and we appear to be “Not all here”. Since red is associated with the Base Chakra, it will be a good color to use when you feel ungrounded.
7. Use your imagination to create a solid connection of your body with the earth. Imagine a red chord connecting your spinal chord to the earth or roots growing down from your feet.
8. It is said that using too much red can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Use red when you are weak. Avoid red when your blood pressure is high.
9. When your energy level is low and when you are depressed – add red to your life: wear it, eat it, get red accessories.
10. If you suffer from having too much “fire” in your life – too much red, it might mean that your Base Chakra is overactive “How do I know when to use Green in my life?”  to learn what to do.

Does it bother you that this blog is written in red? What’s your reaction?

Add Blue!

Blue is the complementary color of orange. Blue is associated with the Throat chakra. If your solar plexus Chakra is overactive (too excited, can’t calm down, hyper, addicted to sex) balance it with Blue. Blue is calming and relaxing. Blue is also very helpful with communication and trust.

What is your relationship with Blue?

Orange is a combination of red (passion, energy) and yellow (uplifting, fun) so it is uplifting, cheerful and stimulating. It stimulates the emotions, sexuality and creativity, as well as a “zest” for life.Orange is the colors of the second Chakra – the Sacral Chakra. Yesterday in my Tuesday’s Affirmation blog I discussed ways to step into your power. Orange will be the perfect color to use/wear when you need to connect to your inner power. If you don’t like to wear orange – get Orange socks, underwear, watch or accessories. In tomorrow’s blog, you will learn what to do when there is too much Orange in your life.

How do you feel about adding Orange to your life?

You don’t have to paint your walls – just add accessories which can be changed when need be. For example, if you need grounding get a red candle, some red art, or just red roses. For creativity, add a bowl of oranges to your work area. Add yellow accessories or sun flowers if you need to lighten your attitude or if you need more confidence. Having problems with relationships? Add green plants, decorative green grasses or bamboo. Add a blue poster, painting, curtains or even a piece of furniture to stimulate your ability to communicate and express yourself. There are so many ways to add colors to your home. Again, consider the chart above and what you can do to enliven your living space.

In my June 13 blog: “What’s the connection between Food, Chakras and Color Healing” I introduced you to my friend Malkie. Let’s go back to Malkie and check what YOU can learn from her heart attack:

Malkie is the perfect example of the importance of colors. No doubt Malkie’s Heart Chakra was under-active long before her heart attack. On an unconscious level, her body knew she needed to stimulate the heart area, to raise the vibration and so she became unconventionally obsessed with green. Her intuition was leading her to use colors to balance her chakra.

Be curious and creative about the colors you choose. Use colors as a source of information about your energy centers. Add colors to your food, your clothes and your home and feed your body what it needs.

Look at the chart on my June 14 blog: “The Color of the food you eat – balance your Chakras”

and be creative with your color choices. Need to improve your communication in a job interview? Wear a blue scarf. Need to open your heart in an upcoming conversation? Wear a green shirt. Give it a try: this week, wear the one color that you would never wear, and see how it affects your mood and well being.

Is there a color you will NEVER wear????

Healing through colors is very profound. It works both ways: you can look at a specific chakra which needs some balance and chose to eat food with that specific color or you can identify a specific color that is missing from your daily menu, and ask yourself what’s going on with the corresponding chakra. The one color which is hard to find is blue. Any ideas for a blue natural (not processed) food?

It was twelve years ago, while living in Germany, that I got the call: my good friend Malkie had had a heart attack. I was in shock. I had just seen her two days earlier and there was no indication that something was wrong.

Interestingly, I recalled noticing a few weeks before her heart attack that Malkie had become obsessed with green accessories, adding green scarves and jewelry to her otherwise black attire. She wore black because she claimed it was more comfortable and made her appear thinner.

That may seem like a strange observation on my part, but I’m always surprised when people wear only black because I love colors and use them often.

What struck me most is that the Heart Chakra is associated with the color green. In fact, each Chakra (which means “wheel of light” in Sanskrit and refer to our bodies’ energy centers) is associated with a different color, i.e., the energy center and the color vibrate in the same frequency. This is why colors have so much power, and we respond to different colors in different ways.

Many people know that colors affect their moods, reflect their emotions and can even change their behaviors. So how can we use the power of colors to balance our energy? By using as many colors as we can in our daily lives!

When people come to see me for healing I always ask them about their color preferences. Properly utilizing these colors helps us balance their energy. For example: they communicate more easily when using blue (Throat Chakra) and feel more grounded and energized when using red (Base Chakra).

Here are a few simple ways in which you can stimulate and balance your energy centers with a rainbow of colors.

Colors and Your Food

A healthy, balanced diet consists of eating a variety of foods, and one of the natural ways we absorb colors is through the foods we eat.

Whenever one or more of your chakras is misaligned you might do well to look and see if you are not eating or possibly overeating the foods that fuel that particular chakra. In addition, try to add as many colors as you can to your dishes. For example, when making a salad, choose different color vegetables and add to the greens. When you grocery shop, buy fruits and vegetables in colors you wouldn’t usually use. Even if you don’t think a color looks good on you, I promise it looks good in you! Check out this chart to see what foods and colors go with which energy centers.

In tomorrow’s blog I will post a chart of different color food and the connection to specific chakras.

Why is that?

Because – colors are a living energy.

Colors alwaysfascinate me. It happens so many times that the color that you dislike the most is the color that you need the most. If you challenge yourself and use color that you don’t usually like – wear it, eat it, buy an accessory – you will be surprised of how can it change your mood, your attitude, your behavior.

Kerry Ross from Atlanta is participating a few times already, in my teleseminar: “You Must be Present to Win”. We look at Chakras and colors and she reports that her perception of color tremendously changed and that it brought so much healing to her life:

“Admittedly, I look “good” in black and gray. I have never understood peoples’ opposition to it. It never depressed me or made me feel isolated. I liked that it had formality and seriousness. As we all know, it is easy to match it etc… In fact, I was often adverse to most colors because it is one more thing I had to try to “match” or orchestrate around. My house has white walls in general because I have to decorate around a color. If I use a color in the room, I feel committed to it and bound to have to work with it. The last thing I need is more limitations. It was almost as if color was a “commitment” or “limitation” to me. I did not see it as freeing.

Odd that I felt that color created limits and problems for me. It has been difficult to step out of that sensation. You can ask my relatives. I just like things simple and uniform. I prefer the classic style and fine neat points. Somehow, I have come around. I guess it is from using color in my meditation. Rather than just using voice and the “tranquility and stillness” like effect, I have applied color in my meditation. Color has a sense of creating a space and opening a place for thought for me now. It is like I see a color and try to place it with a chakra. Then I think, “Do I need to open that Chakra now or does it need some balance with its complementary?” Two weeks ago, my husband and I actually painted my front foyer a sky blue and we are loving it. It makes me smile and reminds me about using communication and my voice. It is very positive.

I had to get a new pair of tennis shoes for my workouts. My old pair were just too old. I was given a choice of colors. I first tried on the purple ones and while they were nice, it is my LEAST favorite color. Even still, I liked them. I then looked at the blue/gray and ones with sort of a red/pink. The conservative, traditional me wanted the blue/gray, but I surprised myself when I was really drawn to the red/pink color. In fact, I really loved them. I wore them home. I thought, “WOW they make me feel good.” I like the color so much that I want nail polish to match. It was just a brief moment that I worried about trying to look “okay” when wearing them. I felt positive in them and that was enough for me.

So, my perception of color really has changed. I think my emotions are starting to match colors in a way. Mostly, I really do try to identify with various colors and enjoy them rather than think of them as a problem. It is fun to remind myself of each chakra and its color. Then, to rationalize whether it is right for me at that time and place. Even now, I open my closet and sort of watch the color start to bubble out and feel “it” for the day. Kind of like a message for myself and my focus”.

What is your experience with colors like? Is there any color you don’t like?