What is Colour Therapy?

Each of the spectrum colours are light of varying wavelengths, therefore each colour has its own particular energy.

The energy relating to each of these spectrum colours resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras of the body.

If you can imagine the chakras/energy centres 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 and at a similar speed for the clock/engine to work properly. Thus good health and well being is achieved by a balance of all these energies (or the smooth running of the cogs/wheels).

Colour therapy can help to re-balance these 'wheels' by applying the appropriate colour to the body and therefore re-balance our chakras. Listed below is each of the spectrum colours and the chakra which it relates to. Violet has the shortest wavelength and red the longest wavelength.

Red

Red is the lowest of the seven colours in the visible spectrum and is known as a "warm" colour. It is stimulating and energising therefore it is helpful for tiredness and lethargy, to stimulate low blood pressure, to boost sluggish circulation. NB Red should not be used on anyone, with hypertension/high blood pressure since this colour increases blood flow. (That is to say as a colour treatment). Pink may be used instead in such cases.

Red, in its most positive sense, is the colour for courage, strength and pioneering spirit. However, in the most negative aspect, it is the colour of anger, violence and brutality and, interestingly, before world war two it was noted that a lot of red was being worn.

Using colours well in the home is a way of creating a balanced environment. Red is energising and excites the emotions, and can stimulate the appetite- which explains why it is often used in restaurants. It can be used in any activity area but red needs careful choice of tone and depth and the space in which it is to be used as it can make a space look smaller and can be claustrophobic or oppressive. However, used well, red and its variations, can make a space feel warm and cosy.

On the psycho-spiritual level, this chakra relates to self awareness- Our awareness of ourselves as human beings and our place on earth. It is the area of survival and relates to our basic human instincts of fight or flight. Red gives us courage and strength & is linked to stability and security.

The Red chakra is associated with the kidneys and bladder .(The kidneys are formed within the pelvis and here they link with the base chakra energy, although prior to birth they rise to the position in the loins with which we are more familiar). The vertebral column, hips and legs are also areas related to this chakra. The endocrine gland to which this colour relates is the adrenal gland.

Orange

Orange is the colour which is the least popular. The associated issues of orange and the Sacral chakra seem to be an area which people find the most difficulty working on. But orange is a good colour for us in plenty of ways. It stimulates and energizes us, and is warming. It is an excellent colour for creativity.

Orange is the colour of fun and sociability and can be used in any activity area and creative areas. It is not ideal for bedrooms or areas of possible stress.

The organs to which the orange chakra relates to are the uterus, large bowel, prostate, ovaries and testes. (In the foetus the testes develop in the lower abdomen, thus linking with the sacral chakra energy, then descending to the s*rot*m by birth.) The endocrine glands are the ovaries and testes.

On the psycho-spiritual level, this chakra relates to self respect. That is to say having the ability to give ourselves the freedom to be ourselves and to respect our own boundaries and requirements and, by the same token, having respect for the boundaries of others. Orange is the colour of creativity and we should give ourselves the space to have creative time just for us.

Yellow

Yellow is one of the three colours in the lower half of the visible spectrum It is known as a "warm" colour and has a stimulating effect. It is the colour of the intellect and can be very helpful with study and where concentration is required

The organs to which this chakra relates are the liver, spleen, stomach and small intestine. The endocrine gland is the pancreas.

On the psycho-spiritual level, yellow relates to self worth. How we feel about ourselves and how we feel others perceive us. This is the area of the personality, the ego and the intellect and of self confidence.

Green

Green is a balancing colour, in the middle of the visible spectrum. The higher three colours are known as the "cool" colours and are calming in effect, the lower three are known as the "warm" colours and have a stimulating effect. Green is the balance between these two.

When a therapist comes to the end of a colour therapy treatment, he/she will use green as a balancing colour at the end of a treatment.

Green is the colour of balance and harmony and can, therefore, be helpful in times of stress. If one has experienced a trauma, a green silk wrapped around the shoulders can have a very therapeutic effect.

Green is associated with the Heart chakra. The associated organs to this chakra are the heart and breasts. The gland is the thymus gland.

This chakra relates to love / self love. that is to say the ability to give and take unconditionally. When balanced we are able to give this love and also to love and nurture ourselves, warts and all.

Blue

BLUE relates to the Throat Chakra

Associated organs to this chakra are the throat, lungs and the endocrine gland is the thyroid gland. The upper digestive tract can be affected by imbalance in this area. Blue relates to self expression. Speech, communication, the ability to communicate our needs and requirements. Spirit of truth and purpose.

Some positive aspects of blue: loyal, tactful, trustworthy & peaceful. Negatives include unfaithful, self-righteous and cold.

BLUE is calming, relaxing and healing. Not as sedating as indigo. Also the colour of communication. Can be used in any rooms except those used for physical activity or play.

Indigo

INDIGO relates to the BROW chakra or third eye which is in the centre of the forehead

The related organs to this chakra are the eyes, lower head and sinuses and the endocrine gland is the pituitary gland.

Indigo relates to self responsibility, that is to say, being responsible for one's own life; responsibility to oneself to follow the soul's path and needs and trusting one's own intuition. The ability to see things from a 'higher' viewpoint rather than purely for satisfaction of the ego or one's material comfort. Intuitive messages are unique to you and are for your own personal growth and differ from the gut feelings.

Positive aspects of Indigo: highly intuitive, faithful, sense of unity, fearless, devotion to duty, articulate & practical idealists. Negatives include: separateness, fearful, intolerant, impractical, judgemental, inconsiderate and depressed easily.

Using colours well in the home is a way of creating a balanced environment. Indigo is a sedative and it helps to open up our intuition. The colour of divine knowledge and the higher mind. Not suitable for areas for entertainment but for more 'quiet' places. Bedrooms or treatment rooms for example. Some people find indigo is helpful for studying so this colour could be used as part of the decor of a library or study.

Violet

VIOLET/PURPLE relates to the CROWN chakra which is at the top of the head.The related organ to this chakra is the brain and the endocrine gland is the pineal gland.

Violet relates to self knowledge/ spiritual awareness. It is the union with your higher self, with spirituality, and your higher consciousness.

Violet is the highest colour in the visible spectrum. This colour is known as one of the "cool" colours. It has a very calming effect on us and is, therefore, very helpful for those people experiencing sleep difficulties or stress. However, it can be contra-indicated for those suffering from depressive disorders.

Positive aspects violet: Reverence for all life, Outstanding in their chosen job, Great mental powers, Humanitarians, Pure idealists, Self sacrificing, Kind and just. The negative aspects of this colour: Feelings of superiority, Flaunt power, Morbid interest in black magic or Spiritual awareness mysticism, No concern for others, Fanatics, Lack of contact with reality

Violet, being the colour relating to our spiritual connection, can be very helpful for meditation and any spiritual matters.(Violet is used a great deal within religions across the world). Indigo can also be helpful for meditation as it is the colour relating to our intuition.

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Breathing in the Rainbow...

The purpose of this is to firstly, heighten our awareness of colour and secondly, to encourage a balance of all the seven main chakra colours for our well being. 

Stand with feet slightly apart and arms by your side, relaxed with palms turned to the front. Relax the shoulders, and concentrate on your breathing, consciously relaxing all of your body from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Breathing deeply in through the nose, holding for a few moments and then breathing out through the mouth. As you breath out, imagine expelling all the stress, negativity and toxins from your body. If you can do this exercise outside all the better, and, weather permitting, stand on grass with bare feet.

Affirmations, either spoken out loud or as a concentrated thought, can be helpful too to help us focus and avoid our minds from wandering. For example, red is the colour of courage and strength - we could say to ourselves - the energy of red fills my body and I have the strength and courage to move forward along my life's path. It doesn't matter how we word our affirmations - they will be unique to each individual - but remember the positive aspects of the colours and make sure your statements are positive.

Firstly breath in red from the earth, imagine it rising up through your whole body giving you strength and courage. Make an affirmation to suit your situation, as you breath in and experience the colour filling your body. Allow the colour to travel up through the body and out of the top of the head and then back down again to the earth. Repeat with orange and an appropriate affirmation, then yellow. These first three colours are absorbed from the earth. Then green. This colour is absorbed horizontally through the solar plexus, let it fill your body, thinking or speaking your affirmation, and let it leave through the back. Then blue which is absorbed from the sky, through the top of the head and out again going back up to the sky, similarly with the indigo and violet. Finish off the exercise by envisaging yourself being surrounded by pure white light. This gives us protection.

If this exercise is done daily, you will really notice how your colour awareness develops and you will be able to visualize the colours much more strongly as you do this exercise regularly, balancing and enhancing your body's energies.

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