THE SUBTLE BODY by PENELOPE JACK

The exhibition is organised according to the seven Chakras and follows the rainbow colours; starting from Red at the base of the spine; Orange; Yellow; Green; Blue; Indigo then Violet/white (which contains the full rainbow spectrum). Each Chakra has an introductory painting followed by Asanas (Yoga Postures), then a Pranayama (Breath) painting and Mudra (Hand Gesture) and finally a relaxation painting all associated with that Chakra.

 

The seven main Chakras are contained in a vertical column beginning at the base of the spine and culminating at the crown of the head. The lower three Chakras deal with the physical self; the upper three with the spiritual self. Anahata Chakra in the heart centre becomes the compassionate gateway between the lower and upper Chakras.

 

This artistic journey explores these themes in a visual experience that has found a practical application by providing images for the Chakra Yoga Cards I have produced. All the original work is available for sale and can also be purchased as limited edition fine art prints, beautifully printed on Hahnemuhle fine art paper.

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MULADHARA CHAKRA

I am grounded, I am safe

 LOCATION: Base of the spine

MANTRA: Om Lam

MEANING: Root

MAIN PURPOSE: Foundation, survival,
self-preservation

ELEMENT: Earth

SENSE: Smell

FORM: Physical

COLOUR: Red

BODY PARTS: Legs, feet, bones, teeth, spine, colon

DEVELOPMENT: Growth of the physical body, motor skills

GLAND: Adrenal

PLANETS: Mars and Pluto

CRYSTALS: Smokey Quartz, Hematite

ESSENTIAL OILS: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cedarwood

 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: good health and happiness

IN EXCESS: obesity, fatigue, lower back issues,

constipation, knee/leg issues, sciatica

IN DEFECIENCY: eating disorders, low muscle tone, fidgeting

 PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: stability, well grounded,
courage, trust, security

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: disorganisation, hoarding,
anxiety, fear, rigidity, inertia

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Penelope was schooled at Michael Mount Waldorf and St Andrews School before completing a Fine Arts Degree at Stellenbosch University (Jewellery Design). Besides being an artist and potter, she has worked as a jeweller, graphic designer (specialising in magazine and label design), in advertising,
as well as a stint for the Arts Council of South Australia. She has studied astrology, ayurveda and yoga and has a belief in natural healing. She lives between Cape Town and an Overberg farm with her husband and two sons, whom she loves almost as much as her gardens.

To Penelope the daily practice of yoga is a way of accessing and connecting with the energies of our cosmos that are a reflection of the creation within us.

 SVADHISTANA CHAKRA 

I create 

 LOCATION: Lower abdomen

MANTRA: Om Vam

MEANING: Home of the Self

MAIN PURPOSE: Centring

ELEMENT: Water

SENSE: Taste

FORM: Emotional

COLOUR: Orange

BODY PARTS: Kidneys, bladder, reproductive organs

DEVELOPMENT: Movement, creativity

GLAND: Ovaries, testes

PLANET: Moon

CRYSTALS: Carnelian and Brazilianite

ESSENTIAL OILS: Ylang-ylang, clary sage 

 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: natural grace and poise

IN EXCESS: lower back pain, cystitis,

fertility/reproductive disorders

IN DEFECIENCY: muscle cramps, loss of appetite

 PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCE EMOTIONS: receptive, adaptable, stable emotions

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: fear of change or intimacy,

inability to express emotions, manipulative

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MANIPURA CHAKRA

 I honour myself

 LOCATION: Solar plexus (nerve centre above the navel)

MANTRA: Om Ram

MEANING: Shining jewel

MAIN PURPOSE: Controls physical and mental energy

ELEMENT: Fire

SENSE: Sight

FORM: The ego

COLOUR: Yellow

BODY PARTS: All digestive organs: stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder

DEVELOPMENT: Establishing independence,

self-reliance, transformation

GLAND: Pancreas

PLANET: Sun

CRYSTALS: Yellow Citrine, Yellow Chrysoberyl

ESSENTIAL OILS: Peppermint, Ginger

 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: good digestion, energetic

IN EXCESS: stomach ulcers, eating disorders, liver disorders

IN DEFECIENCY: sluggish movements, lack of vitality

 PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: confidence, reliability,

good self-esteem, passion, logic

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: aggression, arrogance,

manipulation, anger, criticism

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ANAHATA CHAKRA

 I give love, I receive love, I am loved

 LOCATION: Heart centre

MANTRA: Om Ham

MEANING: Unstruck sound (one hand clapping)

MAIN PURPOSE: Love and devotion

ELEMENT: Air

SENSE: Touch

FORM: Bridge between the physical (three lower chakras)

and the spiritual (three higher chakras)

COLOUR: Green

BODY PARTS: Heart, lungs, shoulders, arms, hands

DEVELOPMENT: Social skills

GLAND: Thymus

PLANET: Venus

CRYSTALS: Rose Quartz, Morganite

ESSENTIAL OILS: Rose, orange, neroli

 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: strong immune system

IN EXCESS: chest pains, heart problems

IN DEFECIENCY: poor circulation, chest and shoulder tension

 PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: peace, love, compassion

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: resentment, jealousy, narcissism

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VISHUDDHA CHAKRA 

I hear, I speak, I create 

LOCATION: At the throat

MANTRA: Om Ham

MEANING: Purification

MAIN PURPOSE: Communication

ELEMENT: Ether

SENSE: Hearing

FORM: Words and creation through sound

COLOUR: Sky Blue

BODY PARTS: Throat, including all organs of speech, jaw, ears

DEVELOPMENT: Communication skills

GLAND: Thyroid

PLANET: Mercury

CRYSTALS: Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate

ESSENTIAL OILS: Sandalwood, Blue Chamomile

 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: clear, open and honest communication;
good listener, calm voice

IN EXCESS: talking too much, gossiping, poor listening skills

IN DEFECIENCY: weak voice or fear of speaking,

eating disorders, tone deaf

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: creative, confident, firm in beliefs

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: alienation, stagnation, unexpressed anger

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AJNA CHAKRA

 I see

 LOCATION: At the centre between the two eyebrows

MANTRA: Om

MEANING: Perception

MAIN PURPOSE: Inner vision

ELEMENT: None

SENSE: Intuition

FORM: Self-reflection

COLOUR: Indigo

BODY PARTS: Brain: Pons and Medulla Oblongata,
Autonomic Nervous System

DEVELOPMENT: Identity

GLAND: Pituitary

PLANETS: Jupiter and Uranus

CRYSTALS: Clear Quartz and Purple Chalcedony

ESSENTIAL OILS: Sandalwood, Frankincense

 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: articulate, good physical balance

IN EXCESS: headaches, imbalanced brain function

IN DEFECIENCY: poor vision, eye problems, poor hearing 

PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: clear thinking, trusting of self and others, intuitive

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: denial, lack of concentration, insensitive

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SAHASRARA CHAKRA 

I know 

LOCATION: Crown of the head

MANTRA: Silence

MEANING: Infinite

MAIN PURPOSE: Conscious wisdom

ELEMENT: None

SENSE: Beyond all senses

FORM: Knowledge of the self

COLOUR: Violet (pure white light)

BODY PARTS: Cerebral cortex, Central Nervous System

DEVELOPMENT: Assimilation and wisdom

GLAND: Pineal

PLANETS: Saturn, Pluto and Neptune

CRYSTALS: Amethyst, Cerussite

ESSENTIAL OILS: Frankincense, Myrrh, Violet Absolute

 

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

IN BALANCE: graceful movements and demeanour

IN EXCESS: nerve pain, nervous system malfunctions, light sensitivity

IN DEFECIENCY: dizziness, muscular issues, muscle fatigue 

PSYCOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

BALANCED EMOTIONS: perceptive, open-minded, spiritual

UNBALANCED EMOTIONS: confused, disconnected from the body,
over-thinking

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