An Indian Art

Yoga- mudras and colors

Colors influence our minds and our lives on every level. In colortherapy, various shades of color are specifically applied to regener- ate the organs and glands, as well as to activate the processes of
elimination, respiration, and circulation. Colors also influence our moods and every type of mental activity.

• Red stimulates the circulation, makes us alert, warms and relaxes, but can also bring out aggression;

• Orange improves the mood, promotes lightness, stimulates sexuality, but can also stimulate superficiality;

• Yellow stimulates digestion, makes us mentally alert, and lets life appear in a bright light, but it can also be obtrusive;

• Green is generally calming; it regenerates on every level, and gives us the desire to start something new;

• Blue is also calming, but this calmness goes deeper and pro- vides a sense of security; it conveys protection, and symbolizes t the silent yearning for the incomprehensible;

• Violet is the color of transformation, change, and spirituality;

• Brown is the color of stability and connection to the earth, but too much can lead to stagnation;

• White bears the entire spectrum of the other colors within itself, containing birth as well as death;

• Black is the color of protection, of gathering strength, of retreat, and of the emptiness that already bears abundance within itself. Many teenagers like to wear black because they stand at the gateway of a new period of their lives. However, too much black weakens the organism, puts us in a sad mood,
and promotes pessimism.

There are basically no "bad" colors, but it is important to use the right pro- portions. Every color can also be seen in our aura or energy body. When a color gains dominance or is not in its right place, it will initially have an effect on the general feeling of well-being. With time, a health disorder may develop as a result. However, the course of an illness can also be reversed with the help of colors. It would go beyond the scope of this book to discuss the entire spectrum of colors used in healing. The following suggestions can help you have some good and beautiful experiences using color meditations. If you prefer a certain color, it may well be that you need the corresponding qualities. However, if you give too much preference to one color, this can develop into an addiction and the color may harm you.

While holding a mudra, you can either visualize a color or concentrate on the color of an object. The first approach is better because the color will then come to life, which means you can imagine the color as dark or light, dull or bright, connected to forms, or flowing, etc. For example, you feel the need to go into the forest because you can best regenerate yourself there but don't have the time to do so. You can imagine a very green forest, and in your thoughts, you can totally luxuriate in the green of the leaves. This will refresh you inwardly. Such visualizations have long been used successfully, and pictures of lush landscapes are specifically installed in many hospitals to support the healing process. Try it out!