COLOUR
Chicky Read
Colour is a powerful communication tool that is thought to influence mood and our physiological reactions to situations and events.
Colour affects people in many different ways, depending on age, gender, ethnic background and even climate. Certain colours and groups of colours tend to get a similar reaction from most people, the variation comes from the shade or tone. Our feelings about colour are often deeply personal and are down to our own experiences and our culture, for example the colour white is used in many Western countries to represent innocence and purity, whereas in Eastern countries it is seen as a symbol of mourning.
Chromotherapy is a method of alternative treatment that uses the colour spectrum to heal and to alleviate symptoms. It is a centuries old concept used by many ancient cultures, including Ancient Egyptians for healing, stimulation and relaxation. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment for illness or anxiety. The colour red is used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation. Yellow is thought to purify the body and stimulate your nervous system. Orange is used to increase energy levels and blue is believed to treat pains and soothe fever.
There are many ways in which the use of colour has been thought to affect people's emotions and reactions and this has been used to influence people in many different situations. There is a paint colour knows as Baker-Miller Pink which claims to “reduce hostile, violent or aggressive behaviour”.
Dr. Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma Washington, was the first to report the suppression of anxiety ridden angry and antagonistic behaviour among prisoners:
"Even if a person tries to be angry or aggressive in the presence of pink, he can't. The heart muscles can’t race fast enough. It’s a tranquillising colour that saps your energy. Even the colour-blind are tranquillised by pink rooms.”
This pink shade has gone on to be used in prison cells, psychiatric wards, youth clinics and even a football stadium visitors locker room!
Colours and shades which have been linked with tranquility, calming and relaxation are
Pink - a romantic colour, is calming and comforting
Blue - reminds people of the sky and ocean, it is peaceful and tranquil and it is thought to causes the body to produce calming chemicals.
Green - symbolises nature. It is calming, refreshing and comforting. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients.
Lavender
Pale Grey
Beige
Colour is something that I use a lot in my day to day life to influence my mood and to control my anxiety. Here at SHUG Yoga we are using colours like these listed above to help the wearer feel calm, tranquil and relaxed during their practice. The correct choice of colour for a garment can help to sooth the mind with the wearer absorbing the colours through their peripheral vision resulting in an even deeper, even more relaxed practice and meditation.
A task for you - Look around you, see what colours you have chosen to surround yourself with and what colours your favourite clothes are. Are these colours calming and relaxing? It's interesting to see what we subconsciously surround ourselves with!