How to Heal Through Color Therapy

Color therapy is an alternative therapy that involves the use of color and light to restore balance to the body, mind and spirit. Dating back thousands of years to an ancient Indian practice called Ayurveda, color therapy is used to treat everything from seasonal affective disorder and jet lag to arthritis, stomach cramps and back pain. Creative types may turn to color therapy for inspiration, while those in the corporate world have used different color therapy techniques to reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia. Follow these steps to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access for taking a color quiz

Heal Common Ailments Through Color Therapy

1. Make an appointment with a color therapist in your area. Look for an International Association of Color provider at the Wholistic Online Web site (see Resources below).
2. Research color therapy techniques and tools. You'll find invaluable information in popular titles like "Beginner's Guide to Color Therapy" by Jonathan Dee and "Color Therapy: Healing with Color" by R. B. Amber (see Resources below).
3. Purchase inexpensive color therapy tools such as colored fabrics, bath treatments, candles, gemstones or colored eye wear. Heal yourself through the methods that appeal to you most. Color therapy is meant to be enjoyable, not just therapeutic.
4. Look into complementary treatments, such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy or aromatherapy, as well as exercises like meditation and visualization.
5. Take a color quiz to find out what colors you're attracted to and which ones you need more of in your life. Locate classic Lusher color tests at the ColorQuiz Web site or in the book, "The Language of Color," by Dorothee Mella (see Resources below).
6. Visit Susa Scalora's "Color Therapy" Web site (see Resources below).

Get Clues From Your Aura

7. Learn how to read your aura or get a professional reading. A thorough understanding of your unique aura is thought to help you heal yourself.
8. Notice what colors are abundant in your aura and what colors are lacking, muted or absent.
9. Treat aura color deficiencies with complementary colors. For instance, an abundance of blue is a sign of depression, and should be treated with its complementary color, orange.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own budget color light box or color cards using materials available from your local craft store.
• You'll find inexpensive healing crystals at local holistic stores.
• Color therapy is an alternative therapy. It's not intended to be a substitute for medical attention when needed.
• If you experience severe pain, chronic symptoms or prolonged illness, consult a physician immediately.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.

Who Can Help: