Chakras book combines interest in healing, yoga

IOWA CITY - Two Iowa City-area women are breathing new life into the ancient healing concept of chakras.

Betsy Rippentrop, owner of Heartland Yoga, 221 E. College St., and author Eve Adamson co-wrote a book they hope will introduce the self-care skill to a broad audience.

“The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Chakras” explains the seven major chakras - spinning energy centers along the nervous system that represent different body parts and link to emotional and spiritual issues.

The Eastern holistic concept has been around for nearly 5,000 years and is related to yoga theory, says Rippentrop, 35, of Swisher.

Adamson, 43, of Iowa City, has written numerous best-selling wellness guides with experts and was introduced to Rippentrop while taking yoga at her studio.

“I always like to live what I'm writing about,” Adamson says, noting she first learned about chakras while researching a yoga guide more than a decade ago.

A 1984 graduate of Iowa City West High School, Adamson received her master's degree in creative writing from the University of Florida after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1989.

“Complete Idiot's” guides to Zen living and meditation are among her books.

“Naturally Thin,” which she co-wrote with celebrity natural foods chef Bethenny Frankel, is a recent New York Times best-seller.

Rippentrop said she wasn't put off by the “Idiot's” title when Adamson approached her about co-authoring the chakras book.

“The series has established itself,” she says. “This type of book is well-known. It does offer the possibility of reaching a broad audience.”

Rippentrop uses chakras concepts not only in her yoga studio, but as a licensed psychologist at Eastwind Healing Center, next to Heartland Yoga.

Psychology clients learn which chakra might be blocked, how to understand their energy system and to use that system to bring about a better quality of life, she says.

Similar concepts are used in her yoga studio.

“When you do yoga, you balance your chakras,” Rippentrop says.

Timing for the book is serendipitous.

Rippentrop notes that yoga is the fastest-growing sport in the United States and interest in Eastern medicine also is increasing.

“Our culture in general is becoming more open to healing with many modalities,” she says. “People are opening their minds to complementary methods of healing.”

Chakras will be featured this week at Heartland Yoga and Eastwind Healing Center and the two women will offer a workshop Saturday at the studio, followed by a book signing and reception.

“If you're at all interested in self-improvement, this is a really useful tool,” Adamson says.