Chromo / Colour Therapy

Chromo Therapy alias Colour Therapy is an alternative healing method that uses the seven colours (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red) of solar spectrum to improve the mental welfare and health of the human body. The word 'chromo' is derived from the Greek word, meaning 'colour'. Chromo Therapy literally means curative treatment by means of colours and is also known by the names Colour Therapy, Light Therapy, Helio Therapy or Colourology. Colour therapy has been in practice for over thousands of years ago to cure various ailments including depression, eczema, high blood pressure, menstrual problems etc. Colour therapy also helps people to enhance their immune system, improve their ability to learn and create, remove stress and enhance happiness. 

According to Colour Therapy, many disorders and diseases in humans are caused by the imbalance in the body's energy centers or Chakras. The therapy believes that imbalance occur in the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental levels of humans, because of lack of sunlight or a particular colour in the human system, and balance could be restored by providing appropriate colour. Colour healing is based on the belief that the entire spectrum of colours is derived from sunlight and in the light spectrum, each colour vibrates at different frequency. Each of the seven main colours form the aura around our body, and it is important to balance and blend these colours in our lives. Colours have their own frequency and vibration, and plays a role in removing stress and creating happiness. The vibration of colours transmit energy, which is used to balance the body's energy centers. 

Each colour is associated with different parts of the body i.e., the different energy centers, known as the chakras and has their own unique healing properties. Every cell in the body requires light energy and when the colours enter the body through light in the right way, they activate the body’s healing qualities.

• Violet 
  This colour is used for Crown Chakra, located at the top portion of the head. Symbolizing creativity, violet colour calm or ease organs, relax muscles, and soothes the nervous system. It is useful in treating people who are emotionally agitated.
• Indigo 
  Ideal for Brow Chakra, at times referred to as the third eye, which is at the lower part of the forehead. This colour treats eyes, ears, nose and mental problems as well as de- addiction. Indigo stimulates the intellect, while also instilling courage, authority and calmness.
• Blue
  The colour is used for healing Throat Chakra in the throat region, which helps to reduce toxins and treats liver disorders and jaundice. Blue colour represents truth, nobility and serenity. Too much of blue can induce sadness and depression.
• Green 
  Green colour is used for Heart Chakra which is situated near the heart region and treats heart problems, cancer, bronchitis, whooping cough, inflammation of the joints and swelling. Green represents balance, harmony and hope.
• Yellow 
  Used for Solar Plexus Chakra at the solar plexus region. It heals skin problems and diabetes, and balances the adrenal glands, purifies blood and helps digestion. Yellow colour stimulates the intellect and has a cheering effect.
• Orange 
  Orange is an energizing colour with a gentle warming effect. Ideal for Sacral Chakra near the pelvis / groin area, which treat kidney problems and gallstones, hernia and appendicitis. Orange colour helps to uplift the spirits of people who are depressed.
• Red 
  Red colour is used for Base Chakra at the base of the spine, that treats low blood pressure, rheumatism, paralysis, anemia and tuberculosis. It represents vitality, creativity, energy and power. 

Chromotherapists are medical practitioners who apply light in the form of colour to balance the lacking energy in particular areas of the human body. In Colour therapy, a therapist isolates colours to enhance and alter energies. Colour therapists use a variety of techniques when treating colour imbalance, which involves:

• Using hands to heal, meditation or visualization techniques
• Demonstrating and teaching breathing exercises
• Using stained glass filters, crystals, coloured gels and water, or coloured silk clothes to illuminate the whole body, spine, or a particular part of the body
• Using a special colour, or sitting under light that passes through a certain colour of window pane
  Applying coloured fabrics on the body
• Placing bottles of coloured fluid to the skin. 
• Using a pendulum to dowse a chart of the spine for energy imbalances.

Colour therapy, being a therapy that includes all senses, suggests what colours to wear, what coloured foods to eat, painting using a special colour or sitting under light that passes through a certain colour of window pane etc. Chromotherapy is best used to supplement other natural therapies such as a nutritious diet, adequate rest and relaxation, exercise, yoga, naturopathy, Hydrotherapy and Aromatherapy.

How to Become an Chromotherapist

To become a Chromotherapist or a Colour therapy practitioner, one must have either a Diploma or a Bachelor degree in Chromo Therapy. Basic knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics is essential to venture into this field. 

In India, only few institutions are offering courses in Chromo Therapy/Colour Therapy as an independent subject. Most colleges teach Chromo-therapy as one of the subjects in the 5 ½-year Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences (BNYS) course.

Institute of Alternative Medicines (IAMK) and Institute of Alternative Medicines and Research (IAMR) located in Kolkata are among the main institutions in India offering Diploma and Bachelor courses in Colour therapy. Minimum eligibility to study these courses is a pass in 10+2 or equivalent. The duration of Diploma course is six months to one-year, and Bachelor certification course is two years. One can learn Chromo Therapy by attending regular classes or through correspondence. Other prominent institutes offering Chromotherapy courses are Mahendra Institute of Alternative Medicine- Jaipur; Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Institute- Jodhpur, Open International University for Alternative Medicine - Kolkata (under the Charter of the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines) etc.

Some health care centers conduct Practical Training Programs or short-term training courses in Chromo/ colour therapy. Swastik Health Care Centre is one such centre which provide short time training in Colour therapy at its various centers.

Course Area : Chromo therapy courses cover topics such as History of Colour Therapy, Introduction of Colour, Importance of Colour Therapy, Principles of Colour Therapy, Use of Colour Therapy in ancient times, treatment as well as some aspects of Acupressure, Sujok, Vaastu, Human Body & Colour Therapy, Colour of the Nature and Colour code etc.

Skills required for Colourtherapists 

To practice as a Colour /chromo therapist one must possess certain essential skills :

• Real interest in complementary medicine
• A genuine desire to help people
• A passion for colours
• Awareness of the influence of each colour on individuals
• Understanding and sensitivity
• Good communication skills 
• An interest to do all possible research with colours, to evolve and advance
• Be a good listener to determine the most suitable treatment
• Be emotionally stable and have self awareness
• A non-judgmental attitude
• Ability to recognize when to refer clients to a certified medical doctor
• Commercial skills to run a business

Chromotherapist Nature of Work

Even though, Chromotherapy treatment has been in practice in India from earlier times, career opportunities in this field are relatively few because this ancient form of therapy is neither well-known nor accepted by the common public.

Qualified persons in this field can work as Chromo therapists in hospitals, naturopathy clinics, nature cure health centres offering alternative medicines, or can open their own therapy clinic. To achieve success in the field of Colour therapy, one need to build up and maintain sound reputation and client base. Chromotherapists can even do research work or join the field of education. . 

Since Colour Therapy combines with other therapies, practitioners like reflexologists, acupuncturists and other healthcare professionals could offer colour therapy techniques as part of their practice. There is no defined working hours for Chromo Therapists. They can choose their own working hours or offer evening and weekend appointments according to the requirements of the clients.

Chromo Therapy Institutes in India

For the details of colleges/ insitututes conducting Chromo Therapy / Colour Therapy Courses, click on the following links.

• Bachelor of Chromotheraphy
• Bachelor of Gem-Tele-Chromo Therapy (BGTCT) (Correspondence/ Distance Education)
• Bachelor of Gem-Tele-Chromo Therapy (BGTCT)
• Certificate in Chromotherapy
• Diploma in Colour Therapy/Chromotheraphy (DCT) (Correspondence/ Distance Education)
• Diploma in Colour Therapy/Chromotheraphy (DCT)
• Diploma in Gem-Tele-Chromo Therapy (DGTCT)
• Training in Chromotherapy/Colortheraphy