Among Sarasota’s holistic community, Siesta Beach has an impressive reputation: It’s known as a place where a concentration of energy maximizes the ability to heal physically and emotionally. The credit goes to the qualities of the beach’s sand.  The legend is that the presence offshore of quartz crystals may be derived from the ancient mythical city of Atlantis. Some healers point to a decades-old, well-canopied tree, surrounded by heavy grass growth and growing about 60 feet from the coast, as an indication of the beach’s metaphysical vitality. Others talk of a mysterious protection from hurricanes that they credit to either Indian blessings or a vortex of energy they say exists near the rumored Atlantis crystal location.

Whatever the reasons, Siesta Beach is growing in the reverence it receives among people who consider themselves “energy healers” or shamans, and its reputation for healing power stretches even to Peru.

The belief in Siesta Beach’s concentration of energy has at least some scientific roots that can be documented, and it has to do with Siesta’s sand. Whiter than the sand at any other beach in the area, Siesta’s sand is also known for its relative coolness even on the hottest of days. Those qualities are derived from the content of sand, which is indeed unique from any other beach in the world Siesta sand is 99.9 percent quartz. This makes the sand appear very white. And because of the way the crystals have been worn down, the sand is exceptionally soft. You also won’t find much particulate shell matter.

Siesta’s sand originated thousands of years ago from the Appalachian area. That fact is significant to energy healers because of their deep belief that quartz is itself a healing material, especially quartz derived from the area near Hot Springs, Ark. Quartz crystal is a natural conductor of energy, Many healers frequently choose Siesta Beach as the site for meditation events because of the energy they feel is concentrated there. Quartz is one of the highest vibratory minerals of the earth. And we are mineral-based; we’re made up of the same elements the earth is made of, so you could take somebody who knows nothing about quartz or crystals or elements, have them lie down on the quartz crystal sand of Siesta Beach on a beautiful day and the elements in their body the molecular structure in their body will resonate with the quartz in that sand. As for our yoga classes, which are held directly on the sand, it can be absolutely transformational. I believe the legends may have real validity because in my many years of teaching Yoga on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the beaches of Hawaii, I have not found a beach that inspires so much healing, love and inner peace as I found here on Siesta Key beach.

 

Here we will examine the  extraordinary properties of quartz crystal.

Quartz crystals have been revered throughout the ages as symbols of beauty, health and often power. The latter is sometimes referred to as key to the rise and fall of the mythical civilization of Atlantis. More recently quartz crystals have been associated within New Age circles and applications to holistic health, meditation and personal growth.

Let us first explore the science behind the mystique of quartz crystals. There are many types of natural quartz crystals. The most common ones are amethyst, citrine, rose, smoky and clear. Natural quartz is composed of silicon dioxide molecules. Quartz consisting solely of silicon dioxide is known as clear quartz which is the type of crystal sand at Siesta Key beach. The other members of the quartz family are variations. In addition to the fundamental silicon dioxide structure, they also have chemical impurities that were present when the crystal formed. For example amethyst has impurities of manganese oxides, which gives it the typical purple color.

A natural crystal by definition means it has a very regular arrangement of atoms, quartz crystal looks like a matrix of very beautiful  lattes structures under the microscope. When electricity is put into a quartz crystal their atoms vibrate at a very stable frequency. These characteristics make quartz an excellent receptor and emitter of electromagnetic waves. This is why quartz is commonly used in radios, watches, and numerous electronic technologies. One interesting characteristic of quartz crystal can be observed when electricity is applied to it. The quartz will begin to vibrate which in turn causes the quartz to produce its own weak electric current. This is taken advantage of in the workings of a typical quartz watch. Quartz crystal also exhibit the piezoelectric effect  which is understood as the linear electromechanical interaction as when pressure is applied along across a quartz crystal  it will produce its own electric charge.

The humble quartz crystal is a major element in today’s technological revolution. The conversion of quartz crystals into silicon chips has transformed the world. Quartz has made the digital age possible. It has given us computers, mobile phones and communication breakthroughs. Vast pieces of information to be brought together in a precisely organized way with the silicon chips of a computer.

One of the early pioneers of silicon chip technology was Nobel prize-winning scientist Marcel Vogel. He made a discovery while working as a research scientist for IBM that shook to the core the belief systems of his scientific peers. Vogel discovered that not only can crystals be programmed as silicon chips in a computer, but they also can be programmed with thought. A person sitting at a computer inputs his thoughts through a keyboard. This is stored in the computer’s silicon chips via the medium of electricity. Vogel reasoned that like electricity, thought is a form of energy, which is given direction by our intention. He concluded that crystals could also be programmed without the need for electricity, by using just thoughts or clear intention. Vogel designed a multitude of experiments to validate his quantum theories. Like all groundbreaking alternative scientists, the mainstream scientific community ostracized him.

The ability of quartz crystals to transform energy and be programmed by clear thought patterns is being used by many holistic healers, reiki masters and spiritual teachers to assist individuals in their pursuit of a healthy and happy life.

Armed with the concepts of quantum physics, the group at N and N Associates Inc. has recently completed work to take the science of quartz crystals to a new level and demonstrate the efficacy and validity of using quartz crystals to promote holistic health. The group has extensively researched key universal vibrational (energy) patterns. These patterns are considered to be the cornerstone of the matrix between the physical universe and the creative life force. Quartz crystals could be the visible tip of the iceberg as seen in our material dimension but the invisible part could well be in other dimensional of reality. The quartz crystal could be our conduit into other quite valid dimensions of reality.

In conclusion, we could summarize that quartz crystals are truly unique. There is no question that they can learn and reproduce simple, yet powerful patterns, as demonstrated by today’s digital technology. Recent work has also proven the validity of using quartz crystals to promote holistic health. While in some circumstances it might be argued that quartz crystals are magical, the power behind quartz crystals has been amply demonstrated using sound science. Now if you have ever wondered why we feel so transformed and revitalized after practicing our yoga on Siesta key beach, now you know, there is real energy in the sand beneath you. On Siesta Key beach the crystal sand beneath your feet is vibrating and amplifying your own energy and connecting the soul of the earth to your own soul. Whether you attend one of my yoga classes or just come to sit on the beach or take a walk be aware of the extraordinary healing energy of this place and let it transform you.

Classes held Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, at 9:00 am to 10:30 am