Energy flows through the body in subtle channels called “Nadis”, a Sanskrit word meaning riverbed, and we have about 72,000 Nadis in the Human body.
Imagine the Nadis, flowing around the body and the points where they intersect are known as a Chakra. There are many minor Chakras in the human body but there are 7 major ones, which are all located along the spine. A Chakra can also be pictured like a spinning wheel or disc, and there is an optimum speed for them to be spinning at to be in balance.
Chakras are basically funnels through which we both give and receive human energy or vibes. When our Chakras are balanced, we enjoy perfect health. Healing is all about learning to work with your Chakras and learning how to heal the areas which may not be functioning fully at present.
Chakras are very well researched, having been acknowledged and studied for thousands of years.
How do the Chakras affect our lives?
Each Chakra represents one area of your life.
The First (ROOT CHAKRA) Red
The Root Chakra is our foundation. When all is well with this Chakra, you’ll feel secure, calm, and anchored. You’ll be bold enough to tackle new challenges, and you’ll feel confident doing so. This makes a properly aligned Root Chakra vital whenever you’re trying something new or pursuing a major life goal.
You can develop a blocked Root Chakra if something threatens your basic survival needs (e.g. for food, shelter, or money).
Physical Location: The bottom of your spine (where your tailbone is located).
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Root Chakra: If your Root Chakra is blocked you may feel threatened, panicked, or anxious. You may also find that you can’t concentrate and that you’re constantly preoccupied with worries about your well-being. Physical issues potentially caused by a blocked Root Chakra include a sore lower back, low energy levels, and cold extremities.
The Second (SACRAL CHAKRA) Orange.
The Sacral Chakra is key to your creative energy. It is related not only to pursuits of artistry and the imagination but also to your sexuality and your capacity for change in all areas of life. Your Sacral Chakra might become misaligned or blocked in some way if you’re stressed about some aspect of your sexuality. Or, if you are unsatisfied in your relationship or struggling to experience pleasure in life more generally. It can also be disturbed by negative feedback that makes you doubt your creative capacities.
Physical Location: In the middle of the abdomen, roughly two inches below the belly button.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Sacral Chakra: When there’s a problem with the Sacral Chakra, you’re likely to feel bored, listless, and uninspired. You may have a low sex drive, and you’ll possibly feel afraid of (or resistant to) change. Physical symptoms associated with a blocked Sacral Chakra can include urinary discomfort, increased allergies and an attraction to addictive behaviours. These need not be related to drug or alcohol use. Shopping addiction, gambling, and issues with eating can all be linked to issues with the Sacral Chakra.
The Third (Solar Plexus Chakra) – Yellow
The Solar Plexus Chakra is often thought of as vital for self-esteem, autonomy, and determination. Consequently, it is sometimes called the “personal power” chakra.
When all is as it should be with this chakra, you’ll have a clear path ahead of you. You should know what is necessary for success. You will also feel independent like you can accomplish almost anything if you set your mind to it. Meanwhile, this chakra can easily be negatively affected by perceived failures, unpleasant social experiences, or lingering feelings of low self-worth from childhood.
Physical Location: Around the stomach area at the top of your abdomen.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Solar Plexus Chakra: If there’s a blockage around the Solar Plexus Chakra, your confidence will be very shaky. If there is only a small blockage, there may only be insecurity in one specific area. A larger blockage will cause generalized self-esteem problems. You might be haunted by thoughts that you are not good enough. Or, you may feel unable to draw useful lessons from life’s challenges. Physical difficulties associated with a blocked Solar Plexus Chakra may include digestive discomfort and troubles with memory.
The Fourth (Heart Chakra) Green
As you might expect, the Heart Chakra is intimately connected to your capacity for love and compassion in all their forms. It is sometimes described as a bridge between the mind, body, and spirit.
When your Heart Chakra is well balanced, you will be able to offer empathy to others, be emotionally open, and enjoy a deep sense of inner peace. You will feel your emotions fully, and yet also understand them on a cognitive level. Anything negatively related to love can trouble the Heart Chakra; a breakup, a grief process, a difficult friendship, or even just an instance of casual cruelty.
Physical Location: Directly above the heart.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Heart Chakra: When the Heart Chakra is blocked or misaligned, you’ll struggle to relate to other people. You will be less compassionate than usual and may be impatient. You’ll commonly find it harder than usual to trust, and you won’t feel at peace. Rather, you’ll feel restless and disgruntled. A blocked Heart Chakra can also manifest physically. Some Chakra experts think such a misalignment may be linked to issues like high blood pressure and low immune system function.
The Fifth Chakra (Throat Chakra) Blue
The Throat Chakra regulates your self-expression in all senses, influencing how authentically you convey your deepest self to the world. It is connected to your directness, emotional honesty and ownership of your needs.
When your Throat Chakra is aligned properly, you will feel able to say what you mean, be well understood by others, and speak the truth in ways that are appropriate. In other words, you’ll be forthright without being blunt. The Throat Chakra can be shifted by difficult experiences with communication. For example, it can be shifted by a tough job interview or a bad argument.
Physical Location: In the middle of the throat.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Throat Chakra: A blocked Throat Chakra primarily manifests in an inability to say what you really want to say. You may feel like you’re stuck holding onto secrets. Similarly, you may believe that people don’t want to hear your thoughts, or that you can’t find the right words for your feelings. Once again, a small blockage may mean you only struggle with self-expression at work, or with a particular friend. Meanwhile, a significant misalignment may mean you constantly feel thwarted in communication. Physically, a blocked Throat Chakra may present with pain in the neck, sensitivity to hormone fluctuations, and discomfort in throat tissue.
The Sixth Chakra (Third Eye Chakra) Indigo
The Third Eye Chakra is a powerful energy source when it is working well. It determines your intuition, your alignment with the Universe, and your ability to see the bigger picture in life.
When you have an open Third Eye chakra, you are adept at picking up signs. Trust in your gut feelings and plan according to your greatest goals.
Physical Location: In the centre of your brow.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Third Eye Chakra: When your Third Eye Chakra is blocked, you may struggle to have faith in your broader purpose. So, you may feel there’s no point to what you’re doing, or feel it is insignificant. You might also be struck by your inability to make decisions. Some people describe this as a feeling of psychological paralysis. If you have a blocked Third Eye Chakra, you might have trouble sleeping, feel clumsy, and struggle to learn new things.
The Seventh Chakra (Crown) Violet
Finally, the Crown Chakra, the highest chakra, is what determines your spiritual connectivity. This chakra is sometimes called “thousand petal lotus” chakra. Given its place as the highest chakra, it is vital in creating a life you love, and in attaining a feeling of peace. However, working with it is a notoriously subtle process.
When all is well, you will be in tune with beauty in the world around you. Plus, you will experience feelings of profound joy. Life will feel worthwhile, glorious and rich. Unfortunately, the Crown Chakra can be moved out of position by any traumatic life experience that causes you to doubt the worth of yourself or your purpose.
Physical Location: The top of the head.
Emotional Issues and Behaviours of Blocked Crown Chakra: You might not see much beauty in the world at all if your Crown Chakra has been disturbed. You may also feel spirituality adrift and experience symptoms of depression. If you’re only starting to develop this type of block, you might just notice a decline in overall excitement or motivation. Physically, a blocked Crown Chakra can also occur at the same time as problems with physical coordination or chronic headaches.
How can we balance our Chakras?
We need to bring the needs of all seven chakras into our everyday life. Balance your life and your chakras will gradually come into balance.
Look at your life under the following headings:
Work and earning a living
Time with family and friends
Chilling out
Having fun
Health, diet, and exercise
Spirituality and meditation
Being creative and expressing yourself
Personal growth and expanding your knowledge
Helping others and voluntary work
Write under each heading in what way you are satisfying these eight needs. You will clearly see which area you are neglecting and which you re overemphasizing. Then make a conscious decision to redress the balance.
Balance in your life
Allow your Chakras to come into balance naturally rather than striving to force them to balance.
For example, if you are very tired and desperate to sleep, do you often find that you can’t? The more you try the less likely it is to happen.
Note to self – if your chakras are imbalanced it is not anybody’s fault.
The following can help too;
- Healing with Crystals
- Meditation
- Diet
- Positive Thinking Techniques
- Reiki
My next post will consider Healing with Crystals