Whether we are conscious of them or not, we all have chakras – bright wheels of energy, spinning within our bodies. We have seven major chakras, and each of them has a different function and energy. And, while they exist within our bodies, their influence extends far beyond the physical. Your chakras influence the health of:
- your physical body
- your energetic body or aura
- your spirit
- your emotions
- your intellect
So, when we make a commitment to create a balanced and healthy chakra system, we are making a commitment to holistic and ultimate health.
Your chakra system holds within it your ancestral records, your relationship history, your beliefs about yourself and your power, and your connection to the Divine. The health of your chakras is therefore directly connected to your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
When we consciously work with our chakras, and choose to balance their energy and optimise their programming, we can literally change our own energy. When we are energetically healthy, we vibrate at a different frequency. This new frequency, or vibration, can attract to us wonderful new situations, opportunities and people.
Discovering the keys
We have seven chakras, starting from the base of our spinal column, progressing upwards in a vertical line to our crown at the very top of our head. Think of a line running straight up the centre of your body, from your perineum to the crown of your head – this is the line your chakras are positioned along.
Each of your chakras has a unique purpose and they are all connected energetically. So, while we may have an imbalance in only one, we truly need to work with them all as a system.
You may wish to focus on one chakra at certain times – for example, if you are having trouble speaking, or suffering from a sore throat, you may wish to focus on the throat chakra. While this approach can be helpful, the most beneficial of all approaches allows each one to share the attention.
While they are all connected, each of your seven chakras has a profound influence on a particular aspect of your physical, energetic, and mental health:-
Base chakra – your bones and teeth; your relationship with your family; your sense of security; and your instincts.
Sacral chakra – your reproductive system; your relationship with your emotions; your desires and sensuality.
Solar Plexus chakra – your digestive system; your personal power and energy; your will-power and drive.
Heart chakra – your respiratory system; how you love and allow love into your life; your empathy with others, and your opening to compassion.
Throat chakra – your ears, nose and throat; your self-expression (what you speak of, how you speak of others, the quality of your words and speech); your creativity.
Third eye chakra – your eyes; your intuition, imagination, and ability to visualise; your psychic abilities
Crown chakra – your brain and central nervous system; your spirituality, expanding your awareness
Not only do the chakras correspond to major glands and organs in the physical body, they also directly relate to everyday events. Quick to tears? It could be an indication of a sacral imbalance. Domineering? Perhaps your solar plexus is overloaded. Pain in your legs? Look to the base chakra. The chakras are storehouses of the symptoms of our day-to-day problems but they also hold the solutions. By working with each one, we activate those solutions.
Healing practices for the chakras
Each of the seven chakras relates to specific colours and it’s no accident that together they embrace the complete rainbow spectrum. When we find the true rhythm and harmony that comes with balancing our chakras, life takes on its true colours!
Here are some different ways that you can harmonise, balance, soothe and restore your system…
Colour visualisation is a powerful way of balancing our chakras and bringing greater vibrancy into our lives. Simply breath in the colour related to each chakra while focusing your attention on the location of the chakra. Do this for a minute or so for each chakra.
Base chakra – red; Sacral chakra –orange; Solar plexus chakra– yellow; Heart chakra – green; Throat chakra – blue; Third eye chakra – indigo; Crown chakra – violet
Dance and music through Chakradance® – blending free-flowing movements with particular frequencies of sound, Chakradance is a dynamic dance journey through the 7 chakras. There are accredited Chakradance facilitators in most capital cities and some regional centres in Australia, as well as a growing number internationally, running classes, courses and retreats. For details, visit www.chakradance.com.
Alternatively, you can try an introduction to chakradance in the comfort of your own home by downloading ‘Chakradance: rhythm for your soul’ from the Apple i-tunes store.
Crystals – specific crystals can be placed on each chakra for clearing, revitalising and healing. You may even choose to carry a specific crystal with you during your day.
Base chakra – hematite, garnet, bloodstone, onyx, ruby
Sacral chakra – moonstone, carnelian, golden topaz
Solar plexus chakra – yellow citrine, sunstone
Heart chakra – rose quartz, emerald, jade
Throat chakra – turquoise, aquamarine, sodalite
Third eye chakra – lapiz lazuli, sapphire
Crown chakra – clear quartz, diamond, white jade
You can simply buy your own crystals and experiment at home – or else scan the ads in Wellbeing magazine, or Google “crystal therapist” and your location, to find a practitioner who can help you explore this way of working with your chakras in more depth.
Essential Oils – specific oils can be used in massage treatments, burned in an oil burner, or you may even add a few drops in to your bath.
Base chakra – cedarwood, patchouli, musk
Sacral chakra – rose geranium, rose, sandalwood
Solar plexus chakra – bergamot, vetiver, ylang ylang
Heart chakra – rosewood, rose, bergamot
Throat chakra – eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile
Third eye chakra – basil, rose geranium sandalwood and thyme
Crown chakra – frankincense, rosemary
In the coming weeks, I will be focusing on one chakra per week, going into more detail about its role, its effects, and how best to work to correct any imbalances, blockages or excesses you may be carrying in that chakra.
Resources for further exploration
If you want to learn more about the chakra system and ways to work with your chakras, I have found the following books and websites to be useful:
Wheels of Life, Anodea Judith, Llewellyn, 1987, revised 1999, new cover 2011
Easter Body Western Mind, Celestial Arts, first edition 1997, revised 2004
Sacred Centers – http://www.sacredcenters.com/about
The Chakra Collective – http://www.facebook.com/chakracollective
Chakradance – http://www.chakradance.com
Chakradance on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Chakradance
