Chakras and their role in your balance
The physical body, everyone knows what it is. But did you know that it's not the only body we have? Beyond his physical body, man has an energetic body. This is where the chakras come into play. These are the energy centers of the body that play an important role in our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Understanding this mind-body energy system is essential to becoming the most vibrant, healthiest, and most radiant version of yourself.
Since everything in the mind-body energy system is in motion, it is essential that your seven main chakras remain open, aligned and flowing. When blocked, the flow of energy is restricted, as if water is forced to flow through a narrow pipe. The same goes for our body and our chakras. The key to unlocking, shifting and transforming your energy – so you can reach your highest mental, physical and spiritual potential – is simple: awareness.
So, in this article, I take you to discover the chakras, these energetic vortices, and their profoundly transformative role in your life.
Understanding the Chakras: origin and meaning
Chakras are vortices of energy that exist within each of us. They are distributed along our spine. These energetic vortices carry energy from the universe around you into your aura and body, as well as between the physical body and the layers of your aura. You can think of your chakra system as similar to a spiritual bloodstream.
By understanding their role and how they work, we can not only improve our overall health, but also promote mental and emotional balance.
What are chakras? Definition
In his book "Chakras, the centers of force in man", the author gives us the following definition:
"The word Chakra is Sanskrit and means a wheel; it is still used in various derivative and symbolic subsidiary meanings, just like its English equivalent. If we speak of the wheel of destiny, the Buddhist speaks of the wheel of lives and deaths, and he gives to the first great sermon by which Our Lord the Buddha expounded his doctrine, the name of Dhammachakkappavattana Soutta (chakka being in Pali the equivalent of the Sanskrit chakra), poetically rendered by Professor Rhys Davids in these terms: "which puts into movement the wheel of the royal chariot of a universal empire of truth and justice”. This is exactly the idea that this expression suggests to the pious Buddhist, although the literal translation is: “the revolution of the wheel of Law” We will use the word chakra here in a particular sense to designate a series of rotiform vortices which exist on the surface of the etheric double of man."
The word chakra was first mentioned in the Vedas, ancient Hindu texts dating back to around 1,500 BCE. Throughout history, many cultures – including the Egyptians, Hindus, Chinese, Sufis, Zarathustrians, Greeks, Native Americans, Incas and Mayans, among others – have all experienced these energy centers, or the chakra system, as a reflection of energy. natural law that exists in the universe and a counterpart closely related to our physical self.
What are the 7 different chakras in the human body? associated functions and organs
The 7 Chakras are aligned along the spinal column and run from the tip of the sacrum to the top of the skull.
As centers of subtle energy in the human body, the Chakras are associated with various physical, emotional, mental and spiritual functions and organs. Each of the seven main chakras is linked to specific aspects of the human experience and contributes to our overall well-being. Here's a description of the functions of each chakra.
Root chakra (Muladhara) - Anchoring and stability
Located at the base of the spine and pelvic floor
Governs: anchoring, survival, security, stability, protection and feeling of security, connection with the physical world and the body. It is the foundation of the energy system in physical form.
Glands/organs: colon, blood, bone marrow, and all bones and muscles from hips to toes
Element: Earth
Color: red
Ways to support this chakra: Spend lots of quality time in nature, go hiking, gardening, dancing, yoga poses, walk barefoot, eat fresh foods.
Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana) - Creativity and Sexual Energy
Located between the navel and the pubic bone in the lower abdomen
Governs: The emotional center of the energy system, creativity, sexual energy and the place that becomes depleted when you are not creating the life you want to live.
Glands/Organs: genitals, ovaries, testicles, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, lower back, bile ducts, mid back and appendix.
Element: Water
Color: orange
Ways to support this chakra: Focus on personal pleasure and sexual energy. Have a consistent artistic or creative hobby for yourself that you do for your own enjoyment: writing, painting, music, etc.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) - Self-Esteem and Personal Power
Located between the bottom of the rib cage and the navel.
Governs: personal power, will, personal energy, authority, metabolism and control of desire.
Glands/organs: stomach, small and large intestines, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen and endocrine system.
Element: Fire
Color: yellow
Ways to support this chakra: Practice setting your boundaries and learn to say “no.” Own your power and remind yourself daily how much willpower you have.
Heart Chakra (Anahata) - Love and Compassion
Located in the center of the chest.
Governs: unconditional love of self and others, forgiveness, compassion, giving and receiving. This chakra is the bridge that communicates with the three lower chakras + the three upper chakras.
Glands/Organs: Heart, breasts, thymus gland, circulatory system, arms, hands, and lungs
Element: Air
Color: green or pink
Ways to support this chakra: Appreciate your beauty now. Practice self-care and self-acceptance. Give up the habit of putting yourself down all the time. Write down what you are grateful for daily. Receive fully when someone gives you a compliment.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) - Communication and Expression
Located at the base of the throat.
Governs: Real communication, speaking your truth, creative expression.
Glands/Organs: Thyroid gland, tongue, tonsils, throat, mouth, teeth, gums, jaw and cervical vertebrae.
Element: Aether (or space)
Color: blue
Ways to support this chakra: Say what you really think instead of only saying what you think others want to hear. Chant while meditating.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) - Intuition and Spiritual Awareness
Located in the center of the front
Governs: intuition, imagination, awareness and concentration.
Glands/organs: brain, brainstem, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and eyes.
Element: Light (sometimes associated with spirit)
Color: indigo blue
Ways to support this chakra: Create a daily meditation practice for yourself. Practice writing
your goals and brainstorming or mind mapping your creative ideas.
Crown or Coronal Chakra (Sahasrara) - Spirituality and Universal Connection
Located just above the top of the head
Rules: spiritual connection, divine wisdom and understanding.
Glands/Organs: Central nervous system and skin
Element: Thought (sometimes associated with consciousness)
Color: purple or white
Ways to support this chakra: Make time for ritual and sacred spaces. Create a beautiful place for your spiritual practice, dedicated to your growth and development. A shelf on a bookcase, a corner of your desk, or a dedicated altar in your own room are all wonderful sacred spaces.
Maintaining Chakra Balance
As we begin to open to the power of our chakras, it is important to maintain our high vibration – our positive energy – in daily life. For what? Because as we heal ourselves on different levels and clear our chakras of denser energies, it is important to keep our energy and space clear and protected, as well as keep our vibration resonant at a higher frequency. This helps maintain chakra balance.
Regularly cultivate mindfulness and practice gratitude. By regularly cultivating mindfulness, we stay in the present. When we ruminate and are depressed, we often dwell on the past. When we experience anxiety, we worry about the future. Staying in the present allows us to show up fully for ourselves. Practicing gratitude also raises vibrations.
Maintain your energy through movement. Whether it’s yoga, qi gong, or other physical activities, it’s important to regularly maintain clarity of mind, body, and spirit.
You can also work with a professional to rebalance the chakras, either with Reiki or acupuncture.
On the other hand, blockages, imbalances or disturbances in one or more of our chakras can lead to physical, emotional and mental problems. This is why it is important to maintain this balance.
How can you tell if your chakras are blocked?
Knowing whether your chakras are blocked may require some introspection and attention to your feelings, emotions, thoughts and physical sensations. Here are some signs that could indicate chakra blockages or imbalances:
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara):
When the root chakra is not in harmony, there is an inability to trust nature. We also feel groundless, disconnected from Mother Earth. We have issues related to our identity or family wounds. We are in fear and do not feel safe knowing that our most basic and primal needs are met (like food, shelter, clothing and love).
2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana):
We have difficulty expressing our feelings (or are cut off from them), are out of touch with pleasure, and hold unprocessed anger. We feel stifled in our creativity and resentful for not being able to birth our ideas into the world. We also may have relationship issues (platonic and romantic), reproductive issues, or feel unstable or unhealthy around aspects of our sexuality. There will also be feelings of shame. We also may have issues around money and abundance, either placing an overemphasis on obtaining material goods, or not owning our abundance at all.
3.Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura):
We have a need to dominate and control, have a great need for prestige and keeping up appearances, and we function through the world with deep feelings of inadequacy. In short, we do not respect ourselves, and may even manifest self-hatred. We may give away our power to others, leaving us with no sense of self.
4.Heart Chakra (Anahata):
We are disconnected from ourselves, have difficulty loving ourselves or giving love from a genuine place, do not feel deserving of love (and therefore have difficulty receiving love), are out of touch with who we are, and develop depression (from lack of connection to self).
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha):
We have difficulty speaking our truth or expressing ourselves, feel silenced and judged for what we say, feel out of alignment with who we are, and feel out of touch with our will to live.
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna):
We focus only on our intellect and reject all spiritual aspects of ourselves. We do not trust (nor are aware of) our intuition, are only able to see the physical reality in life, and carry a lot of fear in regard to our inner wisdom.
7.Crown Chakra (Sahasrara):
We feel totally disconnected from the Divine. We may even have anger at God. We have difficulty trusting our path, and our lives in general. We feel depressed, alone, unsatisfied with life, and unable to let go of anxiety and fear.
If you experience one or more of these signs, it could indicate that your chakras are unbalanced or blocked. It's important to note that these signs may be due to other factors, so it's advisable to consult a health professional or an experienced energy healing practitioner for an accurate diagnosis.
Some practitioners, for example, use our harmonizing mats to rebalance the chakras. Simply place yourself on the mat for a few minutes, or as long as you feel is necessary.
How to open your chakras?
There are various techniques and exercises that help rebalance a chakra, whether through meditation, yoga, healthy eating, positive visualization, stone healing, etc.
Of course, in parallel with these exercises, there will be deep inner work to do on yourself, to dissect the negative mechanisms that caused these imbalances and reprogram yourself positively. This is a process that takes time, so be kind and patient with yourself. Listen to your body, your emotions and your sensations during this journey of inner exploration.
1. Self-observation and awareness: observe and identify your emotional blockages, your fears, your doubts or your imbalances.
2. Chakra meditation
3. Yoga classes and postures
4. Conscious breathing exercises
5. Working with crystals and stones
6. Essential oils, Bach Flowers
7. Working with Sacred Geometry Symbols: In the same way you use stones, you can use sacred geometry symbols. And that's good because, in addition to offering the Indian chakras, we have declined certain symbols in the colors of the 7 chakras (like the Flower of Life and the Metatron's Cube). Depending on the chakra that is out of balance, use the corresponding color.
8. Positive affirmations to reinforce your intentions of openness and harmonization.
9. Healthy and balanced diet
10. Work with an experienced energy healing practitioner, yoga teacher, reiki practitioner or chakra therapist.
A final word
But why are the chakras so important and why have they been at the center of spiritual teaching since ancient times? The answer is simple: chakras, or energy centers, are the gathering places of energy within and alongside your physical body. It is important to study them because they are the energy vortexes of your body; they determine where, how and for what purpose energy flows through your physical body and your etheric body (i.e. the first layer of the human aura or energy field).
Energy flow is vitally important. It dictates your health, happiness, and harmony with your environment. This is why understanding your chakras and improving the flow of energy through them can literally bring you greater health, happiness, harmony, prosperity, love, well-being, protection and comfort.
Your chakras are gateways to spiritual power and possibilities and, as such, have been a continuing source of fascination and study for thousands of years. Additionally, each of your chakras contains a key that can unlock solutions to the challenges and dilemmas you encounter.
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Sources
Les chakras les centres de force dans l'homme de Charles Webster Leadbeater
Beginner’s Guide to the Chakras by Bethany A. McConnell
Chakra healing - A beginner's guide to self-healing techniques that balance the chakras by Margarita Alcantara