Understanding Chakras
Most people who have experienced a holistic therapy, visited a spiritual healer, or tried Yoga or Tai Chi, will have encountered the notion of the Chakras somewhere along the line.
The word “Chakra” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “spinning wheel of light” and refers to the various energy centres located at specific points along the mid-line of the body. The Chakras can be envisaged as cone shaped, spinning vortices of energy. Originally, seven major Chakras were identified, but New Age thinking increased this number to thirteen and it has even been suggested that there are hundreds of minor Chakras located throughout the human energy anatomy.
Complementary therapists and healers generally agree that the level of energy flow of the Chakras relates to particular physical and emotional ailments and that a blockage or imbalance within a Chakra indicates a current or potential threat to a client’s wellbeing. They believe that the state of our Chakras changes constantly depending upon our external circumstances and situations and therefore that the maintenance of a freely flowing Chakra system is an ongoing process.
To bring a client’s Chakra into balance, Therapists usually use a crystal pendulum or intuitive techniques to assess its energy flow and then use energy based healing modalities, such as Reiki, or lay specific crystals on the body to restore harmony. As each Chakra is assigned a colour, corresponding crystals are often chosen, although an experienced Crystal Healer works from a detailed knowledge base that encompasses far more than just the colour of the stones they work with.
A Chakra Balance is often performed as part of a holistic massage routine and to clear and cleanse a client’s energy system as well as promote relaxation.
Anyone can try a simple relaxation exercise to clear their Chakras, by lying comfortably on their back, and focusing on each chakra in turn, visualising the colour of the energy flow becoming pure and clear starting from the “Root” upwards.
You can use the layman’s guide below to ascertain where each of the seven major Chakras is located and the kinds of emotional aspects and physical areas it is related to.
Root Chakra: location – base of spine; colour – deep red; emotional aspect – safety and security; physical areas – kidneys, bowels.
Sacral Chakra: location – groin area; colour – vibrant orange; emotional aspect – relationships, sexuality, feelings; physical areas – reproductive system.
Solar Plexus Chakra: location – stomach area; colour – golden yellow; emotional aspect – self worth, joyfulness, intellect; physical areas – stomach, digestive system.
Heart Chakra: location – centre of the chest; colour – pink or green; emotional aspect – unconditional love, giving and receiving, compassion; physical areas – immune system, respiration, blood.
Throat Chakra: location – centre of throat; colour – blue; emotional aspect – self expression; physical areas – vocal chords, lungs, metabolism.
Third Eye Chakra: location – centre of the brow; colour – indigo; emotional aspect – intuition and inner knowing; physical areas – lower brain, ears, nose, nervous system.
Crown Chakra: location – top of the head; colour – white or gold; emotional aspect – receptiveness, openness; physical areas – upper body, eyes, pineal gland.
