Chakra Balancing
Chakras are our energy centres
The word comes from the Sanskrit chakra meaning “wheel” or “circle” also referring to the “wheel of life”. They are the openings for life energy to flow into and out of our aura. Their main function is to vitalize the physical body and to bring a higher development to our self-consciousness. They are associated with our physical, mental, and emotional interactions.
There are seven main chakra centres in your body, located throughout your body. We have become familiar with these energy centres by both their numbers and their colours aligned in an ascending column from the base of our feet to the top of the head. The aura is often referred to as the eighth chakra.
There are seven main chakras: four in our upper body and three in our lower body. The upper controls our mental, emotional and spiritual state. The lower controls our physical, intuitive state. All of the chakras contribute to our overall well-being. If the chakras are not balanced there cannot be balance within us, emotionally, physically, or spiritually.
Think of it much like a powerful pyramid: when we have a physical issue, it creates weaknesses in our emotional behaviour. When we release that stale energy from our body it can undo tightness, stiffness, or any malfunction in that specific area. There are literally thousands of ways to heal and or balance your chakras. Meditation, visualization, reiki, aromatherapy and yoga are just a few of them. As a general rule of thumb: Use more meditative type techniques for the upper chakras, and do more physical techniques to best effect the lower chakras.
How Does Chakra Balancing Work?
Think of your chakra centres as a vehicle. We need to tune the engine, align the tires, replace the fluids, and balance the steering. Our chakras are no different and require both alignment and balancing. Aligning them focuses on healing a particular chakra that is out of sync, which could cause other chakras to work overtime. Balancing them puts them all in sync so they can work together as a collective whole. Taking care of our mind, thoughts, and affirmations is part of healing. Both aligning and balancing our energetic vehicle makes a healthy energetic space. Just like a building, making sure that your chakras have a firm foundation is crucial to having a healthy, open chakra system. You will begin to feel confident, stable and physically alive as you tap into your own renewable energy.
The Seven Chakras
Root Chakra: Red
Primal Existence
Location: The base of the spine Representation: Primal existence and survival instincts When Blocked: Manifests as low sex drive, paranoia, fear, and insecurity
When Balanced: Leads to feeling grounded, or steady on our foundation
Care: Eat plenty of red fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, apples, strawberries and watermelon. Also, spend time in nature. Forests, the ocean, and rock formations will ground you and activate this chakra.
Sacral Chakra: Orange
Sexuality
Location: Just below the navel Representation: Sexual energy, creativity, and sincerity When Blocked: Manifests as sexual guilt, extreme lust, and emotional problems
When Too Open: Manifests in excessive behaviour and sexual addiction When Balanced: Leads to feeling connections with others, and to accepting new experiences.
Care: Eat plenty of juicy oranges, melons, avocados, carrots, and anything orange and healthy.
Respect your sacral chakra by choosing healthy sexual activity and doing something creative to express yourself; this will leave you feeling more satisfied in your relationships.
Solar Plexus Chakra: Yellow
Freedom of Will
Location: Behind the solar plexus Representation: Willpower, determination, and purpose When Blocked: Manifests as being overly emotional, fearing being alone, and being in love with falling in love
When Too Open: Manifests as addictive behaviour and judgment When Balanced: Leads to feeling confident in control of your life
Care: Eat foods like bananas, mangoes, lemons, and other brightly coloured fruits and veggies.
Make sure you are getting “solar” energy by getting healthy amounts of sunshine. Your hair and skin will brighten and you’ll feel great and full of energy.
Heart Chakra: Green
Love and Balance
Location: In the breast area Representation: Ability to love and show compassion When Blocked: Manifests in heart problems or even a bad immune system; fear, self-pity, and a feeling of being unworthy
When Too Opened: Manifests in possessiveness, loving too easily, or over-sacrificing yourself When Balanced: Opens your heart to love
Care: Eat greens and leafy foods to boost your heart chakra, and spend time in green nature like meadows, forests, and even golf courses.
Throat Chakra: Blue
Expression and Impression
Location: In the throat Representation: Expression and communication When Blocked: Manifests in physical problems like sore throats or laryngitis, rigidity, communication problems, and prejudice
When Too Opened: Over-opinionated, hypercritical, arrogant When Balanced: Communication improves
Care: Drink plenty of clean filtered water, be open with others and yourself, and stay hydrated.
Bodies of water activate the throat chakra so visiting oceans and lakes will benefit this chakra. It’s important to keep this area clear so we can feel comfortable speaking our truth.
Third Eye Chakra: Indigo
Psychic Presence
Location: Between the eyebrows, commonly known as the third eye Representation: Awareness and intuition When Blocked: Manifests in egotism and sinus problems
When Too Open: Manifests in impatient behaviour and bullying When Balanced: Supports focus and objectivity
Care: Follow guided meditations, practice visualization techniques, and listen to progressive or classical music.
Crown Chakra: Violet
Spiritual Godhood
Location: Right above the top of the head Representation: Connection to the world and the universe, and being open to spirituality When Blocked: Manifests in psychological problems, condemnation, and alienation
When Too Open: Manifests in frustration and possibly even manic-depressive tendencies When Balanced: Supports your spirituality in a healthy way
Care: Take good care of your body and other chakras to fully activate your crown chakra.
When you understand your chakras, and how they relate to your life, you can seek help in ensuring they are in a healthy state. While it’s rare for all chakras to be balanced consistently, by becoming more aware of them can help you sense blockages and take steps to cleanse and align them