Understanding the Seven Major Chakras
In school we are taught the biology of cells and of tissue; we are taught that plants use energy from the sun to grow. Like the plants, we are surrounded by and composed of energy, constantly being taken in and released in ways that are so subtle that we usually don’t realize it is happening. This energy that we draw from all around us comes into our bodies by way of our chakras, which means ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit. Though there are hundreds of chakras throughout the human body, there are seven major energy centers that govern the majority of our bodily functions, emotions and energy. Each chakra is connected to part of the body, and each chakra takes in the energy that those organs and body parts need; energy that vibrates at a different level than any of the other chakras.
Root Chakra
The Root chakra is located along the spine at the base of the coccyx, which is sometimes called the tailbone. The root chakra resonates with the color red, and it corresponds to the spine, the legs and the feet, bringing life force energy, vitality and passion through to our bodies. It is associated with the adrenal glands, which are responsible for for our fight or flight response to danger. The root chakra can inspire and aid in the expression of courage, of sexuality, of grounding you in your physical body. A poorly functioning root chakra can be associated with many physical maladies, including those of the intestines, anus, bladder, prostate and blood.
Spleen Chakra
The Spleen chakra is located along the spine, directly between the root chakra and the navel, and it resonates with the color orange. This vibrant energy center is associated with our emotions. This chakra helps us feel confident, social and strong in our core. It corresponds to the spleen, the womb, the kidneys and the ovaries. Because of its ties to the organs of procreation, this energy center also governs our natural ability to manifest and create everything in our lives. If the spleen chakra doesn’t get the energy that it needs to deliver the life force for these functions, a person will likely feel incompetent, hopeless and frustrated. Addiction is common in Spleen chakra imbalances.
Solar Plexus
The third major energy center in our human body is the Solar Plexus chakra, located on the spine right around the navel. It resonates with a vibrant orange color and it is associated digestion and metabolism as well as the pancreas and the nervous system. This chakra is the seat of our sense of purpose and self awareness. The energy that is taken in through the solar plexus chakra gives us clarity and personal power to live lives of our choosing. If the energy of our third chakra is blocked, it can result in shyness, a sense of being out of control or of having no purpose. Ulcers, liver problems, diabetes and nervous disorders correspond with a blockage of this energy.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is a very powerful energy center that is located on the spine in the center of the chest. This chakra resonates to the color green and corresponds to the heart and lungs, arms, hands and respiratory system. This chakra is associated with relationships, balance and renewal and with love. A blocked heart chakra could result in feelings of guilt or the inability to forgive. Consequently, the inability to forgive or to show compassion can be the very thing that can slow or block one’s heart chakra in the first place. Blockages correspond with heart and breathing problems, high blood pressure and hypertension.
The Throat Chakra
Our fifth chakra corresponds with the color blue and is located at the throat. This energy center corresponds to the thyroid gland, the lyphatic system and the mouth. The energy of the throat chakra helps balance our capacity for communication and creative expression of our wants and needs. If the throat chakra remains balanced, we find it easy to express our inner wisdom. If our throat chakra is blocked, then problematic communication can result. There are many physical dysfunctions associated with an imbalanced throat chakra, such as tonsillitis, thyroid problems, toothaches, fever blisters and hyperactivity, to name a few.
Third Eye
The brow chakra is also called the third eye. This chakra is located in our brain, in the area of the pituitary gland, and it resonates with a brilliant indigo color. This chakra governs bodily functions that are associated with the eyes, the sinuses, and the ears. Energetically, this chakra is considered sacred because of its ability to strengthen our inner awareness of who we are. This chakra fosters intuition and spirituality, psychic impressions and lucid dreaming. The ability to see the human aura is granted through the brow chakra, and spiritual seekers throughout time have meditated on this energy center to achieve enlightened states.
The Crown
The seventh chakra is located at the crown of the head. It resonates to the color violet and it is associated with the mysterious pineal gland. The crown chakra is the seat of our consciousness. Out of body experiences and expanded perception are brought about through this spinning wheel of light and color. An imbalance of the crown chakra could facilitate conditions such as headaches, depression or senility.
Together, these seven energy centers, or ‘wheels of light’, absorb and direct the various levels of life force energy, or chi, into our bodies. This life force energy is the foundation of matter and life itself. Knowing how to balance and energize our seven major chakras will most certainly improve the quality of our life here on Earth.
You also might be interested in these posts...
