Introduction to Chakra balancing

Introduction to Chakra balancing

By Jimmy Petruzzi

In Hindu and some other belief systems chakras are key energy points in the body that are situated at major junctions of arteries, veins, and nerves. Chakras are part of the so-called “subtle” body and there are seven chakras that are considered to be the most important. The subtle body is thought to comprise of the ego (i.e. the feeling that we are separate from a superhuman controlling power), the intellect (decision-making process and reasoning ability), the soul (i.e. the immortal essence of a person), the mind (i.e. feelings, emotions, and desires).

Flowing within our bodies is the energy that drives and maintains our life functions. This energy flows not only within our bodies, but also through the very fabric of the universe. In Asian traditions, people call this energy ki, chi, or prana. It is the basic life force that permeates all things. Many ancient cultures believe that there are seven major points of intersection for the flow of this energy in the human body, located along the spine at key branches of the human nervous system. These points ascend upward from the tail bone to the top of the skull. They are called chakras.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel or circle. This name is appropriate because energy tends to swirl in a circular motion as it gathers in the chakras, like a vortex. Chakras are often described as “wheels of light.” They are often depicted as lotus flowers with a different number of petals for each one. Various traditions also associate a specific colour with each chakra. According to many cultures, balancing this energy flow (i.e. chakra balancing) is integral to one’s overall physical, emotional, and mental health.

Although chakras cannot be seen or revealed in autopsies, their existence is well documented in the ancient healing and spiritual disciplines of the Far East. In traditional Indian medicine, each chakra in the spinal column is believed to influence or govern the bodily functions near its region of the spine. Each chakra is also associated with a specific kind of energy related to various human attributes, from the most primal to the most spiritual. The lower chakras govern the more primal, physical aspects of human existence, while the upper chakras are associated with one’s spiritual growth and evolution of consciousness.

Chakra Balancing

Chakra balancing refers to a number of different techniques used to clear or release stagnant or excessive energy in the individual chakras, so that the body’s entire energy system flows smoothly. These techniques can also be used to increase energy in a chakra when it is depleted, thereby strengthening its ability to function properly. When your chakras are balanced, your energy (life force) circulates freely throughout the body’s entire meridian system (or energy pathways). When all seven chakras are functioning well and in balance, we are healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

The concept of chakra balancing or chakra healing is central to many body-mind-spirit healing therapies. The subtle energy of the chakras is explored through various practices such as aromatherapy, mantras, meditation, Reiki, hands-on healing, flower essences, sound therapy, colour/light therapy, and crystal/gem therapy, to name a few. Many popular Asian healing modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu, tai chi, and qigong focus on balancing the flow through the energetic meridians that are an integral part of the chakra system.

In the ancient Korean body-mind-spirit discipline of Shin-sun-do (Way of the Divine), there is a system for achieving spiritual completion through the chakras. The goal is to become consciously aware of one’s soul and act to nurture its growth. Chakra balancing and chakra healing training, developed by author Ilchi Lee, is a modernized version of this ancient system adapted for modern times.

Description of the Chakras

There are seven different chakras that represent different areas of the body and can dysfunction in various ways. Feelings, thoughts, traumas, illnesses, medical conditions, and emotional disturbances can lodge in the chakras and impede healthy energy flow.

1 Root chakra:

 Location – base of spine in tailbone area.

Warning signals include fatigue, disagreements with family members, disorientation due to lack of grounding.

Emotional issues – survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food.

2 Sacral chakra:

 Location – lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel and two inches in.

 Warning signals include sexual dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, lack of creativity.

 Emotional issues – sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality.

3 Solar plexus chakra:

 Location - upper abdomen in the stomach area.

Warning signals include digestive system upset, weakness in “core” muscles, low immunity, low self-esteem.

? Emotional issues - self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

4 Heart chakra:

 Location – center of the chest just above the heart.

 Warning signals include high or low blood pressure, cardiac symptoms, anger, numbness, fear of love.

 Emotional issues – love, joy, and inner peace.

5 Throat chakra:

Location – throat.

 Warning signals include hyper- or hypothyroid (over- or under-active thyroid gland), frustration, fear or inability to express oneself.

 Emotional issues - Communication, self-expression of feelings, the truth.

6 Brow (third eye) chakra:

 Location – forehead between the eyes.

 Warning signals include headaches, lack of insight, feeling lost, lack of psychic intuitiveness.

 Emotional issues - Intuition, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions.

7 Crown chakra:

 Location – the very top of the head.

Warning signals include headaches, spaciness/brain fog, fear, disconnection, lack of trust/hope/faith.

Emotional issues - Inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, pure bliss.

Note that the sequence of chakras start from the lower body upwards and denote a transcendence from the physical to the spiritual as the positive energy flows in and upwards and the negative energy in the opposite direction, downwards and out.

This article is in no way a replacement for any prescribed medication; nor is it intended to contraindicate or supersede any medically diagnosed conditions or designed to treat anyone or make any recommendation's learners deploy techniques as part of any treatment plan. The article is for educational purposes