Channeling Your Chakras

If you’re like me you’ve probably gone through phases where your energy levels fluctuate up and down, leaving you feeling abundant and full at times, and unpredictable or stuck in others. Luckily, there is an ancient tool that you can leverage in order to help stabilize, enhance and strengthen your energy flow, while supporting your optimal level of well-being: the CHAKRA system.

The chakra system originated in India between 1,500 - 500 BC in the oldest text known as the Vedas. Chakra is the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel,” and it describes the life force, or energy, within the body. It forms the foundation of many spiritual and philosophical practices, and, if you’ve ever taken a yoga or meditation class, or had an energy healing session such as reiki, you’ve no doubt heard about chakras and the role that they play in the flow of energy in your body.

But WHAT exactly are chakras and HOW do they affect your health and wellness?

Chakras are the energy centers in the body that connect and help regulate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a person. There are 7 chakras, moving upward from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each one is associated with elements and correspond with major nerve centers and endocrine glands. At the core of the chakra approach is the belief that energy can get BLOCKED, or stuck in particular chakra regions, and when they are closed off, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with that region as a result. Ultimately, to function at their best, and in turn your best, they need to remain OPEN and stay BALANCED.

THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRAS & HOW TO WORK WITH THEM:

The FIRST chakra is the ROOT chakra, or Muladhara, and it is located at the base of the spine, near the tailbone. The element it is related to is the earth and it is represented by the color red. It provides you with a base or foundation for life, and it helps you to feel grounded and able to withstand challenges. Your root chakra is responsible for your sense of SECURITY and STABILITY.

+ PHYSICALLY - located near the root of the spine, connected with the adrenal gland and also linked to the large intestine, spine, legs and feet

+ MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes security, survival, stability and grounding

+ SPIRITUALLY - proclaims “I exist”

+ SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - skeletal and muscular ailments, fear, nervousness, resistance to change, greed, fears of not being enough or not being safe

+ HOW TO OPEN - connect with the earth, dance, spend time with others, wear red, use red crystals like ruby or garnet, diffuse scents like clove and rosemary, or do yoga poses such as the Tree Pose or Mountain Pose

The SECOND chakra is the SACRAL chakra, or Svadhisthana, and it is located just below the belly button. The element it is associated with is water and it is represented by the color orange. This chakra is responsible for your SEXUAL and CREATIVE energy. It is also liked to how you relate to your emotions and the emotions of others.

+ PHYSICALLY - located in the lower abdomen, blow the navel, connected with the testes and ovaries and the reproductive system, and is linked to the bladder, bowel and large intestine + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes creativity, movement, fertility, abundance, sensuality and passion (referred to as the “emotional epicenter”) + SPIRITUALLY - declares “I feel” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - hip, lower back, kidney and genital ailments, difficulty expressing emotions, overly emotional and attached, shame and guilt, fears of pleasure, intimacy or change + HOW TO OPEN - spend time near water, stay hydrated, connect intimately with your partner, wear orange, use orange crystals like goldstone or carnelian, diffuse scents like orange or sandalwood, or try yoga poses such as the Goddess Pose or Revolved Triangle Pose

The THIRD chakra is the SOLAR PLEXUS chakra, or Manipura, and it is located in the stomach area. The element it correlates to is fire and it is linked to the color yellow. It is responsible for CONFIDENCE and SELF-ESTEEM, as well as helping you to feel in control of your life.

+ PHYSICALLY - located in the upper abdomen, associated with the pancreas and the digestive system, and is connected to the stomach, small intestine and upper back + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes personal power, confidence, vitality, control and self-worth + SPIRITUALLY - affirms “I can” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - gastrointestinal ailments, self-doubt, difficulty making decisions, aggression, fears of failure or criticism + HOW TO OPEN - practice self-love, focus on belly breathing, explore mental blockages, wear yellow, use yellow crystals like citrine or amber, diffuse scents like lemon or grapefruit, or perform yoga poses such as the Boat Pose or Warrior Pose

The FOURTH chakra is the HEART chakra, or Anahata, and it is located near your heart, in the center of your chest. It correlates to element of air and is associated with the color green. No surprise, this chakra is all about our ABILITY TO LOVE and SHOW COMPASSION.

+ PHYSICALLY - located in the center of the chest, above the heart, associated with the thymus gland and the circulatory and lymphatic systems, and is also connected to the lungs and heart + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes compassion, connection, love and acceptance + SPIRITUALLY - professes “I love” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - cardiovascular, lung, arm and hand ailments, inability to let go of the past, difficulty giving forgiveness, fears of rejection, vulnerability, and connection with self or others + HOW TO OPEN - practice gratitude and forgiveness, focus on love and not criticism, wear green, use green crystals like emerald or malachite, diffuse scents like rose or jasmine, or do yoga poses such as the Crescent Moon Pose or Camel Pose

The FIFTH chakra is the THROAT chakra, or Vishuddha, and it is located in your throat. It is associated to the element of ether or space, and is linked to the color blue. This chakra has to do with our ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, verbally.

+ PHYSICALLY - located in the throat, connected with the thyroid gland and the respiratory system, and correlated with the mouth and jaw + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes communication, truth, joy and creativity + SPIRITUALLY - exclaims “I speak” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - neck, throat and jaw ailments, lack of self-expression and listening, low levels of creativity, not expressing the truth, criticism of self and others, fears of rejection and conflict + HOW TO OPEN - express yourself authentically, laugh, sing or hum, wear blue, use blue or blue-green crystals like tanzanite or aquamarine, diffuse scents like peppermint or lavender, or practice yoga poses such as the Shoulderstand Pose or Cobra Pose

The SIXTH chakra is the THIRD EYE chakra, or Ajna, and it is located between the eyes. It is correlated to the element of light and represented by the color indigo. This chakra is to thank for a strong gut instinct, because the third eye is responsible for INTUITION and linked to IMAGINATION.

+ PHYSICALLY - located on the forehead, between the eyes, connected with the pituitary gland and the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system, and is linked to the the brain, skull and eyes + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes insight, imagination, visualization and intuition + SPIRITUALLY - indicates “I see” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - headaches, sinus and eye ailments, self-doubt, despair and lack of hope, fears of losing control or relying on intuition + HOW TO OPEN - trust your intuition, eat whole foods, minimize distractions, wear indigo, use indigo or dark blue crystals like amethyst or lolite, diffuse scents like clary sage or lemongrass, or try yoga poses such as the Easy Pose or Child's Pose

The SEVENTH chakra is the CROWN chakra, or Sahasrara, and it is located at the top of the head. It is associated with the element of cosmic energy, and is represented by the colors violet and white. This chakra symbolized your SPIRITUAL CONNECTION to yourself, others and the universe, and plays a role in your LIFE’S PURPOSE.

+ PHYSICALLY - located at the crown of the head, associated with the pineal gland and the central nervous system + MENTALLY & EMOTIONALLY - promotes beauty, spiritual connection, enlightenment and wisdom + SPIRITUALLY - affirms “I am” + SIGNS OF IMBALANCE - denying the spiritual realm, inability to make own decisions, being overly intellectual or judgmental, focus on material goods, fears of spiritual connection or being let down + HOW TO OPEN - explore spiritual practices, separate thoughts and feelings, wear violet or white, use white crystals like quartz or selenite, diffuse scents like rosewood, or perform yoga poses such as the Corpse Pose or Butterfly Pose

It is important to pay attention to and tune in to both the PSYCHOLOGICAL and PHYSIOLOGICAL sensations you feel, as they can inform each other and help to uncover the ROOT CAUSE of the experience. Personal habits such as poor physical alignment or posture, eating unhealthy food, or self-destructive behavior may cause a chakra to be imbalanced, and prolonged imbalance can lead to physical disease and illness, musculoskeletal issue and mental health challenges like depression or anxiety.

Simply understanding how this system works on a basic level can help you to RECOGNIZE when a particular chakra or chakras might be out of balance, and it is, again, another way to approach your health and wellness holistically by honoring the connection of the MIND, BODY and SPIRIT.

Finding your state of BALANCE is an INDIVIDUAL journey and practice, one that will no doubt take time, but will only serve to benefit you over the long run.

Xx, Leah Kutsch P.S. Keeping IIN Touch