Our body is made up of the physical body (that what can be seen), the energy or subtle body (that can not be seen) and consciousness.
Since matter (physical) and energy can be converted into each other it’s important that both are given the attention they require. We can move, stretch and exercise the physical body to strengthen, rebalance and mobilise it. Lets remember that taking care of our physical body is somewhat new, it was only 100 years ago that if you saw a person running along the street you would never imagine that he would do that for health reasons, you would assume he was being chased.
Fortunately we now understand the importance of taking care of our physical body, but how do we ensure that we do the same for the energy body?
What Does Modern Science Say About the Energy Body?
Studies are comparatively new. Science is only just catching up with what eastern philosophy has known for 3000 years. Scientists started looking at the energy body 30 years ago. Neuroscience started to be discussed in the 1950’s but was not really organised until the 1970’s.
A simple and indirect way to measure the energy in our body is via a mercury thermometer which converts thermal energy to volume. If you search online you will find lots of information on the use of ECG’s, functional MRI’s and the use of psychometric scales to measure microcosmic and macrocosmic orbits.
It was proven that the atom, the smallest structure in the universe, is made up of 94.5% empty space. This revealed that what you see, touch, sense is only 5% of reality. Your physical body only represents 5% of who you are; we are 95% vibrating Energy.
Chakra Balancing
Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel or disc. There a seven main Chakras in the body and each one is an energy centre that corresponds to specific nerve bundles and internal organs. They process subtle energy currents and convert them into chemical, hormonal and cellular changes that take place in your body via the Endocrine System. It’s also believed they are entry gates for the aura.
The seven main Chakras are located centrally along your spine from the bottom to the head , the result of their communication is often through feelings. Wellbeing, stress, anxiety, joy, fear … all of which lead to our state of health both physically and mentally. According to traditional writings there are 88,000 chakras in the human body, the majority are small, forty of them have a significant function and are located in the hands, feet and shoulders.
Chakras draw in energy, they release energy, energy flows between them and they store energy. Since birth every experience, thought and feeling is stored within them. Throughout our life they become clogged, closed or even too wide open. Negative energy can be deposited or lodged there until its processed and released.
The good news is, it’s quite easy for us to re-balance our Chakras. We can do this by learning about them, how to recognise when they are not balanced and what they might need to re-balance. Chakras can be assessed by the individual or an energy therapist.
Muladhara – Root Chakra
The first chakra is located at the base of our spine and vibrates to the colour red, it’s masculine and projects energy down and out. The root chakra connects to the adrenal gland which produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.
Associated with the element of Earth, it’s vital to keep this chakra healthy. Stability, security, belonging and coming home are important feelings to cultivate.
Exercise is key to a healthy root chakra. Stretch, walk barefoot outside on the grass. Maintain good relationships with your biological family. Maintain a good work ethic, take care of basic financial needs.
Crystals related to the root chakra are: Ruby & Red Jasper, Garnet & Hematite. Essential oils related to the root chakra are: Cedarwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Fir, Vetiver, Patchouli.
Blocked: Low energy, depression, poor work ethic, feelings of being lost and not belonging.
Blown Open: Angry, looking for conflict, over controlling.
Balanced: Wake up energised, ready to go, work out regularly, feel safe and secure emotionally and financially.
Svadisthana – Sacral Chakra
Located at the lower abdomen, lower back area at the reproductive organs. The sacral chakra vibrates to the colour orange. It’s feminine projecting energy inwards. Associated with the element of water, we want to cultivate feelings of flow, creativity, playfulness and delight.
Our emotions & passions are the feelings that are created from the sacral chakra and these are changeable. It’s important to let negative feelings out and good feelings into this bowl of emotion.
Having fun and feeling happiness and not dwelling on negativity is key. Break some rules, get out of our comfort zones, laugh, be sociable, enjoy people’s company, engage in conversation, have an orgasm, prioritise fun and DANCE !
Blocked: Isolated, detachment from people around you and your own feelings, low libido, anxiety, lack of creativity.
Blown Open: Party all the time, lack of control.
Balanced: Adventurous, loving life, willing to take risks, confident.
Manipura – Solar Plexus
Located in the upper abdomen between our navel & sternum. The Solar Plexus vibrates to the colour yellow. It’s masculine projecting energy out. Connects to the pancreas which aids our digestive system producing enzymes that break down sugars, fats, and starches.
Relating to the element of FIRE, this is personal power, confidence & strength, willpower and discipline.
Will power is the nature of our solar plexus and will power is finite (not infinite) so it’s limited. Build small good habits every day to keep this chakra balanced. Have good values, principles and integrity. Keep commitments with yourself and others. Be unique, let go of criticism, know that we are all different. If you are in a difficult situation or circumstance look at how to change it. Be accountable.
Blocked: Start things and doesn’t complete them. Easily led, low self esteem. Feeling like a victim. Eating disorders, IBS, Improper digestion of nutrients. Quick to anger, neediness.
Blown Open: Work-aholics, so focused on productivity that other aspects are not taken care of. Refuses to listen to others.
Healthy: Proud of who you are, completes projects and not afraid of challenges and failure. Do not hold onto other peoples comments in a negative way. You know who you are and why you are here.
Anahata – Heart Chakra
Located at the centre of the body at heart level. The Heart Chakra vibrates to the colour green. It’s feminine receives energy inwards. Connects to the thymus gland which produces T.Cells to fight against pathogens, tumors and antigens. It’s ours body’s immune protector.
This is also the bridge between the world of ideas & spirit (higher chakras) and the lower world of the “doing” physical energy.
Deep meaningful love that is not changeable lives within the heart. Acts of love and kindness every day towards humans and animals, an impromptu kind word or gesture help re-balance the heart chakra. Mindfulness meditation is key to helping keep this chakra healthy. Sitting every morning and writing down 3-5 reasons to be grateful changes your vibration. Forgiveness of yourself and others will unlock the heart chakra, this does not mean you accept or excuse, just you yourself move on.
Blocked: Isolated. Every man for him/her self attitude. Jealousy, playing out harmful scenarios in your head over and over again. Self punishment.
Blown Open: Giving too much and depleted. Seeing good in everything and not drawing clear lines and boundaries. Not understanding that we can’t heal the world.
Healthy: Good connection to others, compassionate and caring, at ease with a variety of people. Able to receive and give love.
My mantra …. “We Can’t Change The World But We Can Change Someones World”
Vishudda – Throat Chakra
Located at the base of our throat. The Throat Chakra vibrates to the colour blue. It’s masculine projecting energy out. Connected to the Thyroid gland responsible for regulating our metabolism.
This is the Chakra of expression, of truth, clarity & responsibility. Are we speaking the truth to ourselves and others? Interestingly it is easier to know when we are speaking the truth to others than when we are deluding ourselves. Often you find if you speak your truth to others this has a subtle permission effect where you will discover they will do the same to you.
Self reflection and re-visiting with others what has been left un-said helps re-balance the throat chakra. Ask yourself what would i need to say or do if today was my last day on the planet? Am i happy with my life? Speak your mind instead of conforming to society. If it’s too soon or difficult to address this with others at the moment, write it down.
Blocked: Quiet and withdrawn, fear of speaking publicly. Does not share too much during conversation or pretends to be someone they are not. In-authentic. Talks very quietly so others can not easily hear them. When hard conversations arise they may shut down rather than speak up. Repeated throat infections, sinus infections, tight shoulders.
Blown Open: Babbles on and on. Interrupts others and dominates the conversation. Uses mis-information, always has to have the last word.
Healthy: Appears to be a confident person, comfortable in controversy.
When your throat chakra is open and balanced, you will find that you are not only able to speak fearlessly and with compassion, but you will also be open to listening to and hearing others.
Being able to talk openly and honestly—but with care and concern for others—is a gift to all your relationships. You’ll be able to articulate your ideas, feelings and opinions clearly. When you’re able to express thoughts with clarity, you may also find that you feel heard and understood.
Ajna – Third Eye
Located at the forehead, between and slightly above the eyebrows. The third eye vibrates to the colour indigo. Its feminine, taking energy in. Connected to the pituitary gland which is a master gland instructing others glands to release hormones. Our brain, skin, energy, mood, reproductive organs, vision, growth and more are affected by the health of this chakra.
It’s believed that the third eye is the seat of intuition, awareness and higher knowing, its a place from which we can “see” far beyond what our physical eyes can see, far beyond the limited material world of things and places. Practicing Shambhavi Mudra (Third Eye Gaze) meditation helps us drop a little deeper into stillness and calmness so that we can form a stronger relation ship with our intuition, this opens up greater tools that will guide us in everyday life..
Learning is a great way to balance the third eye. Read books, listen to podcasts, open your mind to new ideas and interests. Meditate. Stay away from disinformation. Engage with your intuition, listen to it and trust it.
Blocked: Resistance to new ideas and information, stuck in old ways without entertaining new ways. Discard non-rational intelligence. Indecisive and always asking others for advice.
Blown Open: Always having new ideas without application. Loving information just for the sake of it.
Healthy: Open to new information and ideas. Self studies. Listening to your intuition.
Sahasrara – Crown Chakra
Located at the top of the head. The crown chakra vibrates to the colour purple. Connected to the pineal gland responsible for producing the melatonin hormone that helps regulate sleep. The pituitary & hypothalamus.
A balanced crown chakra trusts that there is a higher intelligence taking care of us, whether that be a god, nature or the universe. To help re-balance the crown chakra relax, surrender, let go, breathe, detach from unhealthy thoughts and meditate.
Blocked: Fear of being out of control of situations, no trust is a higher intelligence. Unable to detach from troubles.
Blown Open: Ungrounded, reading tarot cards, hearing voices, seeing too many visions.
Healthy: Letting life flow and trusting that everything will unfold as it should.
You do not need to construct a plan, tactic or strategy for everything. Just make yourself ready and the unfolding intelligence of life itself will carry you to your destination.