What are Chakras?

Chakras are our bodies energy systems. They can be affected and unbalanced by trauma; physical, emotional and spiritual, beliefs, stuck feelings and other peoples energies.

In the Western world there are seven main chakras that are noted: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown chakras. Each is represented by a colour and corresponds to certain issues in our lives.

In todays society we are bombarded with too much work, too little time, negative media reports, negative and traumatic events, rules and regulations, high and unachievable expectations set by others and ourselves and the list goes on. This results in stress, anxiety, depression, loss of self-confidence, motivation, anger and even physical disease.

We need to take time to cleanse and balance our chakras. We need to slow down and take time for ourselves.

We need to release our negative beliefs about the world, others and most importantly, ourselves.

We need to learn to love ourselves.

We need to trust ourselves, trust our intuition and follow our true path.

There are many ways to cleanse and balance your chakras and you can do them yourself.

- Simple chakra meditations on Youtube

- you can bathe in salt water

- use colour therapy

- exercise/dance/yoga

- breathing techniques

- spending time in nature

Below are the chakras and some interesting information relating to the physical, emotional and spiritual states of balance and imbalance.

Root – Rules our physical energies and drives self-preservation

Sense of safety and security.

Rules the belief that you are worthy of existing.

Rules all primal feelings – anger, sadness, fear, joy , disgust, rage, resentment, guilt, shame etc

Our beliefs support our identity of who we are

Unbalanced – leads to inability to manifest, fear of lack of safety, disconnectedness, ungrounded, depression, anxiety, addictions

Balanced – able to manifest prosperity and security – grounded, successful, strong character, tremendous stamina – meet their own primary needs. (safety and security)

Sacral – Rules emotions, creativity and sensuality.

Initiates the bonds between us and others – emotional

Our identity relating to the other sex

Intense emotions

Unbalanced – Rage, jealousy, envy and greed. Self-denial, blaming others, fear of change; lack of social skills, desire and creativity.

Balanced – Friendliness, vitality, sensuality, the ability to feel satisfied, compassion, sexual expression and bondedness.

Solar plexus – Energy centre of personal power, mental activity, self-esteem and will-power (self-worth)

Beliefs and emotions related to ego – sense of value and ability to carry out decisions.

Development of personal beliefs

Unbalanced – pride, anger, fear, prejudice or victimisation. Too sensitive to criticism or over-critical of others, emotionally manipulated or be an emotional manipulator, controlling, aggressive dominant behaviour, the need to be right, stubbornness, egotism, hyperactivity and competition. (the belief that you have to be better than everyone else)

Balanced – Healthy assertiveness, cooperation and dynamic energy, intelligence, decisiveness, productivity and mental focus, a healthy digestive system and a healthy relationship with the world.

Heart chakra – the energy centre of love and relationships

Appreciation and compassion

Regulates relationships with self and others and the Divine

Unbalanced – inability to forgive, loneliness, lack of empathy, lack of self-love, apathy, indifference, withdrawal, aimlessness.

Balanced - Sense of wholeness, empathy, compassion, friendliness, motivation, nurture and acceptance.

Throat chakra – Communication and expression

Speaking and listening with loving truth

Expressing your true self

Unbalanced – not speaking up for yourself, gossiping, emotional congestion, criticism of self and others

Balanced – creative and expressive, communicates positively, listens consciously and experiences a sense of contentment.

Third eye chakra – Seat of vision and perception

Cognitive, intellectual and mental abilities

Seeing

Intuition

Looking at life through the lens of our higher consciousness rather than our programmed inadequacies.

Unbalanced – intense irritation towards others or an aspect of our life, inability to perceive what is truly happening, refusal to change old patterns (even though you can see they don’t work), the inability to look forward with joy. Inability to see the obvious, denial of problems or challenges, easy to deceive, chaos, co-dependency, abusive relationships, difficulty in planning the future, memory loss, lack of joy, anxiety, hallucinations, fantasizing, difficulty concentrating, obsessiveness, delusions, nightmares, self-centredness and turmoil.

Balanced - Keen intellect and strong intuition, uses imagination in positive manner. Can see big picture, perceive and influence spiritual planes, readily establish goals and take action.

Crown chakra – Seat of spirituality

Connection to higher consciousness.

Hope, faith, awareness, consciousness and truth.

Unbalanced – psychosis, learning issues, neurosis and other major psychological challenges. Not seeing ourselves as fully loved by the Divine, not worthy of this love. Lack of purpose, ethics, joy and trust: loss of meaningness; fear of religion and spirituality; unwise decisions, learning difficulties; fear of death; fear of separation from others; ignoring ones bodily needs. Manic-depressive behaviour, hysterical behaviour, addiction and dissociation from body.

Balanced - self-trust, selflessness and superior consciousness, refined sense of empathy, Inner peace and satisfaction. Ability to live in the present moment. Once it is balanced, all other chakras begin to balance

Dale, Cyndi. Llewellyns Complete book of Chakras. 2016