About Chakras

Chakra is the most common term for the energy centers that occur along the midline of the body. Sometimes visualized as spinning wheels or vortices of light and color, chakras are centers of energy that relate to each of our body's systems and organs. There are seven primary chakras. Each chakra corresponds to a different area of the body and an aspect of the psyche. Physical and psychological problems are thought to show up in a person's chakras and energy field long before symptoms are noticeable.

The lower chakras (root, sacral and solar plexus) correspond to our physical body and our "lower impulses," while the upper chakras (throat, brow, and crown) relate to communication, vision and foresight, our intuition, and the connection with spirituality and divinity. The heart chakra is the symbolic bridge between the two.

When all dimensions of our being (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) are running smoothly, our chakras are balanced – they spin openly, allowing our energy field to flow freely. We feel connected with our bodies, with all of life, with our higher selves. We are at peace.

However, our chakras can become blocked or stagnant for many reasons – emotional trauma, fear, stress, illness, and injury.

The good news is that we can directly access our chakras and maintain balance through energy work such as Reiki.

Root (muladhara) - The root chakra is located at the base of the spine or between the legs. This is the chakra where we ground ourselves. It may relate to our sense of body, the lower digestive organs, and some of the sexual organs. Emotionally, this chakra is where we connect with the values of the family we were born to, and the family in which we were raised.

Sacral (swadhisthana) - Just above the root chakra, the sacral chakra is our sexual and creative center, corresponding to the womb and to that aspect of the spirit which is drawn to create: art, music, story-telling, spreadsheets, business cards, and anything else! This chakra is where we connect to friendships and our relationship with a significant other.

Solar Plexus (manipura) - Also known as the "navel" chakra, the solar plexus chakra is the chakra of the stomach, pancreas, liver, and the upper portion of the small intestine and other digestive organs. This is where we digest and break down the experiences of life. It is where we hold and process our relationship to ourself, and where we make our inner decisions about life. It is also connected to the immune system.

Heart (anahata) - The heart chakra is located in the center of the body, to the right of the physical heart. It holds all of our emotions, especially the most powerful ones: the things we love and things we hate. The heart chakra may be open or constricted depending on our approach to life and to the loves and losses that are thrown our way. The heart chakra is where the physical and spiritual selves are integrated in one being.

Throat (vishuddha) - The throat chakra is intimately connected with the thyroid gland. Emotionally and energetically, it is tied in with the voice, communication, spoken and written words. The throat is the meeting place between the trunk of the body, including the heart, and the head. It is an important and unpredictable energy center.

Third Eye (ajna) - Sometimes called the "brow" chakra, the third eye chakra is located on the forehead, directly over the pineal gland. As its name suggests, this center’s meaning relates to vision and insight, especially spiritual intuition and power.

Crown (sahasrara) – The crown chakra is located on the top of the head, just where a baby’s soft spot would be. This is the energy center which connects us with higher power, with our concept of divinity, with the Universe and all the potential that is out there. When we meditate or receive vibrational healing, we may open this chakra.