The Basics Of Chakra Balancing

Did you know that we have two bodies? Not only do we have a physical body, but we also have a light body.

Our physical body is our visible and tangible form, made up of bones, muscles, organs and other tissues. It is our physical manifestation in this earthly realm and is subject to the laws of physics and biology.

Our light body, on the other hand, is the subtle energy system underlying to the physical body. It is the energetic bridge between our physical body and our higher, soul existence beyond the physical body. The light body is invisible to the naked eye and is subject to metaphysical or universal laws.

The concept of the ‘body of light‘ or ‘luminous body’ is found in various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings and is also known as the aura, human energy field, astral body, subtle body, spirit body, radiant body, sidereal body, or celestial body.

The main feature of the light body are the chakras, an intricate network of energy centers or vortices that play a vital role in our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. According to some teachings there are as many as 114 to 88,000 chakras, but this is not a commonly accepted understanding in the fields of yoga and energy healing.

Opening your chakras and allowing cosmic energies to flow through your body will ultimately refresh your spirit and empower your life ~ Barbara Marciniak

In traditional teachings, such as the Vedic tradition, one of the oldest and most influential sources of knowledge on the subject, the number of chakras is usually given as seven, although some traditions mention eight or even twelve chakras. However, the seven major or primary chakras are the most popular focus in most modern practices.

The primary chakras are like the ‘vital organs’ of the light body. Just as the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are essential for the survival and well-being of our physical body, the seven primary chakras perform essential energetic functions that are necessary for the well-being of our mind-body and spirit.

Various spiritual, esoteric and holistic health techniques for chakra balancing and energy healing have been practiced for centuries to restore harmony and vitality to these energy centers. To live a truly conscious, spiritually awakened life, it is important to understand and nurture the chakras. Chakra health improves not only our physical health, but also our mental and spiritual well-being.

The Seven Primary Chakras

The concept of the primary chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC. It consists of seven chakras, each with a unique energetic purpose or function. The seven primary chakras according to the Vedic tradition are:

The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is the first primary chakra, located at the base of the spine. It is the foundation of the energy system of the light body. It is associated with the color red and the element earth and governs our basic survival instincts. When the base chakra is open and balanced, we feel safe, stable, grounded and secure in the world.

The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) is the second primary chakra and is located in the lower abdomen, just below the navel. It is associated with the color orange and the element water. It is the energetic center of our creativity, sexuality, and emotions, and when it is open and balanced, we are able to fully experience sensual pleasure, sexual intimacy, and emotional balance and well-being.

The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) is the third primary chakra, located in the upper abdomen, above the navel. It is associated with the color yellow and the element fire. It is the energy center of self-confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and assertiveness. It is the seat of our personal power.

The Heart Chakra (Anahata) is the fourth primary chakra, located in the center of the chest. It is associated with the color green and the element air. It plays an important role in the chakra system, acting as the energetic bridge between the lower, physical chakras and the upper, metaphysical chakras. When this chakra is open and balanced, we experience love, compassion and joy, and are capable of empathy, kindness, generosity and forgiveness.

The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) is the fifth primary chakra, located in the throat area at the center of the neck. It is associated with the color blue and the element ether. When this chakra is open and balanced, we are capable of clear communication, self-expression and speaking our personal truth.

The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) is the sixth primary chakra, located in the center of the forehead, between and just above the eyebrows. It is associated with the color indigo and the element light. When this chakra is open and balanced, we become more imaginative, visionary, and mentally enlightened, and we have greater intuitive awareness and insight.

The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) is the seventh and highest primary chakra, located at the top of the head. it is associated with the color violet and the element of thought. It is our gateway oconnection to God, Source, Spirit, the Divine and Universal Consciousness. When this chakra is open and balanced, we experience higher states of consciousness and a deep sense of spiritual connection, wisdom and enlightenment.

Disease is often an accumulation of damned-up energy. When we learn how energy moves through the chakras we can begin to allow it to flow freely through our bodies, creating greater health ~ Caroline Shola Arewa

Chakra Balancing Practices

Chakra healing or balancing is the purposeful activation, clearing and alignment of the energy centers to ensure a smooth and healthy flow of energy throughout the primary chakra system to synchronize the physical body with the light body. Some of the best known ways to practice chakra balancing include:

Visualized meditation is probably the most common practice for balancing the chakras. It is usually done by focusing on each chakra and visualizing it spinning or radiating its respective color.

Nature meditation or simply spending time outdoors is another practice that greatly benefits the health of the chakras. For example, walking barefoot on grass or sand strengthens the root chakra, spending time near water helps balance the sacral chakra, and hugging a tree calms the heart chakra.

Yoga practice includes a long-standing tradition of chakra balancing that powerfully target specific chakras to release energy blockages and stimulate the flow of life energy, or prana.

Affirmations corresponding to the energy signature of each chakra can be repeated daily to promote chakra healing and balance. For example, for the root chakra, one might repeat, “I feel safe and secure in the world” and for the crown chakra one might say, “I am connected to divine wisdom.”

Crystal healing is another popular chakra balancing technique. Different crystals and gemstones are associated with specific chakras based on their colors and energy profiles. Chakra healing is achieved by wearing the crystals on your person, placing them on your body during rituals or healing sessions, holding them while meditating or praying, wearing them as jewelry, setting up crystal grids, and even drinking or bathing in crystal-infused water.

Sound therapy uses the sound vibrations created with singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, drums, chimes, or simply by chanting a specific mantra to activate or stimulate the chakras. Each chakra resonates with a specific sound frequency, ranging from a low of 396 Hz for the root chakra to a high of 963 Hz for the crown chakra.

Color therapy or chromotherapy is also frequently used as a chakra balancing practice, based on the idea that each chakra is associated with a specific color on the color spectrum. This approach to chakra healing involves incorporating as much of the appropriate color as possible into a holistic lifestyle, including colored light bathing, wearing specific colored clothing, eating specific colored foods, and incorporating specific colors into home and office environments.

Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in which thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow. It balances the chakras by stimulating the energetic acupuncture points that correspond to each chakra.