An Introduction to the Chakra System

What follows is a mere beginning to the Chakra Energy System. It will provide a few basics and how you may use this Resource / Tool to implement Deep Energetic CHANGE! Best Wishes.

(for more details and information on the chakras I recommend the book "Wheels of Light" by Anodea Judith.)

ROOT Chakra: grounding connection, survival, gravity--- into the physical body, stability, a sense of belonging. When an individual does not feel he/she is comfortable living here on Earth or in his/her body there is a definite imbalance in the first chakra. Eating "heavy" solid, dense foods like meats/proteins/nuts can assist in a dietary way. Daily mindful exercise (ie yoga, NOT fast moving like raquet ball) can bring mental energy down into the physical visceral body. Getting your hands dirty via gardening is an excellent way to connect to the Earth and feel like you belong and are provided for.

SACRAL Chakra: sexual connection, duality, attraction (to the opposite), nurturing, pleasure, emotions, relating to the other. When an individual has problems relating to others or experiences sexual health problems, this may indicate an imbalance in the second chakra. Because this is the chakra of clairsentience, this chakra represents the element of "water"...thus drinking clear liquids can assist in bringing harmony back to the orange-colored energy center. Engaging and relating with others by listening to others and understanding their emotional state can help recalibrate this chakra. Sexual and food addictions can stem from an imbalance here. Getting quality emotional therapy to address key emotional issues can be of help to curb the pleasures and appetites that are generated from the sacral chakra. Exercising the pelvic area will help loosen up the "guilt" that has been deposited over the years and generations...hula-hooping is an excellent choice!

SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra: connecting to one's own power, sense of authority, directing one's own personal will, metabolism and digestion. Have trouble losing weight? Do you lack self-confidence? This could be due to a deficient third chakra. The food related to this chakra is starch. Starches release quick energy and are used for those times of "fight or flight" responses. Because this relates to the adrenals...caffeine and stimulates often deplete this chakra. A high sugar diet will also diminish one's inherent resource of energy over time. Doing exercises that entail building up endurance (ie. treadmill for at least 20 min's every other day) and forgoing multiple cups of caffeine throughout the day will slowly build up a natural source of energy and help you EXUDE VIBRANCE!

HEART Chakra: compassionate connection to your surroundings, the ability to forgive and move on, unity, the ability to LOVE, connects the lower physical body with the mental bodies. When a person holds onto resentment, anger that is stored and not released, when one is selfish and hoards, the inability to share...these traits no doubt affect the health of the Heart chakra. Circulation issues, heart attacks, road rage are the result of a closed 4th chakra. The ablility to Let Go Let God is truly needed here to move on and open the Heart. To be able to Live in the NOW represents an open and flowing Heart chakra. What can assist in the health and well-being of a balanced 4th chakra? Breath work for one will help someone become more present, more conscious of the here and now. FORGIVENESS! Forgive yourself for any wrong doings. Ask others to forgive you. Forgive others that have done you wrong. Move away from the past and step into the "right here, right now". LIVE, by Giving of Yourself to Life once again~

THROAT Chakra: connecting to one's creative process, ability to Express one's self emotionally and logically, relating to music/sound. This chakra has all to do with sound and vibration. The inabilty to physically hear or the inabilty to listen to others represents an imbalance to the 5th chakra. Talking, either too talkative or not being able to express one's self is a key issue to the Throat chakra. As with all the higher chakras (5th-7th) using meditation techniques to tap into these higher frequency, more subtle energy systems, can assist someone into tapping into the blocks that obstuct energy flow. Eating a light diet composed of alot of fruits and vegetables will help open up the throat chakra. Taking up a creative endeavor and journaling are two ways to implement an energy boost here.

THIRD EYE Chakra: connecting to one's own Inner Light, intuition and a sense of Knowing, beliefs and the subconscious, clarity of perspective, open-mindedness, wisdom. Doubt puts a big damper to the 6th chakra. Also, a lack of Faith in something Greater than yourself diminishes the flow to the chakra associated with Light. Having clear vision, both physically and metaphorically, plays into the well-being of the 6th chakra. Do you have limited perspective? Not able to "see" another's point of view? Then perhaps some 6th chakra balancing is in need. Is there lack of mental focus or no peace of mind? These too, indicate a block in the Third Eye. Because this chakra entails alot of subtle energies, it may be hard to grasp where or why your blocks exist. Typically the block is due to a false belief...a "lie" you believed. A detailed review of all your subtle and not-so subtle beliefs may help you find what is preventing you from "seeing" Higher Truth.

CROWN Chakra: connecting to GOD--the Source of All, full integration of energies, Higher Understanding, Thoughts and the Subconscious, dreams. Thoughts...what do repetitively repeat to yourself day to day? Getting a hold of what you think on-goingly, both what you think consciously and subconsciously is so very important! Thoughts do create your reality. Depression is prevalent in our society today. We have become obsessed with being the best and having the most. And when we don't achieve what we think we want...we tell ourselves we are "bad, stupid..etc". Meditation is extremely important to become an awakened aware consciousness. A daily meditation practice will help us to discover what we honestly are thinking about ourselves and about Life. To become a person who KNOWS exactly why they do/say what they do. To BE rather than to merely "do" in life. Developing some sort of Spiritual Practice goes without saying. Commit to your Higher Self and with devotion and mindfulness this chakra will help you open up to a greater understanding AND appreciation of Life.

~RV 7/09