Internal Alignments Healing Arts
What are the Chakras
You may have likely heard of the term Chakra if you have found this page. The word “chakra” is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel or disk. Chakras are like spinning wheels of energy that run along the midline of our bodies. Think of it like a vortex of energy within you which influence our lives. There are seven main chakras within our bodies.
Each chakra has its name as well as its Sanskrit name, a specific location in the body, an associated color and symbol, and distinct roles and attributes. It is also important to remember that they act as one whole system. When one chakra is blocked, underactive or overactive, this affects the energy flowing through the other chakra points.
Energy is meant to flow, and ideally, this energy (or prana) is always flowing within you. When our chakras are open, energy is flowing, and we feel in alignment with our greatest selves.But when a chakra is blocked, the energy stagnates, and we become misaligned.
Often, this manifests in physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual blockages. If one chakra is blocked, we may also overcompensate by causing another chakra to become overactive. The chakras can be used to resolve physical symptoms like headaches, chronic back pain, and more or we can use them to help us overcome our greater struggles.
Unblocking and maintaining these energy hubs can also help us to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. Read more below about the basic aspects of each of the chakras.
Root Chakra
At the base of the spine sits the Root Chakra which is the foundation within us to have a strong, solid and secure ground for us to grow and evolve safely, and naturally. It reminds us we have the right "To be here and to Have." It's so easy to forget without logical minds that we are here to stand on our own two feet, living from moment to moment. As well as, that life does not happen only in our minds or under co-dependent circumstances. The energy of the Root Chakra is like solid ground to plant your feet. Any progress healing these energies can easily crumble under the slightest pressure without giving yourself the time and space to foster growth, discipline and process core emotions like fear and anger. Then, a sense of stability can be sustained. Questions to ponder: Are there any recurring patterns, themes, limiting beliefs, strengths and weaknesses within your family members that you are aware of? Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles. What were some of the repeating circumstances of your childhood that now seem to be repeating as an adult? What reminds you that you are physically and emotionally safe? What does your body need that you are neglecting to give it?
Sacral Chakra
The Sacral chakra is where we process much of our core emotions and gives us the right to feel. Consider when you are afraid, feel guilty or even feel love and happiness, it is felt in the stomach. It can be felt like an unease, nausea, butterflies and anything else that you may have noticed during heightened emotional experiences. The Sacral Chakra is located just below the naval and vibrates with energy or water. Water can trickle, cause life around it to wither, or it can overflow, causing damage. The goal is to be able to channel this water to create a constant and balanced flow. These energies influence our emotions, our creativity, our vitality and yes… our sense of sensuality and sexuality. Questions to Ponder What makes you an incredible person? What are your superpowers? Do you feel energized, motivated, and creative? Consider a mistake you made in the past and forgive yourself. Consider actions from someone else which caused you pain. Can you forgive them?
Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus chakra is located along the spine in the upper abdomen, below the diaphragm. This is the core of our being, where we can connect to our Free Will and learn about our own personal power, control and energy. Feeling like we have the right to act and be an individual. Through this chakra we strive to be never held back by fear or doubts. When we are connected to and own our personal power and feel in control, we are filled with a sense of confidence and inner strength. The Solar Plexus encourages us to transform rest into action and transform our old habits and patterns. When we can take greater ownership and responsibility over ourselves and our lives, a sense of personal power, and increased self-esteem can build up within and gives us the sense that we can create and manifest what we want in life more fully. Questions to Ponder: What experiences have left you feeling shunned, embarrassed and disappointed in yourself? What does it mean to be empowered? Are you being empowered? How do you empower others? How do you show yourself, self-respect in daily life? Do you feel like you own (or don’t own) your personal power?
Heart Chakra
The Heart chakra, located in the middle of our chest, behind our hearts, it is the bridge between the lower chakras and the upper chakras. It is the binding and balancing force within our chakra system. This is the place in our bodies our Soul is the most connected to because here we practice Love. To love and to be loved in return. This chakra is in a constant state of motion striving for balance, trying to bring the polarizing energies from our external stimuli and our internal emotions into a state of flow and harmony. Yet, the heart chakra is one of the most neglected and denied chakras in our system. We are often doing more for other people than we do for ourselves, often trying to gain approval from others rather than focusing on building up your own self-love. The very best thing you can do for yourself in any moment is to choose self-compassion over self-criticism and seek to find a profound sense of peace and fulfillment, and an increased ability to cultivate healthier relationships. Questions to ponder: What are 10 things that make you feel loved? Did you have to suppress your wishes and needs to win the approval of a loved one as a child? Do you find you willingly accept help from others, or is it hard for you, feeling like you should do it all on your own? How can you nurture yourself and regain that piece of yourself that you thought you had lost?
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is responsible for authenticity, being honest with ourselves and others. Communication as a whole, to communicate how we feel inside and how we think. This chakra reminds us that we are rightfully allowed to speak the truth, hear the truth, as well as the right to be heard. The purpose and expression of this chakra involves fine-tuning our own vibrational energies for clearer and more authentic self-expression. As well as more effective and purposeful communication with ourselves and others. Managing the energy in this area always begins with recognizing how our own inner worlds reflect out wordily. Another job the throat chakra has is to allow the other chakras in the system to express their energy, so that others can understand what is going on with you. This is how nonverbal communication is energetically transmitted and interpreted. Here we find our greatest avenue through which we can creatively and authentically express ourselves in an effective and beneficial way, hopefully. Questions to ponder: Did you feel like you were heard/listened to by your family growing up? How about now? How much do you speak and how much do you listen in conversation? Is it balanced? What have you not been saying? What truths will you not tell and why? How often do you give yourself time in silence? How well can you hear your inner voice.
Third Eye Chakra
The Third Eye chakra is located in the forehead, between the eyebrows and is the seat of intuition, instinct and foresight. This chakra is associated with our vision, connection to our inner wisdom and insight. Furthermore, the third-eye chakra also helps connect to trance states in meditation; being able to perceive subtle energies and universal connections, as well as motivates inspiration and creativity. This chakra allows you to be in the moment and be in observer mode. Watching yourself as you move around the world. Bringing self-awareness and a sense of being able to see the big picture in any situation or connection. Awakening your third-eye enables you to comprehend complex concepts and situations you many have not understood in the past. This sight gives us guidance. We can see where we have been, where we are now, and envision where we are going. When we allow the bigger picture to come into focus and step out of our egocentric selves, we can transcend automatic analyzation of a circumstance or relationship. Basically, being in a place of allowing, acceptance and detach from an outcome, allowing space for an event to unfold naturally. In this space you will be able to perceive a deeper meaning inherent to all life. Questions to ponder: Have you ever followed your intuition or wish you had? What did you learn from that experience? Do you make decisions based on what is logical or what feels right? How do you react to major life changes? Do you embrace change, or do you resist change? Do you make it a point to meditate regularly and clear your mind?
Crown Chakra
The Crown chakra is located just above our heads and is related to our direct connection to universal energies. Meaning faith in God, Christ consciousness and our ancestors, as well as any other spirit guides and angels that help us during our time on Earth. Here, at the Crown chakra, we shift from the state of observation of the Third Eye, to the experience of belief and faith. We trust that in the understanding of what has happened, what is happening and what will happen has been designed perfectly according to our beliefs. Whether our beliefs are positive or negative, it is all neutral in the energy of the Crown chakra and our beliefs grow and change as we mature. This is also in alignment to our Soul’s growth, lessons and opportunities. In essence, we utilize the energy of the Crown chakra to remember that we are a part of an Earthly experience, and we do not need to quantify or intellectualize these, we are here to be immersed in our individual experiences. The hard part is to trust and integrate the action of observing while still knowing that an experience is happening FOR us not to us. In this way we may keep moving forward onto the next level, to experience another vibration and how it will physically manifest in life and the world at large. Questions to ponder: Do you feel like your life has purpose and meaning? What evidence do you see in your life that the Universe is always looking out for you? How mindful are you at staying in the present, here and now? Do you get distracted easily or think often of the past or future? Reflect on this statement: “I am a spiritual being in a human body.” What does this mean to you?
