"Chakra" is a Sanskrit word meaning "Circle" or "Wheel".
"Chakras" are centers in the body that energy flows through. There are a total of Seven Chakras, each with it's own distinct characteristics and purpose.
On our individual journey to becoming our BEST self, it is important to look inward for the strength and guidance we need to embrace life as it comes and perhaps let go of old negative habits and beliefs that may be holding us back in life.
It is important to routinely make time for ourselves, to balance our thoughts, calm the mind and recharge the spirit. Taking awareness to the body as a whole being, both physical & mental, is the basis for holistic care.
Meditation, yoga practice and other focused breathing techniques provide us with the opportunity to become more self aware and nurture our mind, body, spirit connection.
THE SEVEN CHAKRAS
Root Chakra
FOUNDATION & STABILITY
Color: RED
Location: Base of the spine
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Adrenals
When Chakra is Balanced: Inner strength, full of energy, passionate, loving, pleased with work/career path
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Body pain, constipation, materialistic, resist change, money problems, insecure
Sacral Chakra
EMOTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS
Color: ORANGE
Location: Slightly below belly button
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Gonads (ovaries, testes)
When Chakra is Balanced: Comfortable expressing emotion, joyful, enthusiastic, emotionally giving to others, healthy sexual relationship(s)
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Easily bored, sex addiction or no desire for sex, back pain, can't say no
Solar Plexus Chakra
PERSONAL POWER
Color: YELLOW
Location: Abdominal area
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Pancreas
When Chakra is Balanced: Healthy self esteem, cooperative, positive, flexible, energetic
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Low self esteem, low self confidence, digestive issues, aggressive, angry
Heart Chakra
LOVE & COMPASSION
Color: GREEN
Location: Breast area, Chest
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Thymus
When Chakra is Balanced: Loving, affectionate, caring, compassionate, accepting, tolerant
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Depression, selfish, codependent, closed off, too trusting
Throat Chakra
WILLPOWER
Color associated with this Chakra: BLUE
Location: Throat area, Neck
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Thyroid
When Chakra is Balanced: Eloquent communicator, good listener, sound decision making, confident with opinion, open communication with others
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Talks too much, poor listener, inability to communicate appropriately, thyroid hormonal imbalance
Brow Chakra
WISDOM
Color: INDIGO
Location: Between Eyes, Forehead
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Pituitary gland
When Chakra is Balanced: Focused, intelligent, good memory, alert, aware, thoughtful
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Lack of focus, scatterbrain, feeling of disconnect, foggy, headaches
Crown Chakra
CONNECTION TO NATURE & SPIRITUAL ENERGY
Color: PURPLE
Location: Top of head, Crown
Endocrine Gland associated with this Chakra: Pineal gland
When Chakra is Balanced: Spiritually fulfilled, connected, calm, understanding
When Chakra is Imbalanced: Confused, loss of purpose, lost, out of touch with reality
Enhance the "Flow"
Continuous blood flow is the human source for life, energy & health... Our spiritual energy has a flow also.
If there is a blockage in either blood flow or energy flow, the entire body suffers greatly.
Relief from emotional stress plays a HUGE roll in the overall flow of life.
Through low-intensity exercise, yoga practice, meditation, or even long walks, we allow ourselves the opportunity to feed our physical body and also nourish our emotional and spiritual selves with positive thought.
Total health is a balancing act. By paying attention to the great stressors in our lives and finding ways to cope, we can quite effectively minimize the potential of contracting a number of physical illnesses that occur as a result of mental stress.
Stress is very individual and can be mild to severely debilitating.
The interesting thing about stress, it can be a very small, seemingly nonsignificant experience that can trigger an intense stress response in someone. Anger, fear, hate, jealousy, depression, lack of sleep and lack of nutrition are just a few causes of stress.
Balancing these emotions isn't an easy task, however through introducing positive influences into one's life, clean and nutritious foods, self love, meditations, affirmations and other holistic methods, surely inner calm can be achieved.
"VRKSASANA" TREE POSE (hands in prayer position)
Yoga practice is amazing for physically "opening up" the Chakras, as well as increasing blood & oxygen flow throughout the entire body.
Slower, meditative practices focus on quieting the mind, cleansing impure thoughts and re-energizing the spirit. All of which have been proven to decrease emotional stress levels.
Guided Meditation Video
There are a number of guided meditations and meditative yoga classes online. As little as 10-15 minutes can do wonders for relaxing the mind and increasing blood flow.
Techniques for balancing a healthy body and mind can be very simple. It is important to routinely give our bodies the time needed to build, repair, nourish, detoxify, cleanse, rest and regenerate.
Make the time for yourself today...
It's NEVER too late!
