What on Earth
is Chakra? Ever heard the term "personal space"? How do you know when someone is invading your personal space? They feel a little too close, right? And, it's not that they are actually touching you, but they are just close enough that it almost feels like they are touching you. So, how is that possible? How is it possible for someone to be so close to you - uncomfortably close to you - without even touching you? That feeling of uncomfortable closeness comes to you through something called your aura. The aura is an energetic field that surrounds your body and extends about a foot away from you in all directions. This is, in essence, your personal space. Contained within your aura are your chakras. Chakras are what connect your aura to your physical body. And it is through the chakras that information, energy, and emotions are processed in our bodies. For example, when you have an argument with someone, the intense energy that is felt during that argument comes in through your aura and is processed through your chakras and eventually is felt by your physical body. Ever get a headache after an intense conversation? This is just one example of how energy is manifested into physical form in your body. The word chakra comes from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, and, when translated means "wheel of light." The reason chakras are referred to as wheels is because they appear as spinning vortexes of energy - similar to a wheel. You have many chakras located around your body, but most healing systems focus on your seven major chakras. This is because, the seven major chakras are the largest, and are all connected to vital organs and nerves throughout your body. Along with being connected to vital organs, the chakras are also associated with conscious feelings and different colors. The first chakra, also known as the root chakra, is located at the base of your spine. This chakra is red, and is connected to the skeleton, lymph system, elimination system, and the legs and feet. The issues associated with this chakra are monetary, dealing with physical reality, being grounded and in the present moment. It also deals with how you feel with your physical body. So, for example, if you are unhappy with your physical body, this chakra will appear blocked, or unbalanced. The second chakra, the sacral chakra, is associated with the color orange, and is located between your belly button and your pelvic bone. It is connected to the reproductive organs in the body. This chakra handles issues concerning sex, and food. The third chakra is the solar plexus. This is located a few inches above your belly button. Its color is yellow, and it is connected to your pancreas. The solar plexus chakra deals with the conscious issues of freedom, self-esteem, power, and control. The fourth chakra is the heart chakra, located right in the center of your chest. This chakra is associated with the heart, lungs and the circulatory system. And, you guessed it, this chakra is what processes our emotions of the heart - love, and relationships. And not just partner relationships, but familial relationships as well. The fifth chakra is the throat chakra. This chakra sits at the base of your throat. Energy that flows in through this chakra affects the throat and the neck area. As well as the arms and the hands. The consciousness issues that this chakra deals with are those of self-expression. Whether it be speaking, communicating or how we handle our creative expression. So, if you ever feel like you are just not getting your point across while you are talking, or you feel that someone "never listens" to you, you may be experiencing an energetic block in this chakra. The sixth chakra is the brow, or third eye. It is located right in the center of your forehead and its color is indigo. It is associated with the brow, the temples, and the pituitary gland. This chakra deals with issues of our soul. That is, how well we feel connected to our higher self. The seventh chakra is our crown chakra, located right on the top of your head. Its color is violet (or sometimes gold). This chakra is connected to the brain and the nervous system. It deals with issues concerning how we feel about our connection to Spirit (or God, or the Universe, or whatever term you like to use). If you're feeling like "God hath forsaken me," this chakra may have a block that needs to be healed. What does it mean when a chakra is blocked? A blockage can occur for many reasons. For example, if someone has very low self-esteem. This causes a block in the solar plexus chakra. A sensitive healer can feel, or see the block and work to release it. Usually, releasing the block means getting to the heart of the issues that are causing the person to have low self-esteem. So it's not just a matter of eliminating the block. The emotions that caused the block must ultimately be healed. If the emotions are not healed, the block will simply not go away. Our chakras and our aura are constantly working. They sense the world around us, and help us to process emotions and thoughts. With a little bit of practice, you can learn to sense your chakras, and sense any blocks that might be inhabiting them. Exercise to sense your chakrasFirst, find about a half hour to an hour of time that you do not have anything to do. This can be tough, but it's important that you have a good amount of time for yourself with nothing pressing on the agenda, so that you will not be interrupted by anyone, or any task that simply must have your attention. Grab a pen and paper, find a nice quiet spot, play some music if you want. Sit in a comfortable position, or lie down if you'd like. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax. Clear your mind. Give yourself permission to let go of all thought, and give yourself permission not to think about what needs to be done. We'll start with your crown chakra. Think about the top of your head. your crown chakra sits right at the top-center of your head. When you focus on that part of your body, what do you feel? Do you sense anything? Does it feel "open"? Do any images come to mind? If you see anything, or any impressions come to mind, don't discount them, no matter how "off" they may seem. Write them down on your paper, and you can go back and research them after you're finished this meditation. When you're ready, place your hand (doesn't matter which one), about 2 or 3 inches above your crown. Do you feel anything? Can you feel any kind of impression on your hand? What is the temperature like? Is it particularly cold, or hot? Do you "feel" any blocks? Do you feel pressure as you move your hand closer or farther away from the chakra? Again, write down any sensations, or impressions that you might be getting. And, again, do not discount anything that you feel. Remember, this chakra deals with how connected we feel to the Universe. If you are sensing a block here, it may be due to issues in that realm. So, ask yourself some important questions: Am I feeling connected to God? Is there something more I could be doing to build my relationship with my Guides and Angels? Do I feel any kind of disconnect? Give yourself honest answers to the questions you ask. This will help begin the process of releasing the block. And, you're the only one who will know your answers, be sure to be open and honest with yourself. Repeat this exercise with the rest of the seven major chakras. Use this article as a guide for what issues each chakra addresses. An important part of this exercise is to journal about your findings. Journaling is a wonderful way to get to know yourself, and to help you see patterns in your life. Your journal doesn't have to be formal - it doesn't even have to be written in complete sentences! All it is, is a place for you to express what you are feeling. Make it your own, and develop it as you'd like. By journaling, you are exploring who you are, what you're going through, and how you are dealing with it. It's a wonderful way to get thoughts on paper so that you can see them, and give them a voice. Journal what you find when you do this exercise. Then, do the exercise again in a week. Journal again, only this time, go back to the first journal entry and see if new light has been shed on your previous findings. Things that didn't make sense to you the first time you did the exercise, may have new meaning. If you can't sense your chakras the first time you do this, don't get discouraged. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated, take some deep breaths, relax, and have faith in the knowledge that your chakras are there, and that you will sense them when you're ready. It takes practice and patience to sense something that you can't physically see. If nothing else, enjoy the time you've set aside for yourself and take the opportunity to breath deeply and relax! --------------------------------------------------------------- Jenn Givler is owner of Willow Fairy Creations - www.willowfairy.com a wellness company. Our mission is to help you become empowered, put yourself first and be centered and grounded in who you are and what you want out of this life.
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