1. Introduction

Your chakras are the force behind your current life status. They can give you a sign of what is imbalanced. They are not just your emotional crutch but can also be your energy strength. When all of your chakras are in balance, your mind, body, and spirit are in unity. You can feel a sense of calmness and have a great overall effect on your whole body, just like with acupuncture or acupressure to treat the energy meridians of the body. Balancing your chakras allows your potentials to flow freely and in turn enhances your physical, mental and spiritual body. You need all of your chakras to be in balance before you can engage your greatest potential. The establishment of balance in your chakras often leads to discoveries that can help you change your lifestyle and improve your overall quality of life.

The human body is divided into several different systems of energy. These systems are how the body, and especially the mind, communicate with the world and are used for energy transformation and communication. Your chakras are the points at which energy is transformed and can be often seen as a biometric for a person's energy personality. Learning about your chakras can help you better understand your relationship between the mind-body-spirit. It can also give you guidance on what to focus on in order to maintain a healthy, open align. Over time, through the use of easy guided meditation, physical exercises and simple activities, you can see and feel changes within yourself that will lead you to a more balanced life. Use the information from this book as a beginning guide to understanding your personal chakra system.

1.1. What are Chakras?

Today, interest has been aroused to rediscover these centers. Science continues to help us in understanding how these centers can benefit the human organisms. Publications about the chakras are currently prevalent and are received with unflagging interest. Chakra is defined as an energy center or focal point, which contains a mass of neurons called the lesser brain. This same term is used by neurologists to refer to the lumbar ganglia, situated in the lumbar region of the body. Each chakra is related to a central gland or nerve plexus. The nerve plexus and its teeth are double-sided, so it is related to two diametrically opposite teeth. The chakras are also surrounded by aura and are literally magnetized with prana, which manifests itself through the effects that our physical body experiences.

Chakra is a term deriving from a complex of early Vedic terms. This elusive term was first used to introduce some other word-symbols, to closely define a specific set of attributes. Yogis observed the subtle bodies of man. In their contemplative state, they were able to identify these energy centers and disseminated some important documents for others in search of the inner journey. The esoteric system of separation of the Cosmic Energy that governs the dimensions was presented as an aspect of Eastern Spiritualism. During the various invasions from the West, ancient documents and lectures were destroyed, and information about the chakric system was slowly lost.

1.1. What are Chakras?

1.2. Importance of Understanding Your Personal Chakra

It is learning how to find completeness within oneself that leads to self-acceptance. When you are willing to accept yourself totally by developing each area, you can then begin a meaningful relationship with someone else. All too often, we depend on that other person to fulfill our needs and make us happy. This is not realistic, for this puts an enormous demand on the other person and creates a terrible burden for them. They are as dependent as you are. It is by sharing love from within, by each person fulfilling their own needs, that a third element is formed—a spiritual component, which only grows and is never needing. It grows gradually, changing and expanding throughout the relationship.

The importance of understanding your personal chakra cannot be underestimated. By understanding which of your chakras is dominant, you can pinpoint personal problems and find the most effective treatment to overcome symptoms such as emotional problems, sexual problems, feeling helpless, feeling alone, or depression. You can also learn to develop that which you seek. If you need love, you learn to love. If you need self-esteem and self-confidence, you learn self-satisfaction and independence.

2. The Seven Chakras

1. The root chakra, also known as Muladhara, is located at the end of the spine, near the coccyx, and is the place where kundalini energy rests. When you have an open root chakra, you will feel alive and have a prosperous life, feeling invigorated. When closed, you may feel disconnected from the world or insecure in your life. When the root chakra is in overdrive, jealousy and aggressiveness can hold a person back from embracing themselves and feeling positive. There are certain means by which you can open and close each chakra physically and emotionally to help resolve the sins and evils that come with it, and in turn, allow for complete synergy in each part of the body.

The chakra system is a beautiful and complex understanding of the body's makeup. It allows for a physical and mental way to understand the way people work. There are seven chakras in total, and there are various locations on your body, from base to crown, starting from the base of your spine and going up to the top of your head. When you are in sync and energized, you will feel blessed and complete. Many people feel their chakra energy blocked at times and look to get help through a variety of means, including massage, yoga, or Reiki, a Tibetan form of what people use to promote spiritual healing. Every chakra works in synergy with one another and affects different aspects of your health and well-being.

2.1. Root Chakra

It deals with the skeletal structure and teeth, hands, feet, rectum, and the immune system, and circulatory system. Executing sound for this center is "UH" as in "I should" or "awe." Areas that may need attention when having certain difficulties with the Root Chakra is pain in buttocks, fear, pain in bones and joints, feet, legs, knees, hips, pelvis, rectal cancer, and arthritis. This chakra is located at the base of the spine and thus it is the foundation of the Higher Chakras. When your Root Chakra is blocked and you are not fully grounded you might feel spacey and like your head is often in the clouds, detached or simply not present. It could also mean when you experience pain and chronic health issues in your body. Other signs include being nervous, greedy, frightened, insecure, and restless. Your boundaries may be loose, and everything bad seems to affect your psychic abilities, creativity, and focus. You might also feel very disorganized.

In the body, the Root Chakra is found in the coccygeal region and is associated with grounding, security, and an association with the physical body and the physical world. The Root Chakra also influences our vitality, our physical energy, our health, and our survival instincts. A second function of this chakra is the release of waste materials produced by the individual. When this center is clear and balanced, we have more vitality, courage, and well-coordination. The element for the Root Chakra is Earth, and it has influence over your sense of smell. The Endocrine gland associated with the Root Chakra is the Adrenal gland. Another function for the Root Chakra is sleep, since this is the center that receives the cosmic rays from the Earth.

2.2. Sacral Chakra

When balanced, this chakra gives personal energy, strength of will, and spontaneity. The energy is your life force, which is necessary to live life vibrantly. Working to open your swadhisthana chakra may involve the use of such practices as yoga postures, active hip-openers, and fitness and cardiovascular routines. Also, experiencing clear emotional responses. Emotional energy is sacred, and even the negative emotions are a necessary part of our existences. Sacred traditional practices include the use of healing gems and the like, and of course, mantra or sound healing, traditionally water.

Blocked, it causes emotional instability, poverty, lack of control, sexual dysfunction, and conflict within oneself.

The Sacral Chakra is also known as the Swadhisthana Chakra. The word 'swadhisthana' refers to 'the place of self'. This chakra is located within the lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel and is rooted in your spine. Its function is concerned with creativity, spirituality, and emotions, and inducing openness to people. It governs your sense of self-worth, teaching that one is a unique individual and not simply regarded as a reflection of the society in which you live. This is important because up until now, it is our views and opinions of others that have influenced and shaped the growth of our individual identity.

2.3. Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is also about intellect and ambition. Seldom do we find pessimists that have opened and balanced their Solar Plexus Chakra. It is the seat of power. It empowers an individual beyond their physical willpower. Stimulate an obligated person through manipulative behavior and you usually find a closed Solar Plexus Chakra to negative aspect. People who are content and happy to just let life take its natural course have a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra. In another aspect, it is represented through characteristics of joy, laughter, and humor. This type of person is usually open and balanced in the positive aspect. They just do not seem to have the time to nurture negative behavior, as they are too busy building themselves a positive life.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Solar Chakra) is the third primary Chakra. It is the center of willpower. The solar plexus is in charge of the digestive system, which includes the liver and stomach. Ailments would include all digestive illnesses, such as bloating, gas, constipation, or loose bowels. Abdominal pains and muscle cramps can also be attributed to the solar plexus. Solar Plexus Chakra provides the main source of inner harmony. Only from concentration and discipline can we expect to find inner harmony. Solar Plexus Chakra is represented by the color yellow when balancing and opening. Negative aspect symptoms are hate, anger, fear, shyness, aggressiveness, and low self-image.

2.4. Heart Chakra

Located just above our solar plexus, we have the Heart Chakra. The color associated with this chakra is green. In some people, you will also see a secondary color of pink associated with this chakra as well. This chakra is responsible for our feeling of love and expression of our own emotions. Sometimes, we forget how important it is to actually feel love throughout everyday. Think about it – when someone tells you that they love you, you often get a warm, spreading sensation. That would be the combined effects of the Heart Chakra and the Solar Plexus Chakra working together. It doesn't really make a lot of logical sense, but when people say that they can feel love radiating off of another person, it is a completely accurate statement! When we look at the physiological aspect of the Heart Chakra – Today's Lesson - we are going to concentrate on Opening The Heart Chakra.

2.5. Throat Chakra

In summary, let us look at the uses of this chakra: 1. The balancing of the positive and negative mind-body energy, type of chakra healing allowing greater efficiency in fragment 3's use of intelligent energy. 2. The catalyst for acquiescence, yet by no means any need for action due to that need, itself being born of the understanding of the tremendous intensity of vibration necessary for individual harvesting. 3. The stabilization and acceleration of deeper rhythmic sound vibrations, that fascinating sound vibration of wisdom, yet so often seemingly knowledge of worldliness. 4. The catalyst that sees the slumbering power, the fire of determination, within fragment 3, permission granted, to become an entity capable of manifesting at the termination of the cycle, distortion having assisted them to shape their consciousness.

Just as optional as the root center is the throat center, known as the 'voice of silence' for those capable of activating this energy. The throat center acts as an exit, mental clouds of karma also being transmuted in this fashion. You may have a third-dimensional concept that tells you that your daily lives would be better in your particular human environment if all human beings had the energy of the throat chakra center activated in its fullest. This is not necessarily so. It is for you to activate or not activate as you wish.

2.6. Third Eye Chakra

The Third Eye Chakra is a door leading to life energy and openness to a higher form of reasoning. Because of Ajna's connection to the higher order of color and light, ancient Indian teachings believe that realizing a balanced Third Eye Chakra can lead you to awaken previously unrealized potentials and transform your incarnated life into a more spiritually focused one. The ability to sense the divine and the "other world" automatically by opening the Third Eye Chakra will guide us to an open heart, self-rebalance, true wisdom, and our "knowing mind," which will eventually end our mortal strife.

Ah, the Third Eye Chakra! I and many others have waited for you for many years. Also known as the Ajna Chakra in Sanskrit, this is the 6th energy center that inner gurus travel to in order to welcome inner peace. Not many can open themselves to the Ajna Chakra during ordinary meditation journeys, which makes those who do stand out from the group. The Third Eye Chakra itself has many mysterious names because of its power. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an ancient Indian spiritual source written about 2000 years ago, references Ajna as the "eye" inside our head, through which we conquer and free ourselves from thought, dreaming, and knowledge originating from our senses. Patanjali describes this freedom as a time when the chanter is free of the four kinds of thought, inspired by the revelations of the spirit, and is the same as the spirit sleeping in its true state. His knowledge is consistent and united through this state of stillness.

2.7. Crown Chakra

There are no elements associated with the crown chakra, since it is the highest chakra most teachers associate it with the connection to everything that it is. In addition to connection, the crown chakra houses your wisdom, understanding, and the purpose of compassion. For understanding's sake imagine all of the other chakras as the puzzle multicolored multilayered cake—all those pieces equal to the interconnecting people, places, and things in life. Now imagine the crown chakra as the icing that connects all the layers and ties it all up nicely.

The color associated with the crown chakra is white and clear. This chakra is located at the very top of your head. It has many different names dependent upon who is doing the teaching and what religion you are associated with. Some of the more popular names are: 7th chakra, crown chakra, the ascension chakra, and the One-Thousand-Petaled Lotus. There are other more meditation-specific names for the crown chakra when it relates to Hindu teachings or Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Each religion uses the 7th chakra for connecting to their individual Gods, Guides, or Teachings. The understood purpose of the crown chakra is connection. Connection to something higher, connection to the Source (what some call God, the Creator, or Divine Spirit), and a connection with the Universe.

Color: White and Clear Location: At the very top of your head Purpose: Wisdom, Connection, Understanding, Purpose

3. Signs of Imbalance

2. Less Common Signs: Difficulty forming coherent thoughts. You might feel as though you're walking around in a fog without being able to shake it. Inability to maintain focus or concentrate. Insomnia without cause. Concerns with the chakra's area of life, such as speaking, if the throat chakra is with a problem, or issues with the feet, for those that have problems with the root chakra.

1. Most Common Signs: The most obvious sign of a blocked chakra is difficulty with self-expression. This is because the chakra represents your ability to express yourself creatively and communicate effectively with others. Here are some more common signs of blocked chakras: Physical ailments or discomfort in the general area of the chakra. Speak to a doctor first, but if there is no verifiable illness, this could be the body's way of expressing an emotional block. Change in temperament—such as increased irritability, challenges staying calm, or more severe mood swings than are typical. This is often targeted at the area of life where the problem chakra represents. Inexplicable lethargy or chronic tiredness without any maintainable physical reason, such as taking cold medicine that makes you tired.

There are some clear indicators of chakra-based imbalances. If you suspect a particular chakra is out of balance, consider the following common signs and symptoms:

3.1. Physical Symptoms

A blocked 2nd chakra shows as stiffness in moving and creaky joints, especially the knees, chronic low back pain, period problems, headaches, and loss of creativity. You are having issues with your 2nd chakra when you avoid changes in life and have no passion for anything. Another example would be staying in a safe job even if it doesn't make you happy or have potential.

You can experience a 1st chakra imbalance simply by thinking you're not good enough. In fact, madness and fear come from feeling that you are not good enough for one reason or another. The 1st chakra has to do with surviving and its physical issues are a good indicator of how that chakra energy is. If you are overweight, have swelling issues, or experience pain in the lower back, you will want to know about this chakra. Its energy is related to the physical body and survival. When physically out of balance, symptoms will be shown.

Physical symptoms of a blocked 1st chakra are: weight gain, low energy, swollen feet or knees, low back pain, overeating. 1st chakra imbalance shows as fear, lack of courage to do things even when you know they need to get done. Overeating is an unhealthy imbalance in the first chakra.

3.2. Emotional and Mental Symptoms

Emotion is energy in motion - this premise is familiar to many people. If you feel angry, sad or depressed, you too are familiar with the experience of being drained. If we aim to identify an emotional or mental imbalance rooted within us, we can do so by identifying which chakra is afflicted. Then one can focus one's healing treatments on this corresponding energy vortex. Chakra balancing works to release the energy through this energy center, shedding light on the darkness hidden within, thus facilitating the rebalancing of our emotional and mental turbulent storms.

You might ask, "How is this possible?", "It sounds too abstract." Although the system of chakras originated from early theistic philosophy, their ideological histories differ from one religious group to another. Clearly, their scientific value cannot be neglected. Our everyday life experience is testament to the existence of these energetic centers, interconnected with our emotions and behavior.

Our emotional and mental experiences are also deeply rooted in our chakra systems. In fact, so is our very own individuality. Chakras hold the key to understanding certain behaviors and imbalances deeply rooted within us. Each chakra vibrates at a specific frequency, correlating to a certain aspect of our being - our feeling or emotion.

4. Balancing Your Chakras

There are several ways to heal your chakras. This is also known as balancing or aligning them. The always-popular massage of the feet, hands, and associated pressure points is a favorite for many who desire little work and long-term results. Many consider the following balancing exercises the basics - meditate and breathe through a blocked chakra, use visualization, insight, color therapy, affirmations, and past life or transpersonal healing. First, let's discuss past life or advanced work. This comes in handy when other forms of healing are not giving the expected results and you understand that the imbalances are due to past karmic lessons. Warm oil, massage, or any associated aromatherapy balm, rub, or spray may also help. Make sure to meditate, breathe, and spend time connecting to your favorite energy.

Once you're past the alignment stage and you've established that there is truly an imbalance within your system, be it physical or spiritual, then it may be time to shift these centers back into balance. Balancing your chakras opens them and recharges them, but it also has an energizing effect on the body and can help you bring issues within your life to a close. It also helps you improve your mental and emotional well-being and enhance your connection to Spirit. If you've found that they are blocked, chances are you are in need of a little nurturing to get you back on track. This is a wonderful time to set some positive goals and intentions and manifest these new wishes into your life.

4.1. Meditation and Visualization Techniques

5) Prepare. A truly peaceful heart contains no traffic jams. Let your mind choose a safe, quiet place for your daily practice. Why not clear or tidy that spot with care? Require no artificial light and be comfortable here. Require a cushion of your choice. Require no clock. Require no mirror. Turn off your mobile phone. These are the things you can do to prepare for a regular meditation schedule. Use your visualization skills. Picture an unlimited supply of power, health, wisdom, security, love, and strong self-esteem in the process of organization now. The word "unlimited" will have a positive charge, won't it? Float in reverence with that word. For the essence of truth and balance in your life, keep reverence in your heart. Keep reverence as your heart.

1) Keeping your journal nearby, jot down a brief description of the energy fields of each of your major chakras. 2) Then, jot down a few ways to maintain their free and powerful flow. 3) Take this questionnaire. Your responses can lead you to some of the next steps you may wish to take. 4) Mantra. The Universal Spirit or Essence Mantra is AUM. To attain peace in your heart, chant AUM twenty-two times for just over two minutes.

Message from the universe to all Chakra participants - Jennifer H. Litwin Light of the planet, humanizing color - Linda Rzepka The Tempest of Time - Fred Sollish Open your heart - Tamia Peaceful Inner Harbor at Sundown - Maria S. Smith The Understanding Your Personal Chakra workshop is just days away. I have received many requests for a course description and a comparison to other chakra workshops. To understand my workshop, it is important to discuss the differences rather than compare. The overview is revealed in the workshop flyer and I encourage all participants to always contact any chakra workshop facilitator for further information to ensure that the content meets your material and spiritual needs.

4.2. Yoga and Movement

The pose of the cobra is another pose that is used to help in releasing and opening the area of the heart chakra. To do the pose, you need to lie down on your face with your head turned to one side. Place your hands along the side of your body, palms facing upwards. Keep both your feet and heels together. On the inhale, you need to put your hands underneath your shoulders and slowly straighten your arms, lifting your upper body off the floor, keeping your elbows bent. You now need to straighten out the arms and arch your back, lifting the head and allowing your hips to stay on the ground. Keep looking straight ahead and your elbows close to the side of the body. On the exhale, you slowly and gently bring them back down. Try to practice this pose twice a day, holding the pose for a little over 20 seconds.

A pose that helps in opening your chakra centers is the pose of the pike. To achieve this pose, you need to sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, keeping your back straight and your hands touching your feet. You start out by taking a deep breath and slowly lifting both your arms towards the ceiling. You then need to take another deep breath and slowly lean forward from your hips, allowing your arms to then follow and come down to your feet. Exhale while doing this. Next, you need to breathe in and breathe out, keeping the forehead down, stretching from your hips. You need to be careful and not overextend yourself. You can practice this pose twice a day, with each stretch being held for 30 seconds.

4.3. Crystals and Gemstones

With the use of crystals or gemstones that are associated with each chakra, the vibrational energy of the chakras can become amplified, weakened, or both by dependence upon the intent of each user. Crystal healers recognize the influence and strength of certain energy formations of crystals that have been placed on or near the body. The stone formations themselves do not have powers. They serve as a prompt for memory awakening, enlightenment, and awareness of the energy source that resides within the human spirit. Crystals and gemstones are efficient in subtle energy healing within such spheres of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual clarity because of their ability to absorb, amplify, and regulate the flow of vibrant energy.

1. Red Root Chakra 2. Orange 2nd Chakra 3. Yellow 3rd Chakra 4. Pink 4th Chakra 5. Blue 5th Chakra 6. Indigo 6th Chakra 7. White/Crystal 7th Chakra

Each of the seven chakra centers is associated with a specific individual color. The degree of brightness of each chakra's color and the overall evenness of alignment can be read as a reflection of one's spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. By concentrating on the colors associated with each center and imagining each color as a glowing luminous orb, the roots of imbalances and unfounded fears can be thoroughly explored. Below are the chakras and their associated colors:

4.4. Sound Healing

The use of sound cannot be sensed or seen on the mental plane, except through esoteric perception. Ask any practicing sound-healer, musician or composer and they will all confirm that sound generates a subtle yet powerful effect on mental processes and emotional states. Sound has been used for centuries to produce mobility in paralyzed limbs, relief from toothache, and a general calming effect in children. Chanting and prayer have long been praised for inducing states of tranquility and deep spiritual experience. Parents can often quell infants by humming lullabies or telling stories, or by simply talking quietly. From childhood to the elderly, people across cultures turn to music to encourage creativity, to find comfort in times of crisis and to foster health and happiness. In sound healing, instruments such as bells, gongs, sound bowls and drums have long been used to create an atmosphere conducive to deep tranquility and healing.

5. Conclusion

Understanding your chakra is understanding yourself. The more you understand your personal self, the healthier and happier you will be. The idea primarily lies in attaining balance. Everyone has read the fable about fat little Buddha and how balance in his life is what made him happiest. The idea is the same. While no one is sure whether chakras truly exist, and like any philosophical or spiritual ideal does rely heavily on the science, the logic, and the intuition, the majority of people who practice this belief report increased tranquility and overall happiness. Even if chakra is just a place of inner peace that is countable on in hard times like spending time with our god, that still makes it a beautiful idea.

For the most part, chakras and their existence are a largely spiritual topic that not many modern-oriented people understand or even wish to understand. Modern life of work and wallet has consumed our minds and depleted our spirituality. In some cases, your chakras may even be blocked. Sometimes we just need a little reminder that we are more than our jobs, our wallets, our relationships, or our families. We are spiritual people with emotional needs that can be fed by understanding ourselves and allowing ourselves to be understood by others. Your personal chakra is thought to be your own guiding spirit that reflects your inner nature inside and out, persistent throughout your entire life.