What are chakras anyway?

When exploring energy work, and even just walking around crystal shops, we eventually come upon the concept of chakras. We have the firm impression that chakras are important, and many a crystal sale has been based on someone telling us that this or that crystal would balance a chakra… But what are chakras anyway?

“Chakra” is a sanskrit word for “spinning wheel”. Although the New Age wave works mostly with the wisdom coming from India, other ancient cultures have been working with energy centres in the human body for thousands of years. The number and placement of these energy centres are somewhat different in each ancient tradition, but there are many similarities. There is a general agreement that there are points in the body where energy enters the physical body, where energy is stored, and where energy exits the body.

I find it very interesting that modern western medicine is now “discovering” energy centres in the body. Technology is truly fascinating! The use of electroencephalograms, MRIs, CTscans, etc. have helped establish the fact that humans have an electrical system. The nerves send electrical signals through the body and to the brain; the heart needs electrical input to pump; hormones are produced with electrical signals from the brain; muscle tension can be produced or relieved with electrical impulses… The body is 90% water, and water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Here’s an other interesting fact: each of the 7 major chakras line up with organs or glands in the body that regulate a physical or emotional aspect, and the hormones they produce correlate with the characteristics of the chakras, as observed by sages over thousands of years. For instance, the sacral chakra deals with creativity and emotional sensitivity. The associated gland? Gonads - testes and ovaries. I think we all know how the function of these glands can affect our emotional state…

Here is what Natalie Southgate, founder of Chakradance, writes about the importance of working with our chakras:

“When we make a commitment to create a balanced and healthy chakra system, we are making a commitment to holistic and ultimate health. Your chakra system holds within it your ancestral records, your relationship history, your beliefs about yourself and your power, and your connection to the Divine. The health of your chakras is therefore directly connected to your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. When we consciously work with our chakras, and choose to balance their energy and optimise their programming, we can literally change our own energy. When we are energetically healthy, we vibrate at a different frequency. This new frequency, or vibration, can attract to us wonderful new situations, opportunities and people.”

The chakras are storehouses of the symptoms of our day-to-day problems but they also hold the solutions. By working with each one, we activate those solutions. I’ve decided that over the next few months we will be exploring this wonderful world of energy centres together. I will share my knowledge and experience of the popular chakra system, and will share with you tips and techniques to feel and understand your energy centres. I will also share information on specific crystals, archetypes and essential oils that can help you on an energetic level. My intention is to empower you to make changes in the way you care for your body, mind and spirit so that you may experience increased wellness.

When we find the true rhythm and harmony that comes with balancing our chakras, life takes on its true colours! I am looking forward to exploring the world of chakras with you. If you have specific questions on the health of your chakras, or if you would like a chakra-specific Oracle Card Reading, click here to make an appointment!

Sending you blessings of Love!