The Chakra System
Chakras are the main energy centres in the body, running from the very base of the spine up through the crown of the head. Each chakra corresponds to a major organ or glandular system in the body. Our chakras govern our bodies mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Each chakra works in harmony with the others, so an imbalance in one area can cause a disturbance in your body that will grow over time.
In Reiki we work with balancing the flow of energy in each chakra, and clearing any disturbances in the flow of energy through your body.
There is SO much to say about chakras - they are so much more than any summary I could give you on a website page! For brevity’s sake, here is some basic information on the seven main chakras. (Information is gathered from Anodea Judith’s Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to Self.)
Root Chakra
The first chakra is called the Root chakra, or Mulhadara. Its colour is red, its element is earth, it is located at your perineum, and its purpose is Foundation.
Basic issues of the first chakra involve the body, foundation, survival, roots, grounding, nourishment, trust, health, home, family, and prosperity.
Deficiencies in the root chakra present with the following issues: disconnection from body; notably underweight; fearful, anxious, restless; poor focus and discipline; financial difficulty; poor boundaries; chronic disorganization.
Excess root chakra characterstics include: obesity, overeating; hoarding, material fixation, greed; sluggish, lazy, tired; fear of change; addiction to security; rigid boundaries.
Balanced characteristics of the root chakra will result in good health; vitality; well grounded; comfortable in the body; sense of trust in the world; feeling of safety and security; ability to relax and be still; and stability.
Sacral Chakra
The second chakra is called the Sacral Chakra, or Svadhisthana. Its colour is orange, its element is water, it is located in the lower abdomen, and its purpose is Movement and Connection.
Basic issues of the sacral chakra involve movement, sensation, emotions, sexuality, desire, need, and pleasure..
Deficiencies in the sacral chakra result in rigidity in body and attitudes; frigidity, fear of sex; poor social skills; denial of pleasure; excessive boundaries; fear of change; lack of desire, passion, excitement.
Excess sacral chakra characteristics include: pleasure addiction; excessively strong emotions (hysteria, bipolar mood swings, crisis junkies); oversensitivity; poor boundaries, invasion of others; seductive manipulation; sexual acting out; emotional dependency; and obsessive attachment.
Balanced characteristics of the sacral chakra will result in graceful movement, emotional intelligence, ability to experience pleasure, nurturance of self and others, ability to change, and healthy boundaries.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The third chakra is the Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura. Its colour is yellow, its element is fire, it is located in the upper abdomen, and its purpose is Transformation.
Basic issues of the solar plexus chakra involve energy, activity, autonomy, individuation, will, self-esteem, proactivity, and power.
Deficiencies in the solar plexus chakra result in: low energy; weak will, easily manipulated; poor self-discipline and follow-through; low self-esteem; cold, emotionally or physically; poor digestion; collapsed middle; attraction to stimulants; victim mentality, blaming of others; passive; unreliable.
Excess solar plexus chakra characteristics include: overly aggressive, dominating, controlling; need to be right, have last word; manipulative, power hungry; attraction to sedatives; tantrums, violent outbursts; stubbornness; Type A personality; competitive; arrogant; hyperactive.
Balanced characteristics of the solar plexus chakra: responsible, reliable; balanced, effective will; good self-esteem, balanced ego-strength; warmth in personality; confidence; spontaneity, playfulness, sense of humour; appropriate self-discipline; sense of one’s personal power; able to meet challenges.
Heart Chakra
The fourth chakra is called the Heart Chakra, or Anahata. Its colour is green (or pink), its element is fire, it is located in the centre of the chest (the heart), and its purpose is Love and Balance.
Basic issues of the heart chakra involve love, balance, self-love, relationships, intimacy, devotion, reaching out and taking in.
Deficiencies in the heart chakra result in: antisocial, withdrawn, cold; critical, judgemental, intolerant of self or others; loneliness, isolation; depression; fear of intimacy, fear of relationships; lack of empathy; narcissism.
Excess heart chakra characteristics include: codependency, poor boundaries, demanding, clinging, jealousy, overly sacrificing.
Balanced characteristics of the heart chakra: compassionate, loving, empathetic, self-loving, altruistic, peaceful, balanced, good immune system.
Throat Chakra
The fifth chakra is the Throat Chakra, or Visuddha. Its colour is blue, its element is sound,, it is located in the throat,, and its purpose is Communication and Creativity..
Basic issues of the throat chakra involve communication, creativity, listening, resonance, finding one’s inner voice.
Deficiencies in the throat chakra result in: fear of speaking; small, weak voice; difficulty putting feelings into words; introversion, shyness; tone deaf; poor rhythm.
Excess throat chakra characteristics include: too much talking; talking as a defence; inability to listen; poor auditory comprehension; gossiping; dominating voice, interruptions.
Balanced characteristics of the throat chakra: resonant voice, good listener, good sense of timing and rhythm, clear communication, lives creatively.
Third Eye Chakra
The sixth chakra is called the Third Eye Chakra, or Ajna. Its colour is indigo, its element is light, it is located on the forehead between and just above the eyes, and its purpose is Pattern Recognition.
Basic issues of the third eye chakra involve intuition, imagination, visualization, insight, dreams, vision.
Deficiencies in the third eye chakra result in: insensitivity, poor vision, poor memory, difficulty seeing the future, lack of imagination, difficulty visualizing, poor dream recall, denial.
Excess third eye chakra characteristics include: hallucinations, delusions, obsessions, difficulty concentrating, nightmares.
Balanced characteristics of the third eye chakra: intuitive, perceptive, imaginative, good memory, good dream recall, able to think symbolically, able to visualize.
Crown Chakra
The seventh chakra is the Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara. Its colour is violet or white, its element is thought,, it is located in the cerebral cortex, and its purpose is Understanding..
Basic issues of the crown chakra involve transcendence, immanence, belief systems, Higher Power, divinity, union, vision.
Deficiencies in the crown chakra result in: spiritual cynicism; learning difficulties; rigid belief systems; apathy; excess in lower chakras - materialism, greed, domination of others.
Excess crown chakra characteristics include: over intellectualization, spiritual addiction, confusion, dissociation from body.
Balanced characteristics of the crown chakra: ability to perceive, analyze, and assimilate information; intelligent, thoughtful, aware; open-minded, able to question; spiritually connected; wisdom and mastery, broad understanding.
