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 CHAKRA BALANCING

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF CHAKRA BALANCING
The term, chakra, meaning wheel or circle, are energy centers in the body. Coming from the Indian Sanskrit term “cakras”, they are deemed to be constantly rotating and vibrating as vortexes in the body.

There are said to be countless small chakras throughout the body, but most commonly seven major chakras are referred to and studied.  These seven chakras run in an ascending column up the spine from the base to the crown of the head. Each of the seven chakra centers can become imbalanced; when this occurs one may experience issues physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Properly balancing the chakras is one way to assist in rectifying such problems.

Chakras are said to be the openings for life energy to flow into and out of the aura, or "subtle body." Chakras are presumed centers of activity that receive, assimilate and express life force energy and are responsible for the person's physical, mental, and spiritual functions.

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS CHAKRA BALANCING MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
- Physical or emotional injuries, imbalances and conditions
- Mental issues
- Childhood traumas
- Cultural conditioning
- Limiting belief systems
- Bad habits

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF CHAKRA BALANCING
Chakras are first discussed in the Vedas, which are ancient texts of knowledge and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. Over 88,000 chakras were identified in earlier texts and these chakras are said to entirely cover the body; however, the vast majority of these are very small and of little importance to wellbeing.  Forty significant chakras are primarily found in the shoulders, feet, and hands.  The seven main chakras are positioned from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.  Tantric teachings, which were marked by the reverence of Hindu deities and blending of opposing forces, utilized the knowledge of these chakras in yoga practices in the 600’s. The main idea of chakras was brought to western civilizations in about 1919 by an Englishman, Arthur Avalon, and introduced to a wider audience through the writings of theosophical authors like C. W. Leadbeater, who wrote "The Chakras" in 1927.

Chakras are now acknowledged by many systems of belief and teaching.  Each individual chakra is identified by its various physical functions, part of consciousness, and other components.  Chakras are oftened conceived of as flowers with a varying number of petals at each chakra.  Much of what is known about chakras has come from the ancient Indian spiritual texts.

United States author and therapist Anodea Judith has engaged in substantial study of the Chakra system, and wrote "Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System."  According to her research, these early Hindu writings come from an even older oral tradition of the Aryan culture. After India was invaded by Scandinavians in the second century, chakras began to be represented by rainbows with their seven colors representing a different chakra.  Some Norse myths speak of nine worlds and pictorially represented in a similar way to ancient chakra drawings. 

The '70s New Age movement has led to an increased interest in the West regarding chakras. As knowledge of chakras became more widespread many began to note the   proximity of the chakras to endocrine glands.  Such concepts had first been acknowledged by author C. W. Leadbeater, the author of “The Chakras”.

Much of what is known about chakras has come from the ancient Indian spiritual texts the "Sat-Cakra-Nirupana" and the "Padaka-Pancaka."  These were introduced to westerners in a book titled "The Serpent Power" by Sir John Woodroffe in 1974.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF CHAKRA BALANCING
The chakra system provides the energy of the body. They are considered vortexes of life energy (referred to as prana, shakti, qi, ki, kuch-ha-guff , biosm or ether ) which is thought to flow along pathways called “nadis” or “meridians.” The chakras must first absorb this energy from external sources and then provide it to power and harmonize one’s physical, mental, spiritual wellbeing. 

Supervising various aspects of an individual’s life, the seven principal chakras are believed to indicate the complete consciousness of the human spirit.  This includes body, instinct, vital energy, deeper emotions, communication, overview of life, contact to God. The chakras have varying levels of preoccupation with spirituality and physical wellbeing, with the Crown Chakra at the top concerned with pure consciousness, and the Root Chakra at the bottom concerned with survival.

1st Chakra- The Root Chakra
Located at the perineum between the anus and genitals, the root chakra is joined to the coccyx and opens downward.  This chakra is said to be formed during the ages of newborn and seven years of age.  It is associated with survival, feeling safe and “grounded,” and relationship with the “tribe” or being part of the group.  It correlates with the color red. 

2nd Chakra- The Sacral or Sexual Chakra
Located two inches below the navel.  It is an orange color, opens to an individual’s front and is directly over the spleen. This area is said to be formed between the ages of seven and fourteen.  This chakra is associated with the relationship with one other person and how we relate to our sexuality and our view of our bodies.

3rd Chakra- The Solar Plexus Chakra
Located directly above the navel, it soaks in solar energy which energizes one’s emotional being allowing emotions to radiate outward.  As a result this emotional energy also nourishes the physical body.  The third chakra is associated with “gut feelings”, the breath, ego and power.  It maintains a yellow hue and it associated with the relationship with the self. 

4th Chakra- The Heart Chakra
Positioned at the center of the sternum near the heart, functions at the center of all the chakras.  This area is related to the heart, emotions, and feelings. The fourth chakra has a green color and connects the three lower chakras to the three upper chakras.  As such, it unites the lower functions of physicality and emotionality to the higher functions of spirituality. 

5th Chakra- The Throat Chakra
Positioned near the cervical vertebra and the Adam’s apple, this chakra is associated with speech and expression.  Identity and speaking one’s truth resides in this area and can affect thyroid function and the neck. This chakra correlates with the color blue.

6th Chakra- The Third Eye Chakra
The third eye is located above the eyebrows on the forehead and is associated with intuition.  It maintains an indigo hue and is affiliated with the pituitary gland.  This chakra manages higher mental capabilities and controls the central nervous system.

7th Chakra- The Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is located in the pineal gland between the ears in the center of the head, and opens upward from the top of the head. The highest chakra, this is the area that is connected to higher spirit and the heavens. The crown is generally associated with white light although it may contain a variety of colors. 

Indications that an individual's chakras are well balanced include:
* Well grounded and in touch with their body
* In good health and vitality
* Aware of their feelings without being ruled by them
* Sexually content without being driven
* With balanced third chakra they would have confidence and confidence without dominating others
* The heart would be compassionate and loving, yet centered and peaceful
* Could communicate feelings or ideas with truth and clarity and be able to listen to others
* Their upper chakra would bring imagination, wisdom and a personal connection with spirit

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF CHAKRA BALANCING IS LIKE
Sessions of chakra clearing and balancing can take various forms.  If there are any goals or intentions for the session, these can be discussed in the beginning.  The practitioner can then take time to assess each chakra to see if it is functioning properly, pulling energy and releasing energy in a balanced way, open or closed, balanced between front and back and/or side to side. This can be done intuitively with the practitioner tuning into or sensing the area, or commonly with a pendulum, which is a crystal or stone on a chain or rope, and can give a read of the chakra. 

Some type of energy work or balancing is then generally performed to help clear out negative energy and blockages to balance the afflicted areas. Energy balancing tools, wands, stones, crystals or essential oils can be used to assist in the clearing and balancing process.

Who does it?
CHAKRA BALANCING PRACTITIONERS
There are no specific regulations or educational requirements for chakra balancing practitioners in the United States. There is a wide variety of training programs available both online and in-person workshops. Many offer some form of certification to indicate that the practitioner has completed a certain level of training.  Chakra balancing may be practiced alone or in conjunction with various other forms of touch or energy therapies that may require licensure.