The Sanskrit word ‘chakra’ means ‘wheel’ or ‘disk’ and some have gone further, to term the system of chakras running through the human body ‘the wheel of light’. That is an apt description as, according to Eastern philosophy, there is powerful energy spinning and rotation through the chakras of the whole body.

What are Chakras?

Chakras are points on this energy system which are stimulated for chakra healing in a variety of alternative energy therapies. Opening up your chakras to allow the energy to flow is fundamental to good health and a tranquil mood.

Why do they matter?

For a person to be in good health, it is essential that the energy flow is balanced throughout the whole body, so chakra healing is based upon balancing the energy flow through the chakras of the body. This healing can be performed by professionals but you can also do this for yourself. Even balancing chakras for beginners is not difficult if you know where your chakras are and how to balance them.

Healing through Chakras

Chakra healing is a holistic therapy which can help with a variety of physical and emotional issues. There are seven main chakras, and several minor ones, from which energy flows all around the body and out into a person’s aura. All begin at the head and flow like channels to the ground, connecting the person to the Earth is a truly holistic and universal way.

Certain earth elements, minerals and colors are associated with the different chakras of the body and different alternative therapies work with the chakras in different ways, all aimed at achieving a balance and free flow of the universal energy around the body and out into the universe.

Self awareness is essential to this type of healing as you learn to balance your energies and create a harmonious whole within all areas of your mind and body. Therefore, chakras can be balanced through a variety of methods like yoga positions, meditation, and physical manipulation of the chakras.
Chakra healing is a way of achieving total physical and mental health. There are several ways you can progress toward this ideal state, once you know where to locate the chakras, and the effect that each chakra has.

The base chakra can be found at the very base of your spine, directly between your genitals and anus. This center of power is best visualized as a deep red orb that pulsates stability and steadfastness.

An open, balanced, and strong base chakra will allow you to feel centered in the moment, sure of yourself, grounded in your thoughts and emotions, physically healthy, and easily in touch with bodily bliss. Also this chakra must be healthy in order for the other main chakra points along your spine to experience optimal flow of life force; so the base is like the foundation of your chakra system in many ways.

If your base chakra is weak you may feel unhappy with your body size, often tired, indecisive, helpless, and out of control. On the other hand an overactive base can cause you to be irrationally stubborn and inflexible, and/or you may become enraged at the slightest provocation.

Balance is paramount when working with your chakras. You always the right amount of activity/energy flowing through each center; either too little or too much intensity in any chakra center will cause problems.

When thinking about or visualizing the base chakra, feel into the element of earth. In fact it may help to think of the stability of our planet beneath you. To ground yourself and keep the base chakra optimally open and balanced, use the following simple exercise.

Relax as completely as possible. Sit or stand with your spine completely straight and centered, and allow your body weight to rest perfectly at the base of your spine.

If standing you should feel your upper thighs begin to absorb your weight. If seated you’ll feel the pressure directly on your base chakra as you rest into it.

Once you are relaxed and straight, see your base chakra as a deep red, glowing orb. Breathe in deeply and slowly, imagining the deep red light filing your entire body.

Make no effort to force or rush your breath. Just allow it to enter your body and flow deep into your lungs. When your body is finished pulling air in allow the air to float softly out, making no effort to push it forth.

As you breathe imagine the deep red glow to cover your entire body and mind from the inside out. See the red fill the inside of your eyelids and feel it pulsating through your whole being; rest into the earth-like stability of this red energy.

Continue to breathe deeply and slowly. Think of a circular pattern.

Gently guide your breath in and down the front of your lungs. Then allow it to drift up and out the back of your lungs; so the air will enter and leave your lungs in a long, deep circular motion.

Don’t get hung up on either the color or the shape of your breathing. These visual aids are meant to help and support you, not frustrate or challenge you.

Enjoy this exercise for a few minutes. Then when you feel it is time to stop, do so.

This practice is great for any time you feel off center, angry with your body, out of control, or weak from the inside out. Understand also that you can and should perform this exercise spontaneously, and not just when something needs “fixing”.

But doing this meditation too often is just as bad as never doing it. Always remember to have a relaxed balance when working with your base chakra or any other part of your chakra system.

All the universe emerges from pure, potential energy and all objects and life forms are essentially vibrating energy. Your chakra system can serve as a portal for understanding your own energy grid and for connecting to and interacting with divine or universal energy.

Getting to know the basics of what each major chakra point means will enhance your understanding of self and the life experience. And each individual is free to use his or her own intuitive language for exploring this wonderful frontier.

In fact a basic look at metaphysics will enhance all areas of your life, including your ability to deliberately manifest events and circumstances you desire. The best approach to learning about your charkas, universal energy, and your connection to divinity is a relaxed and light one.

Avoid being ultra serious or solemn here. Enjoy yourself and delight in the process of discovery to create the most positive upbeat vibration possible.

Move in this manner and doors of understanding will open for you.

Note: This conceptualization of life is especially worthwhile for those who seek to actively manifest reality. When you understand that all things are energetic waves and that consciousness can move and direct these vibrations, it’s not a difficult leap to know that you can manifest your desires through focused intention and the manipulation of energy.