R'n'R Holistic Therapies 

Chakras  (Energy Centres and their Function)

Chakras (ancient Sanskrit word meaning "Wheel") are energy centres and serve as gateways for the flow of energy and life force (Ki) into the physical body, cleansing and restoring it. Each chakra is associated with the glands and organs in the associated part of the body. They react and respond to energy and vibration. They also have a different colour associated with them and these centres can be open or closed if there is a problem. (see below picture)

A Chakra is like a vortex of energy - a little bit like when you let the water out of the bath - a spinning cone of energy located roughly down the area of the spine. The front is linked to the EMOTIONS and the back is linked to WILLPOWER.
Everything on the physical plane vibrates at the lowest vibrational rate while on the spiritual plane everything vibrates at the highest vibrational rate. In view of that if we look at the human body as part of the vast universe where spirit, matter and energy intersect we can begin to understand how these forces act within us, also how they may be actually harnessed and directed. The energy flow of the chakra can be in disharmony as a result of imbalance or stress in the emotional, mental or spiritual aspect of an individual. This disharmony can cause physical illness. The chakras can be balanced by a Reiki healer by placing their hands on the energy centre. This will bring about a release of blocked energy and a harmonising effect takes place. When all the chakras are balanced, the chakras will feel the same.

It is almost impossible to divide symptoms into individual chakras, as illness is interrelated. Illness occurs when energy is blocked in one or more of the centres. We should always look at ourselves and other people as whole beings: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, with the symptoms manifesting on different levels. It is safe to say that Reiki addresses the causes, as well as the resulting illness. Again, illness is a result of an imbalance, usually caused by a mental decision, based on an emotional reaction to an event or events in our lives. Once the mind is made up, then life becomes an adventure of discovering how right your mind is.

THE SEVEN CHAKRAS

CROWN CHAKRA (Violet) - located at the very top of the head. This is associated with spiritual or divine consciousness. There are believed to be no blockages that occur in this chakra; instead, it is developed to various degrees. The more developed this chakra, the more open you are to being in tune with a divine or creative force. If this is poorly developed, you can feel disconnected from the creative force, depressed or uninspired.

THIRD EYE CHAKRA (Indigo) - is the brow or the third eye chakra. It is located in the centre of the forehead and is associated with wisdom and intuition. When this is balanced people experience active mental abilities and intellectual skills. Ironically, if this chakra is well developed these rational mind skills can be transcended, and intuition and imagination become stronger and develop into clairvoyance. This chakra, out of balance, can result in trouble concentrating - or perhaps a tendency to over-analyse things. It can also lead to arrogance (thinking you know more than others, or that only things that can be "proven" with a certain set of rules can be true) as well as vision problems.

THROAT CHAKRA (Blue) - is located in the throat area. It is associated with communication. This includes all forms of communication: verbal, written, artistic, etc. Balance and strength in this chakra can result in the ability to honestly communicate your feelings and to accept everything about yourself - the good and the bad - and to be able to share this understanding with others. The Throat centre also relates to the throat itself, to the lungs, the respiratory and bronchial systems. Blocks can be created here and cause neck and shoulder problems. May people suffer tension in this area. The Throat represents our ability to "Speak up" for ourselves, to "Ask what we want" and to say, "I am" when we have throat problems it usually means we do not feel we have the right to these things. We feel inadequate to stand up for ourselves. The throat is the most blocked of all centres.

HEART CHAKRA (Green) - is located in the centre of your chest. It is associated, not surprisingly, with love. Because it is at the centre of the seven major chakras, it connects the lower chakras with the upper chakras. A completely open and balanced heart chakra can lead to unconditional love - of yourself and others - that can be inspiring to the world around you. The compassion, love and warmth radiated can bring joy and open others up. This can be a divine or spiritual form of love in its highest form. Imbalance in this chakra can be manifested in someone who gives away love, but has trouble receiving it, or who gives, but expects something in return. This can result in anger, lack of love, coldness, depression or physical heart troubles.

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (YELLOW) - is located between the navel and the chest. This chakra is connected to the sun, it's the way the ethereal body gets its energy from the sun. It is associated with your power centre. It's the place from which you radiate emotional energy to the rest of the world. So when this chakra is powerful and balanced, you approach the world and others from a strong place. You have self-acceptance, harmony with your surroundings, and the strength to resist negative energy and attract the energy and people that will help fulfil your desires. If it is out of balance, you can experience lack of will, fear of new challenges, trouble coping, anger, hate, blocked desires, and physically may suffer from eating disorders or problems with digestion.

SACRAL CHAKRA (Orange) - This chakra is located in the lower abdomen. It is associated with emotions, sexuality, creativity, and giving and receiving in cooperation with others. When this chakra is balanced you are aligned with others, open with your emotions, and in tune with creative energy and actions. When it is out of balance, the results can be jealousy, sexual problems, or physical lower back pain.

BASE / ROOT CHAKRA (Red) - is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the earth element. This chakra is related to the physical world, meaning both the material world and the physical well-being of our bodies. When this chakra is in balance you feel stable, rooted in your sense of self and in your life, and connected with nature or your surroundings. If this chakra is out of balance you can become pre-occupied with material possessions, and with your own desires, and the result can be anger and violence; physically you can experience constipation.