Chakra Balancing
by Diane Linsley
One of my favorite spiritual practices is chakra balancing. This can
be done in many different ways, including chakra chants, Reiki,
guided meditations, and various energy work exercises. Several
years ago, I spent an entire year doing chakra chants for an hour
every day, in addition to my regular Holosync meditation. I also
began using some of Robert Bruce's energy work techniques.
During that year, I had many lucid dreams and OBE's (out-of-body
experiences). By December 2013, all of my chakras had opened.
On December 27, 2013, I experienced a full kundalini awakening
with all the associated phenomena, including a kundalini OBE.
Working with the Chakras
The chakras affect all aspects of our lives from our physical health
to our emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. All things are created energetically before they are created physically. Working with the energy body gives us a head start.
Chakras can suffer from either deficiency or excess. When we balance the chakras, we are healing at the energetic source, instead of just treating physical symptoms. As an empath, I can sometimes feel into another person's energy field and locate which chakras need balancing. I refined this skill by working with my own chakras over a long period of time.
Working with the chakras means focusing on them with the intention to balance their energy. This might sound a little weird until you actually try it. Have you ever tried warming your hands by focusing on them? You can actually increase the flow of blood and nerve impulses to any part of your body by focusing on it. This can be very beneficial for healing. Likewise, you can increase the health and strength of your chakras by focusing on them.
There are many ways to work with the chakras. Click here for my chakra balancing meditation. I also enjoy doing chakra chants, which uses the power of sound to balance the chakras. Jonathan Goldman has several excellent CDs. Robert Bruce gives instructions for working with the chakras in his book, Energy Work. Links to these resources and others are provided at the end of this article.
You can also work with a chakra by simply placing a hand over it, and imagine that healing energy is flowing from your hand into the chakra. It helps to think loving thoughts of self-compassion while doing this, and imagine the chakra growing warmer and brighter.
Long before I heard of Reiki, I was taught how to do this form of energy work by a spirit guide during an OBE. I often wake up in the morning with a hand over one of my chakras, and I realize that I have been doing energy work in my sleep.
You don't need formal training in Reiki to work with your chakras. It's your energy body, after all, and nobody can love it as much as you can :)
The Seven Chakras
Here are descriptions of each of the seven chakras, their locations, and how they function in our lives. The color of the chakra is given for visualization, along with the vowel sound for chanting.
First Chakra - Also known as the root chakra. It is located at the base of the spine in the pelvic or perineal region where your body sits on your chair. The root chakra grounds and connects us with the energy of the earth. It is associated with survival, safety and financial security.
Imbalances in the root chakra can manifest as survival fears, eating disorders, financial problems or greed. A healthy, well-balanced root chakra helps us feel safe and secure in the world.
The color of the first chakra is red. The vowel sound for chanting is "Uh."
Second Chakra - Also known as the sacral chakra. It is located in the center of the lower belly, about three inches below the navel. The second chakra is associated with emotions, sensuality and creativity. It gives us the desire to seek pleasure, express our feelings, and connect with others.
Imbalances in the second chakra can lead to addictions, codependency, overwhelming emotions, or being disconnected from our emotions and our sensuality. When the second chakra is healthy, we feel a passion for life, we can express our creativity, and we can create satisfying relationships.
The color of the second chakra is orange. The vowel sound for chanting is "Ooh."
Third Chakra - Also known as the solar plexus. It is located about 3 inches above the navel. The solar plexus is associated with personal power, responsibility and independence. It is the energetic center of identity and self-esteem.
Imbalances in the solar plexus can manifest as being helpless or irresponsible, trying to control others, or lacking motivation and purpose. When the third chakra is healthy, we feel empowered to make decisions, assert ourselves in the world, and motivate ourselves for success.
The color of the third chakra is yellow. The sound is "O" (the long vowel sound).
Fourth Chakra - Also known as the heart chakra. It is located in the center of the chest. The heart chakra is associated with compassion, love and beauty. It is the energetic center of our ability to love ourselves and others - to feel compassion, to forgive, and to empathize.
Imbalances in the heart chakra can manifest as jealousy, codependency or withdrawal. A healthy heart chakra enables us to see and feel the beauty all around us. It's the bridge between the upper and lower chakras, connecting the spiritual and earthly energies. It helps us transcend the separate ego.
The color of the fourth chakra is green. The sound is "Aah."
Fifth Chakra - Also known as the throat chakra. It is located at the center of the neck. The throat chakra is associated with expression, communication and creativity. It helps us discover our vocation and fulfill our life purpose.
Imbalances in the throat chakra can manifest as a fear of speaking, poor listening skills, or talking too much. Other signs of imbalance are lying, gossiping, or being unable to fulfill our true calling in life. When the throat chakra is healthy, we can speak our truth and express ourselves.
The color of the fifth chakra is blue. The sound is "I" (the long vowel sound).
Sixth Chakra - Also known as the third eye or brow chakra. It is located on the forehead, between the eyebrows. The brow chakra is the center of intuition, imagination and psychic perception. It enables us to access mystical states and intuitive wisdom.
Deficiency in the brow chakra can manifest as lacking clarity or imagination. An excess of brow chakra energy can manifest as being stuck in illusions and disconnected from reality. A healthy brow chakra helps us gain clarity, see the big picture, and envision our future.
The color of the sixth chakra is violet-purple. The sound is "A" (the long vowel sound).
Seventh Chakra - Also known as the crown chakra. It is located at the top of the head. The crown chakra gives us access to higher states of consciousness and puts us in touch with our higher self. It liberates us from limiting beliefs, and it expands our awareness.
Deficiency in the crown chakra can result in cynicism, close-mindedness, and disconnection from spirit. An excess of crown chakra energy can cause spiritual obsessions and disconnection from the body. When the crown chakra is activated, we experience being fully present and even blissful.
The color of the seventh chakra is white. The sound is "E" (the long vowel sound).
Tips and Warnings for Chakra Balancing
Once you discover the value of chakra balancing, you may be tempted to do it too much. Yes, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. In the early days of doing energy work, I sometimes ended up with energy sickness. This is most likely to occur after an intense experience, such as a prolonged OBE. This problem becomes less frequent as the energy body grows stronger over time.
When I was a beginner, a five-minute OBE could leave me with a headache and mild nausea that lasted for several hours. But after a few years of doing energy work, I could stay in the OBE state for two hours or longer. It's like a physical exercise program - you have to build your muscles gradually.
If you accidentally overwork your chakras and end up with unpleasant side effects (physical or mental), take some time off. In the case of energy sickness, stop doing all energy work for a while and ground yourself in the physical world, focusing on physical exercise and eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, which is grounding.
Sitting on the actual ground outside is very helpful. After my kundalini awakening, my nervous system was overwhelmed. It was the middle of winter, but I was burning up from the overload of energy flowing through my body. So I went outside and sat on the ground (in the snow) until I felt better. Then I took a 6-month break from energy work. I needed time to integrate the profound changes that had taken place. Kundalini awakenings are very rare, but now you know what to do in case it ever happens.
Even small amounts of energy work can be beneficial. Working with the energy body and balancing the chakras helps to increase awareness and self-compassion.
Here's a chakra balancing meditation.
Chakra Balancing and Energy Work Resources
Anodea Judith:
Robert Bruce:
Jonathan Goldman:
Chakra Chants (CD)
Be well,
Diane Linsley
