WHAT ARE CHAKRA'S?
The chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC in the oldest text called the Vedas. Evidence of chakras, spelled cakra, is also found in the Shri Jabala Darshana Upanishad, the Cudamini Upanishad, the Yoga - Shikka Upanishad and the Shandilya Upanishad. According to the scholar Anodea Judith in her book the Wheels of Life, knowledge of the chakra system was passed down through an oral tradition by the Indo - European people, also called the Aryan people. The Chakra system was traditionally an Eastern philosophy until New Age authors, like Anodea Judith, resonated with the idea and wrote about the chakras, expanding upon the older texts and making the knowledge more accessible. (Source)
Chakras are energy centers. Although most people have heard of seven chakras, there are actually 114 in the body. The human body is a complex energy form; in addition to the 114 chakras, it also has 72,000 “nadis,” or energy channels, along which vital energy, or “prana,” moves. When the nadis meet at different points in the body, they form a triangle. We call this triangle a chakra, which means “wheel.” We call it a wheel because it symbolizes growth, dynamism and movement, so even though it is actually a triangle, we call it a chakra. Some of these centers are very powerful, while others are not as powerful. At different levels, these energy centers produce different qualities in a human being. (Source)
The importance of keeping our chakras balanced is often undermined. As we keep our home clean by decluttering, applying Feng Shui techniques or space cleansing; we must also clean the energy inside us. If we keep accumulating these heavy energies, over time they start manifesting into physical ailments. Not everyone can see these energy centres with their naked eye; however with training (and some naturally gifted people) can see these energy centres and will describe to you the chakra / areas which need your attention. Your chakra's put together form your aura. In an aura scan, the practitioner will see the areas that need improvements and working on these can strengthen your auric field. A strong auric field just means that you may not be as effected from external environments as compared to someone with a weaker auric field.
Exploring The 7 Chakra System
The seven chakras can be split into the higher and lower chakras. Everyone wants to focus only on the higher chakras assuming this will bring about spiritual enlightenment; but how can a bird fly if he does not know where he has to come back to? Where is home? For the same reason one must work on all the chakras to have a balanced result. We must also work on all the chakras on a daily basis to ensure they are healthy and maintained as we would like them to be.
English name: Root Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Muladhara
Location: Base of spine
Color: Deep Maroon, terracotta, reds
Symbol: 4 petals
Element: Earth
Bija Mantra: Lam
Affirmation: I Am
Crystals: Black tourmaline, Red Jasper
Deals with: Survival
Blocked by: Fear
English name: Sacral Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Svadhisthana
Location: 3-4 fingers below the navel
Color: Orange
Symbol: 6 petal flower
Element: Water
Bija Mantra: Vam
Affirmation: I Feel
Crystals: Red carnelian
Deals with: Pleasure
Blocked by: Guilt
English name: Solar Plexus Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Manipura
Location: 3-4 fingers above the navel
Color: Yellow / gold
Symbol: 10 petal flower
Element: Fire
Bija Mantra: Ram
Affirmation: I Do
Crystals: Citrine, Yellow Apatite
Deals with: Willpower
Blocked by: Shame
English name: Heart Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Anahata
Location: Centre of the chest
Color: Pink / green
Symbol: 12 petal flower
Element: Air
Bija Mantra: Yam
Affirmation: I Love
Crystals: Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine
Deals with: Love
Blocked by: Grief
English name: Throat Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha
Location: Throat
Color: Blue
Symbol: 16 petal flower
Element: Ether
Bija Mantra: Ham
Affirmation: I Speak
Crystals: Turquoise, Amazonite
Deals with: Truth
Blocked by: Lies
English name: Third Eye Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Ajna
Location: Forehead / Between the eyebrows
Color: Indigo / White
Symbol: 2 or 96 petal flower
Element: Cosmos
Bija Mantra: Om
Affirmation: I See
Crystals: Lapiz Lazuli
Deals with: Insight
Blocked by: Illusion
English name: Crown Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara
Location: Top of the head
Color: Violet / White
Symbol: 960 or 972 or 1000 petal flower
Element: Universe
Bija Mantra: Om
Affirmation: I Understand
Crystals: Amethyst, Clear Quartz
Deals with: Cosmic energy
Blocked by: Ego / Attachments
Scanning the Chakra's
Some people can see aura's and just by looking at people. Other methods to include Aura / Chakra scanning include just using their hands to feel the energy or using pendulums / dowsing to see the health of the chakras.
Balancing the Chakra's
Chakra's can be balanced in more than one way; but this requires dedication, constant practice and awareness to be able to identify what triggers a specific chakra to be out of balance.
Chakra's can be balanced with cystals, sound therapy, energetic cleansing, affirmations, chanting and exercises or yoga poses.
I use a combination of crystals, colour, sound therapy and energetic cleansing to cleanse and balance your chakra's.