The 7 Chakras & How To Balance Them
Chakras could simply be described as energy pools running along the spine of the body. There are seven chakras, each of which is connected to a set of body parts, metaphysical properties, and emotional states. 'Chakra' is a Sanskrit word that literally translates to wheel or disk, which offers up a powerful visualization that we can use in meditation to charge and balance each chakra.
Ideally, we want to keep our life force (or prana) flowing freely throughout the body. When any one of our chakras is unbalanced or blocked, we may experience physical and/or emotional issues. However, we have the ability to heal ourselves as we gain a deeper understanding of how these energy points work.
Our chakras directly correlate with the vagus nerve ('the ancient kundalini snake') which connects our vital organs and is perhaps the best scientific evidence we have to support the chakra system. Through the vagus nerve (and in turn, our chakras) a set of instructions is carried throughout the body...intelligence that communicates our physical and emotional needs at any given point.
The vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves that connect the brain to the body. The vagus nerve has two bunches of sensory nerve cell bodies, and it connects the brainstem to the body. It allows the brain to monitor and receive information about several of the body's different functions. - Medical News Today
Keep scrolling for an in-depth exploration of each of the 7 chakras.
1st - Root Chakra (Red) - kidneys, large intestine, bladder, legs, feet, knees, adrenals
stability, grounding, physical needs, finances, safety, material world
Affirmation: I am safe and secure.
Healing Foods: root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips, radishes, beets, onions, garlic, and protein-rich food like eggs, meats, beans, tofu, soy products, peanut butter
2nd - Sacral Chakra (Orange) - ovaries, prostate, uterus, reproduction, low back
intimacy, sexuality, self-worth, relationships, creativity, artistry
Affirmation: I am creative and passionate.
Healing Foods: carrots, mango, oranges, orange peppers, peaches, apricots, sweet potatoes
3rd -The Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow) - stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, small intestine, metabolism
will-power, social status, joy & happiness, energy
Affirmation: I choose the best for myself.
Healing Foods: bananas, pineapple, corn, lemons, curry, oats, brown rice, beans
4th - The Heart Chakra (Green) - thymus gland, immunity, heart, lungs, arms
love, trust, compassion, openness, forgiveness, harmony
Affirmation: I love, honor, accept and forgive myself.
Healing Foods: kale, broccoli, spinach, celery, cucumber, zucchini, green tea, avocado, peas, kiwi, green apples
5th - The Throat Chakra (Blue) - throat, thyroid, neck, voice, jaw, ears
communication, self-expression, listening, writing, speaking
Affirmation: I easily communicate my feelings.
Healing Foods: blueberries, blackberries, honey, coconut water
6th - The Third Eye Chakra (Purple) - pituitary gland, eyes, middle brain
psychic abilities, astral realm, telepathy, higher self connection, visions
Affirmation: I am in touch with my inner knowing.
Healing Foods: purple cauliflower, eggplant, beets, red cabbage
7th - The Crown Chakra (Clear / Violet) - central nervous system, pineal gland, cerebral neocortex, psychic abilities
universal consciousness, all-knowing, connection to source energy, enlightenment
Affirmation: I am always connected to spirit.
Healing Foods: fasting, detoxing
Tip for remembering the above: The color of the chakra typically matches the color of the food(s) that will provide healing. The same goes for crystals! For example, if you want to promote joy and happiness…you could choose a Citrine crystal which is yellow…correlating to the Solar Plexus chakra which is also yellow.
Every emotional state affects the body to some degree, and each chakra aligns with particular emotions. In essence, understanding our chakras helps us to understand our emotions and heal through that knowledge.
“The chakras are specialized energy centers which connect us to the multidimensional universe. The chakras are dimensional portals within the subtle bodies which take in and process energy of higher vibrational nature so that it may be properly assimilated and used to transform the physical body.” - Dr. Richard Gerber
“Each also has its own individual glands, hormones, chemistry, & individual plexus of neurons. Think of these individual clusters of neurological networks as mini-brains. If each one of those centers has its own individual brain, then each also has its own individual mind.” - Dr. Joe Dispenza
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