The Chakra System

The study of chakras is often compared to the practice of acupuncture, and indeed, the energy centers do bear a striking resemblance.

Similar to the points targeted in acupuncture, chakras are the term practitioners give to certain spots of concentrated energy throughout the body. Ideally, these centers, mainly located from the base of the spine to the top of your head, will allow energy to flow efficiently throughout your body and support your optimal physical, mental and emotional health.

However, certain experiences we have can weaken, disorient, or even completely block the energetic flow through our chakras. When this happens, you may begin to notice physical, mental and/or emotional symptoms associated with the affected chakra, and often another chakra will become overactive in order to compensate. Below you'll find an introduction to each of the seven main chakras (there are actually hundreds of mini chakras throughout the body) - plus, the symptoms associated with both over and under activity, what a perfect balance would look like, its associations and an appropriate affirmation. You may find that some are strong points for you, while others need more of your attention.

The Root Chakra

The first chakra begins at the base of your spine. It represents groundedness and basic physical needs such as food, shelter and security. A person with a closed or underactive root chakra will likely feel unattached and flighty. They tend to move from place to place and never quite feel at home. A person with an overactive root chakra may have a hard time changing anything. They will feel stuck and stagnant.

• Symptoms of Overload: Little energy. Clumsiness, obesity, and/or constipation.Over-attachment to material things, greedy.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Impulsive, hyperactive and reckless tendencies. May suffer from anorexia.
• A Perfect Balance: Feeling physically healthy and grounded, with good energy and the security of a good home and enough money.
• Associated with: The color red. In women, the root chakra is located between the ovaries, while in men it is at the testes.
• Affirmation: I am safe and secure. I am centered and grounded.

The Sacral Chakra

The second chakra is located between the genitals and belly button, near the sacral spine (thus its name). It governs our creative abilities both artistically and reproductively. An individual with a closed or underactive sacral chakra will tend to be repressed and uninspired, while a person with an overactive sacral chakra will tend to be obsessed with sex and creative pursuits.

• Symptoms of Overload: A tendency for sexual addiction, promiscuity, and obsession with romance, sex and creative pursuits.
• Symptoms of Blockage: A tendency towards prudishness, frigidity/emotional coldness, impotence, creative blocks, repression and infertility.
• A Perfect Balance: Feeling comfortable with sexuality. Enjoying healthy relationships and using creativity in constructive ways.
• Associated with: The color orange. Try adding more of this color in your life to help balance this chakra.
• Affirmation: I am free to express my sexuality. I have the power of creation within me.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is located just above the belly button. It is our personal power center, and governs our sense of self and self-esteem. A person with an underactive solar plexus chakra needs to build their sense of self. They arent sure who they are or what they want, so they allow others to call the shots. A person with an overactive solar plexus will try to control others.

• Symptoms of Overload: Tendency toward anxiety, aggression, control-issues, arrogance and willfulness. May suffer from ulcers.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Tendency toward indifference, passivity, victim mentality and disempowerment. May suffer from indigestion.
• A Perfect Balance: Works well with others, is productive, focused, and flexible, they are empowered. Associated with: The color yellow.
• Affirmation: I am happy with the person I am. I am free to express my thoughts and feelings.

The Heart Chakra

The fourth chakra, located by the heart, is appropriately named the heart chakra. It governs feelings of love and our ability to maintain healthy relationships with others. People with an underactive heart chakra distrust others, and they avoid close relationships and tend to be cold and distant. People with an overactive heart chakra are afraid to be alone, and so they are overly nice and clingy. They have a tendency to become doormats.

• Symptoms of Overload: They are overly trusting, nice and giving. They tend to smother loved ones and be codependent and enabling with partners. May suffer from a weak heart.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Tendency to be skeptical of others, cold, distant, self-centered, and lack compassion. May suffer from low immunity.
• A Perfect Balance: Loving, warm, and affectionate, accepting of both others and of self.
• Associated with: The color green.
• Affirmation: I am worthy of love and capable of loving. My love for myself and others is unconditional.

The Throat Chakra

The fifth chakra in located in the throat by the vocal cords. This chakra governs our communication verbal, written, and artistically expressed. An underactive throat chakra leads to a lack of confidence and difficulties in expressing thoughts and feelings. A person with an overactive throat chakra is over confident and though they talk eloquently, they have a difficult time listening to others' input.

• Symptoms of Overload: Tendency to be overly talkative and bad listeners. Tend to be argumentative and critical. Act like they are smarter than those around them. May suffer from sore throats and overactive thyroid.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Tend to be shy, without confidence, and have trouble expressing thoughts and feelings. Lack trust in their own opinions. May suffer from asthma and underactive thyroid.
• A Perfect Balance: Expressive and well-spoken, can listen as well as talk.
• Associated With: Sky blue color.
• Affirmation: I feel free to express my truth. My thoughts and feelings are worth hearing.

The Brow Chakra

The sixth chakra is located between your eyebrows, and is often referred to as the third eye chakra. It is responsible for conscience. A person with an underactive brow chakra is wandering through life without any goals or thoughts. An overactive brow chakra can cause a person to become so concerned with the planning of their life, they forget to live it!

• Symptoms of Overload: Overly logical and constantly making plans they dont act on. Tend to live inside their heads and think in overly abstract ways. May suffer from headaches or even hallucinations.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Lacks logic and ability to think abstractly. Is forgetful and tends to act without thinking. May suffer from vision or eye problems.
• A Perfect Balance: Alert andintelligent with a good memory. Thoughtful and insightful.
• Associated With: Indigo blue color.
• Affirmation: I am the master of my destiny. I trust my inner vision.

The Crown Chakra

The seventh and final chakra is located at the top of the head. It is responsible for our connection with the spiritual realm. A person with an underactive crown chakra sees no higher purpose to life. They tend to be cynical and depressed. However, an overactive crown chakra may cause a person to lose touch with reality and forget about their physical needs.

• Symptoms of Overload: Tendency to be ungrounded and out of touch with the real world. They have trouble meeting physical needs. They feel out of place on Earth. Prone to schizophrenia, epilepsy and Alzheimers.
• Symptoms of Blockage: Lack of spiritual awareness or beliefs. Lack a high purpose of direction or life. They are stuck in the mundane. Prone to depression, fear and cynicism.
• A Perfect Balance: Incorporates both spiritual and earthly aspects of life. Realizes the importance of both planning and action. Has a fulfilling spiritual life and deep connection with the Divine.
• Associated with: Violet or White, Consciousness
• Affirmation: I am thankful for my life and experiences. I accept my spiritual worth and embrace my connection with the Divine.

Sources:

http://www.swamij.com/chakra-meditation.htm

http://www.muse-net.com/april207.html

http://www.tantra-kundalini.com/index.htm

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