energy Centres of the human body

“Our spirits, our energy, and our personal power are all one and the same force.
Every part of our lives involves some exchange of power. We either gain or lose power in everything we do, say, or think.

”
— Caroline Myss

Introduction to our energy system

Energy is always in motion. We are filled with energy and depend on it. Low energy level means physical and mental exhaustion and moodiness. It is difficult to carry on with the daily tasks or find joy in life. Enough vital energy means that we can live an active, fulfilling life, take care of ourselves and have a joyful and positive attitude towards ourselves and life. Energy provides us with physical power but also psychological and mental resistance and stability.

Eastern philosophies have known and taught about energy systems for centuries, every philosophy has its own name to describe energy: prana, chi, or Qi – they all mean the same - lifeforce or life energy that fills and surrounds our bodies; penetrates, passes them, and interacts with others constantly. Energy is vibrating on different levels, it is constantly moving, transforming and recreating itself. In a balanced state, the energy is fluid and flows freely but in case of blockages in the body, the flow becomes irregular and less stable. Energy leakages and blockages manifest first in an uncomfortable feeling and restlessness, then our emotional level changes and after a while, they can cause real illnesses.

According to Eastern philosophies such as Ayurveda, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Hindu and Buddhist teachings the energy is regulated and stored in energy centres that are located within the human body and are called chakras. Each chakra influences specific organs and nerves, specific regions in the energetic body which impact our thoughts, emotions, actions and decisions. In Sanskrit, the word “chakra” means a wheel or a disc that gives us an idea of how these energy centres work. The energy accumulates in the centres, and it can be stored, released, and balanced there. For a balanced life, we need these centres to be open and the energy flow to be fluid and smooth.

The main 7 chakras are located along the spinal column to support our physical bodies. They are also called an energy spinal cord or the spiritual backbone through which the life force, life energy flows into our physical body. This force contains universal spiritual wisdom that is available for everybody and that is transmitted from generation to generation through energy flow guiding us and influencing every aspect of our lives.

“The chakras are our energy anatomical system. ”
— Caroline Myss

The circulation of energy in each of these chakras influences our physical and mental well-being. We cannot see these pulsing centres; they are functioning at the energy level and spinning at a different speed, but we can learn to feel the energy within our bodies through yoga practice or regular meditation and consciously stimulate or inhibit its flow. Each chakra corresponds and interacts with specific organs and parts of our bodies and the blockages of the energy may cause dysfunctions and physical illnesses there.

In drawings, the chakras are presented as Lotus flowers with a different number of petals according to their frequency, and with different colours that correspond to and vibrate with the rhythm of the chakra energy. The Lotus flower is known as a sacred Indian flower growing in mud. Its petals open one by one. The colours of the chakras correspond to the colours of the rainbow, a display of the colours of the spectrum produced by the dispersion of light. The rainbow is also called a spectrum of white light. The rainbow colours appear always in a specific order. Colour is a property of light and light is a form of energy.

Light and sounds vibrate (oscillating) in waves and the frequency of how fast they vibrate can be measured (cycles per second, or the number of complete wave cycles passing a point per second. 1 cycle per second is called 1 Hertz symbolized as 1 Hz). The more energy the wave has the higher its frequency. Red and orange have the lowest, and indigo and violet have the highest frequency.

According to Eastern teachings, the energy in chakras ascends from the first and the lowest at the base of the spine through the seventh, the highest, above the crown of the head. The energy doesn’t stay within the physical boundaries, it also surrounds our bodies.

“These invisible but highly potent levels of psychic energy are sometimes called the mental, emotional, etheric and astral bodies, and they extend well beyond the physical dimensions of our frame. ”
— Caroline Myss

7 Chakras

1 chakra: Muladhara or Root Chakra (lotus with 4 petals) corresponds to the lower spine and tailbone, the pelvic region, feet, bones and also the immune system. The first chakra connects us with the Earth and keeps us grounded. In a balanced state, the chakra energy allows us to feel stable and safe standing on our two feet and knowing about our identity. This chakra connects us with our family bond and with others in a broader sense and provides us with collective memory together with collective identity, values and belief systems. It is also about basic survival, loyalty and honour. In an imbalanced state, we feel anxious and insecure but also restless and out of sync.

Colour: red - security. We can visualise the chakra as a red swirling vortex of energy.

Element: Earth

Affirmation: I AM

2 chakra: Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra (lotus with 6 petals) corresponds to the lower abdomen, sexual organs, large intestine, lower belly, bladder, appendix and hip area. It is related to our personal independence, sexuality, intimacy, pleasure and creativity but also to finances, control over our own life, sociability, feelings of guilt and blame, past traumas. The energy of the second chakra regulates emotions and how we relate to and handle power. It also influences our relations to addiction, worldly temptations and our willpower.

Colour: orange - creativity

Element: Water

Affirmation: I FEEL

3 chakra: Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra (lotus with 10 petals) corresponds to the area between the navel and breastbone, abdomen, stomach, upper intestine, liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen. The third chakra energy involves our ego, self-esteem and trust - our gut intuition, courage and personal power, self-confidence and self-worth but also sensibility, shame, self-doubt and fear of rejection. Sometimes this chakra is also called the warrior chakra. The balanced energy in the third chakra allows us to accept ourselves fully.

Colour: yellow - power

Element: Fire

Affirmation: I DO

4 chakra: Anahata or Heart Chakra (lotus with 12 petals) located in the middle position, unites the lower and upper chakras and so the body with the mind and soul. The chakra corresponds to the heart, lunges, shoulders, chest, hands, thymus glands, diaphragm, and circulation systems. The energy of the fourth chakra is involved in deep feelings such as love, hatred, grief, anger, regret, pain, jealousy, ability to forgive, trust and hope. It is also about human connections and openness, expansion, kindness, giving and receiving, empathy and compassion. Everything we do with the heart is sincere.

Colour: green - openness

Element: Air

Affirmation: I LOVE

5 chakra: Vishuddi or Throat Chakra (lotus with 16 petals) corresponds to the throat, thyroid and parathyroid glands, neck area, tongue, teeth, jaw, the hypothalamus. It is the centre of our communication, self-expression and choices, willpower, faith and readiness to recognise, speak and write the truth. This chakra also contains the energy of criticism and judgement.

Colour: blue - clarity

Element: Ether/Sound

Affirmation: I TALK

6 chakra: Ajna or Third Eye Chakra (lotus with 2 petals) is located between the eyebrows, it is the centre of intuition, our sixth sense, the eye into our soul. The chakra includes the brains, eyes, ears, pineal and pituitary glands. The energy of the sixth chakra is involved in learning, emotional intelligence, intellectual abilities, abilities to see the truth, imagination and wisdom. The energy flow in this chakra allows us to ask for spiritual guidance and trust our intuition more often.

Colour: purple or indigo - wisdom

Element: Ether/Light

Affirmation: I SEE

7 chakra: Sahasrara or Crown Chakra (lotus with thousand petals) that locates at the crown of the head, a bit above the head. It corresponds to muscular and skeletal systems as well as skin. This is the centre of our spiritual abilities and connections to cosmic energy, our higher selves and to the Divine. The energy of this top chakra involves energetic disorders, spiritual depression, and sensitivity to external factors.

Colour: white or violet - enlightment

Element: Ether/Divine consciousness

Affirmation: I UNDERSTAND


Many alternative therapies concentrate on chakra healing such as acupuncture and acupressure, Chakra meditation, Reiki, crystal and sound healing, reflexology, many types of massages, conscious breathing, Tai Chi, aromatherapy. Also, yoga postures or asanas are meant to open the chakras. These therapies focus on the energy blockages and work towards releasing the energy and re-establishing the normal flow of energy.

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