Chakras: The Hidden Keys to Your Inner Freedom

by Susan Kapatoes, MHA, CPC

What are Chakras?

The word chakra comes from the ancient Sanskrit language of India and simply means wheel or circle. The term describes the whirlpools or vortices of energy located along the central axis of our bodies in the spinal cord and brain. The purpose of the chakras is to spin and draw Universal Life Force Energy into the physical body in order to maintain health and balance on every level of our being: the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

According to a research study documented in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry, 

The chakra system (the second part of the biofield measurement)…is over 4,000 years old and has been applied both in the Yoga philosophy and in Auyrveda medicine. Chakras are comprised of seven energy centers that correspond to deep wisdom on physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels. Each chakra is linked to glands, organs, and the nervous system in an integrated fashion. The larger and more aligned the chakras are to the midline, the more a person
can support his own wellness.

In the Indian heritage, the chakras have been called the 7 shining places in the body, known as the brain (Sahasrara), medulla oblongata (Ajna), and 5 spinal centers—cervical (Visuddha), dorsal (Anahata), lumbar (Manipura), sacral (Svadhisthana), and coccygeal (Muladhara)— through which the Spirit becomes connected.

Brain

7th – crown or uppermost part of the cerebrum
6th – third eye connected by polarity with the medulla oblongata or brain stem

Spinal Centers

5th – Cervical or throat
4th – Dorsal or heart
3rd – Lumbar or solar plexus
2nd – Sacral or pelvis
1st – Coccygeal or base of spine

Chakra Colors & Frequencies

Each chakra is associated with a color and these colors are arranged in the same way as the colors of the rainbow.  Colors also emit certain wavelength frequencies and therefore have a certain vibratory rate. In ascending order from the root chakra to the crown chakra, the colors of the chakras and their corresponding color frequencies is as follows.  You will notice that the vibration of the chakras increases as you move upward from the base toward the crown chakra.  

The Meaning of our Chakras

Each chakra expresses a different emotional quality, such as love or being able to express yourself. These qualities can manifest in a positive or negative way, depending on which direction your energy is heading. When our energy is moving downwards, we are stuck in our growth and may cling to bad habits which bind us to fear-based emotions. When we raise our energy upward, it also raises our consciousness, which clears away bad habits and desires. It all comes down to INTENTION.

When our energy is moving upwards = Awareness & Evolvement
When our energy is moving downwards = Ignorance & Self-Sabotage   

1st – Root Chakra

This chakra is located at the base of the spine. It represents security. When our consciousness is going downward in this chakra, we become too attached to material things, greedy, and insecure with ourselves. When we raise our energy up through this chakra, our relationship with the material world become healthy. We are not obsessively attached to material gain, remembering that human relationships are always more important than acquiring things.    

2nd – Sacral

The second chakra is about two inches below the belly button, in the area of the reproductive organs. This chakra represents creativity; not only for the ability to create new life but for the birthing of new ideas as well. It is also related to our emotions and how we use our sexual energy. In its lower form, it can cause a misuse of sexual energy with the goal of controlling and manipulating others. As we raise our state of consciousness in this chakra, we no longer abuse our sexuality but use it in a respectful way. We learn to control our emotions, intimacy, and creativity in a healthy way that benefits all people involved.     

3rd – Solar Plexus

The solar plexus chakra is in the stomach area, just behind the navel. It represents our personal power and self-confidence. Its lower form can cause the desire for power that is strictly used for selfish purposes. As with all choices, it comes down to INTENTION. How are you using your power?  When we raise our energy up through this chakra and connect to its higher form, we become self-empowered with a service-to-others mentality. Our attitude transforms from, what’s in it for me to how can I be of best service to others. The magic to this formula is that when we help others, we automatically help ourselves at the same time.

4th – Heart

The fourth chakra, also known as the heart chakra, is located in the center of the chest. This chakra is all about love. In its highest form, this love is all-embracing and unconditional. When we are feeling unconditional love, we don’t judge or scrutinize others because we know that each person is responsible for themselves. When our energy goes downward through this chakra, it becomes a love based on restrictions. There are many kinds of love: personal relationships, love for a pet, a friend, etc. The challenge is to keep your heart open so that you can allow the quality of love to enter your life which gives you comfort and support.       

5th – Throat

This chakra is in the throat area. In its higher form, it represents our ability to express ourselves authentically and genuinely. It gives us calmness and inner peace when we are able to speak our truth and stand-up for ourselves. When our energy is directed downward in this chakra, we have difficulty speaking honestly and may feel awkward verbally expressing our emotions. Instead of feeling peace and calm, we may feel restless, uneasy, and vulnerable.    

6th – Third Eye

This chakra represents our intuition and higher wisdom. It has two poles, positive and negative, like a battery. The negative pole is at the base of the skull, where the medulla oblongata is located in the brain. This is where our ego and sense of individual self resides. By rising our state of consciousness through this chakra and sublimating (redirecting) the energy upwards, we are able maintain our connection and awareness of our Higher Self or Soul.  

The positive pole of the sixth chakra is between your eyebrows in the frontal lobe area of your brain. It is also called the “spiritual eye” or “third eye.” When your energy is blocked in this chakra, you can become overly analytical, relying solely on facts, figures, and science-based verification while dismissing the wisdom of your intuition. When this chakra is open, you feel balanced and can apply the wisdom of both your analytical mind and your intuitive heart.     

7th – Crown

The seventh chakra is at the top of the head. It is also known as the crown chakra or thousand-petaled lotus. It represents our connection to Source, the Creator, or All That Is. It is our link to a higher power that is greater than ourselves. It is at this chakra where we completely merge with Divine Energy. When this chakra is open, we feel strong, connected, joyful, and free.  

Blocked Chakras

Just like we take a shower everyday to clean our physical body, it is important that we also cleanse our chakras on a regular basis. Due to stress, emotional baggage, and the anxiety of everyday living, our chakras can become stagnant. When they are not spinning properly, the symptoms can present themselves differently depending upon which chakra is involved.

For example, if your first chakra is closed, you probably feel unsafe in this world and are not willing to take any risk that might move you forward. Those who have a blocked second chakra will encounter emotional and intimacy issues in relationships. If your solar plexus is closed, you consistently feel like a victim instead of an empowered person. If your heart chakra is closed, you have difficulty finding authentic love and connecting with people in a genuine way. If your throat chakra is closed, you are not speaking your truth. If your third eye is closed, you are probably ignoring your intuition. If your crown chakra is closed, you are most likely feeling disconnected from your own divinity, and the Source of Creation or All That Is.          

Cleaning Your Chakras

How do you clean your chakras and get them spinning properly? There are different methods  on how to clean your chakras. Keep in mind there is not one right answer nor is there only one way to accomplish this goal. I suggest that you find a method that you like best.  

Cleansing your chakras should only take a few minutes. Written below is the method that I use. When you first start practicing, I suggest going into your meditation room or entering a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. When you do this everyday and get comfortable with it, you’ll be able to clear your chakras very quickly using your intention.

• Focus on your root chakra at the base of your spine. Imagine, visualize, or feel a bright ruby red ball of light there. See this ball of red light spinning clockwise. If you sense any dark energy, use the force of the spin to clear it away. Imagine it spinning all away.
• Focus on your second chakra about two inches below your belly button. Imagine it as a beautiful ball of orange light. See this ball of orange light spinning clockwise.
• Now move your attention to your solar plexus chakra in the upper abdomen or stomach area. Imagine a powerful yellow sun there. Spin this yellow sun clockwise.  
• Bring your attention to your heart area now. Imagine, visualize, or feel an emerald green ball of light there. Spin this green ball of light clockwise.
• Now focus on your throat. Imagine a bright sky blue ball of light there. Spin it clockwise.  
• Focus now on your third eye. On your forehead between your eyes. Imagine an indigo light in that area. Spin it clockwise.
• Bring your focus now to the top of your head. Imagine a shining ball of purple light at the top of your head. Spin this ball of purple light clockwise.

At the end of this exercise, I imagine pouring white light into my body. Sometimes I add golden light for protection or green light for healing. If it is challenging to imagine the chakras spinning clockwise, simply state the following intention at the end: I intend that each chakra is healthy and spinning clockwise. Take a few relaxing deep breathes.

The Benefits

When we are aware of the condition of our chakras and take responsibility to keep them clear, we empower ourselves to live a life that is more deliberate rather than feel like a victim most of the time. We recharge, reboot, and cleanse these centers so that our energy can continue to flow in a constructive way. When our chakras are balanced, we can take charge of our health and function at an optimal level on a day-to-day basis.

Interested in learning more?

Susan Kapatoes, MHA, CPC  is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Nutritionist, Reiki Master, Meditation Instructor, and published author. She is the owner of Inspire Your Journey and a Wellness Partner with Amare Global, the Mental Wellness Company. She is available for appointments at the SheBreathes Balance & Wellness Studio in Walpole, MA. 

References:

Berne, S. (2012). The Science of Measuring Wellness. [online]. Journal of Behavioral Optometry. Volume 23/Number 3/Pages 63-67. Oepf.org. Available at: http://www.oepf.org/sites/default/files/23_3_BERNE.pdf

Bruno, Thomas J. and Svoronos, Paris D. N. (2005). CRC Handbook of Fundamental Spectroscopic Correlation Charts. CRC Press.

Darecki, Y. (n.d.). chakras. [online] Yogananda.com.au. Available at: http://yogananda.com.au/g/g_chakras.html