Chakras and Your Health

The great majority of our health issues today are created at the mental and emotional levels. Many repressed emotions, past hurts, old grudges and negative feelings become stagnant and stuck in the body.

Over time, if they are not dealt with and released properly they will manifest physically in the form of disease and illness. With that being said, it is important to fully understand how the body works and not just in the physical sense but in a spiritual and emotional sense as well. Throughout your body there are energy vortexes called chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means 'wheel.' Chakras take in energy and also distribute energy and they are perpetually affected by the way we interact with life situations. Chakras are the medium in which you create health and balance in your body or destroy and deplete it. The choice is yours.

There are seven major chakras in your body, each corresponding to a gland in your endocrine system. Your first chakra is called the Muladhara chakra and it is located at the base of your spine, corresponding with the adrenal glands. This chakra is responsible for the fight or flight response when our survival is threatened. Physically, Muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of security. When this chakra is underactive or blocked we become prone to diseases like constipation, piles, varicose veins, knee problems and jaundice. If this chakra is over-active, we tend to be materialistic, greedy and obsessed with being secure and resist change.

The second chakra is called the Swadhisthana chakra and it is located slightly below the belly button. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the female ovaries and male testes. It looks after our liver, kidneys, and the lower abdomen. It is responsible for assimilation, procreation, lymphatic system, and menstrual secretions. Physically, Swadisthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm. When this chakra is underactive or even blocked, we get diseases like diabetes, blood cancer and many other diseases related to this gland can occur. If this chakra is over-active, we tend to be emotional for most of the time. We will tend to feel emotionally attached to people and become too preoccupied with sex.

The third chakra is Manipura chakra which is at the navel center solar plexus and it relates to the spleen. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the digestive system, the liver, the pancreas and the gall bladder which produces and secretes enzymes, acids and juices necessary for the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Physically, Manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually all matters of growth. If this chakra is under-active or blocked, you will suffer from sluggishness or malfunctions of the digestive system. You may have weakness in the body, indigestion, stomach, intestinal, and colon problems. If this chakra is over-active, a person can be domineering and probably even aggressive.

Your fourth chakra is called the Anahata chakra which is located at the center of the heart cardiac plexus and it relates to the thymus gland. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the heart, blood, lungs and the circulatory system in general, along with the immune and endocrine systems. Physically, Anahata governs circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs passion and spiritually it governs devotion. The disharmonious activation of Anahata chakra leads to love-related problems. If this chakra is under-active or blocked, it can cause asthma or various heart conditions. If this chakra is over-active, we are suffocating people with our love and our love probably has quite selfish reasons.

The fifth chakra is called the Vishuddha chakra and it is located at the pit of the throat, corresponding to the thyroid gland. On the physical level, Vishuddhi chakra is related to the thyroid, the rate of metabolism, and the lungs in the physical body. It controls the activity of the vocal cords, of the hearing, of the pharynx and esophagus. Physically, Vishuddha controls communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security. If this chakra is under-active or blocked, people will get cold, cough, thyroid problem and a lack of communication skills. If this chakra is over-active, we tend to speak too much, usually to domineer and keep people at a distance.

The sixth chakra is called the Ajna chakra which is located between your eyes. On physical level, this third eye chakra is apparently related to the pituitary gland and the small brain which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. This has a vital role in the physical basis of consciousness. This is the centre where wisdom and intuition develop. If this chakra is under-active or blocked, one will have negative thoughts, lack of energy, making more bad karmas. If this chakra is over-active, one may live in a world of fantasy too much; in excessive cases hallucinations are possible.

The seventh chakra is known as the Sahasrara chakra located at the top of your head. This chakra corresponds with the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and waking states of consciousness. Its proper functioning helps to improve thinking power and boost intelligence. It is large in children, but shrinks at puberty. This chakra provides us with the direct, absolute perception of reality on our central nervous system. It symbolizes detachment from illusion. Sahasrara chakra integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities.

Cleansing, balancing and removing blocked energy from your chakras are vital to maintaining good health. Hanging onto old emotional baggage is not only counter-productive but also detrimental for your well being. Visualization techniques, breath work and a regular practice of meditation will activate, clear and balance your chakras, allowing for optimum health and wellbeing. Breath work is a powerful and effective way to stop self-destructive habits and conflict-creating habit patterns. Deep, meaningful breathing is healing and it is capable of clearing stagnant, negative energies. Mindful breathing calms your mind and allows energy to freely move through you.

When disease strikes in the body, it effects every area; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Nothing that happens in the body doesn't first start in the mind or spirit. Remember, your chakras are affected by the way you handle people, places and things on mental and emotional levels. Keep your chakras clear and balanced to maintain good health on the inside and outside.