How fit are your chakras?

by guest blogger Molly Coeling

We learned last week that chakras are spinning wheels of energy found throughout the body and that there are seven primary chakras, each of which correlates with key physical and non-physical aspects of ourselves. When these chakras are healthy, open and balanced we in turn feel healthy, open and balanced. When we are feeling unwell, blocked or just plain "off," chances are that one or more of our seven primary chakras is out of balance. 

The chakras run from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
Check out descriptions of each of them below.

In essence the chakras provide a sort of road map to your overall health, offering a link between your life experiences and your physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health. Although the energetic vibration of the chakras is too high for them to be easily perceived in the physical world, with proper training and practice, they can be sensed and assessed. 

However, you may be able to guess which of your chakras are over-active or under-active based on their descriptions provided below. In addition to the symptoms of imbalance listed for each chakra, illness or injury in any of the physical areas associated with that chakra also indicate an imbalance. There are a variety of ways in which chakras can be brought back into balance, including energy healing techniques such as Reiki*; other ways to rebalance specific chakras are listed below.

1st Chakra = Root Chakra

• Location: base of spine (coccyx/tailbone)
• Physical: adrenals, spine, skeleton, legs, feet
• Life lessons/influences: survival, security, community
• Symptoms of imbalance: lack of abundance, sense of scarcity (under-active); greed, aggression (over-active)
• Rebalancing: daily routines, physical exercise, facing basic fears, organized home

2nd Chakra = Sacral Chakra

• Location: lower abdomen, between navel and pubic bone
• Physical: hips, low back, bladder, liver, large intestine, reproductive organs
• Life lessons/influences: sensuality, creativity, sexuality, emotions
• Symptoms of imbalance: avoid experiencing emotions, stuck in your head, and even addictive behavior
• Rebalancing: play, sing, dance, laugh, cry, self-care, baths, physical exercise, creative expression

3rd Chakra = Solar Plexus

• Location: above navel, upper stomach area
• Physical: pancreas, stomach, upper intestines, gallbladder and liver, midback
• Life lessons/influences: willpower, self-esteem, humor
• Symptoms of imbalance: easily overpowered, lacking focus and direction (under-active); harsh and defensive (over-active)
• Rebalancing: learn something new, reflect on your positive qualities, laugh, stand up for yourself, sunbathe

4th Chakra = Heart Chakra

• Location: center of chest
• Physical: heart, lungs, diaphragm, chest, arms,hands, thymus gland
• Life lessons/influences: love, forgiveness, compassion, self-acceptance
• Symptoms of imbalance: intimacy issues (under-active); poor boundaries, overly empathic (over-active)
• Rebalancing: practice self-love, maintain healthy boundaries, get a massage, hug someone, do breathwork, spend time in nature

5th Chakra = Throat Chakra

• Location: throat
• Physical: mouth & throat, jaw, neck, shoulders, ears, esophagus, trachea, and thyroid gland
• Life lessons/influences: communication, relationships, trust
• Symptoms of imbalance: not speaking your truth, failing to truly listen or understand, unequal dynamic in relationships
• Rebalancing: listen to music, sing, practice speaking your truth, listen, engage in meaningful conversations

6th Chakra = Third Eye

• Location: center of forehead
• Physical: head, brain, nervous system, sensory organs, pituitary gland
• Life lessons/influences: intuition, clarity, insight
• Symptoms of imbalance: difficulty focusing, being ungrounded, sleep disorders
• Rebalancing: positive visualization, star gazing, staying balanced between groundedness and intuition

7th Chakra = Crown Chakra

• Location: top of head
• Physical: brain, spinal cord, nervous system, pineal gland
• Life lessons/influences: higher consciousness, spirituality
• Symptoms of imbalance: anxiety, lack of faith, headaches, mental illness
• Rebalancing: meditation, write down visions or intentions, pay attention to dreams, become open to all possibility

About the Author: Molly Coeling, LMT, RMT, MPH is a Reiki* practitioner and teacher, as well as a clinical massage therapist. Her private practice is in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. Check out her website here. 

*Reiki is an energetically based holistic healing practice that supports overall balance, reduces stress and supports the immune system. Reiki can help to relieve a variety of emotional, psychological and physical ailments including anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia and pain.