Permanent Zen BLOG: Chakras 101

The seven chakras are the energy centers in your body in which your emotional energy flows through.  They are fixed across seven key points in the body along the spine.  Their main purpose is to maintain the health of your major organs and glands by converting positive emotional energy into positive neurochemicals and hormones that govern your health and happiness.   When chakras are balanced and unblocked, the endocrine system creates the right balance of chemicals that keeps your body at optimum health.  This balance across your physical and emotional body creates the state that we refer to as ‘flow’ or ‘being in the zone’. 

Anytime you’re not in ‘the zone’, you are feeling the effects of a blocked chakra.  Every negative state (eg. anxiety, sadness, lethargy, anger) is a symptom of these energetic imbalances. As one chakra gets blocked, another chakra will overwork in order to compensate.  To stop the overworking chakra from compensating, the underworking chakra needs to be unblocked.  As the unblocked chakra begins to start working properly, the chakras that were compensating will reset to their proper levels. 

An example of this is a blockage of the Root Chakra. The Root Chakra is connected to the Adrenal Cortex Glands, which regulate your “fight or flight response” through the release of adrenaline and cortisol into your system.  A balanced Root Chakra will allow you to feel grounded, secure and brave in the face of fear.  However, when the Root Chakra has a blockage, the adrenal cortex glands will produce an overabundance of cortisol and adrenaline, leaving you with the feeling of anxiety and a lack of security when faced with everyday life.

Here are a few brief examples of each energy center and its associated symptoms and issues.

BASE/ROOT CHAKRA (located at the base of the spine)

Again, The Root Chakra is associated with the Adrenal cortex glands. It is the center of physical energy, grounding and sense of security.

If you tend to be anxious, your Root Chakra is probably blocked. If this Chakra is over-active from compensating for a blockage elsewhere, you could feel obsessed with being secure, you could be materialistic and also impulsive.

SACRAL CHAKRA, (located below the navel)

The Sacral Chakra governs the sexual organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine.  This Chakra is about feeling excitement and regulates your physical and sexual energy. When it is balanced, you approach things with zest, passion and enthusiasm. 

If you tend to be stiff and lethargic, your Sacral Chakra is under-active. If this Chakra is overactive you tend to be hyper, emotional and overly sexual at times.

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (located above the navel)

This Chakra is about willpower and self-confidence. When it is balanced, you have sufficient self-esteem. 

When this Chakra is under-active you may feel guilt, shame and you may have a tendency to be overly hard on yourself. You rarely get what you want more than likely.  If this Chakra is overactive you can feel arrogant and even aggressive.

HEART CHAKRA, (Heart region)

The Heart Chakra is the center of trust, love and compassion.  When it is open, you are open with people and you maintain healthy relationships with those around you. 

When your Heart Chakra is under-active, you can be quick to get angry or even cold and distant.  If this Chakra is over-active, you may be overly trusting, a people pleaser and left with the feeling of being broken-hearted and exploited often. 

THROAT CHAKRA, (adam’s apple area)
This Chakra is about self-expression and talking. When it is open, you are able to openly express yourself without fear of judgement.

When this Chakra is under-active, you tend to not speak as much and you probably feel social anxiety often. If this Chakra is over-active, you tend to speak too much and domineer.  You are probably also a bad listener.

*Typically moves in tandem with the Solar Plexus Chakra and your self-confidence

THIRD EYE CHAKRA (between both eyes)

This Chakra governs the balance between critical thinking and and creative thinking When it is balanced, you can exercise good intuition and critical thinking at the same time.

 If this Chakra is over-active on the critical thinking side, you may over analyze things to the point of ‘paralysis’.  If your this Chakra is over-active on the creative side, you may constantly find yourself daydreaming or even hallucinating. 

CROWN CHAKRA, (Top of head)

This Chakra is about faith and being connected to the universe. When this Chakra is balanced, you are faithful, hopeful and able to feel in harmony with life and the universe. 

If it is under-active, you are probably a chronic worrier, and may even experience depression and hopelessness.  If this Chakra is over-active, you are probably overly esoteric in your thinking.  You may be addicted to spirituality, abstract concepts and probably have a poor time managing day to day responsibilities (eg. Financial/health).

There are many ways to go about balancing your Chakras - Meditation, Yoga, Reiki, spending time in nature, listening to music and self-improvement techniques.  Although it does require dedication, balancing your chakras,  finding zen and staying in the zone is achievable for you and for everyone. 

About Permanent Zen

Permanent Zen is a private practice in New York, NY for Reiki Healing, Reiki Classes, Mindfulness Coaching, Personal Life Coaching, and 90 Day Transformation programs.