The word ‘chakra’ is an ancient Sanskrit word, which literally translated means ‘wheel’.

Whether we are conscious of them or not, we all have chakras – bright wheels of energy, spinning within our bodies. We have seven major chakras, and each of them has a different function and energy. And, while they exist within our bodies, their influence extends far beyond the physical. Your chakra system holds within it your ancestral records, your relationship history, your beliefs about yourself and your power, and your connection to the Divine. The health of your chakras is therefore directly connected to your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

The chakras are like the energetic ‘gateways’, which connect the various layers of the aura. When open, these gateways allow subtle energies to flow freely. Each chakra can be likened to specific ‘computer software’ with programmes relating to safety, sexuality, power, love, communication, intuition and self-realisation. When these programmes are running properly, they affect our health, emotions, thoughts and behaviours in a positive manner; when they are malfunctioning in any way, they can have correspondingly negative effects.  Each chakra vibrates to a specific frequency, corresponding to a specific colour vibration. A good analogy is with the different wave-bands on a radio. Like radio-waves, the energies flowing through the chakras are invisible to the naked eye.

Physiologically, each chakra is connected to physical organs and endocrine glands, the health functions of which are directly affected by the state of the corresponding chakra. The endocrine system is a collection of glands, which produce hormones, which act as the body’s chemical messengers. These glands release the hormones directly into the blood- stream where they are then transported to organs and tissues throughout the body. These hormones are necessary for the normal bodily functions attributed to each chakra.

While they are all connected, each of your seven chakras has a profound influence on a particular aspect of your physical, energetic, and mental health:-

Base chakra – your bones and teeth; your relationship with your family; your sense of security; and your instincts.
Sacral chakra – your reproductive system; your relationship with your emotions; your desires and sensuality.
Solar Plexus chakra – your digestive system; your personal power and energy; your will- power and drive.
Heart chakra – your respiratory system; how you love and allow love into your life; your empathy with others, and your opening to compassion.
Throat chakra – your ears, nose and throat; your self-expression (what you speak of, how you speak of others, the quality of your words and speech); your creativity.
Third eye chakra – your eyes; your intuition, imagination, and ability to visualise; your psychic abilities
Crown chakra – your brain and central nervous system; your spirituality, expanding your awareness

Not only do the chakras correspond to major glands and organs in the physical body, they also directly relate to everyday events. Quick to tears? It could be an indication of a sacral imbalance. Domineering? Perhaps your solar plexus is overloaded. Pain in your legs? Look to the base chakra. The chakras are storehouses of the symptoms of our day-to-day problems but they also hold the solutions. By working with each one, we activate those solutions.

When we consciously work with our chakras, and choose to balance their energy and optimise their programming, we can literally change our own energy. When we are energetically healthy, we vibrate at a different frequency. This new frequency, or vibration, can attract to us wonderful new situations, opportunities and people. Each of your chakras has a unique purpose and they are all connected energetically. So, while we may have an imbalance in only one, we truly need to work with them all as a system.