How Your Energy System Works
Think of your energy like a circuit, energy moves in and energy moves out. Energy typically moves in on your left, or receptive, side. As it moves inward, it also moves upward. Then it moves downward and outward on your right, or projective, side.
When your energy system is balanced, the energy moves smoothly, in and out, up and down. You feel alignment, your body and mind are at ease. You are one with the Universe.
Your energy system is influenced by, and influences, the flow of energy through your body. Any action that has influences your energy system reinforces the balance or creates an imbalance. An imbalance can manifest as a physical, mental or emotional dis-ease.
Energy Centers AKA Chakras
Your energy centers are also known as chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to disc, or wheel. It is believed to have originated in India and is first referenced in ancient Vedic texts. The Vedic texts are linked to both yoga and Ayurveda.
Your chakras
- are spinning wheels of energy that form the energy system of your body.
- reside in your spiritual body which shares space with your physical body.
- support your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
There are tens of thousands of chakras in your energetic body. This is a system so they are all significant and work together. Many of them are small and considered of minor significance. Those of more significance are located in the hands, the feet, and the shoulders. Of major significance is a series of seven chakras aligned with the mid-line of the physical body from crown to tail.
Your seven main energy centers and their locations are:
- Crown: at the top, or crown, or the head
- Third Eye, or Brow: between your eyebrows
- Throat: at our throat near the notch in your collarbone
- Heart: in the center of the chest near your physical heart
- Solar Plexus: Below your rib cage near the diaphragm line
- Sacral: in the lower abdomen below your navel
- Root: at the base of the spine near your perineum.
Your energy centers correspond to parts of your physical body, and aspects of your mental and emotional health. They also correspond to elements. We often look at them through the lens of the five elements. In this article we will look at them as corresponding to seven elements.
Your Lower Energy Centers
Your lower energy centers are related to earthy needs and tangible elements.
Root
At your base sits the energy center known as your root. This connection supports a sense of safety and security.
This energy center corresponds with the earth element and connects you to Mother Earth. It literally supports you in the form of your skeletal system including your teeth and influences your lower body.
Your balanced sacral chakra means strong bones and teeth, good elimination, and a healthy weight.
Sacral
Your lower abdomen is home to your sacral energy center. This is the part of your energetic body that corresponds to creativity, fertility, and balanced connections.
Connected to the water element, this energy center governs your circulatory, reproductive, and urinary systems.
When your sacral energy is balanced you will have a healthy reproductive system, be relatable, and feel creative.
Solar Plexus
Your solar plexus is both an energy center and a nerve center. Located in the area near your sternum, your solar plexus is connected to your drive, will, and ego.
The metaphor “fire in the belly” accurately defines the function of and element corresponding to this energy center.
A healthy digestive system, even energy levels, and self-confidence show your balanced solar plexus.
Heart Center
The center of your energy system connects your upper and lower energy centers. It supports balance between lower and upper needs.
Regulating the flow between upper and lower energy centers is the energy center at your heart. This energy center has an effect on your heart, lungs, arms, and hands.
This energy center corresponds to the element of ether and the concepts and actions of compassion and love.
Your balanced heart center equates to feelings of compassion, trust, and empathy.
Your Upper Energy Centers
Your upper energy centers are related to higher level interactions.
Located near your physical throat is the energy center that influences communication. It governs your ears, throat, neck, mouth, and shoulders.
This energy center also corresponds to the air element.
When the energy center at your throat is balanced you are confident in your speech, have good hearing, a flexible neck, and are truthful.
Third Eye or Brow
The energy center at your brow is also known as the third eye. It is located near where you could imagine a third eye being located.
Your third eye corresponds to the element of light and governs your eyes, the base of your skull, and your pineal gland.
A balanced third eye affords you healthy eyesight, a realistic outlook, and an optimistic spirit.
Crown
Just above the crown of your head is your crown energy center. As your root grounds you, your crown is your connection to your higher power, or higher self.
Your central nervous system and pituitary glands are influenced by this energy cente that corresponds to the element of thought.
Evidence of your balanced crown is being open to ideas and eager to learn, and a sense of being connected spiritually.
Your energy system interacts constantly with energy from the world around you including other beings, your food, drink and even your thoughts. This input has a direct effect on how each individual energy center functions. The function of each energy center has an impact on the whole system.
Balanced energy centers ensure that you are running at peak possible performance. Imbalances in any of the energy centers can manifest in your physical and emotional body in predictable ways.
Staying Balanced
A balanced energy system requires regular maintenance. There are many ways to keep this system running smoothly. An imbalance is not necessarily a permanent situation.
Your energy centers are influenced by all of your senses. Let’s explore some of the options for keeping them balanced.
Each energy center responds to, and corresponds with, a particular color. Using color can be as simple as the color you choose to wear on a given day, or placing small construction paper squares in your line of sight as you move through your day. Color can also be implemented into your food choices.
Sounds can balance your energy centers as each one responds to a particular musical key and a seed sound. The most familiar of the seed sounds is the sound of OM. Mantras are a string of sounds that have meaning, but also resonate with your energy system.
Most creation stories tell us that we are born from Mother Earth. As we are part of her, the gemstones and minerals that She holds can also provide balance. They can be held near, or worn on, your body. They can also be placed in your environment to support balance and healing.
Scent can bring balance, from incense and essential oils to the fragrance of living plants and flowers. Foods, including herbs and spices that you use to season them, can nourish and support balance with their scent and their structure.
As the concept of chakras is also linked to the practice of yoga, movement practices and yoga postures, or asana, can offer balance and support.
Are you ready to invite balance through your energy centers, reducing pain, relieving stress, and releasing anxiety to feel calm, clear, and connected? Download my free guide with 7 specific ways to balance each of your 7 main energy centers (49 targeted tools)!
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