Chakra 101: Knowing Your Energy Center
This post is contributed by One Drop Member – Jenson Ong.
In the next few posts, I will be writing on our energy centers – what we usually call “chakras”. This is an esoteric topic which is usually not accessible by many. I hope to make the topic as easily understood as possible to all who are interested. In subsequent posts, I will also share how we can bring them back into a state of harmony through Yoga asanas and the use of essential oils.
On the physical level, our chakras correspond to major nerve centers in our body. If we refer to the ancient hindu drawing as shown, we can see that there are multiple regions whereby there are high degree of nervous activity (the darken regions). The seven chakras that we are familiar with, are just seven of the many nervous centers along the middle of our body. Not only are the seven centers closely linked to the main nervous system, they also correspond to the glands in the endocrine system.
We live today as a sum total of all our past experiences (in this life or past lives). Our life at present, determined by our actions past and present, will affect our life in the future. The content of our chakras is formed by repeated patterns from our day to day actions. These repeated daily actions, habits, way of thinking, together with external factors like upbringing by parents, influences from society and culture, and situations we are born into all constitute what we store in our chakras.
These stored data in turn affect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Thus, when one is said to be “stuck” in a chakra, this means that someone may have an underdeveloped or overemphasis chakra. This creates imbalance in our body which may result in physical or emotional complications.
For most of us, one or more of our chakras is usually out of balance. We aim to bring the energies of the chakras into balance by clearing old blockages and heal old wounds. Through this process, we hope to bring our life back into a state of harmony. To find out which of your chakras is out of balance, check out this online quiz: Chakra Quiz. Do read the next few blog post abt the different chakras.
Jensen is a member of OneDrop. If you like Jensen’s articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils, please feel free to get in touch with Jensen or sign up directly here.
A Detailed Look at the Chakras
This post is contributed by One Drop Member – Jenson Ong.
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO ACT”
The Solar Plexus chakra (Manipura) is located in the solar plexus, and is associated with personal power, will and self-esteem. Its element is fire. The colour representation is Yellow.
The Solar Plexus chakra control our wills, our energy level, our sense of self worth and power. We see purpose in our life. Past trauma due to authoritarian and dominate parents and/or mentors, feeling shamed and belittled have an effect on this chakra. These past experiences manifest today as low self esteem, weak will, easily dominated by others, being passive, unreliable, low energy or overly competitive and arrogant.
A healthy Solar Plexus chakra allow us to a sense of confidence, a sense of self worth and a sense of power and will to act on what we believe in. We have the confidences to meet challenges and believe that we have the strength to overcome them.
This Chakra governs the digestive system, liver and gall bladder. An unbalanced Solar Plexus chakra may give us digestive troubles, chronic fatigue or hypertension.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the Solar Plexus chakra back into balance.
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Sandalwood
- Purification
- Transformation
- Harmony
Oils applications: Inhalation, bottom of feet, solar plexus.
THROAT CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO SPEAK”
The Throat chakra (Vissudha) is located at our throat area, and is associated with communication, creativity and self expression. Its element is ether. The colour representation is Blue.The throat chakra controls our communication and self expression. Its here that we learn to find our own voice. Past lies and living with secrets, not being allowed to express ourselves, being caught up with the opinions and judgment of others can cause blockages in this chakra. This may result in us having a fear in speaking of speaking our own truth.We have a voice that is not heard by others, we are either introverted and shy or gossipy and talk too much.
When this chakra is balanced, we become good listeners, and our voice is resonant with others. Other people are receptive to what we have to say, and we communicate clearly and truthfully.
This Chakra governs the throat, ears, mouth, shoulders and neck. An unbalanced throat chakra may lead to sore throat, neck and shoulder pain, thyroid troubles.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the heart chakra back into balance.
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Thieves
- Believe
- Valor
Oils applications: Inhalation, back of neck, big toe, thumb.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO SEE”
The Third Eye chakra (Ajna) is located in the middle of the forehead, above the eye brows. This chakra is associated with intuition, imagination and self reflection. Its element is Light. The colour representation is Indigo.
The third eye chakra commands and controls all of the lower chakras. Its main faculty is perception. When we grow up not being able to make sense of the world around us, we become insensitive, we lack imagination, we become obsessive, have difficulty concentrating.
When balanced, we have good perception and our overall perception is good, we have good memory and we are able to think symbolically.
This Chakra governs the eyes, base of skull and brow. An unbalanced heart chakra may lead to vision problems, headaches and nightmares.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the heart chakra back into balance.
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Sandalwood
Oils applications: Inhalation, under the nose, middle of forehead.
SACRAL CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO FEEL”
The sacral chakra (Swadhisthana) is located in the lower abdomen, and is associated with emotions and sexuality. Its element is water. The colour representation is Orange.The sacral chakra strongly influences our sensation, our ability to enjoy life and to change. Past emotional and sexual abuse, overly strict parents and mentors, and poor nurturing are some of the events in our upbringing that can cause constrictions in this chakra. The effects can manifest as sexual repression/sexual addiction, denial of pleasure/pleasure addiction and resistance to change (not going with the flow, poor/overly rigid).
A healthy sacral chakra allow us to experience pleasure (in healthy doses), able to nurture yourself and others, and able to adopt easily to change.
The sacral chakra governs our womb, genitals, kidney, bladder and lower back. An imbalanced sacral chakra may lead to sexual problems or urinary trouble.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the sacral chakra back into balance.
- Grapefruit
- Jasmine
- Orange
- Rose
- Inner Child
- Harmony
Oils applications: Inhalation, bottom of feet, below the naval.
CROWN CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO KNOW”
The Crown chakra (Sahasrara) is located at the top of the head, and is associated with consciousness, understanding and self knowledge. Its element is thought. The colour representation is violet/white.The crown chakra is the centre of spirituality, universal consciousness that connects to our highest and finest self. This chakra is more difficult to define as its realm of authority goes beyond normal ability of understanding and perception. It is generally closed for most of us.
When this chakra opens up we feel an interdependence and interconnectedness with all life. Our journey of inner healting continues.
This Chakra governs the central nervous system. An unbalanced crown chakra may lead to depression, alienation or confusion.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the heart chakra back into balance.
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Vetiver
- White Angelica
Oils applications: Inhalation, under the nose, top of the head.
HEART CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “TO LOVE”
The Heart chakra (Anahata) is located in the heart, and is associated with love, peace and self acceptance. Its element is Air. The colour representation is Green.The heart chakra controls the physical and emotional heart. Past abuses that impact this chakra are unacknowledged and unresolved grief, emotional dominance of another, not being loved, and being the recipient of conditional love, an experience of betrayal. This can result in depression, a sense of loneliness , a fear of intimacy, being clingy and jealous.
A healthy and balanced heart chakra brings about a sense of peace, compassion, empathy, healthy emotional boundaries.
This Chakra governs the lungs, heart and circulatory system. An unbalanced heart chakra may lead to asthma, coronary diseases or lung diseases.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the heart chakra back into balance.
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Rose
- Believe
- Joy
Oils applications: Inhalation, bottom of feet, heart area.
ROOT CHAKRA – OUR RIGHTS “HAVE”
The root chakra (Mooladhara) is located at the base of the spine, and is associated with survival. In the masculine body it is in the perineum, between the urinary and excretory organ. In the female body its location is at the root of the uterus, in the cervix. Its element is earth. The colour representation is Red.The root chakra strongly influences the physical body. Past physical abuse, experiences of abandonment, major illness or surgery, can each seriously affect this chakra. We feel insecure, disconnected from our body, are sluggish, we can’t relax and be still. The chakra is directly linked to the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones, including sex hormones and cortisol. Cortisol helps you respond to stress. A poorly working adrenal gland in people who are under mental, emotional, or physical stress.
A healthy root chakra grounds us, connecting us to the earth, providing us with a sense of security and stability. In doing so, it strengthens our immune system giving us good health and optimal vitality. We are comfortable with our body.
The root chakra governs our legs, feet, bones, and large intestine. An imbalanced root chakra may lead to obesity, anorexia, sciatica and constipation.
A number of Young Living essentials oils (YLEO) can be used to complement your attempt to bring the root chakra back into balance.
- Cedarwood
- Idaho Balsam Fir
- Vetiver
- Abundance
- Grounding
- Valor
- Harmony
Oils applications: Inhalation, apply on the sacrum, back of the neck, bottom of feet.
The use of YLEO, when coupled with seated meditation or your yoga practice, can bring your experience to a new level.
- If you are interested to know more or try some of the essential oils. Its my pleasure to support your needs. Please drop me a note here.
- If you are keen to explore the use of YLEO in your yoga practice, check out my yoga schedule here.
References:
- Tony Murdock, Healing through Chakras
- Tracy Griffiths and Ashley Turner, Aroma Yoga
Jensen is a member of OneDrop. If you like Jensen’s articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils, please feel free to get in touch with Jensen or sign up directly here.
