Chakra Balancing and Wellbeing
Meditation isn’t always for the purpose of moving into quiet states of stillness. We can use meditation practice as a way to check in with ourselves and better direct our energy. Guided meditations are an awareness tool that allows us to be in conscious, present creation with ourselves.
What Are Chakras?
Chakras are points where the energetic and physical bodies meet. Imagine chakras like wheels constantly in motion. If these wheels are “stuck,” energy cannot move and we might feel out of whack. Located in the subtle body, there are hundreds of chakras, although the primary seven from the Muladhara system are where the most focus is given.
These main seven chakras are:
- Root – base of spine – Muladhara – red
- Sacral – below the naval – Svadisthana – orange
- Solar Plexus – above navel – Manipura — yellow
- Heart – heart, center of chest – Anahata — green
- Throat – throat – Visuddha —blue
- 3rd eye — at forehead between the eyes — Ajna — indigo
- Crown— top of head — Sahasrara — violet
Chakra Color Variations
This modern-day chakra color system comes from the cover of a 1977 out-of-print book by Christopher Hills. If this system works for you, go with it. However, if you discover that your root chakra is another color, go with that. When I visualize my root chakra color as red, for instance, I feel antsy and uncomfortable. When I place gold there, I feel peaceful and relaxed. Play with the colors and find that which supports you. It’s also perfectly fine if you don’t see or experience any color at all.
Chakras and the Spine
We need to understand the physical importance of our spine, which is a framework for the nervous system, while giving structure to the body. The spine is also an important facet of spiritual health — many traditions regard the spine with significance, as it is the main channel through which all subtle energies flow.
The spine holds important codes for our soul’s potential, as our latent DNA/RNA pulsates within. When we learn to be in tune with our spinal health, a wealth of information is available, which can help us better masters ourselves.
Sitting with a straight spine is crucial, but it should be exercised at your own level of comfort. When we lengthen the spine, it is easier to connect with cosmic and Earth energies. Do not make yourself uncomfortable by trying to maintain a “straight spine.” Any preoccupation with form will only distract and nullify any healing effects.
Visualization
Seeing chakras is a marvelous gift, but not something all are able to do. When we use the word “visualize,” imagine feeling and experiencing, rather than seeing. Psychic senses are elusive, and many psychics are unable to “see,” but use other methods of perception instead.
Feel the color, shape, and texture of each chakra. Engage other senses to navigate, and don’t get hung up on the word “visualize.”
Chakra Meditation
This is an easy, accessible way to move energy and connect to the subtle body.
How to Align Your Chakras with Meditation
- Sit comfortably with your spine lengthened and begin to breathe deeply but gently. Close your eyes to bless yourself with total presence during this meditation.
- Imagine a brown (or black) ball of energy at your feet. Breathe with it and allow it to expand to the size of a beach ball. This is the Earth Star Chakra and will begin to help you pulsate with the heartbeat of the Earth.
- Moving into your body, bring your attention to your Root Chakra. For some of us, this is at the perineum, for others its between the thighs. Feel and trust your own way!
- See the Root Chakra as a red glowing orb. Feel with it gradually and expand, it to the size of a beach ball.
- Bringing your attention to your Sacral Chakra, feel the warm orange glow, and expand or decrease it to match the size of the other two.
- Continue moving up your body to the Solar Plexus Chakra and allow the warmth of the sun to charge this yellow chakra. Expand its size to be in alignment with those already balanced below.
- Feel the inviting green of your Heart Chakra and breathe into it until it too is a consistent size.
- Bring yourself to the blue of your Throat Chakra, breathing with it until its size matches those below.
- The 3rd Eye Chakra will emit an indigo-colored light, deeper and more powerful than the blue of your throat. This one may take a bit more care and patience or, in the case of highly sensitive people, it may be noticeably out of whack with the others. Be patient as it comes into alignment with the other chakras.
- Drifting upward to the Crown Chakra, feel the vibrant violet that resides there. Effortlessly allow its size to match that of the others.
- The platinum (white or gold) light will be our final place of attention. Residing about six inches above the Crown Chakra, this chakra connects us to the galactic realms, giving us a direct connection with our deeper soul. Be with it until it too reaches the size of the others.
- With all chakras balanced, thank yourself for this loving attention you have just shared. Commit yourself to be more present with these energies.
- Gently open your eyes, and carry on with the ways of feeling more of yourself present in the world!
As you deepen your chakra meditations, you will experience more of your truth. Befriend the wisdom of each energy center, and allow yourself to embody if even for a moment, the frequency you’re perceiving. What may initially be a simple exercise could form the basis of a whole new path of experience.
About the Author
Crystal Healing and the Root Chakra
There are seven chakra points on the body where the energy flows and intersects, bringing peace, harmony, and balance to our lives. Yet, like everything else chakras tend to become blocked over time, and we can feel the physical effect of this blockage within our bodies. Removing these blockages is simple and may require some practice, but in the long run it’s worth it. While crystals are a popular method of clearings, this article includes items you may wish to use along with crystals. All work well together and will enhance your connection to this energy point.
You cannot balance the other chakras without first tending to the root chakra.
What the Root Chakra Does
The root or base chakra keeps us grounded and is our connection point to the earth. When this chakra is balanced, we are confident, trusting, and independent. We learn to grow in all aspects of our lives ‒ spiritually, physically, and mentally. When it is blocked, we become anxious and stressed and can lose interest in our most basic of needs.
Crystals Are Connected to the Chakras
Many crystals emanate vibrations that parallel the chakras, and each chakra has a corresponding crystal companion. While all work to balance them out, I have found some crystals work better than others. I suggest you work with a few to see which one is a good fit for you. The root chakra has two color associations, so stones of both colors will do, but not all stones of these particular colors are adequate, or may be more suited for something else. There is also the price. Some crystals are rare to come by and expensive. I suggest doing some research to make sure the stone you use – or wish to use – is both accommodating in price and healing. It doesn’t have to be expensive to help.
Crystals for the Root Chakra
The colors associated with the root chakra are red and black ‒ fire and earth elements. Some, like hematite and onyx, have more than one use. Most black or brown stones have an affinity with the earth and are already widely used as grounding stones. For added measure, you can wear a clear quartz stone to amplify the vibration.
Black/Brown Crystals
- Hematite
- Obsidian
- Onyx
- Tiger’s Eye
- Black Tourmaline
Red crystals
- Red Jasper
- Red Calcite
- Bloodstone
- Garnet
Note – garnet comes in green as well. If you wish to use a garnet, make sure it is the proper stone.
Meditating with Crystal Energy
After purchasing and cleansing your desired crystal (crystal cleansing is very important), lay on your stomach. Pick a place to lay where you will be comfortable and there are no worries about someone disturbing you. Place the stone on your tailbone, making sure it won’t fall off. Alternately, if you can’t lie on your stomach it’s fine to lay on your back. You can either hold the stone in your hand near the chakra point, or place it on your body so that it won’t fall off. If sitting, hold the crystal in your cupped palm near your root chakra as you meditate. Take some deep breaths. Feel the vibration of the stone.
Play meditative music designed to stimulate the root chakra. I feel strongly that sound waves increase the vibration of the crystal. There are many wonderful videos on Gaiam TV about sound waves, such as Cymatics: Bringing Matter to Life with Sound and Fractal Meditation, and [Astral Traveler](/video/astral-traveler}. Like crystals, you need to choose a video that works for you.
The root chakra is connected to the sense of smell. Burning incense or essential oils is a great way to enhance your balancing and cleansing. I burn patchouli and use it solely for this purpose. Other scents you can use are nutmeg, cedar, ginger, vetiver, myrrh, and cinnamon; or, try a combination of your choice or another associated with the root chakra.
Eating root chakra foods and exercise are good tools as well. Go for a walk or sit cross-legged on the ground. If you practice yoga, you can incorporate standing forward bend into your routine.
