Meditation for Chakras

The chakra system is a series of energy centers in the body, each of which can be connected to physical, emotional and mental health and wellness. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “wheel.” Chakras are wheels of energy in the body that ideally spin neither too quickly nor too slowly. Balanced chakras can help energy move freely through the body, and may help people maintain health and wellness. Proponents claim that meditation on and with the chakras can help clear energy blockages within the body, or slow a chakra that is spinning in excess.

Origin of the Chakra System

The chakra system originated in India and was written about in the Vedas, an ancient Indian text. The chakras were later referred to in the Yoga Upanishads, where they were connected to consciousness. These traditions note seven primary centers within the body. Today, the Western world is more accepting of Eastern beliefs and practices, such as yoga and meditation, to work with the chakras to help improve physical, mental and emotional well being.

Chakras and Health

The basic chakra system includes seven spinning wheels of energy that begin at the base of the body and continue to the top of the head. Each chakra is connected to physical systems in the body, as well as emotional and mental processes. For example, the second chakra, commonly known as the “sacral” chakra, is connected to the kidneys, reproductive system, large intestine, bladder and other internal organs and systems that reside in or around the abdomen. The sacral chakra is also associated with your ability to maintain your emotional identity, to have balanced and healthy relationships with others, and to maintain healthy levels of sexual desire. All of these aspects of health can be impacted if the chakra is deficient or spinning in excess.

Meditation to Balance Chakras

Meditation is the practice of quieting and focusing the mind to achieve a desired result. People meditate for reasons as simple as alleviating stress or as profound as achieving spiritual enlightenment. Meditation on the chakras helps connect your consciousness to your physical body, allowing you to regulate these energy centers for the purpose of achieving health and wellness.

Visualization

A common chakra meditation practice involves visualizing each chakra in the body. To do this, begin with the root chakra and work your way up to the crown chakra. Visualize the color of each chakra and the systems in the physical, mental and emotional bodies to which the chakra is connected. Envision the chakra spinning at a healthy pace. If you feel you are deficient, visualize the blocks in the chakra breaking up slowly and the energy beginning to move more steadily. If you feel you have an excess of chakra energy, visualize the chakra gradually slowing down to reach an ideal pace.

Moving Meditation

Meditative movement such as tai chi or qi gong can also help balance the chakras. Tai chi is a system of slow, gentle movements rooted in Eastern traditions of martial arts. Tai chi has many different postures and styles, but each is done with awareness and purpose. Qi gong is similar to tai chi, but includes using the breath along with physical movement to strengthen the body’s energy centers. Yoga and dance are other forms of moving meditation.