'Chakra' - meaning 'spinning wheel' is the name of an energy house. We, as human beings have seven main chakras but in total, 162 of them are located throughout the body. Each of the seven vibrate to a particular color and their state affects our state of being.

Energy exists with or without the solidity of physical matter, but physical matter cannot exist without energy.?? Dis-ease within the body is caused by energy blockage. When energy does not flow freely within us, it can create pain or illness. Our Chakras are simply the centres in which energy is 'housed' and distributed to other parts of our Being. They can close down due to stress and this in turn can create disease. The Chakras take in Universal energy and transmute it to a level that our bodies can handle to heal any imbalances.

Healers can assist with this process or as an alternative, there are courses available where you can learn techniques in self-healing.?? Belief systems and negative thinking play a big part in the functioning of our Chakras, and any imbalances can be healed by way of colour visualization and positive affirmations. The seven main chakras are located along the spinal column and as mentioned earlier, each have a particular color which are connected to certain emotions. The first of the seven main chakas is known as the Base Chakra. It is located below the pelvic floor, is red in colour and when balanced, fills you with a sense of being fully present and in the 'now'. When the Base is functioning normally, one has a strong will to live, feeling grounded. Any imbalances in the Base Chakra affects the physical body. It is linked to most solid aspects such as bone, muscle and flesh. If there is disease in the solid parts of the body, the origins may be traced back to the issues connected with the Base, such as self-esteem, self-acceptance and survival issues. Physical problems can result in painful hips, legs and feet, which can deplete energy within the body.

?Colour visualization is a great tool for healing and balancing the chakras. Where the Base Chakra is concerned, begin by drawing in white light to clear and then red light to replenish. Positive affirmations are powerful, especially when used in conjunction with colour healing. Some suggested Base chakra affirmations are as follows - Mother earth supports and nurtures me with love - All is very, very well in my world - I am filled with health and vitality.?

The second of the seven main chakras is known as the Spleen Chakra. It is located in the lower stomach area and is orange in colour. The attributes of this energy center are connected with the Base. When the Base chakra is filled with a sense of being 'good enough' and grounded, one of its gifts to the Spleen Chakra is a feeling of high self worth. If the foundations of security have not been laid at Base level, then this will cause imbalance and blockage in the Spleen chakra. Consciousness of sexuality and sexual choices are related to the Spleen chakra, though it goes beyond sex, as it also includes the acceptance of what it means to be a woman or man in our culture.?? Blockages in the Spleen can begin to take place as a child if one is held back from creating in some way. As a result you can grow up feeling unaccepted and lack the courage to take risks.? Does this resonate with you? Do you recall a time in your life when you were held back? Many of us may be able to relate, but we need to remember that our parents and elders did the best they could with what they knew, and it is up to us to see the learning and heal. (This in itself is a whole other topic. For now, I will stay with the subject at hand).

Healing any imbalances in the Spleen chakra can be done by visualizing the colour white as it fills and clears the chakra, followed by orange to replenish. The following affirmations can be used to assist the healing - I create my own reality with love - I love and approve of myself - I am loved and supported by all the people in my life.??

The third of the seven main chakras is the Solar Plexus chakra. It is yellow in colour located just below the breastbone, and is the center of self-identity and self worth. Our upbringing plays a big part in the state of our Being and the state of our Being depends on the state of our chakras. In regard to the Solar Plexus, healing can assist in releasing anger related issues, due to the limitations that may have been placed on us while growing up.?

To balance the Solar Plexus chakra, fill it with white light to clear and yellow light to strengthen. In some cases this can help to alleviate and prevent stress breakdowns. The following are some suggested affirmations to assist - I am a beloved child of God - I am filled with clarity of mind and I make decisions that are for my highest good - I now and always live the life I am meant to live, in love and compassion.?

The Heart chakra is the fourth of the seven main chakras. It is located in the heart center above the Solar Plexus and is green in colour. Imbalances can occur in this chakra as a result of taking on responsibility of others, and neglecting your own needs. This can happen at an early age should a child take on responsibility for family members. As a carer, the child forgets to play and the Heart chakra can close down. At a physical level it can trigger asthma and allergic conditions. ??
When the Heart chakra is functioning normally, one is usually very good at loving. It is the central chakra and the meeting place for the energies. This energy centre when balanced leaves you feeling at peace with yourself and the environment. One method of healing is to clear the chakra with white light and then bring green light in to replenish. Affirmations to assist are as follows - I am an expression of unconditional love - I open myself to the good that exists in every human being - I open myself to the Divine and I am richly blessed.

The fifth of the seven main chakras is the Throat chakra. It is blue in colour and is the centre of creative expression. It is linked with the Spleen chakra in that any self-esteem issues will block both the Spleen and Throat chakra. For example, holding back from expressing a talent can cause blockage in the Spleen chakra. The reason being is that such suppression can fill you with a sense of low self worth. Both chakras need to be cleansed and replenished with colour.?

.?Keeping in mind that the Throat chakra is strongly linked with the Spleen chakra, it is important to work with both when healing. For the Throat, draw white light in for clearing and the colour blue to strengthen. The following affirmations can assist - I communicate freely in truth and love - I am free to be me - ?I express my passion and live my life purpose with ease and grace.?

The sixth of the seven main chakras is the Third Eye chakra. This energy centre is indigo coloured and located in the middle of the forehead. A well-balanced and open Third Eye chakra brings about a feeling of completeness, inspiration and insight. It is linked to the Solar Plexus chakra because both have a connection with light and vision. If you suffer Third Eye imbalances you can often suffer from guilt. Balancing any Third Eye blockages helps to strengthen the relationship between the personality and the spirit.??

To heal any Third Eye blockages, bring through white light to clear, followed by indigo (dark blue/purple) to strengthen and open the chakra. Try these affirmations to assist - I see all things with insight and inspiration - ?There is beauty in all that I see - I am divinely guided in every moment and in all areas of my life.

The Crown chakra is the 7th of the seven main chakras. It is located at the crown of the head and is violet in colour. Connected with the Third Eye chakra, a state of bliss can be achieved through opening and healing both, leaving you with a sense of oneness in Mind, Body and Spirit. States of confusion are usually a result of blockages in these chakras. Balancing them enables a resolution of such confusion. It unblocks the channels allowing in the flow of light, strength, clarity and joy from Divine Source.??

The Crown Chakra is the entrance through which divine light can travel into our Being, enabling healing to take place wherever it is needed.??To maintain balance in the Crown, bring down white light to clear and violet light to replenish. Affirmations that can be used to enhance the healing are - I am one with all and all is one with me - I am divinely inspired to live as I am meant to live - I see the truth in all and all is love.??

Color visualization is a very effective way to heal the Chakras along with the power of positive affirmations. All chakras are connected in some way and an imbalance in one can affect another. So too, rebalancing one chakra can bring about healing in another. ??This brings me to a very important and final point - that everything and everyone is connected. It is only physical matter that creates the illusion of separateness. In essence there is only love and this love is channeled down as a form of energy. It can heal any imbalances and blockages that we carry. As we travel through life, there are always going to be shakeups and readjustments. Chakra balancing enables you to naturally and lovingly experience the healing process.

Author's Bio: 

Author's Bio ?Chiara has been practicing Natural Therapies for many years and is a qualified Reiki/Seichim Master, Author and Teacher of Meditation. She is also a qualified Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist and has a degree in Energetic healing. Chiara fully understands the importance of balancing Mind, Body and Spirit and is dedicated to assist people in finding their True Inner Peace. ??This article aims at helping others become truly aware of their bodies. We are much more than what we seem, indeed, we are spiritual beings having a human experience, and it is through the physical that we live our lives. If we stray off our paths our bodies find a way of letting us know, very often by creating pain or discontent. The seven main chakras within us are energy centres, which when out of balance, can create within us a sense of unwellness. Chiara hopes that by bringing awareness to all about the chakra system and the roles that each play, people can more easily understand the importance of self-healing and the healing of others. ??

Chiara has also written a book on universal guidance, entitled 'Awakening the Awareness Within'. It is dedicated to showing ways in which our Angels and Guides communicate with us, showing us the way when we stray from our life path. Answers can come through in the most amazing ways, many of which are shown throughout the book, but most of all, it aims at assisting to bring awareness to the reader - an awareness that we all have deep down inside but chose to forget along the way. By following the guidance, it enables us to live more fulfilling and joyous lives. You can read more about it by logging on to the 'New Age' section of the Selfgrowth website