Protect Your Mental Health by Embracing Chakras
In order to best protect your mental health, you have to fully understand your emotions. Sometimes emotions show up in ways that might surprise you. For instance, shame can show up as anger, and regret can show up as frustration. You might feel angry or frustrated, and not understand that what you are really feeling is shame or regret. Spending time in meditation to examine your emotions can be helpful, but meditation is a difficult practice to start. I like to think through the seven chakras to really explore all my emotions.
To understand what the seven chakras are, we first have to understand the yogic concept of prana. This term translates to “life force” or “vital principle” and describes all the manifest energy in the universe – present in both living beings and inanimate objects.
In humans, prana flows through energy channels called nadis. Purportedly, there are thousands of nadis in the energy body. However, the most important is the Sushumna Nadi. In English, it is called the “central channel” because it runs along the spine.
Chakras are points where different channels connect, creating an accumulation of prana, or, energy. For this reason, they are often referred to as energy centers. Additionally, the word chakra literally translates to “wheel” or “disk,” alluding to the vortex of energy believed to reside in each chakra’s location.
Although there are countless chakras in the energy body, ancient yogis were most interested in working with the chakras along the central channel. After all, they were intent on raising their energy and elevating their state of consciousness.
Here is a quick exercise that can help you ‘check in’ with every part of your body, and make sure you are feeling your best.
Root chakra (Red) - This is our connection with the earth. It is our survival chakra, and the one that will give you the motivation to thrive in your life. If this chakra is out of balance, one thing that you’ll experience is addiction. If you are looking at your phone more than you’d like to, you may have some root chakra work to do. One way to balance this chakra is to spend time outside. You can be barefoot or not, you can touch the grass and the dirt, or not, but do what you can to connect with nature.
One affirmation you can say is this: “I am at one with the universe, and the universe wants what is best for me. I can have, do and be anything I want.”
Sacral Chakra (Orange) - This is the way we connect to our emotions. This is the chakra of sensuality, creativity and emotional expression. A clear sacral chakra will let you examine them from the outside and see how you are feeling.
Affirmation: I am worthy of love and fulfillment in every part of my life. I can create a life of love and joy.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow) - This chakra holds our self-esteem, our power and inner strength. I like to think that this is the chakra where we decide if we want to believe in the magic of the universe. This is where we decide if we want to open ourselves up to the chakra system.
Affirmation: I embrace my personal power and use it to the highest good.
Heart Chakra (Green)- This is the center of the chakras. The heart chakra is all about feeling love and devotion. To yourself, to your surroundings, to the universe – this chakra encourages you to focus on love in all things.
Affirmation: Friendships come easily to me, I am able to connect with those who will bring joy to my life.
Throat Chakra (Blue) - This is the communication chakra. In this chakra we develop a very clear message for ourselves and our relationships for our surroundings. Think about your throat chakra as the path to your brightest future. What do you want out of life? You’re not going to get it if you can’t verbalize it, and a clear throat chakra will help. When your throat chakra is open and balanced you can communicate clearly, actively listen, and have truth and clarity of thought.
Affirmation: My voice matters and I express myself clearly and skillfully.
Third Eye Chakra (Indigo) – In Sanskrit this chakra is known as Ajna, which means ‘to perceive and command’. This is the chakra that connects us with our intuition, and our ability to foresee the best course of action. It is not telepathy, but closer to faith and confidence. Your inner wisdom carriest strong power, but you must learn how to listen to it.
Affirmation: I know that the universe is leading me in the right direction. I am happy and grateful to have a strong connection to source power, which will guide my way.
Crown Chakra (Purple) - The crown chakra is where we connect to the universe, or source energy, or whatever you prefer to call the force that connects all things. There is power in source energy, but you must raise your vibration in order to connect with it. The crown chakra is on top of the head, and it represents a tie to this energy.
Affirmation: The universe wants what is best for me, and I will work to manifest the best version of myself. I will translate the energy of the universe into action to improve my life, and the lives of those around me.
