What Are Chakras and What Are Their Benefits?

I’m sure you’ve all heard the term ‘chakra’ bandied about, and with so many Reiki classes in Cork popping up everywhere, you’re bound to wonder what it’s all about. But while you’ll no doubt recognise the words, what you may not know, is what ‘chakra’ means exactly? Or how on earth we can benefit from ours being balanced?

What are Chakras?

When people mention chakras they are talking about the 7 energy centres that reside within the human body. These energy centres regulate everything in our bodies, from organ function to emotion. And are situated from the lower spine to the top of the head. Each one modulates a different set of functions that make us human.

When a chakra is said to be ‘open’ it means that it is functioning normally. If a chakra is not open enough it is said to be ‘blocked’ and it means that the other chakras must work overtime to compensate for this. Thus, the goal is to have all energy centres working together equally, known as having ‘balanced chakras’.

Because this is the ideal when it comes to well-being, there are many techniques out there that serve to balance out the chakras. Usually, this entails opening those that are considered blocked so that the open chakras can stop overcompensating for the imbalance.

The 7 major chakras

On a non-physical level, from the base of the spine moving upwards:

1. The Base/Root Chakra controls our ‘fight or flight’ response.

2. The Sacral/Navel Chakra controls aspects of sexuality, desire and creativity.

3. The Solar Plexus is the focal point of emotion and is associated with ambition, achievement and sensitivity.

4. The Heart is the centre of love. It is where we fall in love.

5. The Throat, where communication, self-expression and judgement is governed.

6. The Third Eye deals with our ability to question and perceive.

7. The Crown is the chakra of information, understanding, acceptance and bliss.

What are the benefits?

Because each chakra is tied to a different function of the human body, if one chakra is blocked it can lead to illness or negativity in the area governed by that chakra. Thus, balancing out your chakras can have a huge number of benefits depending on which of your energy centres is blocked.

Not only can balancing your chakras have a positive influence on your physical health. It can also benefit your emotional and mental health, giving you a more positive outlook on life, and helping to redirect negative emotion into something more constructive. It can offer a new level of confidence and control over your life and influence your sense of willpower. It can give you an overall sense of spiritual and self-awareness and allows you to heal yourself more effectively.

These are just some of the many ways in which you could benefit from balancing your chakras. Just take a look at some of the options for Reiki training in Cork to find out more.