Chakras

Chakras are the energy centers within the body. Pronounced "chock- rah" which means "wheel." Each chakra appears as a wheel or a disk of color. There are many chakras throughout the body, seven of which are considered the main energy centers, as shown in the diagram above.

Energy flows in and out of the aura (your energy field that surrounds your body in layers) through the chakras. The aura is often referred to as a "halo" as depicted in many religious paintings. Each of the seven major chakras corresponds with an endocrine gland that controls hormonal balance and a major nerve plexus and is associated with a specific color. The hormones produced by these glands flow directly into the bloodstream or into blood vessels of the organs, bringing the necessary energy into the body. Each layer of the aura grows out of a respective chakra. Although they occupy the same space they are all at different frequencies, similar to the way radio waves exist.

The Reiki professional receives the energy through their crown and heart chakras and then sends it out through their palm chakras. There are small chakras in every joint; in the hands alone there are over twenty chakras. The hand placements in Reiki healing target these major chakras. Often some of these areas are discolored and may even be closed as a result of problems with the mind, body, or spirit of an individual.

Root Chakra - The first chakra is located in the base of the spine and is closest to the earth, associated with the color red and the adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal column, and the leg bones. This is the grounding force that allows us to connect to the earth energies and empowers our life force; When it is open you feel grounded, stable, and secure. Dysfunction in this chakra can lead to problems with the legs, feet, and lower back. Those who are fearful or nervous most likely have an underactive Root Chakra.
Sacral Chakra - The second chakra, located between the navel and the genitals, is associated with the colors orange and red-orange. This is our intuitive center. The gonads, prostate gland, spleen, reproductive system, and the bladder are governed by this chakra. When this chakra is open it offers the opportunity to acknowledge our issues regarding control, especially regarding relationships with others and helps to maintain a healthy yin-yang existence. Dysfunction in this chakra can lead to problems with over-indulgence.
Solar Plexus Chakra - The third chakra is located above the navel in the solar plexus andis associated witht he color yellow and the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, digestive tract, stomach, and the autonomic nervous system. Within this chakra resides our egos and intuitions; significant for the health of our personal self-esteem. This is also the source of those "gut feelings" that signal us to either take action or avoid something.
Heart Chakra - The fourth chakra is located at the heart level and is associated with the color green/or pink, and the thymus gland, heart, lower lungs, circulatory system, hands, skin. This chakra is considered to be the love center of our energy system. Energy-based therapies help to balance the heart chakra and learning self-love can be a very powerful tool for securing a healthy heart chakra.
Throat Chakra - The fifth chakra, located at the throat area is associated with the color sky-blue and the thyroid gland, throat, jaw lungs, vocal cords, and digestive tract. This chakra is our will center. The healthfulness of the fifth chakra is signified by how honestly a person expresses himself or herself.
Third-Eye Chakra - The sixth chakra located at the forehead is associated with the color indigo and the pituitary gland, lower brain, left eye, ears, nose, and central nervous system. It is also known as the brow chakra, Our mental calculations and thnking processes are functions of this chakra. The ability to separate reality from fantasy or dellusion is connected to the well being of this chakra. It is through a receptive brow chakra that we are able to see aura colors and other visual images intuitively. Imbalances may lead to headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and/or depression.
Crown Chakra - This chakra is located at the top of the head and is associated with the color purple and is considered the seat of spiritual consciousness, enlightment, mysticism, and protection. This chakra correlates with the spine, central nervous system, and cerebral cortex.

Often when people have more energy in the upper chakras than they do in their lower chakras it results in being "ungrounded" or "flighty." These people have difficulty focusing and engage in restless activitities, including talking excessively. When the energy is concentrated in the lower chakras feelings of suspicion, fear, and self-centeredness develop with little concern for the feelings of others. Reiki can help to restore and balance the body to a more natural state.