Alternative Health Tips

Reiki: About The Base or Root Chakra

The base chakra is called MULADHARA, which means ‘root’ or ‘foundation’ in Sanskrit. Red is the longest wavelength of light that we can perceive. It is reputedly one of the first colors we see when we open our eyes as babies, and it is also one of the colors that can be restored to the color blind with laser surgery. The color red is a complex symbol of blood, birth, anger, passion, life and death in human psychology. In a vast array of Neolithic graves from various countries, red ocher has been found at the site. Either stored in pots, or dusted over the deceased, the red paint is an emblem of passing and a life of belonging. Red ocher or iron oxide was one of the first paints used by humanity.

The root chakra is located at the tailbone - right at the end of the spinal column. This is where the three main nadis begin the Ida, Pingala and Sushumma combine to form the kundalini energy base. Tribal instincts form here, whom we feel most comfortable, our connections to our surroundings, and our grounding or stability, start with this chakra. Safety and fear of being hurt both psychologically and physically start in this region. Physically, this chakra governs our sense of smell, our large intestine and ability to process elimination, our bones and our adrenal glands i.e., our fight or flight response all derive from this chakra.



When this chakra is out of balance, you may find you are fearful of people or situations. You may feel or act flighty rather than grounded, and you may find that physical reality is boring. If you’re tired, suffer lower backaches, bloating or feel like you’re ‘carrying a heavy load’, it could be time for a chakra adjustment.



To harmonize this area, we need to listen to the beat of our heart, calm ourselves and allow our consciousness to affect the world. We belong where we are because we have something to learn from where we are. Try not to let painful events overwhelm you, rather remember that there is a cycle to all things. The passage of time will allow new growth and change to take place, concentrate on grounding where you are. Foster the health of your base chakra with a hearty meal. Pasta with tomatoes and red wine will help ground you. Share it with friends to help foster belonging, and learn to relax. You do belong, and belonging brings grounding.

Reiki: About The Sex Center Chakra

Svadisthana: the sex chakra or the Sacral Chakra is located just below the belly button. It governs our creativity, our ability to give and receive, our sexuality, our sense of sensuality and fulfillment, and of course, procreation. Our sense of awe is also derived from this chakra. When it is working properly we are able to find fulfillment in our work and our relationships and we can give and receive without effort. If this chakra is too weak, we may have trouble feeling connected to our partner or to our work.

We may find it hard to see the creativity that we bring to our job, and feel undervalued or unappreciated in some aspect of our lives. If this is the case, there are steps that we can take to help balance this area of our lives.

To open the chakra you may find it helpful to use the mudra (hand postures) associated with the strengthening of this chakra area. Keep your hands in your lap left hand under right hand palms up, and thumbs touching. As you sit, remember to pull your belly button towards your spine. This helps to circulate the energy in the sacral chakra area, and helps to open the area and make the lower back more flexible. You can do this in a meeting or on the bus, but if you are able to go into a meditative state all the better. Use the mantra VAM (Sanscrit for compassion and wisdom) to further enhance the experience.

Reiki: About The Solar Plexus Chakra

Manipura: the navel chakra or the Solar Plexus Chakra is located just above the belly button. This is the chakra of “fire within the body or the life force.” It governs our self-esteem, our confidence in our selves, and our inner strength. Our ideas about how capable we are, and our ability to create abundance is derived from this chakra. When it is working properly, we are able to see ‘golden’ opportunities in every thing, regardless of what befalls us, we can find something good in whatever happens. We feel good about following our ‘gut instincts’, and we trust ourselves. We have confidence in our abilities, and our place in the world.

If this chakra is out of alignment, we may physically have trouble ‘digesting a situation’, or understanding our role in it. We may have an upset stomach frequently or a queasy sense of fear or uncertainty in our gut. Conversely, needing to dominate or to control situations and others can indicate that this chakra is out of balance in the opposite extreme.



Either way, to harmonize this area, we need to practice self-appreciation, tolerance and love. When we feel out of balance, these are the baby steps that we can take to help stabilize this area.



Calming yourself and taking time to grow your self-awareness, inner strength, and innate power are what inner growth is all about. What you probably most need to work on when you are stressed or weak in this area is self-appreciation. This will automatically increase the circulation and power of this area.

Reiki: About The Heart Chakra

Anahata: Green (and Pink) Heart Chakra

Romantic love, affection, caring and compassion, great strength, and the ability to change, this chakra governs our hands, heart, lungs and circulatory systems. It is our center of balance.

If this chakra is under stimulated, we may suffer from indecision or anxiety, fear of rejection and clinginess. If it is over stimulated, we may not be able to express “love”, and we mistakenly identify lust, and longing with love, and arrogance with power. When this chakra is out of balance, we will experience the lower natures of man, versus man’s higher nature. To regulate this area we can use the sound YAM in meditation.

Benefits of a Balanced 4th Chakra

* Expression of the compassion, unconditional love for all

* A nurturing nature, a desire to befriend others

* Confidence in the ability to express love

* Mental layer of aura able to transmit and receive information effortlessly

Anahata: Green (and Pink) Heart Chakra

Romantic love, affection, caring and compassion, great strength, and the ability to change, this chakra governs our hands, heart, lungs and circulatory systems. It is our center of balance. If this chakra is under stimulated, we may suffer from indecision or anxiety, fear of rejection and clinginess. If it is over stimulated, we may not be able to express “love”, and we mistakenly identify lust, and longing with love, and arrogance with power. When this chakra is out of balance, we will experience the lower natures of man, versus man’s higher nature. To regulate this area we can use the sound YAM in meditation.

Benefits of a Balanced 4th Chakra

* Expression of the compassion, unconditional love for all

* A nurturing nature, a desire to befriend others

* Confidence in the ability to express love

* Mental layer of aura able to transmit and receive information effortlessly

Reiki: About The Throat Chakra

Vishuddha: the throat chakra is the color of ice blue cough drops. It is the Communication Chakra located just below the Adam’s apple in the throat, and right around the thyroid gland which regulates our growth hormones. Associated with clarity and growth, this chakra governs our ability to express ourselves.

We can strengthen this area by using sound. Our inner voice and our “abstract intuition” (instant problem solving without formal logic) are derived from this area. If this chakra is over stimulated, we may suffer sore throats, feel we have ‘something stuck in our craw’ or have a tendency to ‘run at the mouth’. If it is under stimulated we may not be able to express ourselves with ease, and we may have a tendency to speak too softly, or strain our voice when trying to get a point across. To regulate this area we can use the sound RAM or RANG in meditation. In Tibetan "Rang" means "self" and the goal is “rang tong” or to become "empty of self" to further enhance the experience of connection with all.

Historically the color blue is associated with truth and fidelity as in the English idiom ‘he’s true blue’, or the folk rhyme ‘Married in Blue, your love will always be true’, which is where we get our something borrowed, something blue tradition. Hence, various shades of the color blue are used in advertising, business and the military to instill confidence in their message and ability to get the job done.