Chakra Healing 101: What Happens When Your Chakras Are ‘Imbalanced’?

In chakra tradition, an imbalanced chakra is an energy centre that is running low or overactive, and people describe it as feeling stuck, drained, on edge or out of sync with themselves. Chakras are a spiritual idea rather than a scientific one, and breathwork, meditation, yoga, smoke cleansing and crystals are the usual ways people work to bring them back into balance. You will hear about chakras in yoga, meditation, Reiki and aura work; here is what the 7 main chakras are, what imbalance is said to look like, and 7 ways to rebalance.

Chakras Defined

From a spiritual perspective, the human body doesn't only consist of the physical and mental. Every person has a network of energy known as chakras. The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or cycle, according to WebMD.

Teaching about the chakra system can be traced to 1500-500 BC India. It is mentioned in India's oldest text called the Vedas. Anodea Judith, a scholar who wrote about the chakra system in her book Wheels of Life, wrote that the knowledge of the chakras was spread through the Indo-Europeans' oral tradition. It's been ingrained in the New Age tradition since then.

In this tradition, chakras are believed to supply subtle energy to body and mind. There is no scientific evidence for the chakras or for spiritual energy. But chakra practices like breathwork and meditation can be relaxing, and many people use them to unwind from stress.

What Are the 7 Main Chakras?

Some people believe that we have at least 114 chakras in our bodies. However, prevailing beliefs about the chakra system claim that there are 7 main chakras that run from the base of the spine to the top of your head.

In a circular pattern, each chakra vibrates at its own frequency and draws energy from the universe into the energy system, says yoga teacher Lacey Gibson. The 7 chakras are:

1. Sahasrara (crown chakra) - Called the chakra of consciousness, the crown chakra is located at the top of the skull. It is linked with spiritual connection and awareness.

2. Ajna (third eye chakra) - Connected to the pineal gland and is known as the chakra of light, awareness, and time. It is linked with intuition and insight.

3. Vishuddha/vishuddhi (throat chakra) - It is linked to communication and self-expression. The throat chakra is found parallel to the thyroid which is responsible for growth and maturity.

4. Anahata (heart chakra) - This chakra connects to love, compassion, and the whole range of emotions. It is found in the chest.

5. Manipura or nabhi (solar plexus chakra) - Related to personal power, confidence, and energy. The solar plexus chakras is located in the mouth of the stomach.

6. Swadhisthana (sacral chakra) - The chakra of creativity and sexuality located in the groin.

7. Muladhara (base or root chakra) - Located in the spot between the anus and the genitals, the root chakra is linked to security, survival, and instinct.

Theories That Explain the Functions of the Chakra System

While scientific studies on chakras are limited, some Western scholars attempted to shed light on the existence of chakras, where they're exactly located, and how they work to sustain our well-being and development.

One of these perspectives links the chakras to the endocrine system. Karla Helbert, a yoga therapist and licensed counselor, explains that certain chakras are aligned with specific glands. For example, the root chakra is linked to the testes or ovaries, the throat chakra to the thyroid gland, and the heart chakra to the thymus.

The functions of these endocrine glands are also thought to be connected with their corresponding chakra. Although this explanation is not backed by scientific evidence and is considered an attempt to give a physical structure to the chakra system.

Helbert further states that the chakras move at varying speeds to maintain homeostasis in the body which governs our physical and mental wellness. She says the 3 lower chakras control our reproduction, self-confidence, and survival instinct. Whereas the heart chakra controls our empathy and connection with others. The upper 3 chakras control non-physical attributes like intuition, self-expression, and connection to the higher being.

Another paradigm through which chakras can be understood is psychological development. This chakra theory compares the chakras with Maslow's hierarchy of needs or the order of needs a person must achieve to live a satisfactory life.

Anodea Judith relates the root chakra with physiological safety, security with sacral chakra, belonging with the solar plexus, self-compassion with the heart chakra, self-actualization with throat chakra, and transcendence with the third eye and crown chakras.

How Do Chakras Get Unbalanced? What Are the Effects?

Like a used battery, chakras can get low in energy or depleted. There can also be too much energetic activity in the chakras. Chakras can also become imbalanced due to poor posture, unhealthy eating habits, or self-destructive behaviours.

When a chakra is depleted, it will be difficult for you to live out the set of qualities attributed to that chakra. Whereas an overactive chakra may cause certain qualities to be excessively dominant in your life. These imbalances are said to manifest internally or externally.

Let's take for example the root chakra. It is associated with survival, security, and instinct. If it's low in energy, it is said to show up as low mood or self-esteem issues. If it's overactive, it can manifest as recklessness, fear without caution, or the compulsive need to hoard things to feel secure.

So how do you know if a chakra is out of balance? In chakra tradition, people describe signs like these:

• Low self-esteem
• Irritability
• Feeling tired, stuck, overwhelmed, or confused
• Feeling disconnected from your body or from others
• Difficulty manifesting your desires, goals, and ambitions
• Restless nights

If you have ongoing physical pain or low mood, talk to a doctor; chakra work is a spiritual practice, not a substitute for health care.

There's a number of ways to restore the balance of energies in your chakras. These practices are often called chakra balancing. The methods may differ but their ultimate goal is to balance and realign your chakras with one another.

7 Ways to Balance and Harmonize Your Chakras

Try the following chakra balancing rituals if any of the signs above sound familiar.

1. Practiced breathing - Taking deep and cleansing breaths is one of the simplest ways to balance your chakras. Focus on each of your chakra as you inhale and exhale slowly.

2. Meditation - Retreating into quietness lets you focus on your chakras. Meditation helps you lower your stress, reconnect with your mind and body, embrace unpleasant emotions, and raise your consciousness. There are several types of meditation so choose the one that suits you. Or use a meditation app that offers guided meditation.

3. Yoga - This is an avenue for opening up your chakras, allowing energy to flow smoothly. There are various poses targeted for each chakra. As you perform each pose, focus on the target chakra and the sensation that your body feels with it.

4. Smudging/smoke cleansing - The smoke released by burning sacred and aromatic plants brings the chakras into alignment. Smoke cleansing also clears stagnant energy in your space which may also contribute to an unbalanced chakra. White sage, cedar, lavender, and juniper smudge sticks are some of the common herbs known for their chakra cleansing properties. Make sure to perform the cleanse slowly and mindfully. Fan the smoke all over your body for a thorough cleanse.

5. Crystals and chakra stones - Healing crystals are also used for chakra balancing, and each stone is traditionally paired with a chakra by colour and meaning. Amethyst is linked with the crown chakra, while turquoise and other blue stones are paired with the throat chakra. Rose quartz is the classic heart chakra stone, while carnelian is for the sacral chakra. Many people also hold a crystal during meditation to help set their intentions.

6. Spend time in nature - Walk barefoot on the beach, go camping in the woods, go sunbathing, or simply sit out on your patio and breathe some fresh air”all these are simple ways to rebalance your chakras. Reconnecting with the Earth is traditionally linked with the root chakra and a sense of security.

7. Reiki - Another way to work with energy imbalance is through Reiki. If it's your first time, contact a certified Reiki professional. Reiki practitioners use hand movements and crystals as tools to harmonize the chakras. You can choose one or a combination of any of these chakra balancing rituals. And you can do them, starting with the easiest ones like breathwork, meditation, and spending time in nature, every day to maintain balance among your chakras.

Final Word

In chakra tradition, the chakras are the body's energy centres, and when one is unbalanced you may feel out of sync. When you feel something isn't right, take a step back and try a chakra balancing practice.

Meditate, do a quick yoga, or spend an unhurried time in nature. Do what feels best for you! Keep in mind that the purpose of it all is to keep your mind, body, and spirit in sync so you can live a satisfying life.

If you need tools for chakra work, Stonebridge Imports carries a wide range of energy cleansing products. Whether it's crystals, smoke cleansing herbs, or chakra stones, our store has all you need.