CHAKRAS
What are Chakras?

    The word "chakra" in Sanskrit translates to wheel, or vortex.  They are superficial centers (superficial
    meaning, they are small, spinning, colorful wheels of energy that exist within the energy field that's
    closest to the actual physical body) which correspond to specific organs through a nervous system
    connection.  Modern science has not yet officially recognized chakras due to a technological issue....
    they can't be measured with traditional electronic gadgetry as of yet.  The nervous system plexuses that
    the chakras connect to ARE recognized by modern science, however.  You've probably heard of the
    solar plexus.  Well, there is a plexus for all the endocrine glands. Chakras are both transmitters of
    energy as well as transformers of energy.  They have the ability to synchronize the physical, emotional,
    mental and spiritual portions that make us who we are.  If the chakras aren't working properly, we get
    sick.  

    In a VERY simplified explanation, energy must remain moving at all times.  When a mountain spring
    stops moving, the water stagnates....a bad odor gradually ensue, and the fish die due to a lack of
    oxygen in the water.  Also, various beasties begin to flourish in the water that eventually prove to be
    toxic and dangerous.  To remedy the entire situation, no special heroics are necessary....no medicines,
    additives, herbicides, pesticides, etc.  Just simply get the stream moving once again.  The odor
    disappears almost immediately.  As with the stream, energy must continue to flow in us.  If that energy
    stops....we stop.  That energy comes into the body and passes through several "layers" or filters which
    have numerous names depending upon what book you are reading.  That energy cannot be processed
    by our bodies at that point in time.  In fact, it would be dangerous.  That energy must be "stepped
    down", much the same way the electricity that is powering the computer your are using to read this has
    been stepped down from a few thousand volts to 110 volts.  The electricity has passed through a
    transformer, probably located on a pole somewhere near your house.  Chakras are like transformers.  
    The energy then passes from the chakra and filters into the acupuncture meridians, then, finally, into
    the various nerve plexuses and spinal ganglia.

    Even though some people can see chakras, for the most part, they are invisible.  There are 7 major
    chakras, though, some would say there are 8, and still others would claim there are 12 or more.  
    Technically, everyone is right, it just depends on one's particular view of one's body and auric field.

    Most agree on the location of the 7 major chakras.  The following chart explains the association of each
    chakra with its corresponding nerve plexus:

    CHAKRA              NERVE PLEXUS                GANGLIA
    Base                     Coccygeal                         Coccygeal spinal
    Sacral                   Pelvic                                  Sacral spinal
    Solar Plexus        Solar                                   Lumbar spinal
    Heart                     Cardiac/Pulmonary         Thoracic spinal       
    Throat                                                                Cervical spinal
    Brow                      Sympathetic                      Superior cervical
    Crown                   See above

    Each chakra is associated with a color, a tone, an element, a gem, a personality, one or more organs,
    a set of specific disease states, a flower, an aroma, an emotion, a meridian, an archetype, etc.  Many
    things can help balance a chakra, including, thoughts, meditation, acupuncture, many types of body
    work, herbs, gems, homeopathics, emotions, visualization, yoga, crystals, color and sound therapy,
    exercises, foods, etc.  This list is basically the same for acupuncture points because each chakra can
    be thought of as a giant acupuncture point, though more complex.    


    Color and Locations     

    Chakra ONE is red and located over the pubic bone and the tail bone
    Chakra TWO is orange and located just below (or at) the belly button and over the first lumbar vertebra
    Chakra THREE is yellow and located over the epigastrium and the 8th thoracic vertebra
    Chakra FOUR is green and located over the heart and 1st thoracic vertebra
    Chakra FIVE is blue and is located over the throat and the 3rd cervical vertebra
    Chakra SIX is indigo and located slightly above a point between the eyes and the 1st cervical        
    Chakra SEVEN is violet and is located on the top of the head (slightly back further)     

    Keep in mind, the colors vary from author to author and practitioner to practitioner.


    Organs Associated With Each Chakra  

    Chakra ONE
    The blood, spine, nervous system, part of bladder, part of colon, male organs, testes, vagina, adrenals
    Chakra TWO
    Skin, breast, female sex organs, kidneys, small portion of bladder, prostate, legs, bones, parts of
    immune System
    Chakra THREE
    Liver, gallbladder, adrenal glands, skin, diaphragm, intestines, stomach, pancreas, part of kidney
    Chakra FOUR
    Heart, circulation, lungs, immune system, lymph, thymus, arm/shoulder, esophagus
    Chakra FIVE
    Throat , thyroid, ears, nervous system, muscles
    Chakra SIX
    Pineal gland, pituitary gland, brain (left), eyes, ears, nose
    Chakra SEVEN
    Pituitary, pineal, nervous system, brain (right)

    Keep in mind, the organs may vary slightly from author to author and practitioner to practitioner.


    Various Imbalances Associated With Each Chakra

    Chakra ONE
    Unsatisfactory depth of sexual contact, feelings of guilt or uncleanliness with one's sexuality, control or
    release issues of the rectum, bladder, and descending colon, issues with survival, power, aggression,
    fight/flight response, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal tumors/cancer, depression, immune-related
    disorders.
    Chakra TWO
    Sexuality/sensuality, creativity, Ob/gyn problems, irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic lower back pain,
    sexual potency, urinary problems
    Chakra THREE
    Emotional repression, arthritis, cancer, heart trouble, mood swings, allergies, digestive disorders,
    ulcers, colon/intestinal problems, pancreatitis/diabetes, indigestion (chronic or acute), anorexia or
    bulimia, liver dysfunction, hepatitis, kidney disease
    Chakra FOUR
    Breast cancer, heart trouble, arteriosclerosis, resistance to change
    Chakra FIVE
    Thyroid trouble, throat problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, smoking addictions, neck/shoulder trouble,
    anemia
    Chakra SIX
    Headaches, insomnia, strokes, migraines
    Chakra SEVEN
    See chakra six above

    Most of the discussion on the function and imbalances of the chakras usually centers
    around the esoteric, archetypal patterns and meanings of the chakras.  By
    understanding the chakras, one can learn about themselves, why they are here, about
    their purpose in life and their role here on planet Earth.  Any issue, heart ache,
    psychological/emotinal pain is represented in the normal or abnormally functioning
    chakra system.  It's a shame that all psychologists and psychiatrists are not required to
    understand the chakras and their relationship to mankind.  If you've ever wondered who
    you are and why you act and think the way you do, then listen to this.....you will gain
    more insight and wisdom studying the chakras, than anything else you could possibly
    ever do.  I  will refer you to some excellent resources that I have in my personal library if
    you wish to explore chakras further.  

    1.  The books and tapes of Carolyn Myss
    2.  The 7 Healing Chakras Workbook, by Brenda Davies, M.D.
    3.  The Chakras and the Human Energy Fields, by Shafica Karagulla, M.D. and Dora van Gelder Kunz
    4.  The Chakras and Esoteric Healing, by Zachary F. Lansdowne, Ph.D.
    5.  Journey Through The Chakras, by Klansbernd Vollmar
    6.  Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith
    7.  The Chakras, by C.W.Leadbeater
    8.  Chakras For Beginners, by David Pond
    9.  Theories Of The Chakras, by Hiroshi Motoyama
    10.Using Your Chakras, by Ruth White
    11.Way Of Chakras, by Caroline Shola Arewa
    12.Chakras-Roots of Power, by Werner Bohm
    13.Kundalina And The Chakras, by Genevieve Lewis Paulson
    14.Healing with the Energy of the Chakras, by Ambika Wauters
    15.Energy Ecstacy and your Seven Vital Chakras, by Bernard Gunter
    16.The Book of Chakra Healing, by Liz Simpson
    17.New Chakra Healing, by Cyndi Dale
    18.A Chakra & Kundalini Workbook by Dr. Jonn Mumford
    19.Pranic Healing, by Choa Kok Sui
    20.Advanced Pranic Healing, by Choa Kok Sui
    21.Pranic Psychotherapy, by Choa Kok Sui
    22.Eastern Body Western Mind, by Anodea Judith
    23.Chakras-Rays and Radionics, by David Tansley
    24.Chakra Therapy for Personal Growth and Healing, by Keith Sherwood
    25.Chakra Energy Massage, by Marianne Uhl
    26.Your Seven Energy Centers, by Elizabeth Clare Prophet
    27. Chakras and their Archetypes, by Ambika Wauters
    28. Chakra Reading and Color Healing, by Von Braschler