Balance & Harmony
(And briefly covering the 7 Chakras)
Balance is a generic term used to resemble harmony with all aspects of an individual's life. It is a lifetime journey that is learned and practiced. Each person achieves balance through a different path that is unique to them. Balancing yourself includes mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, environments, social, financial, and occupational aspects of your life. You can start to balance yourself by evaluating the aspects of your life where you feel stressed or out of balance. Then, think of goals or baby steps you can take to restore that balance. Sometimes this means seeking social support, or redefining stress (see the "Stress" tab of my website to learn more about stress management).
A difference between conventional (allopathic/Western) medicines and alternative (Eastern) medicines is that the conventional medicines see health as being the absence of disease and disease is caused when body parts break or fail to function properly. Whereas alternative medicine sees health as a sense of wholeness, balance, and harmony as a lifelong process which leads to a feeling or greater sense of aliveness. Disease in the alternative medicines is defined as a disruption of balance between one's life force or energy. There are hundreds of energy points along the human body, but there are seven major energy points (or centers of electromagnetic and circulatory energy). These energy points are called chakras, which is Sanskrit for "spinning wheel of energy"/light.
Briefly, the Chakras:
1st is the Root Chakra. It is represented by the color red and the energy of the warrior. It's element is Earth as the feet connect the body to the earth. It is associated with the physical identity and natural instincts as well as courage. This chakra is located at the tail bone of the spine (coccys).
2nd is the Sacral Chakra. It is represented by the color orange and the energy of the warrior. It's element is Water since this is the location of the bladder, liver and kidneys. It is associated with sensuality, procreation, and emotional identity. This chakra is located 1-2 inches bellow the belly button (navel).
3rd is the Solar plexus Chakra. It is represented by the color yellow and the energy of the healer. It's element is fire. This is where your ego identity lives along with self-confidence and self-worth. It is located behind the stomach and below the breast bone (about a hand's width above the navel).
4th is the Heart Chakra. It is represented by the color green and the energy of the healer. This is where a person holds the divine image of self. Forgiveness, mercy, joy, and compassion are all important concepts for the heart chakra. It is associated with the element of air, and it is located in the center of the chest at heart level.
5th is the Throat Chakra. Resembled by the color light blue and the energy of the teacher. It's element is Space. This is where your voice is heard. Your creative identity/ ability to express yourself, and your truth are all found here. It is located at the base of your neck/throat.
6th is the Third Eye or Brow Chakra. Resembled by royal blue, this chakra is the energy of the visionary. It holds your unity to your inner-self and the universe/higher power. This is also where fears and nightmares can manifest when out of balance. It's element is light, and is located in the middle of your forehead, between your eyebrows.
7th is the Crown Chakra. This is represented by the color purple and the energy of the spirit. It's element is will. This is where self knowledge is found. It is located on the top of your head.
A difference between conventional (allopathic/Western) medicines and alternative (Eastern) medicines is that the conventional medicines see health as being the absence of disease and disease is caused when body parts break or fail to function properly. Whereas alternative medicine sees health as a sense of wholeness, balance, and harmony as a lifelong process which leads to a feeling or greater sense of aliveness. Disease in the alternative medicines is defined as a disruption of balance between one's life force or energy. There are hundreds of energy points along the human body, but there are seven major energy points (or centers of electromagnetic and circulatory energy). These energy points are called chakras, which is Sanskrit for "spinning wheel of energy"/light.
Briefly, the Chakras:
1st is the Root Chakra. It is represented by the color red and the energy of the warrior. It's element is Earth as the feet connect the body to the earth. It is associated with the physical identity and natural instincts as well as courage. This chakra is located at the tail bone of the spine (coccys).
2nd is the Sacral Chakra. It is represented by the color orange and the energy of the warrior. It's element is Water since this is the location of the bladder, liver and kidneys. It is associated with sensuality, procreation, and emotional identity. This chakra is located 1-2 inches bellow the belly button (navel).
3rd is the Solar plexus Chakra. It is represented by the color yellow and the energy of the healer. It's element is fire. This is where your ego identity lives along with self-confidence and self-worth. It is located behind the stomach and below the breast bone (about a hand's width above the navel).
4th is the Heart Chakra. It is represented by the color green and the energy of the healer. This is where a person holds the divine image of self. Forgiveness, mercy, joy, and compassion are all important concepts for the heart chakra. It is associated with the element of air, and it is located in the center of the chest at heart level.
5th is the Throat Chakra. Resembled by the color light blue and the energy of the teacher. It's element is Space. This is where your voice is heard. Your creative identity/ ability to express yourself, and your truth are all found here. It is located at the base of your neck/throat.
6th is the Third Eye or Brow Chakra. Resembled by royal blue, this chakra is the energy of the visionary. It holds your unity to your inner-self and the universe/higher power. This is also where fears and nightmares can manifest when out of balance. It's element is light, and is located in the middle of your forehead, between your eyebrows.
7th is the Crown Chakra. This is represented by the color purple and the energy of the spirit. It's element is will. This is where self knowledge is found. It is located on the top of your head.
All movement comes from the belly!
Western people might understand this as all movement comes from the core. Strengthening the core is a major part to most physical activities (such as yoga or Pilates). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi (or vital/life force energy) flows through your body through meridians (pathways). A major source, and originating source, of this energy can be found in your belly (or slightly lower than your navel). They call this area of energy Dan tien. Even something as simple as breathing is supposed to fill or empty your belly. Scientifically speaking, the belly button connects us to our mothers, through the umbilical cord, and is our starting life source of energy and nutrition. This belly button appears spiralled, much like our galaxy. I do not believe that these are all coincidences. The world already knows the importance of our belly's energy. So why aren't we doing more for our health by caring for our bellies better?