7 main chakras
Chakras are energy centres located throughout the body. We are able to transmit and receive energy through the chakras. There are seven main chakras located along the spine and head. There are minor chakras in the hands and feet. Your Reiki 1st Degree attunement opens the chakras in your hands, crown and heart; enabling you to channel the Reiki healing energy through them. Most people experience this as a physical sensation in their hands during the attunement process.
The chakra system is very closely linked to the endocrine system and the major organs of the body. Our life force energy (ki) flows through the chakra system. Giving Reiki healing to each chakra will effectively treat the whole person – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Knowledge of the chakra system originates from India. The word chakra means wheel or vortex. Some people find it helpful to imagine their chakras as a vortex: spiralling them outward to open, and inward to close them. Chakras are often pictured as lotus flowers. Some people find this image easier to work with: opening and closing the blooms as they open and close their chakras.
Regularly practising the following exercise will improve your awareness of, and conscious control of, your chakras. Ensure you won’t be disturbed during this exercise: switch phone/TV/radio off and shut pets out the room. Have a glass of water and some tissues to hand. You may like to burn some incense and have relaxing music playing.
Sitting comfortably, with your spine straight and supported and your feet firmly on the floor; take three deep, cleansing breaths. On the in breath, breathe in relaxation. On the out breath, breathe out stress. Beginning with the feet and working your way up the body, release any tension in the muscles.
Now starting with the base chakra and working your way up the body, imagine each chakra opening and expanding. Breathe energy into the chakra for a few minutes. Allow the colour of each chakra to grow richer, brighter.
Now starting with the crown chakra and working your way down the body, imagine each chakra closing. Gather the expanse of coloured energy you have created back into your body and allow each chakra to settle.
From your base chakra, bring energy down through your legs and feet to ‘earth’ it. You can do this, by breathing in slowly and deeply, imagining your breath going all the way down to your feet. As you slowly breathe out, feel your feet sink a little into the earth. You may like to Once you feel ‘grounded’ have a good stretch and wash your hands.