Cleansing Techniques for Mind-Body Balance

What does it mean to be balanced? Everything in moderation? Eating the right foods, getting plenty of rest, drinking water, or exercising? A proper work-life balance? What about making a difference in the world or with humanity, following your dreams, experiencing joy, or just having fun? All of these things are important, but what if we were born to experience even more?

Why Being Balanced is Important

Did you know there are an estimated 100 billion stars and an estimated 10 trillion galaxies and possibly more? If this is possible, why would we assume there is just one planet like earth?

What does this have to do with creating a mind-body balance? If we achieve balance, we can connect with universal consciousness – which is also a great source of information for ideas – in turn enabling us to communicate beyond the physical realm (and speak to loved ones who have passed on) or even talk to people outside of our galaxy. After all, it’s not like we can travel there by commandeering a neighbor’s space ship, so why not connect in another way?

Blocked Chakras Don’t Feel So Good

Chakras are the energy centers of the body. The word Chakra (pronounced shock-rah) comes from the Sanskrit word meaning wheel, disk or circle. When our chakras are out of alignment or not fully open we experience problems. People can get stuck in life due to a blocked chakra.

The root chakra is our foundation. When it’s blocked, we feel sluggish, stressed, abandoned or exist in survival mode.  A blocked sacral chakra can mean a lack of healthy self-image, inability to have an emotionally and sexually intimate relationship, or we may experience a lack of trust. The solar plexus chakra, when blocked, may cause us to feel anxiety or experience a feeling of powerlessness.  Likewise, a blocked heart chakra can prevent us from giving and receiving love. A blocked throat chakra may make us be afraid to speak up. The third eye chakra, when blocked, may make it harder to make decisions.  And the crown chakra – which is where we connect with universal consciousness – when blocked can cause us to feel lonely and insignificant. For a more detailed discussion on blocked chakras please visit: https://blog.mindvalley.com/symptoms-of-blocked-chakras/.

The First Step Towards a Better Life Experience is Being Kind to Yourself

When you have done something you regret, you might be inclined to beat yourself up verbally, which tends to create even more stress and problems. You’ve heard the saying: If you can’t love yourself, how can you expect others to love you? When you have unkind thoughts towards yourself you may veer down a path that causes depression or bad feelings about everything.  One of the best ways to stop this behavior (and serve as a reminder to you) is to say to yourself: Be Kind to Self. The second step is to realize there really is a connection between the body, mind and spirit, and there are ways to improve these connections and get more out of life.

Of course, daily meditation/prayers can help you along the path to self-realization as well.

Feel Better Today Fast by Clearing Your Chakras

WikiHow has a great article that describes each of the seven chakras and the best way to clear them. I’ve condensed the information for this blog and included illustration provided from the WikiHow post. If you are seeking more detail on this subject, see: https://www.wikihow.com/Open-Your-Spiritual-Chakras.

For these series of exercises, you should be in a place that you are comfortable and have enough time to take part in the activity undisturbed. The time limit depends on you. If you can sense how your body feels before you clear the chakra, you will know when your body feels a little different, or a little clearer, which means you can move onto the next chakra clearing exercise. Since the root chakra is the foundation for all of the other chakras I’ve provided a little more detail. The chant should take place when you exhale, and it’s OK to chant silently. If your time is limited, it’s OK to work on one chakra at a time.

Root Chakra – Muladhara – body – color red – represents physical awareness, feeling comfortable in situations. Being in the moment: what is happening right now. Located between the anus and the genitals. Actions: Get active. Housecleaning, yoga or a walk around the block. Do a body scan. Does anything feel out of whack? Visualize sending healing energy to it. Accept your physical self – that means every part of you (even if you think your toes are misshapen for example). Get grounded by positioning yourself on the grass outside (see graphic). Once grounded, sit in a cross legged position, place your hands on your knees, loosely touch your thumb and first finger with each hand forming an “o” with each hand, visualize the root chakra and Chant: LAM. Visualize a closed red flower then watch it open up again.

Sacral Chakra – Swadhisthana – mind – color orange – represents feelings, sexuality, and an ability to be passionate. Located at the sacrum (low back). Actions: Open it up by cupping your hands together, palms up, left hand beneath the right hand, thumbs touching gently, while sitting on your knees with your butt on your heels. Chant: VAM.

Solar/Navel Chakra – Manipura – intelligence – color yellow – represents the power center, gives us confidence. Location is just above the navel. Actions: Once again, get on your knees, but this time you will be forming your hands in the prayer position – fingers straight and pressed together at the top, one thumb crossed over the other, arms at a 90-degree angle aligned with the chakra location. CHANT: RAM.

Heart Chakra – Anahata – heart/maturity – color green – love, caring, compassionate about others. Friendly. Actions: Sit cross legged and place your right hand in front of your heart, forming a circle with your first finger/”pointer” finger and your thumb. Place your left hand on your left knee with your fingers in the same position. Chant: YAM and focus on the heart chakra.

Throat Chakra – Vishuddha – internal power – color light blue – self-expression and communication.  Communication can take place by using your voice or by being creative. Located at the base of the throat. Actions: Sit on your knees with your butt touching your heels. Take your hands and cross your fingers within the other hand. Let your thumbs touch at the top and pull them up. Chant: HAM while focusing on the throat chakra.

Third Eye Chakra – Ajna – knowledge via the paraphysical – color indigo/deep purple – clairvoyance, insight. Located at a point between and just above your eyebrows. Actions: Sit cross legged. Form a heart with your fingers somewhat. Take your first finger on each hand and fold it in so the backs of the fingers are touching. Take the second finger and extend it out, touching the finger of the other hand the same way. Take the remaining fingers and point them inward in the same way as you do the first finger. Take your thumbs, make them straight and touching and extend them towards you. CHANT: OM or AUM.

Give yourself enough time for each chakra. You need to be able to feel the shift or change in your body before moving on to the next chakra. This is particularly true before attempting to open the crown chakra, which is the gateway to universal consciousness.

Crown Chakra – Sahasrara – bliss – color purple – wisdom and your connection to your higher power and the universe. Located at the top of the head. Actions: Sit cross legged. Cross your hands and point your little finger away from you while touching the other little finger, which is also pointed outward. Your left thumb should be beneath your right thumb. Chant: NG (I achieve this sound by holding the back of the tongue up towards the roof of my mouth).

What About the Use of Crystals to Balance Energy?

There are other ways you can maintain balance outside of the clearing exercise including eating certain foods, taking part in activities that relate to the chakra, and keeping crystals with you that represent the chakra. For a detailed description on the subject see: https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-balance-each-of-the-7-Chakras-in-our-body.

For myself, I meditate daily, which helps me connect with universal consciousness and to those that have passed on. I am looking forward to incorporating this chakra clearing exercise in my daily regimen too.