Art Arena - Colour Therapy (The Chakras)

All organs, body systems, and functions are connected to main energy centres called 'Chakras'. They were first described around 2600 years ago, in the ancient sacred texts. The word chakra comes from chakrum, the Sanskrit word for wheel and originally referred to a chariot wheel. Later it became associated with the term 'wheel of light', which is the modern usage of the word. It also reflects the fact that chakras are constantly moving, continuously absorbing currents of energy. Every person has seven chakras, which are located at different points of the body, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra is sensitive to a specific wavelength, or colour component, of what we call 'white' light. The chakras draw in the main colours of the rainbow, which are absorbed and then circulated throughout the body. Our body absorbs colour energy through the vibration each colour gives off. Most of the current Western knowledge of the chakra colours comes from an English translation of Sanskrit texts from the 10^th and 16^th centuries. The seven chakras are: Muladhara (Root or Base), Swadhisthana (Sacral), Manipura (Solar plexus), Anahata (Heart), Vishuddha (Throat), Ajna (Brow) and Sahasrara (Crown).
'The Seven Chakras' names, symbols, colours and locations	In a healthy person, the chakras take in and distribute colour energies evenly, to maintain a healthy body, mind, and soul. Our mental health, behaviour, and general efficiency in life depends to a great extent on the body obtaining a balanced flow of energy. The need for different colours of light varies from person to person. If for any reason we feel out of balance, we can strengthen our energy centres (one or several of the seven chakras) through the conscious use of colour therapy. Colour energy exists everywhere and can be acquired through the clothes we wear, our surroundings, gemstones, etc., all of which are ideal for the re-balancing of the seven chakras.
If we have one or more chakras which are out of balance or tune, then this can over time lead to physical, emotional or mental disease. Each Chakra is influenced by the qualities of all the others. For example, a disfunctioning base chakra - affecting feelings of instinct, survival, and vitality - will influence the other centres' function.
Keeping our seven chakras aligned and singing with the harmony that they are meant to have can lead to a sense of health and balance which can improve our lives on many different levels. For instance, if our heart chakra is unbalanced, then we may have difficulty forming good relationships with our loved ones, or it may leave us feeling little empathy for our fellow humans. Or on the other hand, we may be too emotional, and take things too much to 'heart', which can lead to unnecessary suffering and worry. Understanding the relationships between our subtle bodies and our physical bodies can help us to lead happier and healthier lives.	The position of the chakras on the body
The following links provide a more detailed explanation of each Chakra: The first & second Chakras: 'Muladhara' (Root) & 'Swadhisthana' (Sacral) ******* The third & fourth Chakras: 'Manipura' (Solar Plexus) & 'Anahata (Heart) ******* The fifth & sixth Chakras: 'Vishuddha' (Throat) & 'Ajna' (Third Eye) ******* The seventh Chakra: 'Sahasrara' (Crown Centre)

Katy Kianush
September 2005

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