By Lena Schmidt

Have you been feeling “off” lately? Are you making silly mistakes at work? Are you sick for the third week in a row? Although any number of things could be the explanation for these distressing circumstances, they could also be indicative of an imbalance in your chakra system. What are chakras? And what are the signs your chakras are out of balance? Chakras are energy centers throughout the body. Although there are hundreds of chakras, there are seven main chakras that are generally focused on. These wheels of brilliant energy line up along the central channel of the body, the shushumna nadi.

The chakras along the shushumna nadi are the power centers where the left channel (ida nadi) and the right channel (pingala nadi) intersect. These energy channels and psycho-power centers make up what is known as “the subtle body.” The subtle body is in a different realm than the physical body and the mind, but has a powerful impact on the body, mind, and entire system. The human body system thrives when the chakras and the nadis are open and prana, or life force, is allowed to move throughout the system with ease. Any kind of disturbance or disease in the body, mind, or spirit can cause blockage and imbalance. The goal is harmony. So if you’ve been feeling out of sorts, take a closer look at your chakras to investigate what’s going on and begin to find balance.

If you are feeling out of balance, consider what you have been consuming (food, drink, ideas, experiences), your current life circumstances (traveling, moving, big transitions), and the current season (wind, cold, rain, heat, dryness). Each of these elements has a potentially big impact on your sweet, sensitive human system as a whole.

In the philosophies of yoga and Ayurveda, where the chakras play an important role in understanding the human system, “like increases like” and “opposites balance.” This means that if you already have excess heat in your body (in the forms of anger or indigestion) and you add more heat (like a warm day or spicy food), you may feel even more heat and agitation than you already do—like increases like. On the other hand, if you add the opposite to that equation and take a cold shower or eat some fresh fruit, you may feel better and more in balance—opposites balance. Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit, and an expert in energy medicine, explains that your biography becomes your biology with each thought you think and each experience you encounter.

Are Your Chakras Balanced?

In general, there are five warning signs that your chakras may be out of balance. In striving for balance, too much or too little energy in each of the chakras creates imbalance. Remember: the goal is harmony—balancing your chakras does take effort. The general warning signs are:

1. Something feels “off.”
2. You get sick.
3. You get sick. Again.
4. You start making silly mistakes.
5. Everything seems to be falling apart.

Each of these general imbalances manifests as specific physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances in each chakra. Let’s take a closer look at how imbalances in each chakra can influence a sense of disharmony in the body system as a whole.

Root Chakra—Muladhara

This chakra, physically located at the feet, legs, and “roots” of your being, is connected with the element of Earth. The root chakra is associated with your sense of safety, security, and feeling at home within your skin. This chakra is also related to your family of origin and your human tribe.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the root chakra:

• Pain and stiffness in your feet and legs
• Excess flexibility in your hamstrings/low sense of physical stability 
• Feeling ungrounded, unsafe, and insecure
• Home life feels chaotic and unsettled
• Feeling stuck in life/low sense of flexibility

To Bring into Balance

• Connect with the earth: go for a hike, walk in the sand, or garden.
• Eat vegetables and fruit—food from the earth.
• Practice grounding pranayama like sama vritti and alternate nostril breathing.
• Wear the color red.
• Stretch and strengthen your legs.

Sacral Chakra—Svadhistana

This chakra, physically located at the sacrum, hips, and sexual organs, is connected with the element of Water. The sacral chakra is associated with your emotions, creativity, and senses. This chakra is also related to your one-on-one relationships and your connection to intimacy.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the sacral chakra:

• Pain and stiffness in your low back and hips
• Feeling easily overwhelmed emotionally
• Loss of imagination and no creativity
• Out of touch with emotions and closed off
• Sexual and reproductive issues

To Bring into Balance

• Connect with the element of water: drink water, swim, take a soothing bath.
• Dance.
• Get in touch with your feelings through journaling or therapy.
• Wear the color orange.
• Move and stretch your hips.

Solar Plexus Chakra—Manipura

This chakra, physically located at the abdomen, mid-back, and side body, is connected with the element of Fire. The solar plexus chakra is associated with all of your thoughts and feelings about yourself. This chakra is about your relationship to yourself.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the solar plexus chakra:

• Digestive issues and abdominal pain
• Low self-esteem
• Overinflated ego
• Inability to commit
• Inability to follow through with goals

To Bring into Balance

• Connect with the element of fire: meditate on a candle flame or bonfire.
• Eat foods that are easy to digest.
• Get out in the sunshine.
• Wear the color yellow.
• Strengthen your core and practice detoxifying twists.

Heart Chakra—Anahata

This chakra, physically located at the heart, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, and upper back, is connected with the element of Air. The heart chakra is associated with love of all kinds: kindness to strangers, romantic love, compassion for others, friendship, family love, and self-love.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the heart chakra:

• Pain in your upper back or chest
• Tight shoulders or, alternatively, overly flexible shoulders
• Inability to receive love in any of its forms
• Lack of self-compassion
• Feeling a sense of lack or loss with regards to love

To Bring into Balance

• Connect with the element of air: get outside in fresh air and breathe deeply.
• Practice loving-kindness/Metta meditation for yourself and others.
• Practice self-care, self-love, and express love to others.
• Wear the colors green or pink.
• Stretch your chest, upper back, shoulders, arms, and hands.

Throat Chakra—Visshudha

This chakra, physically located at the throat, neck, mouth, jaw, and ears, is connected with the element of Ether/Space. The throat chakra is associated with communication, expression, using your voice, and knowing when to stay quiet. This chakra is related to your ability to speak from your heart and mind with clarity and to listen with compassion.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the throat chakra:

• Sore throat or laryngitis
• Jaw pain or habit of grinding your teeth
• Pain or stiffness in your neck
• A habit of talking all the time/not knowing when to stay quiet
• Inability to speak up, set boundaries, or stand up for yourself

To Bring into Balance

• Sing or chant mantra.
• Drink soothing tea or lemon water.
• Practice silent meditation.
• Wear the color turquoise.
• Listen to beautiful music.

Third Eye Chakra—Ajna

This chakra is physically located center of the forehead in the space between the eyebrows and inside the mind. The third eye chakra is associated with your intuition, imagination, inner wisdom, and insight. This chakra is also related to your ability to see deep within your heart spaces to the truest, wisest parts of yourself. When the third eye chakra is open, you see the bigger picture and have a positive view of the future.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the third eye chakra:

• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Lack of intuitive guidance
• Lack of inspiration
• Overactive, overwhelming imagination

To Bring into Balance

• Listen to and honor the messages your body sends you.
• Keep a dream journal.
• Wear the color blue.
• Practice balancing postures like Tree Pose and Dancer’s Pose.
• Practice yoga with your eyes closed.

Crown Chakra—Sahasrara

This chakra is physically located at the top of the head and skull. The crown chakra is associated with your sense of enlightenment and remembrance that you are a small part of a greater whole. This chakra is also related to your sense of place in the universe.

Warning Signs this Chakra Is Out of Balance

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have an imbalance in the crown chakra:

• Headaches
• Inability to concentrate or focus on the task at hand
• Seemingly constant drama in your life
• Inability to see beyond your own small corner of the world
• Inability to take on other’s perspectives or practice empathy

To Bring into Balance

• Practice meditation.
• Get involved with volunteer work.
• Keep a gratitude journal
• Wear the color purple.
• Practice Headstand and other inverted yoga poses.

The chakra system is one way to understand the human body. Even minor disturbances in the “subtle body” can manifest as pain, disease, discomfort or general disharmony in your body, mind, heart, and spirit. As you make your way on your journey toward balance, bliss, and happiness, consider checking in with your chakras regularly. Investigating the chakras can be a good temperature gauge for the entire system. Allow your journey to be intuitive and guided by your inner wisdom. Happy harmonizing!

*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group; and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.

Words From Dr Libby Weaver (PhD)

nutritional biochemist, author & speaker

Craving something sweet in the evenings is usually one of these three things

Nutritional: Your food choices throughout the day may have been missing

some key nutrients, and so your body drives you to eat unresourcefully at the 

end of the day in an attempt to get these needs met. This is particularly 

common if you haven't had enough nutritious fats throughout the day, 

if you've missed a meal or swapped food for a coffee.

Biochemically: When we race around all day living on adrenaline due to

our perceptions of pressure & urgency, the body will predominately burn glucose, 

rather than fat, and you will crave more sugar to replenish your stores.

Emotionally: Often our craving for sugar has more to do with an emotional need that 

isn't been met as we seek more "sweetness" in our lives. Identifying this and 

cultivating ways to bring more joy into your life can transform these cravings.

for more info check out www.drlibby.com

Minimalist meets Bohemian

Welcome to a little gathering of Women, where I will have some beautifully hand crafted jewellery for sale at my home.

It is an opportunity to get together for great conversation, connection, laughter & sharing our dreams, passions & experiences. Feel free to bring a friend.

All the way from Kauai, Hawaii Michaelle Edwards will be holding a training at the Mangawhai Surf Club, with stunning ocean views.

Book now for your place in the workshop in New Zealand, with the creator of YogAlign Michaelle Edwards - registration and further information www.yogalign.com

Here is Australasia we are amidst a very hot summer season

To keep up your focus & energy levels try increasing your hydration with these two tips

Hydrate from the Inside: To hydrate your skin from the inside, the first thing to realise is that drinking 8 glasses of water a day is not the way!! Instead you must increase your intake of water in gel form— as it exists in foods like berries, cucumbers, oranges, lettuce, and lemons. In fact, adding a lemon or cucumber slice to drinking water with a tiny pinch of Celtic sea salt or Himalayan sea salt will do wonders for the hydrating quality of your water. Adding a tablespoon of chia seeds to water and a pinch of Himalayan salt— and letting the seeds sit for 15 minutes until they swell before drinking will also hydrate your body far better than simply drinking a glass of water. This practice will also eliminate constipation in most cases. 

Remember…….alcohol and coffee are dehydrating. So for every alcoholic drink or cup of coffee you drink, just drink the equivalent amount of water or herbal tea— ideally with a little pinch of salt. You will be amazed at the improvements in your health simply by hydrating yourself optimally. 

Hydrate from the Outside: You can hydrate your skin optimally throughout the day by spritzing with a Hydrating Mist & Toner. Just spray on your face, neck, and décolleté after cleansing & before your moisturiser. Then press the fluid into your skin with your hands and fingers. Since your hands have healing power and are directly linked to your heart, we recommend that when gently pressing the hydrating mist into your skin, you do so with loving intent. Try making your own beautiful Rose Hydrating Mist.

Meditation as Medicine

Would you take a daily pill if it was scientifically proven to benefit your brain by increasing focus; reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; and improving memory, emotional awareness, and overall happiness? What if it wasn’t through taking a pill, but simply the act of sitting still, for even just one minute a day? 

This week’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy is here to share that it is, in fact, possible to reap huge benefits in a short amount of time. Journalist and ABC news anchor Dan Harris turned his life around using the power of mindfulness and meditation; he was able to stop self-medicating with drugs, end his struggle with panic attacks, and focus on building a successful, balanced life instead. 

Initially, Dan was a skeptic of the power of meditation. He didn't think science could back up the benefits… until he saw the research for himself. 

Studies show that meditation works, in part due to its role in growing the beneficial grey matter in the brain, and Dan witnessed the effects himself once he gave it an honest try. His experience led him to write two New York Times best-selling books on the topic in an effort to help other fidgety skeptics embrace the medicinal properties of meditation. 

Throughout our talk, Dan explains the proven impacts of meditation with a down-to-earth perspective and provides realistic steps for how to incorporate it into your own life, one minute at a time.

Dan shares his personal journey, from experiencing a panic attack on-air in front of millions to becoming a calmer, more mindful person, on this episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy. If you’ve ever wondered if meditation really works and just what the science says, this episode is for you. 

I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. 

Wishing you health and happiness, 
Mark Hyman, MD 
 

Who's motivated to practice more self-love this year? Begin by joining me in taking action to complete Dr Mark Hyman's 10 day detox?

Clean out your cupboards & fridge of all the food that's robbing your mind, body & soul of nourishment. Replace with fresh, local & nutritional goodness.

This time of year I see many patients who feel that their food cravings have gotten out of control. Overindulgence from the holidays has led to a steady stream of poor food choices in their everyday lives. 

From a heightened caffeine addiction to constantly consuming flour-based items and sugary sweets, many people feel trapped in poor dietary patterns after all the celebrations and busyness of the holiday season. But there’s good news! In just 10 days you can feel lighter, leaner, happier, and healthier without those nagging cravings for foods that don’t truly serve you. 

The truth is, we blame people for being overweight and sick, but it’s not their fault. Our taste buds, hormones, and brain chemistry have been hijacked by the food industry. And sugar is a major villain here. Being addicted to sugar and flour is not an emotional eating disorder. It’s a biological disorder, driven by hormones and neurotransmitters that fuel sugar and carb cravings—leading to uncontrolled overeating. It’s why we are seeing an epidemic of type 2 diabetes and obesity but also heart disease, hypertension, many common cancers, and Alzheimer’s.

My 10-Day Detox is the perfect reset button to get back on track. 

I gained a deeper understanding of the biology of food addiction and how it is so often at the root of people’s failure to change their behavior and their diet, and it is through this understanding that I created a plan to help reset your hormones and brain chemistry and turn off inflammation in just 10 days. The result is not only a significant jump-start on weight loss but also a dramatic change in health. Here's the gist of it:

For 10 days, you’ll remove the following foods or anything containing them from your diet:

• All processed foods.
• Gluten, dairy, and all forms of sugar and sweeteners—including artificial ones!
• Grains, starchy vegetables (like potatoes), beans, and fruit (other than a ½ cup of berries or kiwi a day).
• Inflammatory beverages (regular and decaf coffee, alcohol, soda, and juice).

And here is what you want to focus on including:

• As many non-starchy vegetables as you want in all meals and snacks.
• 4 to 6 ounces of protein with each meal (eggs, chicken, fish, lean animal protein, nuts, and seeds).
• One serving of healthy fat (like ½ avocado, or 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil, sesame oil, extra virgin coconut butter, or nut or seed butter such as almond or cashew) with every meal.
• Lots of self-care practices: detoxifying Epsom salt baths, deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or any other kind of movement you enjoy, and 8 hours of sleep a night. 
• Keep in mind that quality counts! So choose organic produce, grass-fed meat and dairy, and pasture-raised poultry and eggs, if possible. 

You’ll be amazed at what just 10 days can do for balancing your blood sugar, eliminating cravings, and revving up your metabolism. 

For more in-depth information on the full 10-Day Detox protocol along with my recommendations for how to talk to your doctor, what tests to ask for, the best supplements to support your detox, and more, check out my #1 New York Times bestseller The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet.

And for some extra support, you can find my Starter 10-Day Detox Kit here.

Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD