Opening up chakras plays a positive role in overall physical and mental health

IZZY PAGGIOLI

Seven colorful spheres of energy run along your spine from red at the base to purple at the tip of your head. This ancient energy system is commonly known as chakra.

Chakra originated in India dating back to 1500 B.C. and refers to a spinning wheel of energy that runs along your spine. It is recommended to keep chakras open, which refers to the idea of energy freely flowing throughout the mind and body. When they are open, it is thought that the human body has an improved overall well-being; the chakras correspond to areas in our body that impact our emotional and physical well being. If the flow of energy is disrupted, it can lead to certain ailments.

One of the seven chakras is the crown chakra which sits at the tip of the head. It symbolizes awareness and intelligence; it is significantly linked to every chakra and represents the connection we have to our lives and spirituality. It is thought that those with a blocked crown chakra may seem narrow-minded and skeptical. Different methods are used to keep your chakras open and at their best condition for your mental and physical health.

Yoga medicine therapeutic specialist Diane Malaspina, PhD, says that physical and emotional effects take place when a chakra becomes blocked from experiencing too much stress.

“There can be a depletion of energy flow or too much energetic activity in a chakra — each will manifest into different outcomes,” Dr. Malaspina explained.

This can include physical imbalances like headaches as well as emotional imbalances such as moodiness.

To reopen your chakra, Dr. Malaspina recommends breathing exercises and yoga poses targeting the chakra to relieve stress. These techniques promote a balance in chakra and can lead to numerous health benefits including an increased openness and positive outlook in terms of thought process.