The 7 Major Chakras and Reiki

by Angela Gorman, Copyright 2002-2010

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. It refers to the shape of the energy vortexes that are found in the etheric body of each human being. There are known to be over 80,000 chakras. A chakra occurs where two energy meridians or channels intersect. In the western world we concentrate on the seven main chakras. These chakras are found in a vertical line down the front and back of the central channel in the energy field.

The thrust of the Reiki energy flows through the central channel. However, there are many other channels or meridians in our energy field through which energy flows.

Our mind and our attitudes influence the flow of energy in our energy field. Each area of the central energy channel and its associated chakra is connected to a certain focus or way of being. The more balanced our attitudes, the more balanced the energy distribution in our energy field.

The chakras energetically stimulate a system within the physical body called the endocrine system. This is comprised of seven major endocrine glands which produce hormones which are secreted into our bloodstream. The mind also influences this system through our various attitudes. Balanced attitudes contribute to a balanced secretion of hormones from the endocrine glands.

          Chart of the 7 Chakras

Chakra	Location	Attitudes	Endocrine Connection	Colour	Element	Musical Note
Crown	2″ above head	Spiritual connection with yourself	Pituitary	Purple	None	B
Third Eye	Middle of Forehead	Intuitive Centre Living in the present moment	Pineal	Indigo	None	A
Throat	Throat	Communication Speaking Truth	Thyroid / Parathyroids	Blue	Ethers	G
Heart	Heart	Unconditional Love	Thymus	Green / Pink	Air	F
Solar Plexus	Above the bellybutton and under the breast area	Power Centre Control and Insecurity	Pancreas / Adrenals	Yellow	Fire	E
Sacral	Sacrum	Victimization	Ovaries / Testes	Orange	Water	D
Root	Base Of Spine	Basic Survival / Sexuality	Adrenals / Sex Organs	Red	Earth	C

 

The Endocrine System

 

The Endocrine System is composed of a group of ductless glands that are not connected anatomically. Each endocrine gland secretes its own hormone into the bloodstream. Hormones control a number of processes including: growth, metabolism, sexual function and stress response.

Pituitary Gland

This is often called the master gland because the hormones it produces stimulate other endocrine glands. It is situated at the sphenoid bone at the base of the brain. The pituitary works in close association with another gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. Feedback between the two helps control hormone production throughout the endocrine system.

Pineal Gland

This gland is about 1cm long and is found in the forebrain. It secretes melatonin which is triggered by darkness and is known as the sleep hormone. It is thought to have an effect on our moods.

Thyroid Gland

This gland is butterfly shaped and lies just below the larynx, or voice box. The thyroid gland has two lobes and is found either side of the trachea. Each lobe is about 4cm long and 2cm wide. It secretes the hormones thyroxin and triiodothyronine and regulates growth and general metabolism as well as having affecting our mental wellbeing.

Parathyroid Glands

Embedded in the lobes of the thyroid gland are two pairs of tiny parathyroid glands. They produce parathormone which helps regulate blood calcium.

Thymus Gland

This gland lies behind the sternum and extends upward into the root of the neck. It weighs twelve grammes at birth and grows until the individual reaches puberty, when it begins to atrophy. The thymus is thought to play an important part in the immune system by producing T-lymphocytes.

Pancreas

The pancreas lies behind the stomach, near the small intestine. Most of it consists of cells that release digestive enzymes. It also contains clusters of cells called islets of langerhans. The islets secrete the hormones insulin and glucagons, which regulate blood sugar levels.

Adrenal glands

These two small, triangle shaped glands sit on top of the kidneys. Each has two distinct regions, the outer called the cortex and the inner called the medulla. The cortex produces hormones involved in metabolism and the suppression of inflammatory responses. In both men and women, the cortex also secretes small amounts of ‘male’ sex hormones, including testosterone as well as a hormone that regulates blood volume and pressure. By contrast, the medulla manufactures the hormone adrenaline in response to stress, fear and exertion. This chemical helps quicken heart rate, increase blood flow, widen lung airways and draw blood away from internal organs and channel it to the muscles and extremities.

Ovaries

The almond shaped ovaries lie on either side of the uterus, directly below the opening of the fallopian tubes. The ovaries store egg cells and produce the female hormone oestrogen and progesterone.

Testes

The male sex organs, suspended in a sac called the scrotum, generate sperm as well as testosterone.