Your lower back and the Chakras
What the Chakras can tell you about your lower back pain
There are 7 Chakras in the body. Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye and Crown. The Root, the Sacral and the Solar Plexus chakras are in the core area. Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel and these are energy systems within the body that correspond to nerve bundles and organs.
The Root chakra is located at the base of the spine. It represents safety and stability. Red is the color that represents the Root chakra. The element that is represented is Earth. The areas of the body that can be impacted by this Chakra are the legs, feet, rectum, spinal column, lower intestinal tract, bones, teeth, and immune system. It influences our connection from us to the rest of the world and assists with our survival techniques we use when navigating the world. It helps us to create a felt sense of safety in our bodies.
The Sacral chakra is located just below the navel and it represents creativity and pleasure. Its color is represented by orange. The element associated with this chakra is water. It helps us learn to develop our personal relationships and feel connected. The areas of the body that can be impacted by this Chakra are the endocrine system, kidneys, bladder, genitals, womb and circulatory system.
The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel near the ribcage below the chest. It represents the ego and your own personal power. It is represented by the color yellow, and its element is Fire. The areas of the body that can be impacted by this Chakra are the muscular system, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and intestinal tract.
When there is an imbalance in the Chakras, it can affect parts of the physical body because of the interaction of the energy systems with nerve bundles and organs in the body. Understanding the Chakras can improve your understanding in what may be going on between your physical, emotional, and energetic body. It doesn’t mean that if your Chakras are blocked or overactive, then the cause of your pain is solely based on that, but you can use the information as an inquiry into why you may have pain in one area or another. It’s one way you can get curious about what or how you feel at any given time. Just like anatomy and knowing the physical structure, knowing about the Chakras and energy within your body can help you understand another layer that can impact how you feel.
I invite you to get curious about pain you may experience in the lower back, hips and trunk. Self-inquiry and curiosity can help you resolve pain. Sometimes, it may take more than stretching to help your lower back. Understanding your body by talking to a variety of professionals can help. A mental health therapist can help you process emotions, a physical therapist can help with your physical body, and a yoga therapist can help with the energetic body.
Yoga poses to try that focus on each of these Chakras:
Root- standing or seated forward bend
Sacral- Warrior 1 by taking a large step forward and bend the front knee. Reach up as far as you can with both hands. Repeat with the other foot in front.
Solar Plexus- spinal twist by laying on your back. Bring the knees up toward your chest and allow the knees to go toward the right holding for a few breaths and then toward the left holding for a few breaths while keeping the shoulders and chest open and resting on the surface you are laying on.
If you are interested in learning more about the Chakras, I would recommend Eastern Mind, Western Body: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith.
The concept of integrating the physical with the energetic is something that I think can be bridged well with yoga and other movement practices. The connection of breath, intention, and movement helps us to regulate our nervous system, to understand our bodies, and to discover parts of ourselves that can sometimes get ignored. This approach also provides insight into our pain so that we can start to resolve pain utilizing an individualized and mindful path.
Take good care,
Sharon