
I am a licensed counseling therapist. In my practice, I often help individuals learn the difference between energy and emotions, because quite frankly, without knowledge and education, they can feel the same. Read this post to learn more about the differences here. It’s fascinating information.
Some people release intense energy that is palpable. This energy penetrates into those around quickly and effectively. Have you ever been around someone who was grossly negative or powerfully upset? The energy from individuals like this looks to ground itself and sometimes picks other people to do it. You can feel the intensity in your body just by being around them and can sometimes feel it just by walking into the room.
Some of us are more sensitive and porous than others. As a therapist, I often think of myself as a lightening rod for intense energy and emotion. I feel it buzzing around inside my body during session and then ground it to the earth. We are about to explore what this looks and feels like and then will discuss how to get it out of your body (blog article #2). If you suffer with traditional anxiety, depression, ADHD or simply feel overwhelmed or stressed out, keep reading.
What is a Chakra?

We have 7 main Chakras within our bodies. I will systematically discuss each one and will explain how each benefits us and also what it could look like if it is out of balance or closed off and protected. We will then learn a meditation to re-balance the energy and ground the excess. We will start from the top of the body and work our way down.
The 7th Chakra: Crown Chakra
Those who have an open and free flowing crown chakra have a strong faith base and belief in something or someone higher than the human self. To strengthen and mature this chakra takes faithful prayer, meditation, spiritual readings, etc. Those with a closed chakra may struggle to believe in a spiritual life.
The 6th Chakra: The 3rd Eye
I saw a 30 year old mother of two a few years ago for therapy after leaving her husband due to domestic violence. After talking abtou the chakras, she noticed that her wisdom had been silenced and muted during the abuse. The way she parented her children gave her evidence that this chakra needed more attention and that she needed to understand the memories with her husband that made her begin to close this off. As she began to heal these memories and her chakra began to open, she experienced physical feeling in her forehead area. Off and on throughout the first week, she felt a dizziness come and go. We watched it to see where it would go, making sure it wasn’t an illness related dizzy and sure enough, when her chakra opened again, the symptoms subsided.
The 5th Chakra: The Throat Chakra
The 4th Chakra: The Heart Chakra
A dad sat in my office learning of his teenage daughter’s secret drug problem. He began to breath deeply and as he did, his hand went over his heart. Why? Because he felt a deep pain for his daughter…the one he loved and his heart chakra became activated. Was it his natural heart? No. His heart chakra at this moment was letting him know that it was being affected. Becoming aware of something like this in the moment will help the situation stay at this level. Noticing how this chakra feels is important so that it does not become overly activated or close itself to more energy.
The 3rd Chakra: The Solar Plexus
The 2nd Chakra: Sacral Chakra
This moves us to the passion/creative side of the chakra outside of sexuality. When creativity and passion are rich, and emotions are authentic, this chakra is flowing nicely. When life feels dead and dark and drive is at a minimal, this chakra could be sluggish or closed. You can see how these chakras speak to the heart chakra and even the 3rd eye. All chakras impact each other!
1st Chakra: Root Chakra
Imagine the opposite extreme, not to lose our footing, but to feel cemented and stuck. Being rooted does not mean becoming rigid and legalistic. “We will never have enough money”, says the man with six figures saved in the bank and a healthy retirement plan. Interestingly enough, he grew up poor worrying about losing electricity and trying to think of how he could work to help the family AND play football. Healing the chronic impact made to this chakra can be an important piece in the healing path. Learning to listen can be priceless.
I Understand What a Chakra is...Now What?!
Remember: meditation is NOT specific to any one religion or spiritual group. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and those not identifying with any religion can safely benefit by sitting and listening to the body. We have a duty to be the best humans we can, to make the world better because of our existence. Meditating through the Chakras can be part of that process.
Gabrielle Anderson is the owner of and a therapist at the Family Therapy Center in Ashburn, Virginia. She is a married mother of two and lives in the Northern Virginia area. Gabrielle can be contacted here.