May 20, 2021

Physically, Mentally, Emotionally & Spiritually: Taking a look at our energy levels by Gail Donnan

Guest writer, Gail Donnan author of The Gateway: A journey to reclaim your power from stress and anxiety, writes about taking a look at your energy levels and recognising that energy is a living moving force that stimulates the body’s innate ability to heal.

Aromatherapy, Crystal Healing and Grounding Chakra Set.

In this blog I have the pleasure of covering Jennifer Young’s wonderful Root Balance Kit but, before I start, I wanted to cover some fundamental principles that Chakras, Aromatherapy and Crystals all have in common and why they can improve our mental health.

What do they have in common?

Your vibration is a fancy way of describing our overall state of being. Everything in the universe is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies including humans. From a scientific and metaphysical perspective we are a ‘being’ that is made up of different energy levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Recognising that energy is a living moving force that stimulates the body’s innate ability to heal is vital to understanding energy medicine and how complementary therapies promote health, balance and relaxation.

What are Chakras?

Most people these days have heard something of Chakras and the idea that the mind and body co-exist on a spiritual continuum is pretty mainstream. We are slowly moving away from the 17th Century science that taught that the superior mind controls the body and theories of energy healing are starting to influence both medicine and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, disconnection from the body still seems to be a cultural epidemic.

The Chakra system came to West via Yoga within ancient, Indian texts designed to join together the individual with the life force energy, through mental and spiritual practices. Interestingly, it is a seven-levelled philosophical model of the universe.

The word Chakra translate as ‘wheel’ or ‘disk’ and refers to a spinning disk of bioenergetics activity that comes from the major nerve ganglia branch at the spinal column. There are seven main Chakras stacked in a column beginning at the base of the spine to the crown.

Chakras are vital energy centres that open in sequence during crucial stages of childhood. In a fast paced world we need to continue to upgrade our operating systems and learn new applications of these universal principles. Being busy is a badge of honour and complex challenges are met through a veil of emotional wounds that compromise us which is sadly taken for granted culturally.

Chakras may be too open with poor discrimination and filters; others get bogged down with avoidance patterns and remain closed. Unconscious defence patterns create excessive and deficient coping strategies that over time throw your system out of balance affecting your body’s health and life quality.

Root Chakra

Muladhara or Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and orientated towards self-preservation, our physical identity, our purpose and our right to be here. It relates to our roots, grounding, nourishment, trust, health, home, family and boundaries. If we have deficient energy in this chakra we can become disconnected from the body, fearful, anxious, have poor boundaries and extremely unorganised. If we have excess energy we may suffer from greed, be overly attached to the material, become sluggish, insecure and have rigid boundaries. To balance this chakra we need to reconnect with the body through massage and touch therapies, physical activity, hatha yoga, meditation, using crystals and aromatherapy to become balanced, grounded, comfortable in our bodies, safe, secure and have the ability to relax. Issues that can cause a deficiency or an excess are neglect, major illness, surgery, abuse and trauma.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using aromatic plant extracts known as essential oils which are highly concentrated and are used for therapeutic benefit either singly or blended to improve our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Essential oils that calm the mind or lift our mood have been used for thousands of year with holistic therapies, yoga and meditation.

There are over a hundred essential oils and each one has a unique chemistry. Aromatherapy works mainly through our sense of smell where the molecules travel to the top of the nose where they come into contact with olfactory nerve cells which have tiny hairs that can recognise a specific aroma. Scientists believe that the activity of the nerve signal passing through this area alter our brain chemistry.

Root Balance Oil

Dependant on their properties essential oils can either relax or stimulate us. Jennifer Young’s Root Balance oil is a blended oil which means the essential oils are mixed in a base or carrier oil (grape seed oil and Vitamin E), Frankincense (induces feelings of peace and relaxation), Myrrh (emotional balance and meditation), Patchouli (anxiety, nerves and emotional balance), Vetiver (calms anxiety, anger and fights against stress) and Lavender (calming effect, proven to induce relaxation and sleep).

Aromatherapy is also a helpful tool through transition because we can use the power of our aromatic memory to create an anchor of calm, familiarisation and safety. Blended essential oils are advised to be applied to the wrist and temples as the blood is flowing close to the surface of the skin at our pulse points so the essential oils can filter into the bloodstream quickly. Essential oils have been used for centuries to clear negative energy blockages in the chakras and the oils found in Root Balance Oil connect us to our ability to feel grounded and safe. I always like to put a few drops on a tissue if I am out and about too.

Crystals

All minerals growing within the Earth have powerful energies, containing the stored natural powers of their formation over millions of years. Crystals are solids and made of particles that are closely compacted in regular formation. They do have a small amount of space around them to allow for a tiny amount of movement which can cause a vibration.

Quartz (used in wrist watches and straighteners) is piezoelectric which means it is capable of generating an electrical charge when under stress and so we know has a definite measurable energy. Holding a crystal and allowing it to resonate with your own energy and letting it assist us in our healing efforts for our own benefit or to heal another is extremely powerful.

Garnet stone which is included in the kits enhances emotions in a positive way and promotes positive thinking. It has protective energy and its connection with the root chakra helps it to ground dreams in reality, bring abundance and build inspiration and creativity. It is used to enhance sexuality, sensuality and is a stone of regeneration and vitality.

Every crystal has different properties, energies and meaning and when a crystal enters your energy field it changes the vibrations slightly which adds to its healing properties. They are non-intrusive and a holistic approach to wellness. The huge energy input in the creation of crystals transforms into power for spirituality and healing.

Activating and awakening crystals

When you first use crystals, clearing and cleansing them helps them return to their original energy, just placing them in running water is sufficient. After cleansing you will need to activate them by holding them in your hands while they pick up your vibrations and become attuned to you. Program them with an intention (purpose or goal) which will remain with the crystals until you remove it or change it. Intentions are important because they create focus and energy. You can also put your crystals outside under a full moon to re-charge their energy, oh and for years every day I always keep a couple of crystals on me in person (but where would be oversharing)! Finally, to build resilience and maintain balance I would thoroughly recommend adding a Root Balance Kit to your mental health toolbox.

Please note that the above is intended to enhance traditional approaches to your medical care rather than replace.

Gail Donnan has written two books on holistic mental and physical health for adults and children, has taught holistic therapies in further education for ten years and has a private therapy practice in Yorkshire.