The Sanskrit word for “chakra” means “disk or wheel” and are spinning energy centers or centers of consciousness in the body. They correspond to certain nerve bundles, major organs and areas of our energetic body, which contains our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. There are seven main chakras that align with the spine, starting with the first chakra, “Root” at the base of the spine, traveling up the spine to the seventh chakra “Crown” which is just above the top of the head. Chakras store the energy of our memories, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, actions and life experiences. They are responsible for directing our current and future attitudes, mindset and behaviors, which can directly impact our emotional and physical health.

Staying open, balanced and aligned is vital for the chakra to function at its best. When chakras become blocked or “out of balance” there is a restriction of the flow of energy in the body and one can experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with the particular chakra.

Below, are brief explanations of each of the chakras and what they govern in the body, as well as physical and emotional symptoms that may arise if a chakra is blocked. Bringing the body and its chakras back into balance can be successfully done with different musical instruments.

The high frequency music, used at LightPathways, is specifically chosen to bring the body and its energy system back into balance.

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1st ~ Root Chakra (base of spine/tailbone area)

Foundation of life, physical identity, family, abundance, grounding, stability, security

IMBALANCED Root Chakra

Addictions, arthritis, AIDS, allergies, anorexia, anxiety, bowel, bone or blood disorders, cancer, chronic fear, constipation, depression, eating disorders, fatigue, immune disorders, insomnia, joints, kidney, knee problems, low energy, low back pain, low self-esteem, nervous system, pineal, planter’s fasciitis, scarcity consciousness, sciatica, sugar cravings/sensitivity, thyroid, unmotivated, weight problems

Instruments that directly affect this lower part of the body are:

Drums, cello, trombone, tuba, bassoon and other low tone instruments

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2nd ~ Sacral Chakra (Below belly button)

Emotions, creativity, pleasure, sexuality, sense of connection

IMBALANCED Sacral Chakra

Creative block, dehydration, despair, doubt, endocrine system, eyes/ears, frigidity, hip or joint problems, infertility, impotence, jealousy, lower back pain, low libido, lower intestine, low sex drive, low confidence, menstrual problems, pancreas, pituitary, poor communication, prostate cancer, painful periods, reproductive organs, sciatica, spleen, stomach, uterine / bladder / kidney problems, sense of unworthiness

Instruments: Woodwinds, flute, guitar

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3rd ~ Solar Plexes Chakra (Stomach area)

Confidence, self-esteem, feelings of control, courage

IMBALANCED Solar Plexes Chakra

Adrenal problems, allergies, anger, arrogance, arthritis, birth trauma, bones, chronic fatigue, creative block, depression, diabetes, digestive disorders/poor digestion, eating disorders, emotions, kidney, liver, living in fear, low back pain, low self-esteem, low blood sugar, lungs, lymph, muscular problems, mental disorders, mineral depletion, pancreas, or gallbladder problems, rage, stubbornness, sadness, stomach, ulcers, upper spine problems

Instruments: Organ, harp, guitar

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4th ~ Heart Chakra (Center of chest)

Love, compassion, unconditional acceptance, forgiveness, empathy

IMBALANCED Heart Chakra

Adrenal fatigue, allergies, apnea, asthma, bladder, breast cancer, circulation, depression, fear of intimacy, feeling heartbroken, heart and lung problems, high blood pressure, immune disorders, kidney, low vital energy, mental illness, overworked, respiratory problems, scoliosis, shallow breathing, vagus nerve, thymus issues

Instruments: Harp, bell (classical) instruments that affect the heart area are: string orchestra (think heart strings), English horn, viola, guitar, French horn, the high range of the cello.

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5th ~ Throat Chakra (In throat area)

Verbal communication, expression of own truth

IMBALANCED Throat Chakra

Anxiety, asthma, ear/hearing problems, hypothalamus, jaw / teeth, lungs, lying, mouth ulcers, paranoia, respiratory issues, shyness, stiff neck or shoulders, sore throat, sore throat, speech problems, swollen glands, teeth or gum issues, tonsillitis, TMJ, thyroid problems, thymus,

Instruments: Brass, clarinet, oboe and violin

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6th ~ Third Eye Chakra (Between eyes)

Intuition, imagination, gut instinct, insight, intellect

IMBALANCED Third Eye Chakra

Angry, bipolar, blindness, blurred vision, chronic stress, depression, eye strain, frustration, headaches, hormone imbalance, lack of intuition, left eye issues, migraines, nervous system (ANS), nightmares, neurological problems, pituitary, sleep disorders/insomnia), sinus, unable to forgive

Instruments: Piano, flute, oboe and trumpet, chimes

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7th ~ Crown Chakra (Top of head)

Spiritual connection, connection to self and others, the universe, Higher

intelligence, Living in TRUTH, willingness to surrender

IMBALANCED Crown Chakra

AIDS, ALS, Alzheimer’s/dementia, alienation, apathy, boredom, confusion, depression, epilepsy, exhaustion, feeling disconnected or disjointed, headaches, insomnia, learning disabilities, mental illness, pineal, poor sleep habits right eye issues,

Instruments: Strings, tinkling bells, chimes, crystal bowls and high-pitched sounds