Chakra balance for recovery is based on the idea that life force flow through people, uniting the mind of body. Chakras are energy hubs that run parallel along the body’s core. Certain ailments and thought patterns, such as addiction, can slow or completely block the flux of energy through each chakra. Even if you don’t subscribe to such beliefs, the chakra model can still serve as a symbolic system of balance to guide your recovery.
Root Chakra
Active addiction creates chaos and stress in every aspect of your life. It rewires your basic survival instincts. A healthy, open root chakra will ground and guide us to make healthy choices for our physical needs. Since it’s our most physical aspect, any activity that gets us in tune with our bodies and builds solid footing will help. Try dancing, exercise and yoga to stimulate the body. Walk outdoors and dabble in gardening to get in touch with nature. Red represents the root chakra, so try eating wholesome red foods like apples, spices and peppers. By fostering a healthy, loving connection to your body, it may become easier to resist toxic addiction triggers.
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra rests just below your naval. It controls your sexuality, emotional well-being, creativity, social connections, and fluidity of new experiences. An off-kilter sacral chakra may cause unhealthy attachments, sap away social warmth, corrupt emotional channels and generate sexual shame. Since a solid recovery mindset is about support, healthy emotional outlets and building confidence, tuning the sacral chakra would be deeply beneficial. You can do this by indulging in orange foods, journaling to soothe frenzied emotions, dancing to your favorite music and surrounding yourself with the right people.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra reminds me of the sun; it radiates energy, willpower and pride. Active addiction is darkness, and it crushes your self-confidence and resolve, hurling the solar plexus chakra into disarray. To find balance here, try spoken affirmations that focus on your worth. Sunlight and fire can also invigorate this chakra. If possible, push beyond your comfort zone and assume a leadership role, such as being a AA/NA sponsor.
Heart Chakra
Anahata, or the heart chakra, literally translates to “unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten.” As an addict, these words may seem foreign to us. A broken heart chakra may cause bursts of anger, loneliness and lack of empathy. No matter what pain we’ve been subject to, healing is possible with patience and tenderness. To coax this chakra into growth, I urge you to volunteer, be honest with your emotions, build healthy relationships and endeavor to be more accepting of life as it comes.
Throat Chakra
A clear throat chakra allows us express ourselves without fear of what others will think. Since addiction tends to subject us to dishonesty and stigma, it’s vital to our recovery journey to heal this chakra. The best way to do this is to use your voice! Loosen up your chords as you sing, scream, chat, chant or yodel. If you’re already an avid talker, try silence; you’ll release the need to be heard and delve within for answers.
Brow (Third Eye) Chakra
This chakra is all about intuition and wisdom. Addiction sabotages these traits by skewing reality and disconnecting you from a greater purpose. Immerse yourself in nature to rebuild your bond with the world. Consume brainpower foods high in omegas such as fish, nuts and dark, leafy vegetables. Antoxidant-rich sustenance like blueberries (indigo is the brow chakra’s color), strawberries and dark chocolate can enhance brain activity and memory. By fortifying your brain, you strengthen your commitment to recovery.
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra embraces “oneness”, the art of simply being and connecting with the spiritual energy around us. Addiction robs us of that communion by utterly dominating our lives and locking us into ourselves. Meditation, cardio, volunteering and breathing clean, fresh air in the sunshine can heal your crown chakra. Overall, the actions you take to balance all of the chakras will balance to this one.
These are just the basics to balancing the chakras. I know much of it is easier said than done, but it helps to set goals. If this visualization of the healing process appeals to you, I urge you to explore the many resources that are out there.
Photo by: Ray Burr CyberPunk65 (Flickr)
