Exploring the healing power of energy work

What does it mean, energy work? My understanding, as it stands now, is that every single thing in the whole wide world has a “signature energetic vibration” somewhere along the electromagnetic spectrum, and that these vibrations – in living things particularly – can shift and change for better and for worse. We can work with those changes in various ways. This is energy work.

NASA engineers outfit all spacecraft with devices that generate earth-based energetic frequencies; the electro-magnetic frequencies generated by the planet as a whole. If these aren’t built into spacecraft, astronauts return home unwell. It seems living beings depend on earth-based frequencies for optimal health. Our own organs, joints and tissues have their own specific vibratory frequencies associated with optimal health. Many PEMF devices use these to lessen pain, and to help our systems return to healthy resonance.

Anyone can tune in to energy, and feel their own changing daily in various ways. Emotions are a pretty clear example of moving energy. Physical pain, also. The nervous system itself is an example of information travelling as electrical energy in the body. If we tune in to just about any sensation, there is an electrical, energetic component that we can feel. And it’s damn clear whether it feels good or bad.

Working with your own energy

Anytime I have a Lyme disease symptom flare, I find working with my own energy body extremely helpful. I did a fair amount of this during the California wildfires this September, when my body was struggling with the toxins from burning cars and houses. Really, any time we feel exhausted and in need of rest and repair energy work can be beneficial. And it’s not hard. If you have an imagination, you’re well equipped. Here is one of my favorite ways to play with my own energy body and bring it back toward harmony. (If it leads you to a nap, that’s great!)

Exploring your chakras

The chakras from Yogic traditions are a terrific place to start, if you’re new to working with your own energy. They give you a map to start with. There are seven chakras, each corresponding with different endocrine glands. I usually choose one to work with at a time. Here is a brief list.

1. Root Chakra

The root chakra is at the base of the pelvis, centered around the perineum. It’s associated with the adrenal glands, which regulate stress response.

2. Navel Chakra

The navel chakra hovers right below the belly button. It’s associated with the reproductive glands.

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra is right below the lower ribs at the solar plexus. It’s associated with the pancreas, which helps to regulate digestion.

4. The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is centered over the heart, and is associated with the thymus gland, which helps to regulate immunity.

5. The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is right in the center of the throat, and is associated with the thyroid gland, which helps to regulate metabolism.

6. The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra is in the middle of the forehead, and is associated with the pituitary gland, considered the “master gland”, because it governs many hormones throughout the body.

7. The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra is right on the very top of the head, and is associated with the pineal gland, which helps to regulate sleep and waking cycles.

Working with the energy of your chakras

Pick one chakra that you’d like to explore. Maybe you have some discomfort around that area, or maybe it just calls your name for no known reason. Start by lying down and getting super cozy, eyes closed. Lay your hand over the chakra you want to focus on, or gently tap it to wake up sensations in that area. Then just relax and get quiet.

Notice any sensations in or around the area you’ve chosen to focus on. Let your inhale fill the area, and let your exhale drain it. I love choosing a color to work with – any color on earth is fine, as long as it feels good to you. Let your breath help you visualize the color filling the chakra you’re playing with. The color can fill your chakra internally, and radiate out from the chakra into the space around your body.

You may begin to feel warmth building in the chakra you’re focusing on. I love this feeling. The more you pay attention to your chakra, the warmer it may become. I also love to feel that the chakras aren’t just on the front of the body, but extend all the way through to the back. As you breathe, let color and warmth travel through to the back of your chakra, and radiate out around you.

For me, this is usually enough. I love how the color, light, and heat build in my body, and seem to radiate outward and form a sort of aura around me. I find this kind of meditation extremely peaceful and harmonizing, and sometimes I fall asleep and into some kind of interesting dream as a result.

If you’d like help, try my Calm Stamina meditation, which focuses on harmonizing the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. While listening, tune into the energy of your third eye chakra, and see what happens.

Memories and emotions in the chakras

You may find memories and emotions housed in your different chakras, and they may arise as you play with your energy. This has happened to me many times, especially in my first years with Lyme when I was processing a lot of held pain and anger that I felt contributed to my illness. If painful memories and feelings come up for you, hold them with love. We humans all have them. The energy just needs to move. The more love and compassion you can feel for yourself and your history, the more the energy will flow, and you’ll feel this as it happens. Where this emotional energy takes you can be surprising, and even beautiful.

Thank you for reading! There is magic and mystery in your energy centers.

Shona