When suffering setbacks to our physical health, most people make the assumption that it’s strictly a result of the person who gave us the virus or the accident that caused the injury. However, there’s something generally at the root of why it happened, and that something is a chakra imbalance.

A chakra is an energy center focused on something very vital to our well-being. Our bodies have seven, and each has its own critical responsibility. For example, the first chakra, located at the base of the spine, controls our feelings of safety and stability, while the fifth chakra, situated in the area of our throats, maintains the wellness of our thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as our necks, jaws and mouths. When one of these chakras or another becomes imbalanced, usually a result of physical injury or emotional issues, it loses its energy. This is what makes us susceptible to illness and further injury.

How do we prevent chakra imbalance from happening?

Meditation and yoga are excellent ways to keep your chakras in alignment. In fact, the use of chakra meditation is becoming widespread through its ability to revive tight or stiff muscles and organs and to rid the mind and body of negative emotions that weigh them down. By getting the rid of bad energy and restoring the flow of good energy, individuals are re-energized as a whole.

The art of yoga has been a longtime go-to for relieving stress and improving overall health among its followers. It’s evident, judging by studies conducted and results found, that medical professionals have become believers as well. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers in 2011 reported that yoga exercises helped breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy to better regulate stress hormones and to have better general health. On a similar note, a study conducted by Ohio State University and published in 2014 told us that yoga can reduce fatigue and lower inflammation in breast cancer survivors.

Other findings from research conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have shown yoga effective in improving chronic or recurring back pain and related depression.

With September being National Yoga Month, it’s a great time to explore yoga for balancing your chakras. Contact a local studio to find out if they are offering specials or free classes. You can also learn more about chakra meditation by visiting www.drveronica.com or by joining one of Dr. Veronica Anderson’s ongoing health coaching sessions.