According to the ancient Hindus, chakras are the human body's main energy centers; they are acknowledged as an essential part of our life force which help keep our mind and body functioning together harmoniously in top-notch condition. Although not physically visible, chakras are associated with our body's major endocrinal glands (which are visible).

Chakras are responsible for regulating the energy that flow into and from our body. This continuous interplay of energy within our body, the environment and objects we come in contact with ultimately requires that our chakras remain in balance in order to be able to function as best as possible for our benefit.

Our seven primary chakras each correspond to a particular part of our endocrine system. Everything we experience is intimately related to our chakras.

Physical, emotional and mental stress can cause imbalance in the function of our chakras and when this occurs we feel lethargic or show signs of physical illnesses. This illness is a manifestation that there is something not right about how our chakra functions.

To get the most of the harmonious function of our chakras, chakra balance must be maintained. Regular chakra balancing is key to keeping in good health, similar to the way that a machine needs preventative maintenance.

Importance of Chakra Balancing: Many different methods can be used to keep our chakras in proper balance. The goal of those who want to lead a happy, healthy and productive life is to keep their chakras in perfect balance with one another.

For starters, you have to understand that each individual chakra has its own frequency vibration that corresponds to naturally-occurring frequencies that are present in the environment. It is through these unique frequencies that each individual chakra receives and/or transmits energy referred to as chi, qi, or prana.

During periods of illnesses, our chakras are still functioning but may be out of synch which can hamper the free flow of energy to further aggravate our physical and/or mental and emotional illness. Other contributory factors to the malfunction of our chakra system are undue stress or the inability to cope, suppressed emotions, unhealthy food intake, and lack of exercise.

Though they may be out of synch and not function at their best from time to time, their balance can be restored.

Tools of Chakra Balancing: The most common tools used to restore the balance of chakras are color, crystals and gems, light, sound and aroma therapy.

Colors: Commonly used colors and their corresponding chakras are red (the root chakra), orange (the sacral chakra), yellow (the solar plexus chakra), green and turquoise (the heart chakra), blue (the throat chakra), violet (the crown chakra) and white for any of the primary chakras.

Crystals and Gems: Gems, crystals and stones have been used in chakra balancing for thousands of years. Each chakra corresponds to a different color, as we now know; so the laying of gems or crystals of the appropriate color on the location of a chakra can help to restore balance. This can help the body properly heal.

And because crystals and gems reflect light which results in various colors, the resulting play of light and color into the body through the chakra points also result in the balance of the chakra system.

Light: The use of light therapy employs light on the eyes, acupuncture meridian points, and the body's reflex zones to deliver the correct frequency to restore health. Since light emits detectable and invisible light frequencies at the same time, they also have the same specific frequency and resonance required by the body's chakra system. Due to the wide spectrum of light, they are considered as more effective in achieving the necessary balance of the body's chakras system.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of scented candles, fragrant massage oils and bath soaps in order to capitalize on the healing properties and physiological effects of the chemical ingredients of plants? essential oils that make up the base product. Essential oils are able to clean, set free and restore an individual's stability of thoughts and emotions because they can affect a person's mental, emotion and spiritual aspects. Aromatherapy is generally employed to relieve stress, promote physical and mental relaxation, combat fatigue and depression and as an aid to meditation.

Sound: Sound therapy creates chakra-resonant frequencies and produces a sensation of well being using tuning forks, soft music, Tibetan singing bowls and other means. Sound has natural soothing and chakra balancing properties and appeals to emotional response as well. A soothing, beautiful sound fosters relaxation and balance while a harsh one causes an anxious state. Sound can speed up healing and promote a higher state of consciousness.

It once was that chakra balancing was a lengthy and difficult process. Now, thanks to innovations in audio technology such as subliminal sound, binaural frequencies and self-hypnosis recordings, chakra balancing is a much simpler thing than it was even a few decades ago.