The seven chakras are energy centers in the body that can be opened in several ways. No activities do this more efficiently than the ones outlined below. I call them the Seven Heavens; each is the largest portal to power their respective chakras, bringing tremendous amounts of energy and pleasure in different ways. Most of them generate pleasing hormones in the body, like oxytocin. Others are functions of the nervous system, releasing dopamine and serotonin in the brain, contributing to happiness and better all-around health. What they all have in common is explosive energy that gets released from the chakras, leading to greater balance among the body’s pathways.
The root chakra's greatest pleasure is defecation. When this happens, the vagus nerve becomes activated, making it feel more enjoyable than something like childbirth. (It seems like a cruel twist of fate that defecation feels so good when giving birth to a child doesn't.) Most people defecate 1-3 times a day on average- some enjoying it more than others! Constipation can be a problem in people with an underdeveloped root chakra.
Having an orgasm is by far the most pleasurable sacral activity. The second chakra is known as the pleasure center, so it follows that what is arguably the most pleasurable feeling in the body should resonate from it. During an orgasm, the hormone oxytocin is released. The larger the release, the more intense the orgasm. A healthy sacral chakra should involve sexual activity 1-5 times a week, depending on how well your mojo is running. Sexual repression can block this energy center.
They say laughter is the best medicine. A good laugh manufactures a lot of endorphins and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that relieve stress and reduce pain. Laughing supplies the navel chakra with energy, resonating strongly in our gut after a heavy guffaw. The average adult only laughs 15-20 times a day. (I've been tracking mine recently; I’m in the 30-40 range). Children laugh amazingly more often, leading to a lot of energy production in their core. If you feel sluggish or have little motivation to move, try aiming higher than 20 laughs per day. It should help create more energy to keep you moving.
"Love is all you need", sang the Beatles, but it's just one of the Seven Heavens- this one aimed at the heart chakra. Loving and cuddling release oxytocin the same way sex does, although at lower levels. High levels of dopamine and norepinephrine are also released when you feel attracted to someone. You also feel more connected to everything when love flows freely through you. The healthiest people usually have 2-3 close people they can share their love with on a daily basis. Having 100 friends without truly loving them in this manner can lead to deficiencies in the heart chakra.
The most resonant of all chakra activities is singing. By singing and dancing, we tap into all the nerve centers by continuous waves of rhythm. Singing also brings emotion to the throat chakra, quenching it with the expression needed to project oneself. Oxytocin is released during singing, as well as endorphins. Some find that there is no greater joy than singing in the shower, or in the car with the windows up. Try to sing once day to a song that fits your mood. You may find that the energy released makes you more comfortable expressing yourself, even when people are around.
Some drugs have the ability to put us in a trance, giving us a "buzz", or making us feel out of this world. Taken in moderation, drugs can open the door to meaningful spiritual experiences. The third eye chakra is the obvious benefactor, revealing hallucinations and perceived personal messages that only a drug could provide. Dreams are similar in that there is sharp activity in the third eye, based not only on pleasure but also on pain. Those able to lucid dream often find their experiences intensely pleasing. People who can’t remember their dreams might benefit from a journal, or doing something creative once a day. The act of creation is a key pleasure, for we never feel more like ourselves than when we bring something new into the world. A lack of sleep can cause severe disturbances in the third eye, let alone overall health.
Last is the apex of the totem, the crown chakra, aroused by pure bliss. Religious experiences can be characterized by it, as well as exercise, achievement, victory, opportunity, and other moments of joy. All of them release endorphins in the brain. Those who find no meaning in life, or suffer from depression, could use a bit of ignition from the above activities. Attend a church, run a mile, win at something. Put yourself out there, try something new. You’ll feel like life is worth it if you try.
Chakras are often overlooked when it comes to basic health. They aren’t recognized by the scientific community because they aren’t observable. However, with a little intuition we can indulge in the idea that there are clusters of nerves, some in proximity to the endocrine glands, which run down the spine and are more or less in alignment with the chakras. That the above sensations resonate so strongly in these nerve centers is proof enough that the chakras exist, at least for me. We should be careful to make sure the flow of energy through our spine is never blocked by a chakra deficiency. Flushing the chakras routinely by using the above activities helps bring balance to our bodies and peace to our minds.
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