Chakra/energy systems
We are all made up of energy. This has been proven and scientifically accepted as we can see with the use of diagnostic imaging, EKG, and other medical diagnostic tools. Think MRI and CT scans that use the electrical signatures of the body to create an image, or EKG that records the electrical pulses of the heart.
From a Western medicine perspective, which is more anatomically focused we look at energy in the form of electrical messages. Specifically, for the purposes of this talk, we are looking at the electrical messages that travel along nerves.
The nervous system has two main parts: the Central Nervous System that contains the brain and the spinal cord and the Peripheral Nervous System, that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are different categories of nerve bundles within the peripheral nervous system, but for the purposes of our talk today and for simplicity, we are focusing on the autonomic nervous system that controls the involuntary actions of the body. This system is divided into two categories of sympathetic and parasympathetic. When we look at where the major nerve networks lie within the parasympathetic nervous system, we see they are located along the spine and at specific glands. The brain is then connected to these via the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is one of the body’s communication pathways. The vagus nerve runs from the colon to the brain carrying information from the body’s organs and glands to the brain to be deciphered.
That was a lot of information, what’s the take away? When we are looking at the body’s communication pathway for electrical messages, we are looking at the vagus nerve (the big-dog) that is fed information from major nerve plexus or ‘network hubs’ that is located along the spine next to the body’s major glands. So let’s pin that.
From a metaphysical perspective, energy or life force, travels in and out of the body
There are 7 energy centers along the spine called chakras.
Chakras are aspects of consciousness, and they interact with the physical and energetic body through two major vehicles, the endocrine system and the nervous system.
Why is this important? Because when we overlay a diagram of the vagus nerve and the major nerve ‘hubs’ that I previously described over where the chakras are located, we see that the chakras are in the same place as those physical hubs and glands. Its beautiful how what we perceive as polar opposite approaches to healing are actually talking about the same things; medicine and energy healing. It’s the same canvas (the body) different interpretation of the scenary.
Each chakra or energy system has a corresponding gland as well as several other associations such as color or musical note. It is the frequency, whether it is sound, smell, color, etc that the energy system responds to.
Emotions are energy in motion, and energy preceeds matter. Emotions they carry their own frequency, and so emotions can have a large impact on these energy centers which can then manifest into a physical condition.
Throat - hypothyroid
The throat chakra is associated with the color blue. In this energy center, we are looking at expression of truth. Speaking our truth, expression through our voice. This center is connecting our higher selves with our heart chakra which is all about compassion. Combining the two, for a healthy throat chakra we want to speak our truth with compassion and express our authentic self. Telling lies or gossiping would negatively impact this center.
The thyroid is the gland located in this center. Therefore, it is impacted by stagnation of the energy within this center.
For energy workers, it is commonly accepted those with hypothyroid conditions also have stagnation in the throat chakra typically due to not speaking their truth or not being able to express their authentic selves.
This is most commonly seen in women, as we have been told to ‘be seen and not heard’, ‘speak quietly’, ‘don’t say ugly things’, or have had our power taken away in other ways resulting in suppression and oppression.
Root - Hashimotos
This energy system is associated with the color red. Here were are looking at our most basic, primal needs being met. We are looking for safety and security. This is the first energy system to mature. So think of an infant. They need to have their needs met. Food, water, shelter, survival. Even pack loyalty, which translates to where in your immediate family do you fit and who is going to meet your needs and where do you feel safe. We are creating our foundation from which we will build our identity.
So when we are looking at Hashimoto's, we are taking the thyroid condition a step further in that the body’s immune system is treating it like a foreign invader.
For me, I believe the reason for the difference between how the body reacts to hypothyroid (think lack of use of the voice to speak and express) to Hashimoto’s (the body trying to get rid of that which no longer serves or is viewed foreign) is because of the involvement in stagnation at the root chakra.
Our body’s first line of defense is the immune system. Keeping us ‘safe’ from what would harm our body. So, dysfunction in the immune system would be reflective of stagnation in the Root chakra.
Let’s then combine the two stagnations and illustrate how that would manifest into Hashimoto’s. As I mentioned, the Root chakra is the first to mature, from conception to about age 7.
Can you think of a time during those ages that you NEEDED something. Doesn’t matter how important it seems now, but at that early age it was super important to you for whatever reason. And you were told no in such a way that you felt completely shut down, that you were not being heard, that you wanted to make them understand why it was so important to you, but you didn’t feel safe talking about it anymore. You were silenced.
At the Root chakra level, your needs were not being met, you did not feel safe using your voice, and at the Throat chakra level you were silenced from communicating your needs.
As a practitioner, that statement is it in a nutshell: ‘I did not feel safe communicating my needs’.
Now, will everyone that has that type of experience develop Hashimotos? No, certainly not! We are all individuals, with unique needs and unique experiences on several different levels. But at an energic level, this is something I am taking into consideration clients.
What to do?
Journal! That is my go-to first recommendation when dealing with energy is to journal how you feel, what is your experience. I find that is a very powerful tool to help people get to answers and experiences they cannot come to on their own.
For the Root, there are several supportive tools which carry a frequency that will help you connect to the Root, but it will not do the work for you!
Essential oils cinnamon, cedar, clove
Stones ruby, bloodstone, black tourmaline
The color red, a red scarf, red candle, red shoes, consuming red colored foods.
Minerals because they are of the earth, literally consuming what the earth has to offer
Protein, because while consuming animals, we are consuming the vitality of the earth
Root vegetables, because they have spent their entire lives living in the earth. They are intimately connected and tend to be high in minerals.
What is the work? Once you are able to connect to the Root center, to remove stagnation you need to identify, recognize, and face the fear. You then can journal about the fear, write a letter to your inner child regarding forgiveness, tell that child you are safe. Are you not safe in your present? Do you not feel secure? Those feelings need to be faced and dealt with.
What about the throat? We can’t forget about the throat!
Essential oils rosemary, lavender, geranium
Stones turquoise, aquamarine
The color blue is associated with the throat chakra, so things that carry the blue frequency like blueberries and blackberries for food.
Moist foods to help lubricate the throat help to support this area as well like herbal teas, soups and stews, or moist fruit like watermelon.
Since this area is all about expressing your authentic self and speaking your truth I recommend practicing speaking your truth, and for those with Hashimoto’s, expressing your needs. For some it might start slowly. They may have lost connection with what they need and the first step might actually be divorcing martyrdom. Recognizing those situations where you said yes, when you wanted to say no.
Honoring your boundaries can be extremely difficult for those that have the outlook that their needs do not matter compared to others. So, recognizing your needs and practicing say no. Maybe instead of giving an answer right away, your default answer is ‘that sounds interesting, let me get back to you’ giving yourself space to explore if it is what you actually want to do. If you want to decline, do not make up an excuse! You are not doing yourself any favors by lying. Simply say ‘No thank you, maybe next time’ or something along those lines. As you practice more and become more comfortable speaking your truth and asking others around you to honor your needs, you can begin to elaborate more so that others understand your boundaries. If you are speaking from a place of love, you are honoring both yourself and those you are communicating with.
Above all, know that words are powerful. Always speak from your heart, from a place of love. Love for yourself and for others. When we are expanding our voice and power of will (Heart and Throat chakra), remember every thought, every word, and every action is an act of power that has consequences on a biological, environmental, social, personal, and global scale.
In practice, I am a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner first. I work with clients to identify areas that their body is calling for support. I help them answer that need through diet, supplements, oils, and lifestyle changes such as strategies to manage stress. But, through working with clients, I cannot ignore the need to address the emotional and energetic support needs of the client. I have found that when these are recognized and addressed, healing can continue to move forward. This is why I continued my education to include energy work.
Jennifer’s Food and Spirit Practitioner training is the perfect bridge that allows me to address diet while addressing the energetic profiles. Understanding how each of the energy systems work, what helps clients connect to these centers, and educating them what physical and emotional symptoms present when an energy center needs support. This training has equipped me with tools that I can then explore with clients to see which one resonates with them that will allow them to balance and remove stagnations.
Jennifer’s passion lies in helping clients reconnect to themselves and tap into multiple resources benefiting the client mind, body, and spirit. It’s like learning a new language. Deciphering the physical and emotional messages that your body gives you to let you know it needs help. Once you are fluent, you will find you have a life partner that loves and values the beauty and uniqueness of you.