The spine is part of the physical body and the chakras are part of the energy body, but these bodies are not separate from each other. They connect like a hologram, overlapping and intertwining as the chakras align along the spine. There are minor chakras or energy centers that are linked to the vertebrae that make up the bony structure of the spine. They are also linked to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles that support and move the spine. Each vertebra and surrounding connective tissue has its own corresponding energy center.
Each section of the spine also corresponds to the seven main chakras.
The main chakras that align with the cervical spine (neck) are the throat, forehead, and crown chakras. Through the thoracic spine (mid and upper back) are the heart and solar plexus chakras. Finally, in the lumbar spine (lower back) are the sacral and base chakras.
In addition to being physically and symbolically connected to the body, the chakras relate to particular life lessons or issues that we may be exploring.
Base of the spine: Base Chakra – Stability and security; feet on the ground; trust versus fear; the physical body; the material world
Lower Back: Sacral Chakra – relations; Finance; sexuality; creativity; the birth of new ideas.
Middle back: solar plexus – Seat of personal power; control; “Make it real”.
Upper back between shoulder blades: Heart – Seat of all emotion; Your truth.
Neck (cervical spine): Throat Chakra – Your will; communication of your truth.
Base of the skull: Brow Chakra – Intuition; assimilation; perspective.
Upper part of the skull: Crown Chakra – Sense of purpose; connection with the Source; ability to see the big picture.
The connection between the two is not just isolated from their physical location in relation to the other, it is very much a connection that relates to and mirrors each other. Any holding or tension on a physical level will decrease the free flow of energy through the chakras and any speech through the chakras will have an impact on the movement and mobility of the spine.
Therefore, to achieve a sense of balance through both, we must recognize that they are intrinsically connected and sustained through movement and, at its most effective, movement without impact, restriction, or limitation.
When we physically move into spinal flexion and lean forward, we close the front of the body and open the back of the body, but we also contract the front of our energy centers and expand through the back. later. Symbolically, this movement connects us to what is in the past or what is behind us. Through bending, we not only allow ourselves a means to stretch and open to our past experiences, but we also experience what it is like to collapse, close, and fold in on our energetic selves with inner inquiry.
As we physically return to the upright, extended position, we explore what it means to hold our frame with stability and balance. Our energy centers, front and back, also respond to the sense of this return to balance.
When we hyperextend (bend back) we are opening the front of the body and closing the back of the body. By opening through the front of our chakras, we are energetically expanding, looking outward and forward. We are symbolically welcoming whatever the future may bring.
Through a side bend (lateral flexion) we are physically able to experience a more creative way of moving that is not normally found on a daily basis. Our sides are usually working hard, fixed, stabilizing and holding. As the spine, tendons and ligaments are encouraged to creatively release to the side, so too is the energy of our corresponding chakra.
All of these physical movements provide us with a means to connect and work so that our energy and chakras, throughout the body, flow freely and become balanced.
To ensure that this release and free flow of energy is continuous and nurturing, we could explore the full range of movement available to us through the spine on a daily basis.
Another fundamental connection between the maintenance of the spine and the chakras is the movement of rotation.
Physically, we are able to rotate or twist to varying degrees through different sections of the spine. This torsion is reflected in the movement of the energy of our chakra (or kundalini) that spirals from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
Through the lumbar spine, where the vertebrae are largest and their main function is to stabilize, we have 5 degrees of rotation available. Any loss to this degree of turnover will affect our ability to trust, feel grounded and secure. Subsequently, the muscles of the lower back are tightened to reinforce the support of the body so that we feel safe again. If we encounter difficulties in our relationships, this will also have an impact on this area of the back. Over time, these muscles become stiffer and tighter. The loss of physical movement continues and the movement of energy becomes slower, even stagnant through the sacral and base chakras.
I think it’s important to recognize that because there’s little rotation available here, any loss will have a significant impact on us.
Through the thoracic spine, where the vertebrae work a bit to stabilize but also to provide more mobility, we have 35 degrees of rotation available. Here the chakras speak of the story of our heart and how we make it come true with our solar plexus and our personal power. Represented by collapsed postures while we close our heart or with our chest pushed forward to fight the world. Rotation and therefore release are quickly lost and inaccessible within these grip patterns. It can even cause us deeper pain, physically, trying to free ourselves energetically, through movement.
Finally, through the cervical spine, where the vertebrae give us the most mobility, we have 50 degrees of rotation available. This allows us to have good all-round vision from one shoulder to the front to reach the other shoulder and, through the crown chakra, the ability to see the big picture and have a sense of something bigger. The throat chakra is also connected to the cervical spine. This chakra is most strongly linked with the communication of your Truth. Any difficulty speaking your Truth will result in tightness and retention in the throat, neck, and even jaw. Over time, this will cause restricted range of motion and even loss of motion through the cervical spine, as that feeling of freedom and mobility to speak your Truth becomes more and more stifled. A fixed cervical spine will lead to a narrowing of your field of vision as you no longer have the ability to move your head from side to side. The impact of this on the brow chakra (also related to the cervical spine) is hugely symbolic, as your actual field of vision narrows, leaving you with literally an ever narrowing perspective on the world. The loss of cervical rotation then slows down the energy of the crown through which we have our connection to the source. We struggle to see the big picture and get a sense of something bigger.
To sustain and nurture the free-flowing connection between our spinal health and our energetic health, we would greatly benefit from some form of movement that is outside of our daily norm.
Yoga, T’ai Chi and Pilates ask us for this.
Reiki will also help energetically, which in turn will help physically.
T’ai massage is a form of assisted yoga that helps you move in ways you wouldn’t necessarily be able to move on your own.
Know that by recognizing this incredible connection between your spine and your chakras, you recognize your potential for movement; for change and for change and ultimately that means freedom.
