Our life force or Prana/Chi is found in two energetic systems. One extends out from our physical body in seven layers. These ENERGY LAYERS are often called our Auric field. The second energy system resides inside our physical body and is called ENERGY CENTERS or chakras.
Energy Layers of our Auric Field
Surrounding the physical body there are seven energy layers. Collectively these layers can be called your AURA. The physical body is directly affected by all seven layers surrounding it. These seven energy layers move from the densest, our physical body, to the most subtle layer farthest away from our physical body.
1st Layer ‘Etheric Body’
Just outside the physical body, the Etheric Body is the innermost of the seven subtle bodies. Extending only a couple of inches from you, it is the one that affects your physical body the most. The etheric body has the lowest vibrational frequency as it is the blueprint for the physical body, and thus the most dense. Helpful therapies:
Acupuncture
Reiki
Qigong
2nd Layer ‘Emotional Body’
The emotional body dictates your feelings. This is the part of the aura that will change to many different colors of the rainbow depending on your emotions.
Problems in your emotional body can manifest as:
Frequent arguments with others
Anxiety and depression
Volatile emotions Healing the emotional body by taking responsibility for your emotions can be helpful in moving forward from old grudges or sad past events.
3rd Layer ‘Mental Body’
All thoughts and mental processes
The use of the imagination
Memory
Information gathering
4th Layer ‘Astral Body’
The astral body is the bridge between the physical body and the spiritual realm. The astral body transcends the physical and acts as a connector to the spiritual. It allows you to explore the non-physical realm and enter into other dimensions.
5th Layer ‘Etheric Template Body’
The etheric template body is the blueprint for your physical body.
It exists long before your physical body does and can be the key to very deep healing.
6th Layer ‘Celestial Body’
The celestial body is the body that connects us to the Divine.
Through the heart chakra, the celestial body allows you to reach a level of awareness and connectedness that aligns you with the universe.
The celestial body vibrates on the frequency of:
Pure bliss
Joy
Unconditional love
The celestial body exists purely in the spiritual realm and connecting to the celestial body often happens through spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting, yoga, when the more lower bodies are quiet.
7th Layer ‘Causal Body’
The causal body is sometimes described as the soul because it contains all of the information of the lower bodies, as well as the knowledge that you are one with the Divine. The causal body is also thought to be the part of you that reincarnates. After each life, the causal body retains the information of the other bodies below it and takes that into the next life.
We heighten the vibration of these seven layers through practices such as yoga, meditation, prayer, fasting, chanting, and connecting to nature. The energy of these seven layers is experienced through the seven main energy centers in our physical body called chakras. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy which correspond to bundles of nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body. The chakras affect our emotional and physical well-being. In optimal health we experience free-flowing, strong and vibrant energy. Blocked or stagnant energy represents an imbalance and potential health issues.
Chakras or Energy Centers
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Sits at the base of the spine and represents foundation, grounding, and stability. When the root chakra is open, we feel confident in our ability to withstand challenges and stand on our own two feet. When it's blocked, we feel threatened, as if we're standing on unstable ground.
Location: Base of spine, in tailbone area
What it controls: Survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Stone: Hematite
Yoga pose: Warrior I
2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
This chakra helps inform how we relate to our emotions and the emotions of others. It also governs creativity, the sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality. Those with a blocked sacral chakra could feel a lack of control in their lives.
Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel
What it controls: Your sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Stone: Tiger's Eye
Yoga pose: Bound Angle Pose
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The solar plexus chakra, located in solar plexus speaks to your ability to be confident and in control of your life. If your solar plexus chakra is blocked,
you might feel overwhelming amounts of shame and self-doubt.
Those with open sacral chakras are free to express their true selves.
Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area
What it controls: Self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Stone: Amber
Yoga pose: Boat Pose
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The bridge between the lower chakras (associated with material world) and the upper chakras (associated with spirituality-Divinity). This chakra can influence our ability to give and receive love—from others and ourselves.
Someone with a blocked heart chakra will have difficulty fully opening up to the people in their life. When the heart is open, they can experience deep compassion and empathy.
Location: Center of chest, just above the heart
What it controls: Love, joy, and inner peace
Color: Green
Element: Air
Stone: Rose Quartz
Yoga pose: Camel Pose
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
This chakra gives voice to the heart chakra and controls our ability to communicate our personal power. When it's functioning at full capacity,
it allows us to express ourselves truly and clearly. A blocked throat chakra will feel like you have trouble finding the words to say how you truly feel.
Location: Throat
What it controls: Communication, self-expression, and truth
Color: Light Blue/Turquoise
Element: Sound/Music
Stone: Aquamarine
Yoga pose: Fish Pose
6. Third-Eye Chakra (Ajna) Eye to the Soul
As we move up the body, we're getting closer to communion with the divine.
controls our ability to see the big picture and connect to intuition. The third eye registers information beyond the surface level. Visions and intuitive hits are heightened for someone with an open third-eye chakra.
Location: Forehead between the eyes (also called the Brow Chakra)
What it controls: Intuition, imagination, and wisdom
Color: Dark Blue/Purple
Element: Light
Stone: Amethyst
Yoga pose: Child's Pose
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The highest chakra, sits at the crown of the head and represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually. When you fully open your crown chakra you are able to access a higher consciousness.
Location: The very top of the head
What it controls: Inner and outer beauty, spiritual connection
Color: Violet/White
Element: Divine Consciousness
Stone: Clear quartz
Yoga pose: Headstand