Chakras are centers within us where the currents of life's energies intersect. The yoga tradition has identified several types of energy centers, from the chakras, the major energy centers, to the marma points, the secondary energy centers, to the sandhis or simple junctions. In my yoga practice, we work to balance the chakra centers through meditation, toning, specific yoga poses and affirmations.  As we remove stagnation and open the flow of these energy channels, dramatic healing can occur.

Let's look at other traditions... In practice of the 5 Tibetan Rites, specific movements are used to energize the chakras.  In the ancient Q'ero Nation of Peru, Inka Master Healers use the placement of crystals on the chakra points to remove "heavy energy" and connect with the healing forces of nature. For more information on the Inka tradition, see www.WiraqochaFoundation.org.