Sirena Bernal is a nutrition and lifestyle expert who specializes in the chakra system. In this guest post, Sirena gives tips for resolving common issues through different healing methods. The views expressed herein are hers and hers alone. Read more from Sirena at www.sirenabernal.com.

Greatist hasn't yet covered ancient healing practices like the chakra system, but we're advocates of a holistic approach to health and fitness. We're always open to exploring new paths to health and happiness and to giving their practitioners a forum.

As we go through life we inevitably hit roadblocks and even some dead ends. These obstacles teach us valuable lessons and help us grow. But what if you keep getting stuck in the same corners? Regardless of what you try, you fall back into similar patterns that prevent you from really accelerating in life.

Whether it’s relationships that all have the same made-for-TV ending or perpetual credit card debt, these problems could be signs of a deeper underlying issue, and perhaps even a blockage in one or more of your chakras.

The Chakra System

The chakras are an ancient Hindu system of healing dating as far back as 2500 B.C. According to Ayurvedic medicine, the chakras are energy zones in the body that correspond to specific glands in the endocrine system. They’re closely tied to our health, and to our emotional and spiritual development.

The chakra system consists of seven energy centers located along the mid-line of the body. They start at the base of the spine, at the root or first chakra and travel up to the top of the head, which caps off at the crown, or seventh chakra. Each chakra also has a corresponding color, smell, taste, sound, and even crystal.

When one chakra is blocked, we can see disharmony not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For instance, if you find that it is difficult for you to speak your mind or express yourself, it could be a blockage in your fifth chakra, located at your throat. If you seem to end up in relationships that lack passion or physical intimacy, or if you are struggling with your sexual identity, a blockage in the second chakra could be the reason. The first chakra would be worth looking into if you find yourself constantly worrying about money and your financial security.

At these energy centers a higher level of healing can take place. By combining this esoteric healing modality with sound nutrition and lifestyle modifications, we can heal physical ailments and remove roadblocks that are preventing us from moving ahead in our lives.

Re-Balancing the Chakras

If you suspect that a certain chakra needs a little TLC, there are plenty of ways to restore balance. Here are some of the most common:

Reiki — This Japanese form of energy healing and stress reduction channels the Universal Life Force energy into the body to restore balance. It’s a great healing modality for those who are new to re-balancing the chakra. In a typical Reiki sesion, the practitioner guides the client through a meditation using light touch and calming music. Reiki helps tap into the sixth and seventh chakras, so it can help boost powers of intuition.

Sound Healing – An experienced practitioner or shaman performs healing with instruments like flutes, drums, and bells. The vibrations of sound are used to cleanse or re-balance the chakra system. Sound healing helps clear negative energy from past experiences and re-balance the first and second chakra. Those seeking help with issues regarding financial stability and sexual identity may find healing with sound therapy very beneficial.

Crystal Therapy – Since each chakra vibrates on its own frequency, there are corresponding crystals that can help restore balance. If you’re missing a friend or a loved one, holding a rose quartz stone can help heal the heart, or fourth chakra, which is tied to love and relationships. If you’re going through a break-up or having a difficult time in a current relationship, keeping a rose quartz gem in your pocket or on a necklace can help re-balance the heart chakra, as the crystals have a greater effect when they are placed near the corresponding energy center.

Aromatherapy – Essential oils can trigger various physical responses in the body that help restore balance in the chakra system. For instance, lavender soothes your first chakra, where your adrenal glands initiate the stress response. Lavender can also help you sleep more deeply. The olfactory bulbs of the nose (the glands that control our sense of smell) are directly tied to the limbic system in the brain, which controls emotions, behavior and long-term memory. Certain smells trigger very specific emotions and can help heal our chakras.

Meditations – Various meditations target specific chakras based on an emotion or a developmental stage of life. Meditation could be sitting in silence while you repeat a mantra to yourself (I’m awesome and will be successful in my career!) or even journaling your thoughts. If you’re stuck in writers block, journaling is a great way to rebalance the fifth chakra.

Nutritional Therapy – Various foods and flavors can also help target certain chakras. Since the third chakra, or solar plexus, is linked directly to our digestive system and pancreas, those suffering from food allergies, food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, or even diabetes may find some relief in nutritional therapy.

Movement Therapy – Different yoga poses and tai chi-based movements can stimulate energy in parts of the body that correspond to specific chakras. Any of the seven chakras would benefit from movement therapy, although the first four chakras tend to respond best. These chakras are “grounding” chakras, the more physical chakras that tie us to the earth. Yoga, qi qong, and tai chi are very commonly used to help bring energy and balance back to our entire chakra system.

Perhaps the next time you find yourself stuck or struggling, take a moment to see if there’s something else going on under the surface. By first identifying which areas of your life you are struggling with, you can work on bringing balance and harmony back to the corresponding chakra. When all the chakras are working together, the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life begin to work in sync. When that happens, you will find fulfillment and happiness in everything that you do.