“It shames the average man to be valued below his own estimate of his worth.”
Mark Twain - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

The root of many modern emotional problems arises from a less than magnificent opinion of oneself - Low Self-Esteem.  Low Self Esteem resides as a core issue for self-destructive habits that run the gamut from shyness, relationship issues, overeating, and drug abuse.

To overcome low self-esteem, we may work with various methods to bolster the estimate of our worth.  Affirmations and general positive self-talk all contribute to building a positive self­-image.  This work may or may not hold when we encounter a blunt comment or an incident that we perceive is 1) directed towards us and 2) values us below the estimate of our own worth.  Shame emerges, with its emotional baggage to lower our opinion of self down a few notches.

So, how do we arrest this tendency and armor ourselves against these assaults that impugn our value?  We can affirm the brilliance our self worth in the privacy of our own domain. What can we do to lock this work, to “diamond coat” our self-esteem?

Everything in the Universe is energy – the frequency of the vibratory rate determines the “form” the energy assumes.  We are “coalesced” energy, appearing in the form of a human body that creates thoughts and feelings.  The 7 major Chakras are the energetic “blueprint” for our body. Essentially, we are spiritualized matter, prisms for the divine living light.

Since we are “energy manifest,” it makes sense to work with our energetic blueprint to 1) promote a healthy, dynamic image of oneself; 2) provide a method to maintain this healthy sense of self; and 3) be centered in one’s own personal power.

When working with the human energy system, the Chakras, and aura, I have found that a healthy self-esteem results from a process that empowers one to have a "feel good" opinion of self.  Hypnosis is a key to this practice, as it promotes the physiological slowing down of the brainwaves to the alpha, theta, or delta frequencies. Any affirmations or positive self-talk made in this state of mind becomes more effective in re-wiring our neurology to accept the “new” self-image.

Understanding your energetic blueprint is another key component to the journey of embracing one’s self-worth.  The point of power for self-esteem is the Solar Plexus Chakra.  This 3^rd Chakra embodies the archetype of who we are in the universe – our uniqueness as well as our interconnectedness.  This Chakra, which influences the area on our body between the navel and solar plexus, was the attachment point to our birth mother via the umbilical chord. Contained within the 3^rd Chakra energy are the dynamics of our relationship with self, our identity and power, our personal value and thoughts, confidence, and our image of self.  Shame suppresses this Chakra’s ability to function in a balanced and supportive manner.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is a mental Chakra and its healthy functioning is directly linked to our emotional life. Our mind, with our thoughts, regulates our emotional life.  How we think of our emotions frames them in a way that defines our reality and experiences.  The mind, then, is really the originator of our emotions.  Yet, sometimes, it takes an emotional experience to change a thought and imprint it.

Often, we look outside of ourselves for validation of self.  We might look to other relationships - family, friends, and lovers - to affirm our "right to be here."  Through an emotional imprint, we might perceive that these relationships serve as our “correctness” compass.  The Sacral Chakra, or 2^nd Chakra, expresses this energy of how we relate to others on an emotional level. As well, the energetic blueprint of this 2^nd Chakra contains the dynamics of our creativity, sexuality, and the giving and receiving of spiritual, mental, and physical pleasure.

Energetically, a lack of self-esteem can occur when the "wires" are crossed between the Solar Plexus Chakra and the Sacral Chakra.  In this scenario, we do not differentiate between our relationships with others vs. our relationship with self.  We look to others to validate self, and, in the process, give away our personal power.  This leads to an unhealthy relationship with “self” and an eroded self-worth.  When this energetic condition occurs behaviors manifest that range from self-destructive conduct to wanting to over-control all aspects of one’s life, including the actions of others.

I've simplified this, as there can be other dynamics involved as well.  So, how can we tap into our innate energy blueprint to access our inner and universal wisdom?  Here are a few techniques that I’ve used that have had a demonstrable effect on the human energy field and the Chakras.

Hand Movements

Basically, I use a light trance state and directed hand movements over the area of the Solar Plexus and Sacral Chakras, paired with positive affirmations, which address the leading issues with the person's self-esteem (or lack thereof).  For example, "I am a powerful and creative goddess, I create positive thoughts about my life, and others listen to what I have to say."  I instruct the individual to rotate their right hand in a clockwise manner, about 2” to 3” above their body, over an area centered on their navel. This activates the primary energies of both the Solar Plexus and Sacral Chakras and assists in balancing them. Using the Aura/Chakra imaging system, I have seen some dramatic and positive shifts occur using this method.

I instruct the person to use these hand movements & affirmation throughout their day, especially when that self-doubting pit returns to their gut!  Repetition of this movement, paired with affirmations, build and reinforce the positive, resourceful, attributes of these two Chakras.

Chakra Mudras

To the Western mind, a mudra is regarded as a specific hand and finger position, often coupled with the practice of various forms of yoga.

In ancient Hindu writings, a mudra is considered a “seal” – in other words, it confirms and completes, such as a seal is affixed to the back of an envelop when the contents are inserted and the flap is closed down.  When we “seal” a deal, the cycle, or circuit, is complete.

Gertrud Hirschi, in her book Mudras-Yoga in Your Hands, uses the metaphor of a lock to explain mudras as something that conceals that which is unknown. The paradox is that this lock also contains the key to unlock those mysteries.

The hands play an important role in communicating our thoughts, feelings, and intentions.  Compared to other parts of the body, the human hand has a relatively large representation in both the sensory (~ 25%) and motor (~30%) sections of the brain’s cerebral cortex.  Our hands can perceive and process volumes of information to and from the brain, as well as the myriad of thoughts and feelings emanating from the brain’s activities.  The sages of Eastern thought were probably aware of this connection, i.e. how specific hand postures could regulate our thoughts and feelings.  Just as a healthy body laugh produces “feel good” endorphins, so a mudra stimulates “feel good” energy.

So, how do specific hand and finger positions affect our Chakras?  There are three major aspects of our body’s energy system:

1)      Biofield:  Traditionally referred to as the aura, which is generated by

2)      Centers:    The Chakras, which regulate the flow of chi, or energy through the

3)      Pathways:  the Meridians

All of the energy meridians that flow throughout our bodies also run through our hands and fingers.  According to the principles of Hand Reflexology, our hands and fingers are microcosms of our body.   When we form a specific mudra with our hands and fingers, we, in essence, are activating circuitry that connects us with the wisdom of that Chakra.  We are holding our hands in a posture that expresses confidence, balance, and other positive emotions associated with a Chakra.

A mudra can also be thought of as an “anchor” that captures a desired state.  When presenting positive affirmations, and the individual is in the desired state, I instruct them in how to position their fingers for the Solar Plexus Chakra Mudra:  With each hand, place the tip of the thumb on the tip of the index and the ring fingers.  Depending on the situation, I often demonstrate how to do this at the beginning of the session.  They are instructed that, every time they want to have “this feeling of inner power and wisdom”, “this experience of self-worth”, “this image of personal power”, “listening to personal wisdom”, etc. they form the mudra associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra. Not only is this a great anchor, it also reconnects their inner wisdom with their energetic blueprint!

To learn more about the Aura and Chakras, please join me in San Pedro, CA at the IHF Body, Mind, Spirit and Fun Conference on March 7, 2011, 9 AM to 5 PM, for a post conference class, Aura & Chakra Imaging – 7 Keys to Unlock Your Energy Blueprint.

Learn a new paradigm for this ancient wisdom while discovering your energy field.  Find out what works to instantly shift your energy and watch the process via our Aura & Chakra Imaging system.  There will be lots of handouts and hands-on fun! Learn valuable and practical information that will enrich your clients’ and your life.