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66 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON THE HUMAN ENERGY FIELD All branches of the US military spend time and money to prepare soldiers for combat, but it's impossible to be fully prepared for the uncertainty, fear, and trauma inherent in a combat mission. The threat this poses to the human psyche can have potentially devastating consequences over the long term, which in some cases, even surpass those of physical injuries. Physical, emotional, and psychological issues are directly tied to the human energy fi eld. Following are some of the ways a traumatic tour of duty may wreak havoc on the chakra system. First/Root Chakra The fi rst chakra governs survival and the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing, and connection to a system of social support. It corresponds with the adrenal glands, which initiate the fi ght- or-fl ight response to threats. Routine and comfortable familiarity help maintain balance in the fi rst chakra. Being removed from home, family, and friends, and taking part in violent exchanges that threaten survival over extended periods can be very injurious to this chakra. Over time, energetically stored trauma can be triggered and the fi ght-or-fl ight response activated when no actual threat exists, as in the case of PTSD. Second/Sacral Chakra The second chakra governs emotional well-being and the ability to seek out and enjoy pleasurable experiences such as food, positive social interactions, and intimacy. When emotions such as fear and sadness are repressed and pleasurable experiences are scarce, healthy energy fl ow via the second chakra can be disrupted or blocked. This may inhibit experiences of joy, even after the soldier has returned home. Third/Solar Plexus Chakra The third chakra governs sense of self and ego functions. It is the source of personal power and dictates our ability to set and achieve short- and long-term goals for ourselves. The inability to exert individual will and infl uence over one's own life circumstances, as is often the case within the hierarchy of military life, negatively impacts the third chakra. Fourth/Heart Chakra The fourth chakra governs love, trust, unity, and one's sense of connection with others. Soldiers often struggle with the concept of "us" and "them" in combat, and with following orders that result in the deaths of strangers. For members of the military to successfully function in these roles, this chakra must be shut down and barricaded. This self-imposed blockage can be diffi cult to clear upon return to civilian life. Fifth/Throat Chakra The fi fth chakra governs communication. The ability to freely express one's truth and receive incoming ideas without censure indicates a healthy fi fth chakra. This is possible in an environment where differences of opinion are permitted and everyone has an opportunity to speak and be heard. That, however, is not typically the case in military situations. Sixth/Third-Eye Chakra The sixth chakra governs intellect and the ability to integrate and utilize tangible and intangible forms of information. This includes data collected via the fi ve senses, as well as intuition or instinct. These sensory abilities may be heightened in life-or-death situations. Yet, the inability to respond to one's own intuition by escaping or seeking safety may create a disconnect from this valuable, inner GPS system. Crown Chakra Third-Eye Chakra Throat Chakra Heart Chakra Solar Plexus Chakra Sacral Chakra Root Chakra