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Chakras are energy or power centres that are positioned along the body. They function as energy transformers, taking the energy from the environment around you and transporting it into and around your body; conversely they also take energy from your body and expel it into the environment. The chakras also change this energy into a form that your body can use and is vital for your health and well-being.

In Sanskrit the word chakra means "wheel" and refers to the shape and the spinning nature of chakras. A healthy and balanced chakra will spin quicker than one out of balance and will be able to transform the energies around you faster.

There are seven main chakra centres that are positioned along the spine from the coccyx at the base all the way up to the top of your head. Each of these is associated with different emotions and parts of the body. Other chakras centres are located on the hands and feet.

Some people do claim to be able to see chakras, but if you're like most people and you can't then you can imagine them as spinning vortexes of light, coming out of your body at right angles, with each chakra a different colour of the rainbow.

The seven major chakras are positioned over the various endocrine glands that are found in the body, such as the adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands. These glands are responsible for secreting the hormones that regulate the physical and emotional processes in your body such as happiness, energy levels and physical desire. The chakra associated with each gland helps to keep this secretion balanced. Keeping your chakras balanced and healthy therefore will help to keep the hormone levels in your body balanced resulting in emotional and physical well-being.

If you're finding it hard to imagine how the chakras work then here's an example that might help --

Have you ever gone to a really vibrant restaurant or bar feeling completely exhausted and in a bad mood but when you left were full of energy and all the joys of spring? This of course could in part be due to the great people you met that night but if you think about it carefully you might have noticed the mood of the venue and felt your spirits lift soon after you walked through the door. At this point your chakras got to work and started to take this vibrant energy for you and your body whilst at the same time getting rid of all the negative energy that was making you so tired and grouchy. So in no time at all, and with no effort or thought, you have just helped to balance your chakras and stay on the road to good mental and physical health.

Of course you don't have to spend all your free time in happening bars to help you balance your chakras, there are many far simpler and easier ways to do this including meditation, crystal therapy, sound therapy and massage, even just visualising them spinning vibrantly and full of light will have beneficial results.

If your chakras are out of balance for any period of time it can, apart from having a negative affect upon your emotional well being, manifest itself in the form of disease. Have a look through the brief guide to each of the chakras, listed below, you can use it to assess whether any of your chakras need aligning and activating.

Root Chakra - Located at the base of the spine this chakra is the centre of your basic needs for security, belonging and survival and is the chakra that connects us with the physical earth. The colour red, the adrenal gland and the element earth are associated with this chakra.

When balanced one will feel connected to nature and have a trust in nature's laws. Out of balance this chakra could cause health problems with the rectum and hips, such as haemorrhoids and constipation. Examples of emotional problems could be too much attention and focus on material possessions and an inability to trust nature.

Sacral Chakra -- Located near the genitals this chakra is the centre for your creativity, sexual energy and pure emotions. It is associated with the colour orange, the reproductive glands, and the element water.

When this chakra is in balance one will be friendly, open and will have no trouble sharing feelings with others. Health issues associated with this chakra if out of balance are problems with the reproductive and urinary systems. Emotional concerns would be a worry around sexual and emotional issues.

Solar Plexus Chakra -- Located at the solar plexus, just below the navel, this chakra is where the personality is formed and is associated with feelings of self worth, identity, determination, personal power and passion. The colour for this chakra is yellow and is associated with the pancreas and the element fire.

When balanced this chakra will give one a sense of inner calm and peace, and tolerance towards others. If this chakra is out of balance possible health concerns could be problems with the stomach, spleen and small intestine. Diabetes, liver disease and ulcers are also possible problems. Emotional issues would be manifested by a need to dominate and a need for material security and wealth.

Heart Chakra -- This chakra is located at the centre of the chest and is where feelings and emotions are processed, including compassion, vulnerability, tenderness, detachment, hurt, bitterness, courage and forgiveness. It is associated with the colour green, the thymus gland and the element air.

When balanced the heart chakra will give one a feeling of wholeness and an acceptance of life and relationships. Out of balance will often mean a problem with accepting love from others or loving insincerely or for rewards. Possible physical problems could be heart problems, blood disease or problems with the immune system.

Throat Chakra -- This chakra is located between the collar bones and is where emotions are mediated and communicated. The colour light blue, the adrenal gland and the element ether are associated with this chakra.

When this chakra is in balance one will find it easy to be expressive, to communicate thoughts and ideas clearly, and trust one's intuition. Possible problems when out of balance will be sore throats, thyroid problems, tonsillitis and hearing difficulties. It could also be manifested by an inability to speak out or incessant chattering.

Third Eye -- This chakra is located between the eyes and is associated with intuition. It is associated with the colour indigo, the pituitary gland and all the elements.

When the third eye chakra is in balance one will feel connected to the universe, be aware of the spiritual side of life and trust one's intuition. Out of balance it could manifest itself through headaches, visual problems, sinusitis and nightmares. Crown Chakra -- This chakra is located on top of the head and is where the connection with the universe takes place. It is associated with the colour violet and the pineal gland.

When this chakra is in balance one will feel connected to and live in harmony with a higher power. Out of balance it could be reflected by depression and brain disorders.

Ceri Balston is the editor of the lifestyle portal Harmonious Living. Visit www.harmoniousliving.co.za.

Bridal bouquets have been the mainstay of wedding flowers from the time of antiquity. Brides have carried bouquets since the times of the ancient Greeks when wedding bouquets of herbs were carried to ward off bad spirits. Wedding bouquets continued to evolve through the Victorian age when many flowers were placed in bridal bouquets because of their meaning. These days, the bridal bouquet is still the focal point of wedding flowers and it is undoubtedly every bride's best accessory.

Just as the use of herbs and flowers in wedding bouquets has evolved, so have other details of the bridal bouquet. With fresh new designs for wedding flowers, bridal bouquets are becoming more and more unique and personalized. Wedding flowers are an excellent way to show your style and put some distinctive touches on your wedding ceremony and reception dcor.

So, how do you make your bridal bouquet stand out? Read on and discover the most inventive new ideas for bridal bouquets and decide which fresh trend is right for your wedding flowers.

Heres whats new in bridal bouquets:

Monogramming

Monograms are becoming very popular for all aspects of weddings including wedding flowers. The monogram is generally of the grooms last name, but can be a combination of the grooms initials and the brides initials.

Monograms can be featured with wedding flowers in a few different ways. Bridal bouquets wrapped with ribbon and fabric can display monograms embroidered onto the fabric or sewn onto the fabric with beads or rhinestones. Bouquets can also feature monograms created with wire or piping. Monograms are a great way for brides and grooms to show pride in their family names and add personalization to their wedding flowers.

Different Textures

Todays wedding flowers feature a variety of different blooms and other items that combine together to create exquisite textures that add a bit of the unexpected to bridal bouquets. The simplest way to add varying textures to your wedding flowers is to use several different types and shapes of flowers mixed together. Keeping in mind which wedding flowers are in season for your wedding, choose flowers that compliment each other with different textures. Flowers with varying textures like carnations and roses or spider mums and calla lilies lend contrast to bridal bouquets.

Another way to add a bit of texture to your wedding flowers is to use some non-traditional items in your bouquet. Shells, fruit, pinecones, feathers, leaves and berries are some unconventional items that you can use to add texture to your wedding flowers.

Breakaway Bouquets

A fresh and clever idea in wedding flowers, breakaway bouquets are gaining in popularity for creative brides. Made up of any type of flower, breakaway bouquets appear to be one large bouquet, but are actually composed of three separate bouquets. The bride will carry the large combined bouquet down the aisle and then shell break the three bouquets apart and theyll be used as other wedding flowers.

Of the three bouquets, one is usually used for the bouquet toss, another is for the bride to keep and the third is for the bride to give as a special gift to a friend or loved one. Breakaway bouquets add a unique touch to traditional wedding flowers.

Bright Colors

Another sweeping trend for wedding flowers is the use of bright colors in bridal bouquets. Though many brides still stick with traditional shades of white and cream for their bouquets, the freshest wedding flowers feature vivid hues like bright orange, hot pink, electric purple and magenta.

Bright colors can easily be used in combination together to make up a bouquet with citrus hues or bold purples and pinks. These colors can also be used alone as a single color bouquet or can be part of a monochromatic bouquet mixed with more muted shades.

As the focal point of the wedding flowers, your bridal bouquet can set the theme for your wedding with the details that you select. Monogramming, funky textures, a creative breakaway option or a splash of vibrant color will give your bridal bouquet just what it needs to be a unique and special part of your wedding.

A wedding expert, Elizabeth Reuth offers wedding planning tips online for brides and grooms and is the author of the popular wedding vow book Perfect Wedding Vows in Minutes