To live in the shadow frequency of a chakra is to be guided by the associated wound of that chakra. We make decisions from that wound, we relate to others from that wound, and in extreme cases, we become that wound. To heal, we must first become aware of the wound and then do the work to heal it. This propels us into the gift frequency, where we can truly become our best selves. Once you’ve worked through the shadow of your root chakra, you can move on to the second chakra, the sacral. Denial arises in childhood as the emotion body develops. When we’re young, feelings can be intense, and minutes can feel like an eternity—so we’re that much more reactive. We instinctively want to feel good, so we adapt our behaviors to create more dopamine hits and less discomfort. But even the pleasurable feelings are impermanent, so we get stuck in a cycle that never ends. We’re either running away from discomfort or trying to create more pleasure. Ultimately every important decision in our lives is driven by this until we become aware of it. Healing this wound is about learning to sit with discomfort. It’s about not reacting to pain or sadness but letting the feelings move through us with ease. It’s about cultivating equanimity and understanding that this, too, shall pass. Eastern philosophy threads through all of Matluck’s work. Combining over a decade of experience working in conventional and alternative medicine, she brings a truly holistic lens to medicine, addressing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual obstacles to health. Prior to opening a private practice in New York City, Matluck spent eight years at One Medical Group and has delivered onsite wellness workshops at countless prominent companies. She is also the founder of Seven Senses, where she leads transformational wellness experiences throughout the world.