What are Chakras?
If you’ve been on a spiritual journey or have immersed yourself in yoga then you’ve probably heard about chakras. I had heard of them but honestly had no idea what they were really all about. Come to find out they’re pretty important when it comes to your energy levels and feeling balanced in your life. Since studying the main seven chakras, I have realised the major importance they have. I had no idea the importance of the chakras until I started my reiki treatments. Read about reiki experience here. And now I am very aware when I am unbalanced. When there is something in your body that seems off, most likely one of your chakras is overactive and unbalanced. Read on to learn more about these fascinating wheels of energy.
What are Chakras exactly?
Chakras are swirling wheels of energy where the physical and consciousness meet. Chakra translates to "wheel" in Sanskrit, so imagine them like wheels of free-flowing positive energy. And this energy can be moved around to create balance in the body through meditation, yoga and reiki. See my reiki post here. We have hundreds of chakras throughout our bodies, but today I will explain the seven main ones:
Root Chakra
Sacral Chakra
Solar Plexus Chakra
Hear Chakra
Throat Chakra
Third Eye or Anja Chakra
Crown Chakra
THE SEVEN CHAKRAS EXPLAINED
1ST CHAKRA - THE ROOT CHAKRA OR MULADHARA OR EARTH CHAKRA
THEME: Grounding
SANKRIT- mula meaning root or foundation
COLOUR - Red
PHYSICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
The location of the energy centre itself - base of the spine, tailbone
Physical areas of association:
Feet
Legs
Tailbone
Pelvic floor
Joints
Skeltal system
Tanmatra - smell
BASIC CONCERNS AND ISSUES:
Groundedness, stability
Will to live, self-preservation
Sense of trust and security
Right to be here
Goals - stability, grounding, physical health, trust, feeling of safety
Problems - fear
We must balance the root chakra in order to enjoy our time here on earth.
The root chakra is our foundation, our grounding, their must be ground work put into place first before the next phase can begin.
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Disconnection from the body, being ungrounded
Knee or feet trouble
Underweight, obseity and or eating disorders
Fearful, anxious, restless, can’t settle, phobias, nightmares, psychosis
Basic lack of trust, suspicion, keeping guard up
Greed, hoarding or financial difficulty
Sluggish, lazy, tired
Becoming overly tired on others
Poor focus and discipline
Poor boundaries
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Does my life feel out of control?
Do I find it difficult to make decisions?
Do I suffer from financial insecurity? Do I feel poor even though I have a solid bank account?
Do I suffer from food-related disorders?
Do I have ongoing problems with parents, children or other family members?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Deepen connection to the natural world
Become aware of one’s physicality
Avoid premature development of higher energy centers
Reconnection with the body
Physical activity
Touch, massage
Hatha Yoga
Reclaiming the right to be here
AFFIRMATIONS
I am connected and grounded through the earth.
I am grateful.
I am abundant.
I am peaceful with the material world in which I live.
I have a healthy body.
I am worthy of respect.
I am independent.
The universe will always provide.
2ND CHAKRA - THE SACRAL CHAKRA OR SVADHISTHANA CHAKRA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Intuition
SANSKIRT: swa: one’s own, adhisthana: dwelling place or residence, svadhisthana: sweetness
ELEMENT: Water
PLANET: Venus
COLOUR: Orange
LOCATION: Low abdomen, below navel
PHYSICAL AREAS: Reproductive organs, pelvic region
TANMATRA: Taste
GOALS: ease of movement, ability to experience pleasure, emotional intelligence, healthy sexuality, comfort with intimacy
PROBLEMS: guilt, compulsiveness, addiction, denial of pleasure, fear of change, sexual acting out, ruled by emotions
RIGHT: to feel and have pleasure
CHARATERISTICS:
The second chakra is associated with movement, connection, intimacy, sexuality, creativity and pleasure.
When in balance: graceful movement, emotional intelligence, ability to experience pleasure, nurturance of self and others, ability to change and have healthy boundaries
When out of balance: rigidity in body and attitude, fear of sex, poor social skills, denial of pleasure, fear of change, lack of desire or passion, sexual attachment
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Diminished sensuality
Unable to experience pleasure in life
Lacking sense of joy
Impotence, frigidity or diminished sexual appetite
Lacking motivation to set something new into motion
Depression
Addictions
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Do you choose love, light, and healing?
Do you accept that you have the power to choose?
Do you feel a sense of freedom when you make a choice?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Movement therapy
Emotional release
Working on boundaries
Paying attention to one’s senses
Developing a loving acceptance of one’s body
Addiction programs
AFFIRMATIONS
I am grace
I release ideas that are no longer useful
I am sexuality
My sexuality is sacred
I move easily and effortlessly
I flow with the rhythms of life
3RD CHAKRA - SOLAR PLEXUS OR MANIPURA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Self-esteem
SANSKIRT : Manipura (jeweled city)
ELEMENT: Fire
PLANET: Sun and Mars
COLOUR: Yellow
LOCATION: Upper abdomen in the stomach area
PHYSICAL AREAS: Digestive system, liver, gall bladder
GOALS: speaks to your ability to be confident and in control of your life, sensing your power, being confident, responsible, and reliable.
PROBLEMS: shame, low self-esteem
RIGHT: to act
CHARATERISTICS:
The third chakra is associated with sensing your power, being confident, responsible, and reliable.
When in balance: good self-esteem, respect for others, calmness and initiative. You feel friendly, joyful and confident
When out of balance: suffer from low self-esteem, have difficulty making decisions, and may have anger or control issues
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Low self-esteem
Difficulty making decisions
Anger issues
Passive and inactive - allowing life to pass by while doing nothing
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Do I have difficulty. sustaining relationships?
Am I compulsive?
Do I suffer from an overabundance or lack of desire?
Do I make resolutions without the power to carry them out?
Do I become addicted easily?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Movement therapy
Emotional release
Working on boundaries
Paying attention to one’s senses
Developing a loving acceptance of one’s body
Addiction programs
AFFIRMATIONS
I am power
I let my feelings run freely
I trust my spontaneous decisions
I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly
I use my inner strength to make the world a better place
The fire within me burns through all blocks and fears
4TH CHAKRA - HEART CHAKRA OR ANAHATA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Love
SANSKIRT : Anahata: unstruck, unbeaten, unbroken, whole
ELEMENT: Air
PLANET: Jupiter
COLOUR: Green
LOCATION: Center of the chest, thoracic cavity
PHYSICAL AREAS: Heart, lungs, cardiac plexus of nerves, rib cage, front of spine, energy circulation, skin, blood
GOALS: Forming relationships, unconditional love, balance
PROBLEMS: Grief, depression, pessimism
RIGHT: To love and be loved
CHARATERISTICS:
Associated with Universal love, compassion, empathy, tolerance, acceptance of oneself and others
When balanced, you find compassion, which brings kindness and goodwill toward yourself and others
When the heart chakra is flowing well, you feel grounded but free as a bird. You are self-accepting, trusting, compassionate, forgiving, filled with hope and emotionally empowered
Signs of being out of balance, problems connecting with others, being easily overwhelmed by others, lack of proper boundaries, you may come off as cold to others
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Coronary illness
Heart attack
Issues with heart, lungs, thymus, breasts and arms
High and low blood pressure
Colds and allergies
Shoulder pain
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Do I have trouble finding meaning in my life?
Is it hard for me to relate to others?
Am I overly emotional?
Do I dislike being alone with my feelings and thoughts?
Am I always looking for others too fill my emotional needs? Do people disappointment easily?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Work with arms; reaching out, taking in
Journalling
Therapy
Get in touch with the beauty of nature
Listen to music that touches your heart
Take loving care of others
AFFIRMATIONS
There is an infinite supply of love
My heart is open to giving and receiving
I lovingly accept myself as I am
I give and receive with an open heart
I am worthy of love
I live in balance with others
5TH CHAKRA - THROAT CHAKRA OR VISHUDDHA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Communication
SANSKIRT : Vishuddha: the pure place, vi: very deep or extreme, shuddhi: purification
ELEMENT: Limitless space, ether, sky
PLANET: Mercury
COLOUR: Blue
LOCATION: Throat
PHYSICAL AREAS: Throat, neck, thyroid, mouth, pharyngeal and laryngeal nerve plexi, shoulder
GOALS: Communication, expression, creativity
PROBLEMS: Thyroid problems, speech defects, stiff neck, shoulder problems, sore throat, colds, hearing problems
RIGHT: To speak and be heard
CHARATERISTICS:
Associated with communication, feelings, intuition, spiritual. insights, art, music, truth
A sign of a healthy fifth chakra- one that is connected to. both mind and body, speaks truthfully, clearly and concisely. Conversation with others is balanced - able to listen and respond.
Out of balanced - fear of speaking; small, weak voice, difficulty putting feelings into words, introversion, shyness, tone deaf, poor rhythm, excessive talking as a defence, inability to listen, gossiping, disorders of throat, ears, voice, neck or jaw.
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
If you have a hard time expressing yourself
If you often can’t find the right words to share or thoughts and feelings
Shy or feel uncomfortable or inhibited by others
Say things you later regret
Don’t feel inspired by your work
Talk excessively
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Do others see me as aggressive or overbearing?
Do I dominate conversations?
Do I find it hard to speak up for myself?
Do I live in a way that’s true. to my core beliefs and values?
Do I lack inspiration?
Do I feel connected to my spirituality?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Loosen neck and shoulders
Keep a journal
Take voice training or a course in public speaking
Learn another language
Practice silence
Be around blue in the natural world: open sky, beach or alke
AFFIRMATIONS
I am truth
I speak from the heart
I let the truth be my guide
I speak with clear intent
I use the power of words to make the world a better place
Creativity flows in and through me
I hear and speak the truth
6TH CHAKRA - THIRD EYE CHAKRA OR AJNA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Intuition, imagination, wisdom
SANSKIRT : Anja: to command, to perceive
ELEMENT: Light
PLANET: Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus
COLOUR: Indigo
LOCATION: Mid-brain, meeting place between eyebrows and temples
PHYSICAL AREAS: Eyes, pineal gland, sense, forehead, brows, face, sinuses, hormonal and nervous systems
GOALS: Establishment of personal indentity, intuiting
PROBLEMS: Headaches, migraines, brain diseases, learning disabilities, nightmares, eye disorders,
RIGHT: To see
CHARATERISTICS:
Associated with intuition, insight, wisdom, vision, self-awareness, imagination, dreams, memory and thinking symbolically
Balanced: mental clarity, intelligence, strong concentration, sharp vision. and hearing
Unbalanced: confusion, denial or delusion, lack of concentration, anxiety, learning disabilities, superstition, poor vision
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Feeling that life is meaningless
Persistent anxiety or depression
Difficulty giving fantasy life free rein
Can’t hear inner voice
Can’t find your path and purpose in life
Desire. more light in your life
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Am I gernerally able to see the bigger picture? How might I see it better?
Can I hear my ego speaking? Are my heart and mind in agreement?
Do I set my standards too high? If not, could I achieve more with concerted effort?
How could life be better? How can I work toward this?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Dreamwork, Dream journal
Fantasise
Guided visualisations
Meditation
Therapy
Writing
Visual art creation
AFFIRMATIONS
I can manifest my vision
I am wisdom
I am in touch with my inner light
I look inward and recognise what is essential
I listen to my inner voide
I see with clarity
I follow the path of truth
7TH CHAKRA - CROWN CHAKRA OR SAHASRARA
OVERVIEW:
THEME: Consciousness
SANSKIRT : Sahasrara: thousand fold
ELEMENT: Consciousness
PLANET: Uranus
COLOUR: Violet or white
LOCATION: Top of head
PHYSICAL AREAS: Pituitary gland, cerebral cortex, central nervous system
GOALS: Understanding, consciousness, thought, information, knowing, transcendence, meditation, belief systems, divinity, union
PROBLEMS: Amnesia, depression, alienation, confusion, boredom, apathy, inability to learn
RIGHT: To know and learn
CHARATERISTICS:
Associated with oneness, pure awareness, cosmic consciousness, enlightenment, self-realisation, liberation, spirituality
WEAKNESS, IMBALANCE OR BLOCKAGE:
Feeling trapped in the material world, a sense of emptiness
Often depressed, experience lack of joy in life
Feel tired and worn out even with deep sleep
Weekend immune system
Difficulty making decisions
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF?
Do I crave possessions and sensual pleasures? How can I let go of these pleasures?
Do I allow myself to be open to my intuition? How can I do this more?
What would help me to see the world as a manifestation of the divine?
Who am I if I am not limited by this body and mind?
WHAT MIGHT HELP?
Conscious stillness
Meditation
Therapy
Spiritual discipline
Studying and learning
AFFIRMATIONS
The essence of my being is light and peace
The Light nourishes my entire being
Divinity resides within
I am open to new ideas
Information I need comes to me easily
The world is my teacher
I am guided by my higher power