The word “Chakra” derives from the Sanskrit word which means “Wheel” and the literal translation from Hindi, means “Wheel of Spinning Energy”. To begin, please imagine a chakra as a vortex center of energy. Within our bodies, we have seven of these major energy centers and many more minor ones. This post is about the major energy centers that everyone knows as the seven chakras.
Acting as the central hub of life force energy or ‘prana,’ these spinning energy centers play an integral role in maintaining our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This article aims to provide a detailed understanding of the seven main chakras, the symptoms of blockages, and the ways to harmonize them for better well-being.
Although chakras are invisible energy centers, they require regular maintenance, much like rechargeable batteries. For one thing, they are the central force that drives our physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. So, when these chakras are in harmony, life flows smoothly, and we experience a state of contentment and happiness. But, when they are blocked or imbalanced due to mental, emotional, or physical stress, we may experience discomfort or even illness.
Chakras are a profound philosophical system representing various levels of consciousness. They can be seen as the roadmap to the architecture of your soul.
Your Biggest Questions About The Chakra Quest With Anodea Judith (mindvalley.com)
Understanding Chakras as Our Energy Centers
Chakras are the energy centers of our bodies. Studying them is for the purpose of bringing greater awareness, balance, good-will, and overall contentment and happiness.
You may think of them as invisible, rechargeable, energy points that need maintenance on a regular basis. Yet, to many in the Western world, this type of thinking is foreign and incomprehensible. However, over the past 50 years, there is a strong resurgence of curiosity and practice of Eastern cultures and philosophy.
Imagine the flow of energy from the 1st chakra (root chakra) to the 7th chakra (crown chakra). This is your whole being’s main source of energy and what keeps you balanced or unbalanced. Moreover, when all your chakras are in a state of balance and harmony, the energy flows smoothly and life is good.
How To Benefit from the Seven Chakras: Learn to Heal Yourself Share on XHowever, they might distort with blockages caused by too much stress from mental, emotional, or physical issues. When this happens, you feel dis-ease with your surroundings, or you might feel just plain ill. This also means that one or more of your chakras are out of balance.
The Origin of the Chakra Concept
The concept of chakras dates back to between 1500 and 500 BC in India. The understanding of each chakra was documented in one of the oldest spiritual texts in human history – the Vedas. It is interesting to note that the term ‘chakra’ translates to “wheel,” signifying the spinning, spherical energy center of a chakra.
The Seven Main Chakras
There are seven principal chakras within the human body, extending from the end of the spinal cord to the top of the head. Each chakra has a unique significance and role in maintaining the overall well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.
What’s even more amazing and fun to know is that there are also many other factors to consider with each chakra. The chart below shows you the symbol, name, chakra, element, focus, right, sound, note, and frequency associated with each chakra.
The Bodily Position and Cool Facts about Each Chakra
In the following sections, we learn more fascinating details about each chakra, its location, color, and significance. One thing to note about the location of Chakras is that Chakra One is at the base of your body, not at the top. This can get confusing when you’re first learning about Chakras. So, try to keep that in mind when reading about the seven chakras.
Chakra One: The Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The Root Chakra, also known as Muladhara, is the first chakra located at the base of the spine. It serves as the foundation of your energy system, representing your physical identity and survival instincts.
- Sanskrit Name: Muladhara
- Color: Red
- Location: Base of the spine
- Characteristics: Grounding, stability, and survival instincts.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Mountain Pose, Tree Pose
- Healing Affirmation: “I am safe and grounded.”
The color red represents the Base Chakra which brings strength wherever it’s found. This color is one of energy, action, confidence, and courage. Moreover, it’s is closely associated with our most natural physical and spontaneous need to endure and the will to survive.
The Base Chakra is the densest of the seven chakras, so it makes sense that red is also the densest of all chakra colors. Located at the base of the spine, this is the first of the seven chakras. One of the characteristics of the Muladhara or Root Chakra is the energy known as Kundalini. In Hinduism, Kundalini is a form of primal energy located at the base of the spine.
Chakra Two: The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
The second chakra, Svadhisthana, is located in the lower abdomen. It is associated with creativity, pleasure, and emotional well-being.
- Sanskrit Name: Svadhisthana
- Color: Orange
- Location: Lower abdomen
- Characteristics: Creativity, pleasure, and emotional balance.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Revolved Triangle Pose, Goddess Pose
- Healing Affirmation: “I enjoy the pleasures of life.”
The Sacral Chakra is also the Svadhisthana which is Sanskrit for “vital force” or “dwelling place of the self”. It is the center for all of our emotions. Therefore, it affects our ability to be in healthy relationships and it is the absolute hub of our creativity. It drives us to see beyond the ordinary and opens our minds to hold our dreams in reverence and to never give up.
This chakra is the virtual hub from which your energy distributes throughout your whole being. Energy moves from the base of the spine up through to the brain. Some believe that this keeps us young and vibrant. The genital chakra is the 2nd in the order of the chakras. It is in the lower abdomen and is naturally close to the base chakra or 1st chakra. A balanced sacral chakra offers spirit, mind, and body balance.
Orange is the sacral chakra color which is near the red frequencies but actually operates at a higher level. The sacral chakra color manifests expressiveness and creativity. It is the color of the sun and fills the heart with warmth.
Chakra Three: The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The third chakra, Manipura, is located in the stomach area. It is the center of personal power, confidence, and identity.
- Sanskrit Name: Manipura
- Color: Yellow
- Location: Stomach area
- Characteristics: Personal power, confidence, and identity.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Boat Pose, Downward-Facing Dog
- Healing Affirmation: “I am strong and I know my worth.”
The Solar Plexus Chakra is symbolized by a circle with 10 petals in which is inscribed a downward-pointing triangle. This is an energy center that provides momentum to realize your goals and ambitions in your lifetime. As a result, it affects your development of warrior energy and is the drive that helps you to stay the course to success.
The Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura is the center of inventiveness, perseverance, self-control, resolution, and realization of accomplishment (Itcha shakti). You may also know it as Manipura, which is the Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus Chakra. In Sanskrit, Manipura means City of Jewels.
Chakra Four: The Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The fourth chakra, Anahata, is located in the center of the chest. It is the center of love, compassion, and kindness.
- Sanskrit Name: Anahata
- Color: Green
- Location: Center of the chest
- Characteristics: Love, compassion, and kindness.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Low Lunge, Camel Pose
- Healing Affirmation: “I am loved and I am loving.”
The 4th Chakra Sanskrit name is Anahata or the lotus with 12 petals. One benefit of this Chakra is the energy bridge connecting the lower chakras and the upper chakras. The green heart chakra symbolizes the vitality of life energy and also financial income. Green is also symbolic of resurrection which we see each Spring.
Colors are an important part of the human psychological and spiritual experience that dates back beyond written history. Traditionally, green is the color of the Heart Chakra which helps us with our emotions, our compassion, and our empathy towards ourselves and others. A nice and effective way is to use it in meditation.
Chakra Five: The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
The fifth chakra, Vishuddha, is located at the throat. It is the center of communication, self-expression, and truth.
- Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha
- Color: Sky Blue
- Location: Throat
- Characteristics: Communication, self-expression, and truth.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Easy Pose (with chanting), Supported Shoulderstand
- Healing Affirmation: “I speak my truth and express myself openly.”
The 5th Chakra, also known as the Throat Chakra, is represented by the spiritual color blue which is soothing and brings harmonic calmness into our lives. It is said that your communication skills are improved when you meditate surrounded by blue items such as clothing or candles.
In the aura, blue indicates serenity, contentment and spiritual development. So, look to the skies, the lakes, the seas of the earth for the lovely benefits that the color of blue brings into our lives.
Chakra Six: The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
The sixth chakra, Ajna, is located at the forehead, between the eyebrows. It is the center of intuition, foresight, and psychic abilities.
- Sanskrit Name: Ajna
- Color: Indigo
- Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows
- Characteristics: Intuition, foresight, and psychic abilities.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Dolphin Pose, Lotus Pose
- Healing Affirmation: “I know who I am and I trust my intuition.”
Indigo symbolic color of spirituality combines blue and violet to get its mysterious, deep hue to represent the 6th Chakra. The blue in indigo assists us in our meditations and communications while the violet enhances our intuition and higher thought processes. Our personal reflections are governed by indigo as are our insights into ourselves and others. As a result, this color sends us inward for deep thoughts and mindfulness.
Ajna, Agya or Brow or third eye chakra, is the sixth primary chakra in the body. It is part of the brain that strengthens and grows stronger when you include meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. It also signifies the direct link to the Brahman and the subconscious mind. Of course, we know that out two eyes see the physical world, but the third eye sees the spiritual world and brings insight about the future.
Chakra Seven: The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The seventh chakra, Sahasrara, is located at the crown of the head. It is the center of spiritual connection and enlightenment.
- Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara
- Color: Violet or White
- Location: Crown of the head
- Characteristics: Spiritual connection and enlightenment.
- Yoga Pose for Activation: Corpse Pose, Lotus Pose
- Healing Affirmation: “I am the Divine connected to all life in the Universe.”
The purple color of spirituality is a blend of strong reds and calming blues. Almost sounds like a storm, doesn’t it? In fact, the sky sometimes turns purple before a storm. You are most likely aware of purple and its association with royalty and prestige. This also the color of the 7th Chakra which is the Crown Chakra also referred to as Sahasrara.
In our childhood fairy tales, the sorcerer almost always wears purple. What’s more, many believe that purple helps us get in touch with our deepest thoughts. The 7th chakra or the crown chakra is depicted as white, gold, violet, and the purple symbolic color. If your crown chakra suffers from blocks, you experience depression, alienation, and inability to learn. It causes strong urges to feel popular or an excessive need for sympathy.
When you release blockage of our crown chakra, it aligns you with the oneness of the universe. In so doing, it gives you confidence to move forward with your plans and dreams.
Why Chakras Get Blocked, De-Activated, or Unbalanced
There are many reasons why you may find blockages of your Chakras. In fact, just as in a river flow where the flow of water gets blocked by boulders, chakras also get blocked and unbalanced, disrupting the flow of energy. Some of the reasons for this type of chakra action may include the following:
- Work stress
- Financial problems
- Poor diet
- Sexual repression
- Low self-esteem
- Suppressed anger
- Illness
- Grief
- Heartbreak
- Rejection
- Resentment
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Stubbornness and tunnel vision
- Denial
Unfortunately, these blockages lead to imbalances in our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Therefore, it’s important to know how to take steps to unblock them.
Unblocking, Activating, and Balancing Your Chakras
Unlocking and balancing the seven chakras is a powerful way to promote overall well-being and inner harmony. These energy centers in the body play a crucial role in our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. When they become blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to a variety of issues such as physical ailments, emotional instability, and a lack of spiritual connection.
However, there are several effective techniques and practices that can help you unblock your chakras and restore their natural flow of energy. Some of these methods include chakra meditations, using chakra crystals and essential oils, affirmations, and making behavioral changes.
Educate Yourself about Your Chakras
One of the first steps in unblocking the seven chakras is to become aware of their existence and importance. Educate yourself about each chakra and its associated qualities, colors, and sounds. With knowledge comes power, and understanding the chakras is key to unlocking their potential. Once you have this understanding, you can begin to focus on each chakra individually.
Meditation is a Powerful Tool
By quieting the mind and turning inward, you tune into the energy centers and thereby release blockages or imbalances. Visualizations are also useful during meditation to help clear, activate, and balance the chakras. Imagine each chakra as a spinning wheel of vibrant color, gradually removing any obstacles in their path. As you practice meditation regularly, you will find that your chakras are more open and in balance.
Use Daily Affirmations
Another effective method for working with the chakras is through the use of daily affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself, reinforcing a desired belief or intention. By using affirmations into your daily routine, you reprogram your subconscious mind to release any negative energy or thought patterns that may be blocking your chakras. For example, for the root chakra, you might repeat affirmations such as “I am grounded and secure in my life” or “I trust in the abundance of the universe.”
Here are some affirmations for each of the seven chakras:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara): “I am disciplined. I attend to my mind, body and spirit everyday.”
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): “I am filled with creativity.”
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): “I accept myself completely.”
- Heart Chakra (Anahata): “I am a radiant being of light and love.”
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): “I am fully expressive.”
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): “I am wise.”
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): “I am connected to the divine.”1
Look Into Yoga, Sound Healing, or Energy Healing
In addition to meditation and affirmations, there are several other practices that can help unblock the chakras, such as yoga, sound healing, and energy healing modalities like Reiki. Each person is unique, so it’s important to find the techniques that resonate with you and use them into your daily routine.
Remember, unblocking the chakras is a journey of self-discovery and self-care. Be patient with yourself, listen to your body, and trust in the process. With dedication and practice, you can restore balance and harmony to your energy centers, leading to a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
Healing Crystals for the Seven Chakras
Healing Chants for the Seven Chakras (Video)
You may also enjoy healing chants to unblock your chakras such as the sampling in this video. This video includes healing chants for all seven chakras.
Learn More about Chakras
Visit Our Chakras Category Landing Page
Conclusion
Understanding and working with your chakras can lead to profound healing and personal growth. While the journey to chakra balance can be a long one, the benefits are well worth the effort. With knowledge, patience, and regular practice, you can tap into the power of your chakras, promoting a sense of harmony, health, and happiness.
It is our wish that you find this post enlightening and helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, we love to hear from you in the comments below. Also, kindly accept our invitation to join our group on Facebook to surround yourself with kindred spirits and post your encouraging messages.
Other Posts in this Series
1st Chakra Enhance Emotional Well-Being with the Muladhara Energy Center
2nd Chakra Awaken Your Creativity with the Swadhisthana Energy Center
3rd Chakra Find Powerful Energy with the Manipura Energy Center
4th Chakra Open Yourself to Love with the Anahata Energy Center
5th Chakra Discover Your Inner Truth with the Visuddha Energy Center
