Chakras are energy centers in the body that correspond to specific nerve bundles and internal organs. There are 7 main chakras that run along the spinal column from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra correlates to different aspects of our consciousness and develops as we spiritually mature.
1. Root Chakra
The root chakra, or Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. It represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded. When the root chakra is balanced, we feel stable, safe, and secure.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Base of spine
- Color Association: Red
- Element: Earth
- Seed Mantra: LAM
- Associated Body Parts: Bones, legs, feet
- Glands: Adrenals
- Physical Issues: Weight, immune system, elimination
- Emotional Issues: Security, survival, self-preservation
- Mental Issues: Fight or flight, victim mentality
- Developmental Stage: Infancy (0-1 years)
Imbalances:
When the root chakra is out of balance, we may experience insecurity, fear, or anxiety. Physical imbalances can manifest as obesity, bone issues, and impaired immunity. An overactive root chakra leads to attachment issues and materialism, while an underactive chakra manifests as fearfulness and lack of discipline.
Healing Practices:
- Grounding exercises like walking barefoot on grass
- Red gemstones like garnet or ruby
- Drumming or tribal style dancing
- Lower body stretches and yoga poses
- Eating protein-rich, root vegetables
2. Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra, or Svadhisthana, is located in the lower abdomen area. It governs creativity, relationships, pleasure, and sexuality. A balanced sacral chakra allows us to feel joy, express ourselves, and connect intimately with others.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Lower abdomen
- Color Association: Orange
- Element: Water
- Seed Mantra: VAM
- Associated Body Parts: Womb, genitals, bladder
- Glands: Ovaries, testes
- Physical Issues: Impotence, fertility
- Emotional Issues: Creativity, intimacy, addiction, joy
- Mental Issues: Relationships, pleasure-seeking
- Developmental Stage: Toddler (1-3 years)
Imbalances:
Blockages in the sacral chakra lead to creative blocks, intimacy issues, addiction, depression, or hypersexuality. Physical symptoms include urinary problems, reproductive health issues, and low libido. You may also feel disconnected from joy and unable to relax.
Healing Practices:
- Orange gemstones like carnelian or orange calcite
- Sensual movement like dance or hip circles
- Creative activities like painting, cooking, or pottery
- Talking with friends and developing intimacy
- Flowing water exercises
3. Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, is located above the navel. It represents our sense of self, personal power, and will. When open and balanced, you feel self-confident, empowered, and able to manifest goals.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Above the navel
- Color Association: Yellow
- Element: Fire
- Seed Mantra: RAM
- Associated Body Parts: Digestive system, muscles
- Glands: Pancreas, adrenals
- Physical Issues: Digestion, eating disorders, diabetes
- Emotional Issues: Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth
- Mental Issues: Personal power, fear, domination
- Developmental Stage: Young child (4-7 years)
Imbalances:
When the third chakra is underactive, you may feel weak-willed, insecure, or powerless. Physical symptoms include digestive problems, liver trouble, and diabetes. Overactivity leads to domination, aggression, and excessive pride.
Healing Practices:
- Yellow gemstones like citrine or yellow topaz
- Solar plexus stretches and yoga poses
- Confidence building exercises
- Creating clear goals and taking purposeful action
- Eating yellow foods like lemon, pineapple, corn
4. Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, or Anahata, is located in the center of the chest. It governs love, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance. When the heart chakra is open, you radiate warmth, empathy, and care for others.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Center of chest
- Color Association: Green or pink
- Element: Air
- Seed Mantra: YAM
- Associated Body Parts: Heart, lungs, arms, hands
- Glands: Thymus
- Physical Issues: Heart, blood pressure, circulation
- Emotional Issues: Love, grief, forgiveness, self-acceptance
- Mental Issues: Compassion, trust, empathy, relationships
- Developmental Stage: Older child (8-12 years)
Imbalances:
Imbalances in the heart chakra lead to co-dependence, jealousy, feeling emotionally closed, holding grudges, or lacking empathy. Physical issues include heart disease, lung problems, and poor circulation. Overactivity causes clinginess, while underactivity manifests as coldness.
Healing Practices:
- Green gemstones like jade or emerald
- Forgiveness meditations and loving-kindness practices
- Breathing exercises to open the chest
- Volunteering, giving to others
- Eating green vegetables and chlorophyll rich foods
5. Throat Chakra
The throat chakra, or Vishuddha, sits at the center of the neck. It governs communication, self-expression, truth, and speaking your inner wisdom. When open and clear, you can express yourself authentically and truthfully.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Throat
- Color Association: Blue
- Element: Sound/vibration
- Seed Mantra: HAM
- Associated Body Parts: Throat, neck, mouth, teeth
- Glands: Thyroid, parathyroid
- Physical Issues: Sore throat, teeth, gum, mouth
- Emotional Issues: Communication, authentic self-expression
- Mental Issues: Truth, creative voice, choice
- Developmental Stage: Teenager (13-19 years)
Imbalances:
Blockages in the throat chakra lead to poor communication, fear of speaking up or expressing creativity, dishonesty, or talking negatively about self/others. Physical issues include sore throat, dental problems, mouth ulcers, and thyroid disorders.
Healing Practices:
- Chanting, singing, vocal toning
- Expressing creativity through writing, art, dance
- Speaking honestly and compassionately
- Blue gemstones like lapis lazuli or blue lace agate
- Neck and shoulder stretches, shoulder rolls
6. Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra, or Ajna, sits between and slightly above the eyebrows. It governs intuition, imagination, insight, wisdom. A balanced third eye gives us clarity of vision and purpose.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Forehead, between the eyes
- Color Association: Indigo
- Element: Light
- Seed Mantra: SHAM
- Associated Body Parts: Eyes, base of skull, brain
- Glands: Pituitary
- Physical Issues: Eyes, vision, headaches
- Emotional Issues: Intuition, imagination, trust
- Mental Issues: Insight, wisdom, perception, visual consciousness
- Developmental Stage: Young adult (20-28 years)
Imbalances:
When the third eye is blocked or imbalanced, we lose touch with intuition and insight. This can lead to poor imagination, difficulty concentrating, cynicism, rigidity, and headaches. It can also cause vision problems.
Healing Practices:
- Meditation, especially third eye focused
- Visualizations
- Trusting intuition and acting on inner guidance
- Indigo gemstones like lapis lazuli or sodalite
- Mindful use of imagination and visual senses
7. Crown Chakra
The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, sits at the very top of the head. When open and balanced, it allows us to access higher consciousness and connect to the divine. The crown chakra represents spiritual awakening.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Top of the head
- Color Association: Violet or white
- Element: Consciousness/thought
- Seed Mantra: OM
- Associated Body Parts: Upper brain, nervous system
- Glands: Pineal
- Physical Issues: Brain, nervous system
- Emotional Issues: Spirituality, belief systems
- Mental Issues: Universal consciousness, presence, bliss
- Developmental Stage: Spiritual adulthood (28+ years)
Imbalances:
A blocked crown chakra prevents access to higher states of consciousness, leading to feelings of separation, depression, cynicism, or lack of purpose. Physical issues include headaches, brain fog, and neurological problems.
Healing Practices:
- Meditation, contemplation, being in nature
- Seeking and integrating spiritual wisdom
- Observing thoughts/ego without attachment
- Violet/white gemstones like amethyst or selenite
- Crown chakra yoga poses and mudras
Conclusion
Balancing your chakras is key to optimal health, energy, and consciousness. Use the information above about each chakra’s location, function, and healing practices to assess and care for your own energy centers. With practice, you can keep your chakras clear, aligned, and spinning smoothly.
