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What Are Chakras?

In Sanskrit, the word “Chakra” translates to “Wheel” or “Disk” and is considered to be a point of energy within the human body. Although there are many smaller chakras, there are seven main ones which have the power to greatly influence your life and health. These seven main chakras each play a different role in balancing your health and can influence the way you feel. This is one of the reasons why it is important to become aware and take care of these energies.

Chakras run along the spine, each taking up a different spot along the human body. Beginning at the base of the spine, the chakras continue upwards to the crown of the head. Each chakra plays a different role in how a person feels both physically and emotionally.

Let’s take a look at the seven main chakras in more detail.

Seven Main Chakras

The Root Chakra

The root chakra, or Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red. This chakra deals in all things physical. It is the chakra which keeps us grounded and connected to the earth as well as feeling safe and secure. When opened and in alignment, this chakra lends strength and determination when facing difficult obstacles.

The Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra, or Svadhisthana, is located below the navel and is associated with the color orange. This chakra is known for its creative and sexual energy. When open, it is said to enhance creative expression and help a person to be more comfortable with expressing their sexuality. 

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, is located above the navel and is associated with the color yellow. This chakra is connected with self-esteem, self-worth and feelings of joy. This is a very energetic chakra where you can draw energy from when you’re feeling tired or depleted. When opened and aligned, the solar plexus chakra helps you to feel a healthy amount of control over your life.

The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra, or Anahata, is located at the center of the chest and is associated with the colors green and pink. This chakra deals with love, both self-love and love towards others. Because this chakra is at the center of the body, it acts as a bridge which connects the spiritual and the physical aspects of life.

The Throat Chakra  

The throat chakra, or Vishuddha, is located at the base of the throat and is associated with the color blue. This chakra deals with expressing your true and authentic self. It is helpful in lending courage when speaking out and helps to align you to your divine truth.

The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra, or Ajna, is located between the eyebrows and is associated with the colors dark blue and purple. This chakra rules over intuition, inner wisdom and spiritual insight. It is also connected to imagination and visualization. When this chakra is opened and aligned, it is easy for us to trust our ‘gut feeling’ and intuition.

The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, is located at the top of the head and is associated with the colors purple, gold and white. This is the most spiritual chakra out of the seven and rules over all things spiritual. This chakra connects us to the universe and its infinite intelligence. It allows us to feel connected, empowered and confident in our life’s purpose.

Why are they important?

Chakras play a very powerful and important role in our lives. Not only do these energy wheels have the ability to influence us spiritually, but physically as well. In order for our emotional and physical bodies to work at their best, it is important for all chakras to be balanced and in alignment. This means that all chakras are opened and energized. When our chakras are blocked, it can cause feelings of unease and stagnation. Imbalanced chakras can also contribute to both physical and spiritual ailments.

When you’re in tune with your energy and the energy of the universe, it’s easier to spot a chakra imbalance far before it manifests into physical form. Chakra imbalances can manifest in many ways. Each chakra contributes to a different area in the body.

How to Spot a Chakra Imbalance

The Root Chakra

When the root chakra is imbalanced, it can manifest into symptoms of soreness, heaviness, and pain in the lower body. It may also cause a person to feel sluggish, ungrounded, chaotic and disconnected from life.

The Sacral Chakra

When the sacral chakra is imbalanced, a person might find problems in their hips as well as their lower back and kidneys. Emotionally, it could manifest in feelings of insecurity, unease, fear and codependence.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

An imbalanced solar chakra might manifest into problems with the stomach and digestive system. It may also appear as feeling powerless, useless and insignificant. A person with a solar plexus imbalance might also find themselves lacking motivation and a will to pursue their dreams.

The Heart Chakra

A heart chakra imbalance can appear physically as heart pain, or problems with the upper back and chest areas. When this chakra is imbalanced, it can encourage feelings of anger, fear of commitment and the inability to connect and relate to others. An imbalanced heart chakra can also cause a lack of self-love and confidence.

The Throat Chakra

When the throat chakra is imbalanced, it can manifest as problems with the neck and throat, as well as the gums and teeth. Emotionally, an imbalanced throat chakra may cause a person to have difficulty expressing themselves, feel a lack of creativity and indecisiveness, and may find themselves very judgmental towards both themselves and others.  

The Third Eye Chakra

When the third eye chakra is imbalanced, it can manifest as ear problems, headaches, brain fog, difficulty learning and paying attention as well as blurred vision and problems with the brain. A person with a third eye imbalance may have difficulty listening to their intuition, have feelings of disconnect and confusion, and the inability to see things as they are.

The Crown Chakra

When the Crown Chakra is imbalanced, it can manifest as depression, anxiety, fear, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, confusion and feelings of alienation. When a person has an imbalanced crown chakra, they may find themselves disconnected from the universe and they might find it difficult to trust themselves and their life path.

3 Easy Ways to Balance Your Chakras

Thankfully, it isn’t difficult to balance our chakras and there are many ways to do so. The simplest ways to balance them include using crystals, colors, and affirmations.

Crystals for chakra balancing

Using crystals is an easy way to balance your chakras. Simply place the crystal in your hands or in the area of the chakra you are trying to heal. Lay or sit in a quiet place for a few minutes, allowing the crystal’s energy to connect and balance your chakras. Different crystals resonate with specific chakras. While some crystals resonate with more than one chakra, it’s important to choose the right stones for the area you are working on.

Root Chakra: Ruby, Garnet, Hematite, Jet, Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone, Banded Calcite, Agate, Jasper, Clear Quartz.

Sacral Chakra: Orange Calcite, Carnelian, Sunstone, Orange Tourmaline, Tiger’s Eye, Clear Quartz.

Solar Plexus: Citrine, Yellow Jasper, Amber, Pyrite, Golden Healer, Sunstone, Yellow tiger’s Eye, Clear Quartz.

Heart Chakra: Aventurine, Jade, Peridot, Rose Quartz, Green Calcite, Emerald, Amazonite, Clear Quartz.

Throat Chakra: Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Blue Kyanite, Celestite, Blue Calcite, Clear Quart.

Third Eye Chakra: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Fluorite, lepidolite, Sodalite, Labradorite, Clear Quartz.

Crown Chakra: Selenite, Golden Healer, Herkimer Diamond, Amethyst, Labradorite, Clear Quartz.

Color for Chakra Balancing

Using color is another way to heal the chakras. Each color has a different energy vibration which aligns with the energy of specific chakras. Wearing the same color as the chakra you are trying to heal can greatly benefit you. For example, if you’re trying to heal your throat chakra, it’s beneficial to wear the color blue.

Root Chakra: Red

Sacral Chakra: Orange

Solar Plexus Chakra: Yellow

Heart Chakra: Green or Pink

Throat Chakra: Blue

Third Eye Chakra: Dark Blue or Purple

Crown Chakra: Violet, White, or gold.

Affirmations for Chakra Balancing

Affirmations are quick and easy and can be spoken out loud or in your head. Each chakra has a specific type of affirmation which can encourage the balance and healing of that chakra.

Root Chakra: “I am”

Sacral Chakra: “I feel”

Solar Plexus Chakra: “I can”

Heart Chakra: “I love”

Throat Chakra: “I speak”

Third Eye Chakra: “I see”

Crown Chakra: “I know”

Conclusion

Learning about chakras can be overwhelming at first but becoming aware of what they are and what they do can be useful in helping to balance your life. Understanding your chakras can help you to connect more easily with them and spot any energetic chakra imbalances before they become physical problems.

Books to Check Out

If you’re interested in learning more about your Chakras and how to heal them, check out these awesome books!

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References

Alcantara, Margarita. Chakra Healing. Althea Press, 2017.

Spear, Heidi E. Chakras: A Beginner’s Guide to Healing. Fall River Press, 2014.