The 7 main Chakras
Derived from the Sanskrit root cakra – chakra means “wheel” or “disk”.
Chakras are concentrated energy centers of the body, often visualized and depicted as spinning wheels of light.
Rooted in the ancient philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism, chakras hold a prominent place in the science of yoga.
The chakra system says that the human body consists not only of bones, tissues, and organs, but also of energy fields layered around the physical being. These layers form the subtle body, or the energy body.
Physically, each chakra governs specific organs of the body which come along with hormones and emotions… When chakras are constricted, blocked, or too open, organs don’t operate effectively which contributes to disease, fluctuating energy levels, emotional imbalances, negative thought patterns and general lack of wellbeing.
Working with the chakra system is tapping into external and internal forces so that we may feel and function our best, in harmony with the world around and within us.
The 7 main chakras are related to all areas of the mind, body, soul and environment.
What Are the 7 Chakras?
1. The root chakra Muladhara
Color: Red
Location: At the bottom of the tailbone–in the perineum for men and the cervical area for women.
Yoga pose: Mountain Pose, Tree Pose.
Muladhara, actually translates as ‘root’ and ‘support’.
This chakra’s role is to connect all of your physical, bodily energy with the Earth itself. In other words, this chakra ‘grounds’ you.
Your root chakra is also linked to everything you need to survive. This includes the act of breathing, eating, sleeping, and experiencing physical security.
When your 1st chakra is balanced, you’ll feel a deep sense of peace. You’ll feel safe in the knowledge that all of your core needs are met.
The sacral chakra Svadhisthana
Color: Orange
Location: In your pelvic region, a couple of inches below the belly button.
Yoga pose: Revolved Triangle Pose, Goddess Pose
The sacral chakra is all about your creative identity as a human.
This chakra helps you enjoy your life here on Earth. It’s the energy that motivates you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Above all, indulging in pleasurable activities like sex, artistic activities, and good food.
When your 2nd chakra is balanced, you’ll truly relish in all the finer things in life. Because of this, you’ll enjoy them without overdoing them.
The solar plexus chakra Manipura
Color: Yellow
Location: In your stomach–around 2-3 inches above the belly button. The Manipura energy center further translates as ‘the lustrous gem.’ This is because this is the chakra where your self-confidence and personal power sit together in harmony.
Yoga pose: Boat Pose, Downward-Facing Dog
The heart chakra Anahata
Color: Green
Location: In the chest, in and around the heart space.
Yoga pose: Low Lunge, Camel Pose
the Sanskrit term for the heart chakra translates to the state of being ‘unhurt.’
Because of this, when you’re experiencing feelings of love, compassion and kindness.
Love is the most healing frequency of all. Similarly, when your Heart Chakra is balanced, you are easily able to feel love and empathy for yourself and others.
The throat chakra Vishuddha
Color: Sky Blue
Location: Right in the middle of your throat.
Yoga pose: Easy Pose (with chanting), Supported Shoulderstand
This chakra helps you to speak up. Because of this, you’ll do so in a smooth, confident, authentic way.
In addition, this chakra is your seat of self-expression. The throat chakra also gives a voice to your personal preferences, beliefs, and values.
When balanced, you openly and lovingly speak the truth. Moreover, you express yourself in whichever way feels most in alignment at any given time.
The third eye chakra Ajna
Color: Indigo
Location: Between the eyebrows–extending to your brain’s pineal gland.
Yoga pose: Dolphin Pose, Lotus Pose
The hird eye chakra, Ajna, roughly translates as ‘beyond wisdom’.
This is because this mystic energy center opens you up to expanded states of consciousness. They go way beyond the five senses and the material world we live in. Extrasensory perception, intuition, and psychic abilities are all born from the third eye. This is because of the brain’s small yet extremely powerful pinecone-shaped gland. It sits just behind Ajna, and goes by the name of the ‘pineal gland‘.
When your Third Eye is balanced, you’ll feel in tune with the physical and spiritual world.
The crown chakra Sahasrara
Color: Violet/White
Location: At the very top of your head, resting on your crown.
Yoga pose: Corpse Pose, Lotus Pose
According to most tantric yoga traditions, the final chakra translates as ‘a thousand petals’.
Sahasrara is pure consciousness, connecting you to the Universe. Achieving a balanced crown chakra is the goal of any spiritual practice.
Why Chakras Get Blocked
Chakras can get clogged and cause numerous problems in our everyday lives.
What can block our chakras:
• Work stress
• Financial turmoil
• Poor diet
• Sexual oppression
• Low self-esteem
• Suppressed anger
• Illness
• Grief
• Heartbreak
• Rejection
• Resentment
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Stubbornness and tunnel vision
• Denial
How to Unblock Chakras:
There are a variety of ways you can unblock and open your chakras, and it can be quite easy to do. We recommend:
• Chakra meditations
• Chakra crystals
• Essential oils
• Using affirmations
• Making slight behavioral changes
Once you identify which energy center the blockage is located in, here are a few ways you can unblock them.
How to unblock the root chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: feeling generally ungrounded and unsafe.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing red ball of energy in the perineum/cervical area. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I am safe and grounded.’
Stones: Hematite, Black Onyx, and Smoky Quartz
Essential Oils: Vetiver
Behavioral Changes: Self-soothing, taking time to engage in psychical body experiences like eating hearty meals. Getting enough sleep and walking in nature, for example.
How to unblock the sacral chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: feeling ‘zapped’ with little to no creativity or sex drive. Potential urinary, sexual, or hormonal disturbances.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing orange ball of energy in the pelvic region. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I enjoy the pleasures of life.’
Stones: Orange Calcite and Citrine
Essential Oils: Ylang-ylang, rose Behavioral Changes: Engaging in creative activities such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument, tantric sex, and mindful eating, for example.
How to unblock the solar plexus chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: feeling frustrated and insecure. Lacking self-esteem, confidence, and personal power. Because of this, potential stomach tightness and nausea may occur.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing yellow ball of energy in the stomach. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I am strong and I know my worth.’ Stones: Tiger’s Eye and Sunstone
Essential Oils: Atlas cedarwood, lemongrass Behavioral
Changes: Setting boundaries, practicing saying ‘no’, enhancing self-esteem, exercising, and doing things you’re good at, for example.
How to unblock the heart chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: hurt, grief, ‘heartbreak’, loneliness, disconnection, lack of compassion. Potential chest pain, heartburn, heaviness, and stooped posture.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing green ball of energy in the heart space. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I am loved and I am loving.’
Stones: Rose Quartz and Aventurine
Essential Oils: Rose Behavioral Changes: Practicing self-compassion, gratitude, and random acts of kindness. Engaging in activities such as cuddling, intimacy, gift-giving, and expressing love, for example.
How to unblock the throat chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: Telling lies, little to no self-expression, fear of speaking up. Potential sore throat and stiffness in the neck.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing sky-blue ball of energy in the neck or throat. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I speak my truth and express myself openly.’
Stones: Aquamarine and Sodalite
Essential Oils: Blue chamomile, frankincense Behavioral Changes: Telling the truth, finding ways to uniquely express yourself, and speaking your needs aloud, for example.
How to unblock the third eye chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: Stubbornness, narrow-mindedness, and denial of the spiritual world. Lack of inner intuitive guidance. Potential headaches.
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing indigo ball of energy between the eyebrows/pineal gland. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I know who I am and I trust my intuition.’
Stones: Amethyst, Fluorite, and Lolite
Essential Oils: Lemon, sandalwood
Behavioral Changes: Frequent meditation, mindfulness, and listening to one’s ‘inner voice’, for example. Moreover, a new openness to spirituality may come to occur.
How to unblock the crown chakra
Common Symptoms of Blockage: Suffering ‘the human condition.’
Meditation: Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and imagine a glowing white or violet ball of energy on the crown of the head. Then, imagine the energy spinning smoothly in a clockwise motion. Start repeating the affirmation below silently to yourself. Practice this for 10 minutes. You may choose to hold the corresponding chakra stone as you do so.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I am the Divine connected to all life in the Universe.’
Stones: Clear Quartz, Amethyst, and Moonstone
Essential Oils: White lotus
Behavioral Changes: An increased commitment to balancing all of the chakras.
Frequent meditation, mindfulness, and an awareness of the oneness of all life. In addition, one may feel drawn to star-gazing, traveling, and lucid dreaming.