A Simple Guide to the Chakras
You might have come across the term ‘Chakras’ while researching yoga and meditation. Even if you haven’t, don’t worry. This guide will cover the basics of Chakras and their significance.
What is a Chakra?
Chakra means ‘Wheel’ and refers to the energy points or energy centers in our body. They are considered to be spinning circles of energy that need to stay open and aligned because they interact with major organs and other parts of the body, affecting our emotional and physical health.
The Seven Main Chakras
Although there are said to be more than 100 different chakras, with 114 being specific, there are seven primary chakras, each with a unique number, name, color, and area of the body.
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
- Location: Tailbone area, pelvic floor.
- Color: Red
- Function: Sense of safety and security
- Description: The Root Chakra creates a sense of safety and security, which is a fundamental human need. A blocked Root Chakra can cause emotional issues, such as feelings of insecurity or lack of basic needs and well-being. When balanced, it provides stability and safety.
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
- Location: Center of lower belly, below the navel.
- Color: Orange
- Function: Pleasure, passion, and sexuality
- Description: Known as the Sex Chakra, it controls one’s center of pleasure and passion. Keeping the Sacral Chakra in flow improves sexuality, sensuality, reproduction, and relationships. An imbalance can lead to emotional instability, sexual dysfunction, lack of energy, or infertility.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Location: Upper abdomen
- Color: Yellow
- Function: Self-esteem, confidence, personal power
- Description: This Chakra governs our personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. Imbalance can result in lower self-esteem, aggression, and dominating behavior. It can also cause physical issues like fatigue, excessive weight, and digestive disorders.
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Location: Center of chest, heart area
- Color: Green
- Function: Love, compassion
- Description: When balanced, the Heart Chakra enables an abundance of love and compassion. A blocked Heart Chakra can leave us living with the pain of past adverse incidents.
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
- Location: Throat, region of jaw, neck
- Color: Blue
- Function: Communication, self-expression
- Description: Responsible for the element of ether, the Throat Chakra allows us to speak, listen, and express our feelings with authenticity when in good flow. Imbalance can cause difficulty in expressing our true selves.
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Location: Between the eyes
- Color: Indigo
- Function: Intuition, wisdom, inner vision
- Description: Also known as the “Brow Chakra,” it leads to strong intuition, ego release, and inner wisdom when in flow. Blockage can cause headaches and vision problems. Those who believe they “know it all” might have a blocked Third Eye Chakra.
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
- Location: Top of the head
- Color: Violet
- Function: Spirituality, connection to the divine
- Description: Linked to cosmic energy, a balanced Crown Chakra provides a sense of spiritual enlightenment and connection. Contrary to popular belief, the Crown Chakra is accessible to everyone, not just monks and gurus. Imbalance can lead to depression, greed, narrow-mindedness, and materialism.
Understanding and balancing your chakras can lead to improved emotional and physical health, fostering a sense of overall well-being. Each chakra plays a crucial role in our body’s energy system, and maintaining their balance is essential for a harmonious life.