What Are Chakras?
The word ‘chakra’ in Sanskrit translates to ‘wheel’. However, our chakra is actually more of a vortex. Energy flows through it in two ways. It spins in a clockwise direction moving the energy out of the body and anticlockwise rotation pulls energy in into your body.
To understand what chakras are, imagine little highways of energy running through your body.
Understanding the Chakra System
According to ancient texts, there are seven main chakra channels in the human body (in reality recorded more than 114!!!!). All of these lie along the spine.Each chakra is associated with different physical & psychological characteristics.
In general, our aim is to rise up through the chakra. Moving away from acting out of survival and moving to making decisions based on intuition.
This begins at our root chakra, deep in our pelvic region, and progresses upward to our crown chakra. Energy should be able to flow freely through our system, without us stuck in any one place or moment.
The 1st chakra – Root Chakra – Muladhara
The official name of this chakra, Muladhara, comes from the words Mula, which means root and Dhara, which means support.
This chakra’s role is to connect all of your energy with the Earth - grounding.
When you think of your Root Chakra, think of your day to day survival here on earth. This energy center’s role is to give you everything you need to survive; shelter, food ,water, financial and emotional security.
Color: Red
Location: This chakra is located at the very base of your spine, near your tailbone. It goes up to just below your belly button.
When balanced : When your 1st chakra is balanced, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and peace when you think about things like money, safety, and shelter.
You will feel connected to your human experience, know your place in the earth
when it’s blocked: Blockages in the root chakra can manifest into problems can affect how you feel in the world. You might experience a lack of belonging or co-dependency on another person. Physically, you might have digestive problems, lower back issues, hip pain, and ovarian cysts in women, reproductive issues or prostate issues in men.
The second Chakra- Svadisthana- Sacral Chakra
The 2nd chakra is the sacral chakra or svadhishana which translates to “the place of the self.” This chakra is all about your identity as a human and what you do with it.
From of all 7 chakras, this chakra is responsible for bringing you creative energy to help enrich your life. Your sacral chakra is the home of the creative life force energy that helps you enjoy your life here on Earth.
Colour: Orange
Location: The sacral chakra is located right below the belly button and extends to its centre.
When balanced : When your 2nd chakra is balanced, you will relish in the pleasurable things life has to offer, without overdoing them. Sex, good food, and creative activities will be inspiring and enjoyable.
If your sacral chakra is blocked, you may become unemotional and closed off to others. A blockage might also lead to feelings of low self-worth.
The 3rd chakra – Solar Plexus – Manipura
Translates to “gem.” This chakra is where your self-confidence, identity, and personal power are born.
It that “gut feeling “ you have.
This is the seat of your personal power, your solar plexus, and you can physically feel that confidence and wisdom in its location.
Colour: Yellow
Location: The solar plexus starts in the centre of the belly button and extends up to the breastbone or where your two sets of ribs connect in the centre of your chest.
When balanced : When your 3rd chakra is balanced, you will feel a sense of wisdom, decisiveness, and personal power.
When it’s blocked: A blockage in this chakra might cause you to feel insecure and anxious. Digestive issues can also be symptoms of an unbalanced solar plexus chakra.
The 4th chakra – Heart – Anahata
The 4th chakra is the Heart or Anahata chakra, which translates to “unhurt.” This chakra is where your love, compassion, and kindness are empowered.
We all associate our hearts with love, and that’s exactly what the 4th chakra is all about. And this includes love for others and love for yourself, which is why this chakra is also associated with health and healing.
Colour: Green
Location: The heart chakra’s centre is located right over your heart and it radiates down to your breastbone and up to your throat. It is the middle one of the 7 chakras and it’s connecting the higher chakras with the lower chakras- connecting the physical with the spiritual.
When balanced : When your 4th chakra is balanced, you are able to equally feel love for yourself and others. Even when tough things happen, you can still see the compassion and kindness in others.
When it’s blocked: a blocked heart chakra might cause someone to feel closed off and distant to others. This can lead to feelings of loneliness.
The 5th chakra – Throat – Vishuddha
The 5th chakra is the Throat chakra or Vishuddha which translates to “pure.”
This chakra gives a voice to your personal truths.
Physical level, your voice comes from the throat, but on an energetic level, this energy actually comes from your 5th chakra. This chakra lets you speak your truth with clarity.
Its a chakra of communication, its not only speaking but listening.
Resting right above the heart, the throat chakra is connected to the compassion and love you have for yourself and others. It is also related to listening and expression of the self. Vishuddi governs the ears, vocal cords and thyroid gland.
Colour: Blue
Location: The throat chakra’s centre is right in between your collar bone, and it radiates down to the centre of your heart and up to the centre of your eyes.
When balanced : When your throat chakra is balanced, you will be able to clearly speak with love, kindness, and truth.
You will know exactly which words are appropriate for each situation. And speaking with a balanced throat chakra will enlighten and inspire those around you.
When it’s blocked: When your throat chakra is blocked, you have trouble speaking your truth and expressing your needs.
The 6th chakra – The Third Eye – Ajna
The 6th chakra is the Third Eye Chakra Ajna which translates to “ wisdom.” This chakra opens up your mind to information beyond the material world and the 5 senses.
Extrasensory perception, intuition or psychic energy, all come from the third eye.
This chakra resides in The pineal gland.
Long before brain imaging, ancient cultures knew this Third Eye existed, and they also realized it received information from sources outside of the five senses.
Colour: Indigo
Location: The third eye’s centre is in between your eyebrows. It radiates down to your mouth and up to the top of your head.
When balanced: When your third eye chakra is balanced, you will equally feel in tune with both the physical world and the material world. You will receive psychic information as frequently as you receive information from your 5 physical senses, but it will not overwhelm you.
When it’s blocked: When your third eye chakra is blocked, you may struggle to have faith in your broader purpose. This can lead to feelings of insignificance and the inability to make decisions. Physical manifestations of a blockage in this chakra include headaches, eye discomfort and sinus pain.
The 7th chakra – Crown – Sahaswara
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The 7th chakra is the Crown or Sahaswara, which translates to “thousand petaled.” This chakra is pure consciousness energy. Its Consciousness energy is everywhere and in everything. It connects us to the entire universe. You are Everything and Nothing
Its more like universal energy than something personal or individual.
Colour: Violet – white
Location: The crown chakra’s centre is at the top of your head. It radiates down to between your eyes and then extends infinitely upward and outward, connecting you to the energy of the rest of the universe.
Wheb balanced : Achieving a balanced crown chakra is the goal of every spiritual warrior, and it’s not easy to do. Once you achieve it, you’re not really human anymore – you’ve conquered suffering and death.
It is the journey of attempting to achieve this balance that brings us happiness, good health, and wisdom. When it’s blocked: A blockage in the crown chakra keeps you disconnected from the spiritual side of life. You may feel a strong attachment to material possessions or achievements.
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR CHAKRAS:
MEDITATION
YOGA
CHANTING
CRYSTALS AND STONES
The Root Chakra – Hematite, Black Onyx and Smokey Quartz
The Sacral Chakra – Tigers’ Eye and Sunstone
The Solar Plexus Chakra – Jasper and Pyrite
The Heart Chakra – Rose Quartz and Aventurine
The Throat Chakra – Aquamarine and Sodalite
The 3rd Eye Chakra – Amethyst, Fluorite and Lolite
The Crown Chakra – Clear quartz, Amethyst and Moonstone
ESSENTIAL OILS
Root Chakra. myrrh, frankincense, benzoin, patchouli and sandalwood. Also corn, clematis, rosemary, ylang-ylang.
Sacral Chakra.citrus oils, such as neroli, melissa, and orange. Also rose, hibiscus, jasmine, Indian Paintbrush, and lady’s slipper.
Solar Plexus Chakra. include yarrow, chamomile, peppermint, juniper, vetivert, petigrain and marjoram.
Heart Chakra. rose-oil, bergamot, Melissa, jasmine or rosewood. Also useful are holly, poppy, eucalyptus, and pine.
Throat Chakra. cosmos, trumpet vine, larch, and blue chamomile. Also sage, lemongrass, geranium and hyssop.
Third Eye Chakra. Essential oils and flower essences used to balance the 3rd Eye Chakra are lavender, spruce, frankincense, patchouli, or clary sage. Also useful are rosemary, wild oat, Queen Anne’s Lace, madia, elemi, and peppermint.
Crown Chakra. lotus, angelica, frankincense, sandalwood, and myrrh. Also jasmine. star tulip, benzoin, neroli, lavender, angelica or St. John’s Wort.
CONNECTING TO NATURE
USING MUDRAS AND MANTRAS
Ever felt you weren’t good enough?
Maybe you feel like something’s off ?
These could be symptoms of a blocked chakra.
Blocked chakras create a lot of imbalance in our minds, bodies, and spirit. Then all other aspects of our lives - like our finances, relationships, career, and health - also start to suffer.
We can unblock our chakras and restore the flow of celestial energy in our bodies.
Once our energies flow naturally, we can break the cycle of pain, frustration and anxiety and dissatisfaction with life. We can lead a more balanced, whole, and fulfilled life.
