The chakra system is a profound philosophical system that represents the levels of consciousness. So it’s the map to the architecture of your soul.
Defining a chakra as a wheel. This refers to the spinning, spherical energy center that makes up a chakra. That energy is ancestrally known as ‘prana’. You may also recognize this word coming up in other practices. This includes yoga and meditation. ‘Pranayama’ means breath control.
Where did the chakra concept come from?
The chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC. Moreover, the data on each chakra was recorded in one of the most ancient, prized spiritual texts in human history: the Vedas.
How Many Chakras Are There?
There are a total of seven chakras in the human body. They start from the end of your spinal cord and go all the way to the top of your head.
Each chakra is of unique importance and has its own function for the overall well-being of your body. So if any become out of sync, it can negatively impact your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
What Are the 7 Chakras?
Here are the seven chakras and their corresponding numbers in order:
- The Root Chakra: Muladhara
- The Sacral Chakra: Svadhisthana
- The Solar Plexus Chakra: Manipura
- The Heart Chakra: Anahata
- The Throat Chakra: Vishuddha
- The Third Eye Chakra: Ajna
- The Crown Chakra: Sahasrara
The Root Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: 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
The official name of this chakra, 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. Because of this, all total body healing starts here.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I am safe and grounded.’
Stones: Hematite, Black Onyx, and Smoky Quartz
Essential Oils: Vetiver, spikenard
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.
The Sacral Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: Svadhisthana
Color: Orange
Location: In your pelvic region, a couple of inches below the belly button.
Yoga pose: Revolved Triangle Pose, Goddess Pose
Also known as ‘the place of the self’, the sacral chakra is therefore 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.
Healing Affirmation: ‘I enjoy the pleasures of life.’
Stones: Orange Calcite and Citrine
Essential Oils: Ylang-ylang, rose, tangerine
Behavioral Changes: Engaging in creative activities such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument, tantric sex, and mindful eating, for example.
The Solar Plexus Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: 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
Many call the solar plexus chakra the ‘warrior chakra’ as well. This is because this is by far the most powerful supporting chakra for bravery and boundary-setting.
For instance, you can most probably physically feel its raging energy when you feel angry. You’ll feel it when you need to defend yourself. For better or for worse, it’s your fight and flight response’s right-hand man!
When balanced, high self-esteem and self-worth are bonus by-products.
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, helichrysum
Behavioral Changes: Setting boundaries, practicing saying ‘no’, enhancing self-esteem, exercising, and doing things you’re good at, for example.
The Heart Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: Anahata
Color: Green
Location: In the chest, in and around the heart space.
Yoga pose: Low Lunge, Camel Pose
Interestingly, 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…it’s this energy center you’re connecting to.
In spite of all its translations, this chakra is fundamentally just about love. 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.
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.
The Throat Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: Vishuddha
Color: Sky Blue
Location: Right in the middle of your throat.
Yoga pose: Easy Pose (with chanting), Supported Shoulderstand
Carrying the meaning of the words ‘very pure’, this chakra helps you to quite literally speak up. Because of this, you’ll do so in a smooth, confident, authentic way.
In addition, this chakra is your official 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.
In other words, there’s nothing that enlightens and inspires those around you like an open Throat Chakra.
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.
The Third Eye Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: Ajna
Color: Indigo
Location: Between the eyebrows–extending to your brain’s pineal gland.
Yoga pose: Dolphin Pose, Lotus Pose
The infamous third 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‘.
Furthermore, long before brain imaging, many ancient cultures knew about the third eye’s presence. They believed it to be our human connection to the divine.
When your Third Eye is balanced, you’ll feel in tune with the physical and spiritual world. You’ll also be able to connect with both your ego and your soul.
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.
The Crown Chakra
Sanskrit Translation: 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’. This refers to its beautiful, petal-ladened symbology.
Sahasrara is nothing but pure consciousness, connecting you to the Universe. This complete Universe is also known as ‘Om’. And it’s quite literally nothing personal…
When it comes to the concept of the crown chakra, it’s something we all have in common. Every human, animal, plant, eco-system, planet, and star has that same lifeforce energy. It’s also worth noting that this chakra exists beyond your unique ego. It is your connection to ‘God’, whatever you deem that to be.
Achieving a balanced crown chakra is the goal of any spiritual practice. Moreover, it’s not easy to do. Once truly balanced, you’ve achieved enlightenment. In other words, you discover the secret of who you really are. Transcending suffering is known in the Buddhist tradition as ‘Nirvana’.
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.
