Chakras Explained
Understanding your chakra energy systems and how to keep them balanced for ultimate wellness and healing.
Before I begin it is important to mention, although the information in this blog has been heavily researched, I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice.
Chakra, meaning “wheel” in ancient Sanskrit, originated in India in Veda, Tantra, Upanishad, and Yoga Sutra teachings. Our chakras are energy systems along our body that are catalysts of consciousness and human function. Each energy system circulates and expels energy and effects us on every level of our being. The chakra system, when balanced, can provide us with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.
The Seven Chakras:
THE ROOT CHAKRA- located at the first 3 vertebrae at the pelvic plexus.
THE SACRAL CHAKRA- located below the navel, in the center of the lower belly and lumbar vertebrae.
THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA- located at the upper part of the belly where the diaphragm rests.
THE HEART CHAKRA- located at the center of the chest, at the breast bone midpoint.
THE THROAT CHAKRA- located at the center of the throat and can radiate into mouth and shoulders.
THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA- located just slightly above and between the eyes.
THE CROWN CHAKRA- located at the top, center of the head.
The chakras explained:
THE ROOT CHAKRA
The root chakra is the foundation in which we build and expand our life on. It supports us in, safety, growth, and manifestation.
The root chakra represents security, belonging, safety, grounding, and basic needs. The element associated with this chakra is earth, representing belonging and safety. When the root chakra is balanced, we feel grounded in who we are, stable and strong. We feel content and peaceful.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I Belong.
Right Here, Right Now, I am Safe.
I am Rooted Firmly to the Earth.
I am Supported.
I am Loved.
I am Protected.
SIGNS your root chakra is imbalanced or blocked
Anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty feeling truly safe
Deep insecurity
Excessive negativity
Aggressive demeanor
Excessive neediness and anxious attachment to others.
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR ROOT CHAKRA
Connect with the Earth. Stand barefoot in the grass, sit with your back against a tree. Spend time in nature.
Bringing your attention to the here and now. Focus on your immediate environment. Using your senses is a good way to focus on the present. What do you smell, hear, feel, or even taste in the moment you are in.
Engage in mind-body connection activities such as walking, yoga, dancing, or any sort of exercise where you are able to be fully present. Child’s pose, triangle pose, forward fold, and savasana are particularly helpful.
Eat grounding foods. Root vegetables like beets and carrots, lean meats, spicy foods, and red fruits are all beneficial.
Grounding meditations where you focus on your where the base of your spine contacts the ground. This is the one I recommend:
Diffuse oils such as Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, or Sandalwood.
The sacral chakra
The sacral chakra is associated with creativity and sensuality and is the driving force for enjoyment of life through the senses.
The sacral chakra is associated with the element water, representing fluidity, flexibility and freedom. When balanced, we can discover our unlimited creative power, we have a harmonious and loving relationship with ourselves and others, and we are able to freely express ourselves and set healthy boundaries.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I Honor My Body.
I Radiate Joy.
I am Creative.
I Have a Right to Pleasure.
My Sexuality is Sacred.
I am Free to Express Myself.
Signs your sacral chakra is imbalanced or blocked
Feeling ruled by emotions, no emotional regulation.
Feeling numb, and out of touch with emotions.
Overindulgence or substance abuse
Inability to cope with change
Lack of sexual desire
Codependency
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR SACRAL CHAKRA
Staying very hydrated
Wading or swimming in natural water or taking frequent baths.
Diffuse oils such as orange, rose, or ylang-ylang.
Tap into your creative side by any sort of art that you enjoy.
Eating foods such as citrus, coconut, and melons as well as adding cinnamon to your foods/drinks.
Meditations that bring your focus to your lower belly.
Using citrine, orange calcite, and moonstone as an aid in meditations.
Yoga poses: Goddess pose, upavista konasana, downward dog, and wide legged forward bend.
The Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus chakra is associated with personal power and allows us to live with confidence and strength.
The solar plexus is associated with the element fire, representing strength and power. When balanced, we have a strong sense of personal identity and are able to stand strong in it and are decisive and confident in our decisions. We are also able to move through the world independently with clarity and direction and can take responsibility for our lives with assertiveness.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I Let Go of Fear.
I am Strong.
I Stand in My Power.
I am the Embodiment of Confidence.
I am Capable of Achieving My Goals.
I Will Act With Intention.
There is Nothing I Can’t Overcome.
Facing Challenge is an Opportunity for Growth.
Signs your solar plexus is imbalanced or blocked
Low self-esteem and low self-worth.
Difficulty setting boundaries and speaking up for yourself.
Lack of self-control or substance abuse.
Clinical depression or depressive episodes.
Fatigue
Anxiety
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
Work with a Reiki practitioner/energy healer.
Eat yellow foods such as bananas, yellow peppers, sunflower seeds, ginger, or cumin.
Diffuse oils such as chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, or rosemary.
Yoga poses: plank, boat pose, cobra pose, and bhujangasana.
Meditations that bring focus to your belly.
The Heart Chakra
The heart chakra represents love, compassion, and empathy for self and for others.
The Heart Chakra is associated with the element air, representing transformation integration. When balanced, we have compassionate discernment and are able to be aware of and integrate our insights. We learn to see ourselves and others through a lens of compassion and acceptance, where we can forgive and reach peace. The heart chakra allows us to feel deeply connected to the earth, spirit, and to each other.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I Love Myself Deeply and Unconditionally.
My Heart is Open for Love.
I Let go of the Past With Love in my Heart.
I am Connected.
I Live in Balance With Others.
I Love and Nurture Little (*your name).
I am Worthy of Unconditional Love.
SIGNS YOUR HEART CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED OR BLOCKED
Withdrawn from others
Critical self-talk (loud inner critic)
Self-victimization
Lacking boundaries
Lacking empathy for others
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR HEART CHAKRA
Begin inner-child work with a coach or therapist.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Write yourself a love letter.
Develop a prayer practice.
Eat leafy greens
Release grief, have a good cry.
Yoga: Camel pose, cobra, downward dog, fish pose.
Oils: Rose, Geranium, Bergamot, Jasmine.
Stones: Pink Quartz, Jade, Green Calcite.
the throat chakra
The Throat Chakra represents expression of the truth and open communication.
The Throat Chakra is associated with the element of sound. It represents self actualization through the expression of ones true self. When balanced, we can communicate clearly and and ask for what we need in order to manifest our true desires. We can turn our dreams into realities and have trust in ourselves and the universe.
AFFIRMATIONS:
My voice is important and valued.
I deserve to speak my truth.
I communicate my thoughts and feelings freely.
I express myself without fear of judgement.
I honor my right to speak my truth.
I communicate my needs thoughtfully and respectfully.
SIGNS YOUR THROAT CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED OR BLOCKED
Lying or manipulation
Low self-esteem
Excessive eating
Anxiety and increased fear
Irritable and aggressive
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR THROAT CHAKRA
Sing!
Release your anger, scream into a pillow!
Worth with a coach or therapist to release resentment.
Journal all that you want to say out loud.
Eat apples, limes, lemons, and peaches.
Oils: Rosemary, Calendula, Sandlewood, Jasmine.
Yoga poses: Cat cow with lions breath, plow pose, shoulderstand, fish pose.
Stones: aquamarine, lapis lazuli, amazonite.
The Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra represents our inner wisdom and insight that connects us to the spiritual world.
The third eye chakra represents the “supreme element”, meaning all the elements combined in harmony. When open and balanced, the third eye allows us to have a strong connection to our intuition and inner perception. The third eye sees the true world, a unified whole with an unyielding connection to spirit.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I trust my intuition and inner guidance.
I am open to divine guidance.
I am at peace with myself.
I trust in the power of the universe and the divine.
My mind is clear and focused.
I trust my ability to make decisions with confidence.
SIGNS YOUR THIRD EYE CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED OR BLOCKED
Lost sense of direction.
Feeling stagnant or stuck.
A perpetual negative view on life.
Distrusting your inner voice.
Inability to connect to intuition.
Inability to let go of the past.
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR THIRD EYE CHAKRA
Sun gazing at sunrise or sunset.
Meditations on letting go of ego.
Meditation while softly chanting “om”.
Making time to sit in silence.
Stones: Amethyst, Moonstone, Quartz
Oils: Rosemary, clary sage, juniper.
Yoga: Headstand, mountain pose, head to knee.
the crown chakra
The crown chakra represents enlightenment and our connection to the divine.
The Crown Chakra is associated with the universe and the divine; of all things greater than us. It allows us to transcend our limitations and connects us to spirit. When open, it lifts and inspires us and liberates us from our limiting beliefs and patterns. We become fully present and realize we are a soul having a human experience in a human body. Note: all the other chakras need to be in balance before the crown chakra can be truly in balance.
AFFIRMATIONS:
I am open to new ideas.
I honor the divine within me.
I am one with all that is.
I release doubt, and welcome faith.
I trust in the path that has been chosen for me.
I let go of limiting beliefs.
I am divinely guided and protected.
SIGNS YOUR CROWN CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED OR BLOCKED
Trouble sleeping; insomnia.
Mental fog
Fatigue
Dissociation from bodily experience (overactive chakra)
Restlessness
Anxiety
WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR CROWN CHAKRA
Work with an energy healer.
Balance all other chakras.
Meditate
Focus on the here and now by using your senses.
Develop a prayer practice.
Spend time in nature.
Oils: Rose and Lavendar.
Stones: Clear quartz, diamond, selenite, amethyst.
I hoped this helped you develop a better understanding of your chakras and how to keep them in balance. Developing a daily practice where you check in with yourself and where you feel tightness or tension in your body is a beautiful way to begin this work. Pay attention to the symptoms I laid out as well as your own experiences and traumas. Many times certain chakras can be out of balance due to life experiences. Working with a coach or therapist is a great way you can begin your healing journey.
xoxo
Tara