Chakras are believed to be centres of energy within the body, commonly referenced in Eastern spiritual and healing practices. Each chakra is associated with specific physical, emotional, and spiritual functions, and it's thought that keeping chakras balanced contributes to overall well-being. The seven main chakras align along the spine, from its base to the crown of the head.
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
- Location: Base of the spine
- Associated Colour: Red
- Function: Grounding, security, survival, and stability.
- Signs of Blockage: Feelings of insecurity, fear, anxiety, instability, or issues with finances or the home environment.
- Healing Methods: Grounding activities (walking barefoot on the earth), yoga poses like tree pose or mountain pose, wearing or visualising red, and using grounding crystals like hematite or smoky quartz.
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
- Location: Lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel
- Associated Colour: Orange
- Function: Creativity, sexuality, pleasure, and emotional expression.
- Signs of Blockage: Emotional instability, sexual dysfunction, lack of creativity, low energy, or difficulty relating to others.
- Healing Methods: Engaging in creative activities (painting, dancing), hip-opening yoga poses, wearing or visualising orange, and using crystals like carnelian or orange calcite.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Location: Upper abdomen, above the navel
- Associated Colour: Yellow
- Function: Self-esteem, personal power, confidence, and willpower.
- Signs of Blockage: Low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, digestive issues, or difficulties setting boundaries.
- Healing Methods: Practicing self-discipline, core-strengthening yoga poses, wearing or visualising yellow, and using crystals like citrine or tiger’s eye.
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Location: Center of the chest
- Associated Colour: Green
- Function: Love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance.
- Signs of Blockage: Difficulty in relationships, inability to forgive, feeling disconnected, or respiratory problems.
- Healing Methods: Practicing compassion and forgiveness, heart-opening yoga poses, wearing or visualising green, and using crystals like rose quartz or green aventurine.
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
- Location: Throat
- Associated Colour: Blue
- Function: Communication, self-expression, and truth.
- Signs of Blockage: Difficulty expressing oneself, fear of speaking up, sore throat, or thyroid issues.
- Healing Methods: Practicing open communication, throat-stretching yoga poses, wearing or visualising blue, and using crystals like lapis lazuli or aquamarine.
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows
- Associated Colour: Indigo
- Function: Intuition, imagination, insight, and perception.
- Signs of Blockage: Lack of direction, poor intuition, difficulty focusing, or frequent headaches.
- Healing Methods: Meditation, visualisation exercises, wearing or visualising indigo, and using crystals like amethyst or sodalite.
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
- Location: Top of the head
- Associated Colour: Violet or white
- Function: Spiritual connection, enlightenment, and universal consciousness.
- Signs of Blockage: Disconnection from spirituality, loneliness, lack of purpose, or headaches.
- Healing Methods: Meditation, connecting with nature, wearing or visualising violet or white, and using crystals like clear quartz or selenite.
Blocking Chakras
Chakras can become "blocked" by stress, negative emotions, physical illness, or trauma. A blockage may cause energy to be either deficient or excessive in that chakra, affecting mental, emotional, or physical health.
Healing and Balancing Chakras
Balancing chakras involves practices that focus on grounding, clearing, and energizing each chakra. This can include:
- Meditation: Focusing on each chakra, visualising its associated colour, and practicing specific affirmations can restore balance.
- Yoga: Certain yoga poses activate specific chakras, encouraging flow of energy.
- Breathing Exercises: Pranayama (breath control) can regulate energy flow through the chakras.
- Crystals: Each chakra has associated crystals that can help balance its energy.
- Sound Healing: Singing bowls, tuning forks, or chants tuned to the chakra’s frequency help to realign energy.
