Chakras are energy centers within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to the immune system and emotions. The word “chakra” means “wheel” or “disk” and is derived from the Sanskrit root word “cakra”. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy/light that correspond to certain nerve bundles and major organs.
There are seven main chakras that run along your spine, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Each chakra has its own symbol, color, and meaning. They are:
- Root chakra (Muladhara): located at the base of your spine, it provides you with a base or foundation for life, and it helps you feel grounded and able to withstand challenges. It is responsible for your sense of security and stability. Its color is red.
- Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana): located just below your belly button, it is responsible for your sexual and creative energy. It is also linked to how you relate to your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Its color is orange.
- Solar plexus chakra (Manipura): located in your stomach area, it is responsible for confidence and self-esteem, as well as helping you feel in control of your life. Its color is yellow.
- Heart chakra (Anahata): located near your heart, in the center of your chest, it is all about our ability to love and show compassion. Its color is green.
- Throat chakra (Vishuddha): located in your throat, it has to do with our ability to communicate verbally. Its color is blue.
- Third eye chakra (Ajna): located between your eyebrows, it is responsible for intuition and imagination. It helps you see beyond the physical world. Its color is indigo.
- Crown chakra (Sahasrara): located at the top of your head, it is the highest chakra and represents our connection to the divine and our spiritual nature. It helps you access higher states of consciousness. Its color is violet or white.
To function at their best, your chakras need to stay open or balanced. If they get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra. For example, a blocked root chakra may cause you to feel fearful, anxious, or insecure; a blocked sacral chakra may cause you to feel low on energy, creativity, or sexual desire; a blocked solar plexus chakra may cause you to feel powerless, angry, or frustrated; a blocked heart chakra may cause you to feel isolated, lonely, or depressed; a blocked throat chakra may cause you to have difficulty expressing yourself or speaking your truth; a blocked third eye chakra may cause you to have trouble trusting your intuition or making decisions; a blocked crown chakra may cause you to feel disconnected from your spirituality or purpose in life.
There are various ways to unblock or balance your chakras, such as meditation, yoga, sound healing, crystals, aromatherapy, or Reiki. By keeping your chakras open and aligned, you can enhance your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Red is said to stimulate and energize. It is the color of the base chakra. This color is used to attract wealth and prosperity. VITALITY, COURAGE, SELF CONFIDENCE. Use when you need to meet a demanding day, or when you feel drained of energy. The color red provides the power from the earth and gives energy on all levels. It connects us to our physical body. Everything that is to be commenced needs the life vitality of red.
Orange is associated with creativity and radiance. It is the color of the reproductive chakra. HAPPINESS, CONFIDENCE, RESOURCEFULNESS. Brings joy to our workday and strengthens our appetite for life! Orange is the best emotional stimulant. It connects us to our senses and helps to remove inhibitions and makes us independent and social.
Yellow is the color of the solar plexus chakra. It is our source of personal power. Yellow/golden is the color of the Christ consciousness. WISDOM, CLARITY, SELF-ESTEEM. Gives us clarity of thought, increases awareness, and stimulates interest and curiosity. Yellow energy is related to the ability to perceive and understand. The yellow energy connects us to our mental self.
Green is healing and it is the color of the heart chakra. People also associate pink with this chakra, and thus, love. BALANCE, LOVE, SELF CONTROL. Helps relax muscles, nerves, and thoughts. Cleanses and balances our energy, to give a feeling of renewal, peace and harmony. Green connects us to unconditional love and is used for balancing our whole being.
Blue corresponds to the throat chakra It is the color of self expression and being ourselves. KNOWLEDGE, HEALTH, DECISIVENESS. This is a mentally-relaxing color. Blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system and brings great relaxation. Ideal for sleep problems, and hyper-active children. Connects us to holistic thought, and gives us wisdom and clarity enhancing communication and speech.
Indigo or Violet connects us with the third eye chakra and it is associated with intuition and vision. Many people also use this to clean and purify either a room or themselves. INTUITION, MYSTICISM, UNDERSTANDING. The purple energy connects us to our spiritual self bringing guidance, wisdom and inner strength. Enhances artistic talent and creativity. Purifies our thoughts and feelings giving us inspiration in all undertakings.
Magenta and Clear White Light is associated to the crown chakra and it connects us with the Divine and our spiritual life. BEAUTY, CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION.The magenta energy connects us to our unconscious self, and gives us the experience of being part of the whole universe. Strengthens intuition, imagination, psychic powers, and increases dream activity.
