The 7 Chakras – Energy Centers
What are Chakras?
Chakras are the energy centers of the body. They are located in the astral body, along the spine, starting at the base and running upwards to the crown of the head. The astral body is the energy body residing inside our physical body. Each physical body part has a corresponding astral body part. The astral body cannot be seen or touched. This is also a reason why we cannot see the chakras.
The chakras radiate a specific colour and energy, and each one coincides with a gland in the physical body. Since each chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of our being, it is believed that their blockage or malfunction can lead to physical, psychological and emotional disorders.
The conscious awareness and balancing of these energy centers, on the other hand, is believed to lead to well-being and good health.
And that is one of the purposes of Reiki, Yoga and Meditation.
1. Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Mantra: Lam
The Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It is characterized by the emotions of survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency. When this chakra is out of balance, a person starts feeling unstable, ungrounded, lack of ambition, lack of purpose, fearful, insecure and frustrated. However, when the root chakra is balanced, these are replaced by more positive emotions, and you feel stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent, and strong.
Signs of a Blocked Muladhara Chakra
When the Muladhara Chakra is blocked and imbalanced, it can cause mental stress which is visible through one’s physicality. The symptoms of a Muladhara Chakra imbalance are:
· Feelings of lethargy or depression
· Unable to take action and/or manifest intention
· Feelings of being disconnected and isolated
· Panic attacks or anxiety
· Digestive disorders
· Health issues, such as problems in the colon, bladder, and lower back
· Unexplained aches and pains in the body
· Reproductive issues
· Insomnia
Unblocking and Opening the Muladhara Chakra
Identifying and working on your chakras allows quick healing. There are several ways to unblock your Root Chakra. The ways are Reiki, Meditation and Yoga. Practicing yoga regularly also encourages physical and mental strength to the body.
Repeating positive affirmations helps set intentions to break old habits and create new ones.
Some positive affirmations that can help strengthen your Root Chakra are:
· I feel safe and secure.
· I have deep roots.
· I am grounded.
· I have found my peace.
· I trust more, I am fearless.
· I have self-love and I take care of my well-being.
· I am open to all possibilities.
Conclusion
When the Muladhara Chakra is awakened and energy is flowing freely, it brings positivity in all aspects of our lives. A healthy and balanced Root Chakra creates a strong connection to our earthly instincts. It improves overall confidence and increases the sense of self-worth. The energy of the Muladhara Chakra allows everyone to harness courage and perseverance during challenging times.
2. Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
Color : Orange;
Element: Water
Mantra: Vam
The Svadhishthana Chakra is located in the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. Its attributes include the basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-worth. When the sacral chakra is imbalanced, a person may feel emotionally explosive and irritable, sense a lack of energy and creativity, feel manipulative, or obsessed with sexual thoughts. When balanced, it makes one feel more vibrant, happy, positive, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.
The common health problems from an imbalanced Sacral Chakra are:
· Chronic lower back pain
· Arthritis
· Genital or sexual problems
· Hip issues
· Anemia
· Joint problems
· Low energy
· Spleen and kidney issues
· Premenstrual Syndrome
Healing Sacral Chakra imbalance
There are simple ways to restore or realign the balance of chakras. Chakra healing brings a harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. Here are some of the ways to balance your Sacral Chakra:
Affirmations – are a positive way to heal negative programming that can be embedded in the subconscious. If there is negative programming present, then it is in itself the cause of chakra imbalances. Affirmations can help to reprogram the subconscious with a positive mindset and raise energy vibrations.
Some affirmations that help alleviate Sacral Chakra include:
· I am passionate.
· I am a creative being.
· Have boundaries that protect me.
Conclusion:
The Svadhishthana Chakra or Sacral Chakra symbolises creative potential, the ability to harbor fulfilling relationships, as well as our sexual.
Suppressing such vital energy or obsessing over negative thoughts and patterns cause blockages. This chakra releases a person from controlling behaviour and fear of abandonment. Restoring balance to the Sacral Chakra creates an empowered and confident individual.
3. Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
Color :Yellow
Element : Fire
Mantra: Ram
The Manipura Chakra is located at the solar plexus, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is characterized by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression. An imbalance of the solar plexus chakra can manifest physically as digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes. On an emotional level, one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism. By balancing this chakra, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focussed.
Signs of a Blocked Manipura Chakra:
When the Manipura Chakra is out of alignment, digestive issues arise. This can show up as improper processing of nutrients, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome. Eating disorders, Ulcers, Diabetes, issues with the pancreas, liver, and colon are some of the symptoms of imbalance in this energy center of Manipura Chakra.
An imbalance can also cause severe emotional problems. Starting with doubt and mistrust towards the people in your life, continuing with a lot of worries about what others may think about you. Some people may experience low levels of self-esteem, searching for continuous confirmation and approval from others. This imbalance may lead to unhealthy attachments to people in your life.
Unblocking the Manipura Chakra
A well balanced Solar Plexus Chakra enables us to effectively plan and achieve success. Cleaning and opening this chakra can make a person a better leader and create an inspiring life.
Repeat positive affirmations about personal power. By repeating affirmations, either out loud, in our heads, or by writing them down, we help reverse negative thought patterns and replace them with constructive ones.
Set the intention by repeating affirmations like:
· I feel calm, confident, and powerful.
· I feel ready to face challenges.
· I feel motivated to pursue my purpose.
· I am ambitious and capable.
· I forgive myself for past mistakes, and I learn from them.
· The only thing I need to control is how I respond to situations.
· I can create positive change in my life.
· I stand in my personal power.
Conclusion
The Manipura Chakra is the center of fire or Agni. The fire element burns the negative to manifest and sustain the positive. A balanced energy center contributes to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Identifying and practicing the above-mentioned methods helps to balance the third chakra and also promotes success and longevity.
4. Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
Color: Green or Pink
Element: Air
Mantra: Yam
The Anahata Chakra is located in the heart region. This chakra is the seat of balance, and it is characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, trust, and passion. When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness. By harmonizing this energy center, a person begins to feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated.
Signs of a Blocked Heart Chakra
Issues with the energy flow in the Heart Chakra can make us feel lonely, isolated, and unable to connect. This is because when we are wounded and feel stuck in the past it leads to anxiety. A person may be scared to share and trust any relationship. Any of the below-mentioned symptoms indicates that the Heart Chakra requires rebalance and healing.
· Fear of rejection
· Loss of trust in a committed relationship
· Issues giving and receiving affection
· Over dependency in a relationship
· Distant behaviour with people who care
· Tough and unemotional appearance while feeling vulnerable
· Physical symptoms such as heart palpitation, poor blood circulation, heart pain, angina, or even problems like Asthma.
Balancing the Heart Chakra
Sit cross-legged and take deep breaths. Focus on the Heart Chakra and start changing YAM. Imagine the chakra opening with the energy flowing throughout the body. The vibrations of the chanting YAM produces an overflow of positive feelings.
Daily affirmations build confidence
Affirmations – can help to increase the positive energy associated with the Heart Chakra. Keeping a journal of gratitude helps in acknowledging the gifts of the present moment.
Some examples of positive heart affirmations include:
· I deeply and completely love and accept myself.
· I am wanted and loved.
· My heart is open to love.
· I forgive myself.
· I live in a state of grace and gratefulness.
Conclusion
The energy that the Heart Chakra manifests has a deep impact on our personality. A meaningful and balanced life can be achieved when our Heart Chakra is in balance.
Maintaining a balanced Heart Chakra brings knowledge of the Self, which helps develop a strong relationship with others.
5. Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
Color: Blue
Element: Space
Mantra: Ham
The Visuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well. A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts. When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.
Signs of a Blocked Throat Chakra
When the energy of the Vishuddha Chakra is imbalanced, communication breaks down. We refuse to listen to our inner Self and to others. Others are unable to understand us and feelings of loneliness surround us. The symptoms of a disturbed Throat Chakra are:
· Hesitation in expressing emotions
· Lacking the vocabulary to describe your feelings
· A sense feeling misunderstood by people around you
· Aggressive behaviour
· Use of negative words and actions
Since the Vishuddha Chakra is connected to the throat, there are visible physical problems due to imbalance. A sore throat, fluctuations in hormone levels, and pain or stiffness in the neck area can be symptoms of a misaligned Throat Chakra.
Healing the Throat Chakra
Throat Chakra Affirmations
The repetition of affirmations sets the intention to break old patterns and create new, healthier and more effective, ones. To balance the Throat Chakra, repeat affirmations that relate to authenticity and open communication.
Here are some examples:
· I communicate confidently and with ease.
· I feel comfortable speaking my mind.
· I am balanced in speaking and listening.
· I am an active listener.
· I speak my true thoughts with clarity.
· I set clear boundaries.
By repeating these statements, we create new thought patterns, behaviors, and actions that align with feelings of authenticity and open self-expression.
The power of mantra chanting
Ham is the mantra associated with the Throat Chakra. The vibrations from “RAM” open your throat chakra so that your communication energy can flow strongly.
Conclusion
The energy of the Vishuddha or Throat Chakra can prove to be your greatest strength if used effectively. The ease of communication in expressing emotions is a basic need. When our communication, with others and with ourselves flows, we experience more clarity and positivity of thoughts. When we have more clarity, our intention and actions are clear too and any toxic impurity holds less power over us.
6. Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
Color :Indigo
Element : None
Mantra: OM
The Ajna Chakra (pronounced as ‘Agya Chakra’) is located between the eyebrows. Also known as the Third Eye Chakra, it is often used as a focal point during asana practice to develop more concentration and awareness. It is said that meditating upon this chakra destroys the karma of past lives and brings liberation and intuitive knowledge.
Its attributes are intelligence, intuition, insight, and self-knowledge. When imbalanced, it may make you feel non-assertive and afraid of success, or on the contrary, it can make you more egoistical.
Ajna Chakra Imbalance
The physical symptoms of an imbalanced third eye chakra affect the neurons of the brain with problems like:
· Eye problems
· Headache
· Migraine
· Brain disorders
· Insomnia
· Endocrine imbalance
· Disorders in Pituitary and Pineal Gland, Hypothalamus
Healing the Ajna Chakra
Breathing through the Ajna Chakra
The simplest and effective way to activate the Ajna Chakra is through breathing consciously. Sit in a comfortable meditative pose with your spine elongated. Close your eyes and focus all your energies on your third eye. Bring your attention to the breathing while inhaling and imagine a positive light entering the Third-Eye Chakra. In the same way, while exhaling, let all the negative thoughts away from you and let the whole body relax. Continue this process for 5 to 10 minutes.
Seed Mantra Chanting
Another way to activate Ajna Chakra is to concentrate on the location of the chakra and chant the seed mantra of – Om. Sit in a comfortable meditative posture with the spine elongated. Chant mentally the mantra ‘Om’ slowly with full awareness. Continue the chanting and concentration on the chakra as long as you are comfortable. You can repeat the chanting from 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
Conclusion
The powers of the Third-Eye Chakra are infused with supreme knowledge and wisdom. Ajna Chakra balances the physical and spiritual qualities and brings harmony to the body and mind. Connecting with your Ajna Chakra can be practiced daily. Awakening the Ajna Chakra brings new opportunities, peace, and fulfillment in life.
7. Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
Color :Violet/White
Element: None
Mantra: Aum
The Sahastrara Chakra is located at the crown of the head. The seventh chakra is the center of spirituality, enlightenment, and dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness. When it gets imbalanced, one might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, melancholy and destructive feelings.
Signs of a Blocked Crown Chakra
A person with blocked a Crown Chakra may experience unwillingness to be open to other ideas, thoughts, or knowledge. The signs such as psychosis, dissociation from the body, being disconnected and ungrounded are also manifested when the Crown Chakra is unbalanced. This chakra can produce different symptoms depending on excessive or insufficient activity.
How to activate and unblock the Crown Chakra
All meditation practices are good for keeping the seven chakras open and aligned. Meditation promotes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and relaxation.
Here are the steps you need to go through a simple Crown Chakra meditation:
· Sit in a comfortable position with back straight and feet resting on the floor.
· Bring your hands in a ‘mudra’ position by placing your hands on your knees and turning your palms towards the sky.
· Shut your eyes close and inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
· Continue to breathe slowly and evenly. Imagine the lotus petals unfurling with the white color.
· Visualize the bright color surrounding the crown of your head and slowly spreading throughout your body.
· Open your eyes after 5 to 10 minutes and sit quietly for some time.
Chanting the seed mantra AUM also helps in deep meditation and healing of the Crown Chakra.
Positive affirmations for Crown Chakra balance
Affirmations are the best technique for balancing the chakras. All of them aim to boost confidence and faith in oneself without any judgments or Ego. These affirmations promote an open Crown Chakra.
· Divinity resides within.
· I am open to new ideas.
· Information I need comes to me.
· The world is my teacher.
· I am guided by a higher power.
· I am guided by inner wisdom.
Conclusion
Each chakra represents a spiritual energy that helps us understand ourselves better. Sahasrara Chakra energy residing at the crown of the head is a realization of completeness. By bringing balance and peace to the body and mind, we can overcome obstacles, let go of emotional blockages, and walk the path towards spiritual consciousness.