The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit word for “wheel” or “turning” and refers to the spinning energy centers of the body. Each chakra is associated with a different part of the body, a different sense, and a different kind of consciousness. Chakras, or “wheels of energy” (in Sanskrit) are points of intersection between the physical body and the energy body. Each chakra corresponds to different aspects of our lives and can be influenced by diet, body movement, and memories.
In the human body there are seven major chakras. Each of these seven chakras are associated with different colors, emotions, physical properties, elements, musical notes, energy and gemstones/crystals. Generally speaking, a person’s chakras will be slightly different from one day to the next.
Starting from the base, we have the root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra and crown chakra. In this article, we’ll discuss ways to identify your chakra system and if any chakras are blocked. We’ll discuss chakra healing through positive affirmations, wellness tips, including yoga poses that help with clearing the blocked chakras and healing your chakras have a cleaner energy flow. If you find that a particular yoga pose is challenging for you, it may be very necessary for regaining chakra harmony.
1. Root Chakra – Muladhara
The root chakra is our first chakra and represents our sense of safety and security in the world. It is your physical energy grounding point. It controls your sense of being rooted, which allows you to feel grounded in your immediate surroundings. The root chakra is intimately entwined with feelings of physical and emotional safety and can help protect you from haphazardly pulling your energy away from your body and going into stress, anxiety, and depression.
The root chakra is one of the most important chakras, as it is a base chakra and is connected to our sense of survival. In order to thrive, we need to feel safe and secure. The root chakra represents the foundation of our world, and ensures that we are able to take care of our basic needs (air, food, water) and that we feel safe and secure.
Color Associated with the Root Chakra: Red
Location: The root chakra is located at the base of the spine or perineum
Focus: Physical survival, security, self-preservation
When the Root Chakra is blocked: If our sense of security is threatened, we may respond with aggression, anger, or passive-aggressive behaviours. We may feel fear, anxiety and resistance to change.
Positive Affirmations:
“I am safe and grounded.” “I feel a strong connection to the earth.” “I am worthy of love.” “My needs are valid.” “I am both body and spirit.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about safety Incorporate more movement into your day such as dance or exercise Practice gratitude Walk barefoot on the earth Eat red plant foods such as raspberries, beets and red apples
Yoga poses that serve the Root Chakra:
Sukhasana or “Easy Pose” Balasana or “Child’s Pose” Tadasana or “Mountain Pose” Virabhadrasana II or “Warrior II Pose” Savasana or “Corpse Pose”
2. Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana
The sacral chakra is our second chakra and governs our ability to enjoy life, experience pleasurable feelings, and be creative. The sacral chakra opens the way to pleasure, comforting energy, nurturing, and the need to have our basic needs met. It plays a very active role in our sexuality.
Color Associated with the Sacral Chakra:
Orange
Location:
The sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen between the navel and the pubic bone
Focus:
Material, creative, sexual, and emotional self
When the Sacral Chakra is blocked:
We may feel jealousy, low self worth, become easily offended, struggle with creative inspiration, have feelings of rigidity.
Positive Affirmations:
“I am powerfully creative.” “I embrace my sensuality and celebrate my sexuality.” “I am comfortable in my body.” “I am free and safe to express my emotions.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about fluidity Meet your sexual needs Connect with water Consume orange colored foods Enjoy intuitive movement and dancing
Yoga poses that serve the Sacral Chakra:
Utkata Konasana or “Goddess Pose” Paschimottanasana or “Seated Forward Bend” Jathara Parivrtti or “Supine Twist Pose II” Malasana or “Garland Pose” Trikonasana or “Triangle Pose”
3. Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura
The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra and known as the “sun wheel” or the “nerve wheel”. This is the chakra that is often referred to as the energy power center of the body. This is your will, your backbone, your energy source. It’s the home of your self-confidence, self-esteem and your personal power. This is the chakra that helps us to make decisions,
Color Associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra:
Yellow
Location:
The sacral chakra is located in upper abdomen, below the sternum
Focus:
Love, self-confidence, ambition, power, and self-esteem
When the Solar Plexus Chakra is blocked:
We notice we have a victim mentality, have become unreliable, lack trust in ourselves and have low self-esteem. We may micromanage and excessively try to control our environments or other people.
Positive Affirmations:
“I am valuable.” “I release myself from my past.” “I make my own decisions with confidence.” “I stand in my power.” “I am strong and capable of all things.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about strength Practice deep, mindful breathing or meditation (link to meditation article) Seek therapy to heal from past traumas Drink chamomile tea with ginger Sit or walk in the sun
Yoga poses that serve the Solar Plexus Chakra:
Surya Namaskar or “Sun Salutations” Ustrasana or “Camel Pose” Salabhasana or “Locust Pose” Bhujangasana or “Cobra Pose” Balansa or “Child’s Pose”
4. Heart Chakra – Anahata
The heart chakra is the fourth chakra and is associated with the energy of unconditional love and compassion, and it is also known as the love chakra. When this chakra is functioning well, you feel a sense of peace and love for others and yourself. The Heart Chakra is the center of compassion, self-acceptance, and love. It acts as a major receptacle for positive emotions like love, forgiveness, and empathy. According to Shiva, “We can be each others’ best friend by connecting with our heart chakra.”
Color Associated with the Heart Chakra:
Green
Location:
The heart chakra is located at the center of the chest, near the heart
Focus:
Love, relationships, connections
When the Heart Chakra is blocked:
We may feel bitter, resentful, or depressed. We may have exaggerated feelings of being hurt, angry, act unforgivingly and jealous while also possibly feeling vulnerable, unworthy, and judgmental.
Positive Affirmations:
“I give and receive love freely and effortlessly.” “I love myself unconditionally.” “I choose joy, love and compassion.” “I forgive myself. I forgive others.” “I am peaceful.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about love Nurture green houseplants and consume green foods Be mindful about your posture Write yourself a love letter Volunteer for a good cause
Yoga poses that serve the Heart Chakra:
Setu Bandhasana or “Bridge Pose” Virabhadrasana I or “Warrior I Pose” Salamba Bhujangasana or “Sphinx Pose” Anjaneyasana or “Low Lunge Pose” Natarajasana or “Dancer’s Pose”
5. Throat Chakra – Vishuddha
The throat chakra is the fifth chakra and is responsible for the expression of truth. The throat chakra represents the ability to receive and express inspiration, the ability to discern the truth of matters and communicate that truth to others. The throat chakra is the energy center of the body that connects the mind to the physical body. This energy center can also help people to realize their potential, and to find their true path in life.
Color Associated with the Throat Chakra:
Blue
Location:
The throat chakra is located in the throat.
Focus:
Communication, self-expression, creativity
When the Throat Chakra is blocked:
We may face issues communicating our needs or talking about our feelings. Blocked throat chakras can also cause us to be overly critical of others and to feel misunderstood.
Positive Affirmations:
“I speak and receive truth.” “I am expressing my best self.” “My voice is truthful and confident.” “It is safe for me to express how I feel.” “I set clear boundaries.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding affirmations that focus on authenticity Journal your feelings regularly Singing Express emotions you may be bottling up or suppressing Eat blueberries and other fruits that grow on trees like peaches, apples and pears
Yoga poses that serve the Throat Chakra:
Bidalasana-Bitilasana or “Cat-Cow Pose” Ustrasana or “Camel Pose” Adho Mukha Shvanasana or “Downward-Facing Dog Pose” Virabhadrasana I or “Warrior I Pose” Parighasana or “Gate Pose”
6. Third Eye Chakra – Ajna
The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra and is associated with the part of the body/mind hat regulates extrasensory energy perception. The third eye chakra symbolizes wisdom, insight, and intuition. Extrasensory perception involves the perception of information from external stimuli that are not processed through physical senses, such as hearing, sight, taste, smell, or touch. The ability to recognize and comprehend this information is considered extrasensory. The third eye chakra is commonly associated with psychic powers and intuition, and it is said to be connected to the pineal gland. The third eye chakra is our sense of inner vision, the ability to see what is happening inside of us, and to see beyond the physical world. The third eye is also known as the mind’s eye. When the third eye is open, you are able to tap into the inner wisdom, guidance and knowledge that is stored within.
Color Associated with the Third Eye Chakra:
Purple/Indigo
Location:
The third eye chakra is located at the center of the forehead
Focus:
Imagination, insight, intuition, expanded consciousness
When the Third Eye Chakra is blocked:
We may feel self-doubt when evaluating our life’s purpose, have a lack of imagination, have trouble with indecisiveness, experience paranoia and frequent headaches originating from the center of the forehead.
Positive Affirmations:
“I am connected to my higher self.” “Love and light flows through me.” “I trust my intuition.” “I am connected to the divine wisdom of the Universe.” “I nurture my spirit.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about connection to the universe and intuition Journal your dreams and search for significance Gently tap the third eye chakra area of the forehead Stop critical thoughts, open your awareness to be non-judging Get creative by painting, writing, crafting, or with visual media projects
Yoga poses that serve the Third Eye Chakra:
Tratak or “Candle Gazing” Balasana or “Child’s Pose” Makarasana or “Dolphin Pose” Uttanasana or “Standing Forward Bend” Prasarita Padottanasana or “Wide Leg Forward Fold”
7. Crown Chakra – Sahasrara
The crown chakra is the seventh chakra and represents spiritual enlightenment and energetic connection to the divine. One of the most important aspects of the crown chakra is its ability to open the mind to new ideas and thoughts, as well as help you to see the world through a broader lens than you previously used. It is also a key chakra in the human energy system because it helps to bring your body and mind into alignment. The crown chakra is the gateway to universal energy – the center of pure awareness, and all the information that comes through it is unfiltered.
Color Associated with the Crown Chakra:
Violet
Location:
The crown chakra is located at the top of the head
Focus:
Spirituality, self-awareness, wisdom, and connection to the divine
When the Crown Chakra is blocked:
We may feel a sense of isolation or rejection, lack of spiritual connection to “something greater”, disassociation from our bodies, greed, and frequent migraine headaches.
Positive Affirmations:
“I honor the divine with me.” “I learn from the world around me.” “I love and embrace myself.” “I am light and love.” “I am boundless and infinite.”
Wellness Tips for Healing:
Meditation surrounding positive affirmations about pure love, light and acceptance Use affirmations for all seven chakras Open your awareness to notice spiritual synchronicities Practice breath-focused meditation Sit with silence; find a quiet place to calm your mind and body
Yoga poses that serve the Crown Chakra:
Vrikshasana or “Tree Pose” Nadi Shodhana Pranayama or “Alternate Nostril Breathing” Padmasana or “Lotus Pose” Paschimottanasana or “Seated Forward Bend” Savasana or “Corpse Pose”
Chakra Meditation and Energy Healing
Now that you’ve learned about the seven main chakras and ways to identify if you have a physical, mental, spiritual or emotional imbalance because of a blocked chakra, you may have noticed that the four lower chakras are associated with our earthly needs/bodies and the three upper chakras are more intimately connected to our spiritual energy and connection. A comprehensive way to have a professional assess your chakras is to seek a session with a trusted reiki or intuitive practitioner.