Your Chakras are the energy centers of the body. They are located in the astral body along the spine, starting at the base of the spine and running upwards to the crown of the head.

At the central core of our body spin seven main wheel-like energy centers called Chakras. Chakras have the ability to receive, assimilate and transmit energy.

Each chakra is a vortex, spinning life-force energy into or out of the body. In fact, the word chakra is from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel of light”.

There are 7 major chakras connected to and a part of the physical body. All are located on the torso and head. Each chakra transmits and receives life-force energy often called “qi” (pronounced “chee”, sometimes spelled “chi”), “prana”, or “universal intelligence”. There are also 2 other important chakras: the Soul Star and the Earth Star chakras which are just above the head and below the feet respectively.

There are also many minor chakras, most of which are located at the joints of the physical body.

When we are in a state in ill health, the chakras may be distorted, out of alignment or even stagnant. When this happens, life force energy cannot flow in and out freely and the physical body may suffer. Stress, inability to express emotions, over emotional expression, beliefs incongruent with Truth, disconnection from a higher power, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, exposure to toxicity, etc. can cause the chakra system to close down.

Each chakra resonates with a particular frequency of vibration and are an integral part of Vibrational Medicine. Chakras are balanced by inviting them back to their natural state of vibration & frequency using color, light, sound, aroma, energywork, crystals & stones, and sacred geometry. By stimulating the senses in a favorable way, the nervous system and therefore, the chakras are balanced.

The physical body is a unit made of many different integral parts that are designed to be self-correcting. The body’s job is to maintain balance and the free-flow of energy. The chakras are an energetic gateway, feeding the body pranic energy and providing an outlet for the release and dispersal of spent energy.

In Hindu and yoga teachings Chakras have been recognised for thousands of years, although they have only recently been introduced to the West. Chakras are the main energy points of our life force or “subtle body” – sometimes referred to as Spiritual Energy, Prana or Ch’i.

The word Chakra comes from the ancient Sanskrit word for “wheel”, and Chakras are often perceived by healers as a spinning wheel of energy.

There are seven main Chakras linked to nerve centres along the spinal cord, as well as many minor Chakras throughout the rest of the body.

The Chakras coincide with a gland in the physical body and each radiate a specific color and energy. Since each chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical aspects of our being, it is said that the blockage or malfunction of the chakras can lead to physical, psychological and emotional disorders.

The History of Chakras

Chakras have only recently become more well-known, with the growth in popularity of yoga and New Age philosophies in general. They are a complex and ancient energy system that originated in India. They were first mentioned in the Vedas, ancient sacred texts of spiritual knowledge dating from 1500 to 1000 BC. There’s a lot one can study about them.

So what should you know about the chakras? Below is your crash course.

Chakra 101 – Chakra (cakra in Sanskrit) means “wheel” and refers to energy points in your body. They are thought to be spinning disks of energy that should stay “open” and aligned, as they correspond to bundles of nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body that affect our emotional and physical well-being.

Some say there are 114 different chakras, but there are seven main chakras that run along your spine. These are the chakras that most of us are referring to when we talk about them.

Each of these seven main chakras has a corresponding number, name, color, specific area of the spine from the sacrum to the crown of the head, and health focus.

1. Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine between the anus and the genitals. It radiates the color red and represents the element earth.

It is characterized by the emotions of survival, stability, ambition and self sufficiency. When this chakra is out of balance, a person might feel unstable, ungrounded, lack of ambition, lack of purpose, fearful, insecure and frustrated. However when Muladhara Chakra is balanced a person might feel stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent and strong.

Practicing the following postures helps to balance Muladhara Chakra: Tree Pose (Vrkshasana) and Mountain Pose (Tadasana).

2. Swadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
The second chakra, Swadishthana Chakra, is located at the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. It radiates the color orange and represents the element water.

The attributes of Sacral Chakra are the basic needs for sexuality, desires, creativity and self-worth. When imbalanced, a person might feel emotionally explosive and irritable, lacking of energy and creativity, manipulative or obsessed with sexual thoughts. When Swadhishthana Chakra is balanced, a person might feel positive, vital, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.

You can work on balancing Swadhishthana Chakra by practicing balancing poses like Crow Pose (Kakasana) or standing poses like Triangle Pose (Trikonasana).

3. Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura Chakra or Solar Plexus Chakra is located above the navel at the solar plexus (between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage). It represents the element fire and thus radiates yellow color.

This chakra is characterized by energy and emotions like ego, anger and aggression. An imbalance of Manipura Chakra can manifest itself physically by digestive problems, liver problems or diabetes. On an emotional level one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger and perfectionism. By bringing the chakra into balance one might feel energetic, confident, productive and focussed.

Working on Manipura Chakra can be done in poses like Classical Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), Classical Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana).

4. Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
Anahata Chakra, Heart Chakra, as the name implies, is located at the heart region. Its color is green and the element is air.

This fourth Chakra is the seat of balance within the body, characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, trust and passion. When Anahata Chakra is out of balance a person might deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear and moodiness. By harmonizing this chakra, you might feel compassionate, optimistic, friendly, motivated, understanding and caring.

Heart Chakra can be balanced by practicing poses like Half Bridge Pose (Ardha Setubandhasana), and Fish Pose (Matsyasana).

5. Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
The fifth Chakra, Throat Chakra, is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. Its color is bright blue and the element is space.

Vishuddha Chakra represents inspiration, expression, faith and the ability of communication. Imbalance of the Throat Chakra may lead to timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness or the inability to express your thoughts. Balance of the Throat Chakra can manifest itself by creativity, positive self expression, constructive communication and satisfaction.

Throat Chakra is stimulated in poses like Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) and Plough Pose (Halasana).

6. Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
Ajna Chakra (pronounced as ‘Agya Chakra’) is located in between the eyebrows. It is free of element but does have a color: indigo blue.

Third Eye Chakra is often used as a focus point during asana practice to bring more concentration and awareness. It is said that meditation on Ajna Chakra destroys the karma of past lives and gives liberation and intuitional knowledge. Its attributes are intelligence, intuition, understanding, insight and self knowledge. When this chakra is out of balance, one might feel non-assertive, afraid of success, or on the contrary, be egoistical. Imbalance of Ajna Chakra can manifest itself on a physical level by headaches, blurry vision and eye strain. When Ajna Chakra is balanced, one is his own master without fear of death and free of attachment to material things.

Ajna Chakra is stimulated when practicing Headstand (Shirshasana).

7. Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
The seventh Chakra, Sahastrara Chakra, is located at the crown of the head. Also this chakra doesn’t represent an element. It is violet and/or white in color.

Sahastrara Chakra is the center of spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness. When out of balance, one might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, no spark of joy and destructive feelings.

Balancing Sahasrara Chakra can be done by practicing Headstand (Shirshasana).