Intro to the 7 Chakras
The Chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC in the oldest text called the Vedas, according to this ancient Hindu scripture the human body has 7 energy points that start at the base of your spine and expand to the top of your head. You have more than your physical body, the chakra system can be thought of as your “energy body.” When one of these chakra points are out of balance, it can cause disease within the body, and the symptoms can be mental, physical, emotional or spiritual. These 7 chakras that originated from eastern medicine happen to align with modern medicine and are known as our Endocrine System. Yes, our chakras have much to do with the human body’s glands. A variety of health problems may be caused by Chakra Imbalances affecting the associated Endocrine Gland and resulting in illness. Whether a chakra is overactive or underactive it can cause problems within the body. When you balance your chakras you will have control of your mental and spiritual health as well as your physical health.
So what are each of the 7 chakras? They each serve a specific purpose and are interconnected. If one is imbalanced, you will not achieve true alignment and optimal wellness. The lower level chakras are more “physical” chakras that deal with you as an individual - the upper chakras are “spiritual” chakras that focus on higher dimensional frequencies. Let’s begin with the Root chakra located at the base of your spine.
1. Root Chakra or Mūlādhāra (Sanskrit)
Translation: English: “root and basis of Existence.”Mula means root and adhara means basis.)
Largely responsible for how safe/secure you feel - based on your physical environment.
When out of harmony we don’t trust our environment and feel in danger
Feelings of basic/primal needs not being met: Food, water, shelter, clothing, love, etc.
Color: Red Element: Earth Affirmation: “I am.”
Location in the body: Base of spine / in between genitals & anus
Glands: Adrenals
Affected Physical Body Parts: Spine, legs, bones, feet, rectum, immune system, large intestine, teeth
Lesson: To feel safe in your environment, to be able to ground yourself, manifest basic needs, and practice healthy physical sexuality.
Physical dysfunction: Chronic lower back pain, poor posture, sciatica, problems with veins/blood flow, rectal tumors and or cancers, hemorrhoids, constipation, arthritis, immune-related disorders, depression, weight fluctuation.
Mental/ Emotional dysfunction: the ability to provide life’s necessities, provide for your family, group safety security, feeling like you belong in a group, the ability to stand up for one’s self.
Keywords for imbalance: Fear, guilt, shame, depression, abuse, neglect, unsafe, dangerous
-Natural healing-
Crystals: (Most Red stones) Ruby, Garnet, bloodstones, hematite, obsidian, onyx, black tourmaline, red jasper, smoky quartz, fire agate.
Essential Oils: Myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli
2. Sacral Chakra or Svadhishthana
(Sanskrit: स्वाधिष्ठान, IAST: Svādhiṣṭhāna, English: “where your being is established.”“Swa” means self and “adhishthana” means established.)
Deals mostly with sexual/reproductive organs and activities, but also emotions and creativity.
Can become unbalanced due to unexpressed anger - stifled creativity - feelings of shame/guilt - and dealing with feelings of lack or scarcity of money or material goods.
When in balance you will cultivate healthy relationships, be in touch with your inner emotions, express sensuality in a positive/healthy way, and easily cultivate abundance.
Location: 2 inches below the navel
Element: Water Color: Orange Affirmation: “I feel.”
Glands: Ovaries, testicles
Physical body parts affected: womb, genitals, lower vertebrae, pelvis, appendix, bladder, hip, kidneys
Life lesson: Use your emotions to connect to others without losing your own identity. Freely express creativity and healthy emotional sexuality.
Physical dysfunction: Chronic lower back pain, sciatica, gynecological problems, pelvic pain, impotence, frigidity, uterine/bladder/kidney problems
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: guilt/ blame, shame, negative money mindset, negative outlook on sexual relationships, hypersexuality, low sex drive, problems with power/control/dominance, creativity/ problems with expressing one’s ideas, honor in relationships
Possible causes of energy blockage: sexual abuse/trauma, r*pe, harassment, gender issues, body dysmorphia/dysphoria, p*rn addiction, shame or repressment of sexuality, stifled creativity.
Crystals: Carnelian, amber, moonstone, coral, orange tourmaline, Sunstone
Essential Oils: ylang-ylang, lemon, patchouli, rosewood, sandalwood
3. Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura
Manipura translates from Sanskrit as “resplendent gem” or “lustrous gem”
The 3rd Chakra or “Power Chakra”
Location: Above Navel / Solar Plexus (beneath ribcage)
Element: Fire Color: Yellow Affirmation: “I can.”
Glands: Pancreas, Adrenals
Physical body parts affected: Abdomen, Stomach, Intestines, liver, gallbladder, spleen, middle spine
Life lesson: To experience the depth of who we are as individuals
To live your life’s purpose
To feel empowered and have good self-esteem
Physical dysfunction: Arthritis, Digestive issues, gastric ulcers, eating disorders, diabetes, indigestion, fatigue, hepatitis, nerve pain, weight issues, metabolism issues, cancers/tumors in the digestive system, etc.
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: trust issues, fear, easily intimidated, low self-respect or self-confidence, sensitivity to criticism, phobias, self-esteem issues, self-harm, depression, inactivity/ stagnant energy, etc.
Possible causes of energy blockage: Repressed anger, dominance/submission issues, problems with working on a team, controlling personality, instability with money, lack of passion for career/ purpose, childhood trauma, many failures, codependency, addiction, etc.
Crystals: Citrine, amber, yellow topaz, tiger’s eye, yellow agate
Essential Oils: Lemon, lemongrass, lime, lavender, rosewood, rosemary,
4. Heart Chakra or Anahata
Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, IAST: Anāhata, English: “unstruck”) In Sanskrit, anahata means “unhurt, unstruck, and unbeaten”.
Location: Center of Chest
Element: Air Color: Green Affirmation: “I love.”
Glands: Thymus
Physical body parts affected: Heart, chest, lungs, circulatory system, shoulders, breast, ribs, lymph nodes, diaphragm, veins, etc.
Life lesson: To experience empathy, compassion, and unconditional love for one’s self and all other beings.
Physical dysfunction: heart disease, heart attack, asthma, allergies, lung cancer, lung disease, pneumonia, breast cancer, high blood pressure
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: Inability to love, hatred for others, resentment, grief, self-centeredness, loneliness, trust issues, inability to forgive
Possible causes of energy blockage: repressed heartache/grief, trauma, negligence, a victim of abuse, unhappy relationship, poor relationship with immediate family, lack of support of friend group, isolation
Crystals: Rose quartz, emerald, peridot, other green stones. Essential Oils: Rose, bergamot, ylang-ylang, Melissa, palmarosa
5. Throat Chakra or Vishuddha
(Sanskrit: विशुद्ध,: Viśuddha, English: “especially pure”)
Location: Throat
Element: Sound Color: Light Blue Affirmation: “I speak.”
Glands: Thyroid
Physical body parts affected: Thyroid, parathyroid, throat, neck, mouth, gums. esophagus, teeth, hypothalamus, neck vertebrae, arms, and hands
Life lesson: To speak and receive the truth. To express yourself freely.
Physical dysfunction: Raspy or sore throat, mouth ulcers, gum difficulties/disease, stiff neck, scoliosis, swollen glands, thyroid problems
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: Strength/will, personal expression, following one’s dreams, using personal power to create, ability to make decisions, addiction, judgment, faith.
Possible causes of energy blockage: suppressing creative talents, difficulty expressing one’s self, not feeling safe to freely express, swallowing words
Crystals: turquoise, aquamarine, celestite, lapis lazuli, blue kyanite
Essential Oils: Lavender, rosemary, frankincense
6. Third Eye Chakra or Ajna
Ajna translates as “authority” or “command” (or “perceive”) and is considered the eye of intuition and intellect.
Location: Forehead, between brows
Element: Light Color: Indigo Affirmation: “I see.”
Glands: Pineal
Physical body parts affected: Brain, nervous system, eyes, ears, nose
Life lesson: To use insight and intuition
To see past the physical world and access higher dimensions
Physical dysfunction: Brain tumor/hemorrhage, stroke, neurological disturbances, blindness, deafness, full spinal difficulties, learning disabilities, seizures, headaches, blurred vision, memory loss,
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: self-evaluation, truth, intellectual abilities, feelings of adequacy, openness to ideas of others, emotional intelligence
Possible causes of energy blockage: A lack of trust in one’s intuition or ability,
Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, amethyst, fluorite, clear quartz
Essential Oils: Lavender, frankincense, sandalwood
7. Crown Chakra or Sahasrara
(Sanskrit: सहस्रार, IAST: Sahasrāra, English: “thousand-petaled”)
Location: Top of Head
Element: Thought Color: Purple, white, gold Affirmation: “I know.”
Glands: Pituitary
Physical body parts affected: Muscular system, skeletal system, skin, central nervous system
Life lesson: To experience the divine meaning of life.
Physical dysfunction: Energy disorders, depression, chronic fatigue, apathy,
Emotional/ mental dysfunction: Ability to trust, values, ethics, courage, selflessness, ability to see the big picture, faith, inspiration, spirituality, devotion.
Possible causes of energy blockage: lack of trust in the divine or the universe, lack of faith, distrust, believing in the worst possible outcome, manifesting negativity
Crystals: Amethyst, clear quartz, moonstone, selenite, white topaz
Essential Oils: Frankincense, peppermint, sandalwood, lotus
