Understanding The 7 Chakras: How To Balance Your Energy Centers

What are Chakras?

The 7 Chakras: Symbols, Symptoms and Effects

The chakras are energy centres found within the body. They’re believed to be the main contributors to the flow of energy throughout the body and the main way in which a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual health is affected. The chakras are associated with different areas of the body and can be visualised as a hub of flowing energy connecting the body’s different parts. The chakras are linked to the body's basic physiology and the flow of vital energy through them. When a person's chakras become unbalanced, they can experience a range of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.

The chakras are often used to help people understand their personal energy or aura. It is believed that a person's chakras resonate with the same energy frequency as the planet on which they were born. When a person's chakras become balanced, this is said to lead to an even balance of vibrations within the body, which can result in a healthy state of mind and body.

The seven major chakras are the base chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra, and crown chakra. If a person’s base chakra is unbalanced, it can result in physical symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. A solar plexus imbalance may cause anxiety, irritability, heartburn or stomach acid reflux. A heart chakra imbalance can cause palpitations or chest pain, while an imbalance in the throat chakra may lead to difficulty speaking or swallowing.

A crown imbalance could result in a range of symptoms such as depression or headaches.

1. The Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Red Colour

The root chakra is the chakra located at the base of the spine and is associated with the colour red. This chakra is believed to govern our sense of belonging in the world and is responsible for our basic needs such as food, shelter, and physical well-being. When balanced, we feel connected to our environment and have a strong sense of self-confidence and self-worth. When the root chakra is blocked or out of balance, we may experience anxiety, fear, or a loss of connection with our surroundings.

The root chakra symbolises the stability of the body and the strength of the self. When this chakra is out of balance, it can lead to a feeling of insecurity and a loss of connection with our surroundings. However, a balanced root chakra can help us feel safe and secure in our lives.

2. The Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana) – Orange Colour

The Sacral Chakra is symbolised by the colour orange and is located in the lower abdomen. It is associated with creativity, sexuality, and emotions and when balanced, the Sacral Chakra can bring feelings of joy, pleasure, and connection to others. However, when unbalanced, the chakra can lead to feelings of insecurity, fear, or addiction. To balance the sacral chakra, it is important to practice yoga poses that help open up this energy centre such as hip openers and twists. Additionally, meditation on positive affirmations related to the sacral chakra like “I am creative” or “I am connected to others” can help you feel a sense of self-confidence.

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – Yellow Colour

The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra and is located in the abdomen. It is associated with the colour yellow, and its element is fire. The solar plexus chakra is responsible for the emotions of personal power, confidence, and self-control. The solar plexus chakra plays a vital role in the overall functioning of the human body. When it is balanced and functioning properly, it allows a person to have a strong sense of self-confidence and self-worth. However, when the chakra is out of balance or blocked, people may experience an inability to trust their own judgment and make the right decisions. By balancing the solar plexus chakra, one can gain a greater sense of self-confidence and self-worth and become able to confidently face the challenges of life with courage and determination

4. The Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Green Colour

The heart chakra is located in the centre of the chest and is associated with love, compassion, and connection. The heart chakra is the centre of self-expression and the centre of compassion. It is known as the "centre of compassion" because it allows a person to feel compassion for others without judgment. When the heart chakra is out of balance, a person may experience a range of emotions, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness. If the heart chakra is blocked or unbalanced, it can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from the world.

To balance the heart chakra and improve self-expression and compassion, it can be helpful to meditate, practice yoga, use energy healing techniques such as Reiki or yoga, and spend time in nature. By connecting with oneself and the world around us a person can restore balance to their heart chakra and feel compassion for themselves and others.

5. The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Blue Colour

The Throat chakra, or Vishuddha, is the fifth chakra and is represented by the colour blue. It is located in the throat area and governs communication, expression, and creative energy. The throat chakra is associated with speaking one’s truth, listening to others, and expressing oneself authentically. When balanced, the throat chakra allows us to communicate clearly and express ourselves without fear. However, if the chakra is blocked or unbalanced, we may experience difficulty understanding our own truth or communicating it to others. Healing exercises such as chanting mantras and journaling can help balance the throat chakra and allow us to express ourselves freely and confidently.

6. The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Indigo Colour

The Third Eye Chakra is located in the centre of the forehead and is associated with intuition, insight, and wisdom. The colour of the Third Eye Chakra is indigo, which symbolises intuition, inner knowing, and self-realisation. When the Third Eye Chakra is balanced, one can have a clear perception of the world around them and a deeper understanding of what is happening. This allows one to make good decisions and have a greater sense of self-worth and self-confidence. However, a lack of balance in this chakra can lead to confusion and difficulty in making decisions. To balance it, focus on activities such as meditation, visualisation, and journaling to help you gain clarity of thought. By focusing on meditation practice or other activities that require mental clarity and concentration, you can help your body and mind overcome the mental imbalance created by an unbalanced Third Eye chakra.

7. The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Violet Colour

The crown chakra is the seventh and highest of the energy centres of the human body. It is the centre of the head and the seat of our consciousness. This chakra is associated with the colour violet and the element of cosmic energy. When this chakra is balanced and functioning optimally, it allows us to access a higher level of consciousness, allowing us to feel connected to our spiritual self. When this chakra is unbalanced or blocked, a person may experience a lack of creativity in their work or personal life, as well as difficulty finding purpose in life. To balance the crown chakra, individuals can practice meditation, yoga, and other forms of mindfulness to help them connect to their spiritual self.

How to Unblock Chakras: Beginner’s Guide to Chakra Meditation & Affirmations

Chakra meditation is a great way to balance the energy centres of your body and unblock the chakras. When you practice chakra meditation, you can help your body tap into its natural healing energy and open the chakras, allowing the flow of energy to be free and clear. This can help you feel calm and more energetic overall.

In addition to practicing chakra meditation, you can use affirmations to help activate and energise the chakras. For example, you could write down phrases that remind you of your goals or inspire you to be the best version of yourself. These phrases could include affirmations about love, success, or personal power. By using these techniques, you can balance the energy centres of your body and open the chakras for a positive experience every day.

Conclusion

There are a variety of chakra meditation techniques that you can choose from, the most popular of which is the visualisation of the chakras. You can also use the chakra colours for meditation or simply focus on a chakra for meditation. The chakra meditation techniques mentioned above will help you maintain a balanced energy flow and a healthy life.