Working with Chakras

Chakras are energy centres or points within the body that are believed to play a crucial role in the flow of vital energy, also known as “prana” or “chi.” The term “chakra” comes from Sanskrit and means “wheel” or “vortex.” These energy centres are often described as spinning wheels or vortices of energy that are located along the spinal column and through the body.

Jump to Free Chakra Cheat Sheet download

Chakra Overview

There are seven primary chakras, each associated with specific areas of the body, psychological functions, and qualities:

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Located at the base of the spine, this chakra is associated with grounding, stability, and survival instincts.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Located in the lower abdomen, it is linked to emotions, creativity, and relationships.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Positioned in the upper abdomen, this chakra relates to personal power, self-esteem, and confidence.

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Located at the centre of the chest, it is associated with love, compassion, and relationships.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Found in the throat, this chakra is linked to communication, self-expression, and speaking one’s truth.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Positioned in the forehead between the eyes, it is associated with intuition, insight, and inner wisdom.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Located at the top of the head, this chakra is linked to spirituality, enlightenment, and oneness with the universe.

Balancing and aligning the chakras is believed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Various practices, such as meditation, yoga, and energy healing, aim to open and harmonise these energy centres to achieve a sense of balance and holistic health. It’s important to note that the concept of chakras is rooted in spiritual and holistic traditions, and individual beliefs and experiences with chakras can vary widely.

The key to chakra harmony is checking each of the seven key chakras and taking steps to clear any blockages to ensure a clear pathway between them.

How do you know if your chakras are blocked? 

One of the best ways to know if your chakras are blocked is to notice how you feel, both mentally and physically. If you feel sluggish, stagnant, anxious, or any other feelings we typically consider “negative,” then it’s very likely that at least one of your chakras is blocked. Whether the symptoms are physical, mental, or emotional, they are signs of energetic imbalance. Each chakra corresponds to different psychological and physical symptoms, and learning about those can help you understand which chakra might be blocked. The best antidote is to balance all the chakras daily because all of them are connected.

Symptoms of Blocked Chakras

Here are some common signs and symptoms of blocked chakras, as they correspond to different chakras:

Root Chakra (Muladhara):

• Feelings of insecurity and instability.
• Financial or survival-related anxieties.
• Physical issues related to the lower back, legs, or feet.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana):

• Emotional instability, mood swings.
• Creativity blocks and a lack of inspiration.
• Problems with the reproductive system or sexual issues.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura):

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Digestive problems and issues related to the stomach area.

Heart Chakra (Anahata):

• Difficulty in forming meaningful connections and experiencing love.
• Respiratory and heart-related problems.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha):

• Communication difficulties and feeling unheard.
• Sore throat, thyroid issues, or speech problems.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna):

• Lack of intuition and insight.
• Problems with vision, headaches, or insomnia.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara):

• Feeling disconnected from a higher purpose or spirituality.
• Issues with the nervous system, migraines, or sleep disturbances.

Exercise to help balance and unblock your chakras

This exercise is a wonderful way to connect with your chakras and promote balance and harmony. It combines self-awareness, visualisation, and breath-work to clear and align your energy centres. Regular practice can contribute to a sense of overall well-being and inner balance. Because thoughts and emotions are closely connected to our energy, this simple routine can help address and release any blockages, fostering a healthier flow of energy through your chakras.

• Set Aside 5-10 Minutes Daily
  Dedicate a short period each day for this practice, ensuring you won’t be interrupted.
• Observe Your Feelings
  Close your eyes and spend the first five minutes simply observing how you feel without judgment. Pay attention to physical sensations, mental thoughts, and emotional states.
• Notice Tension and Emotions
  During this phase, identify areas of tension or discomfort, as well as any negative or positive thoughts that arise.
• Focus on Your Breath
  Continue to observe your breath during this phase, as it plays a significant role in grounding and relaxation.
• Visualise White Light
  In the next five minutes, begin to visualise white light starting at the crown of your head. Imagine this light slowly moving down through each of your chakras.
• Take Relaxing Deep Breaths
  As you visualise the white light, take deep, relaxing breaths. This can further enhance the calming and balancing effect of the practice.
• Spread the Light
  Once you’ve envisioned the white light reaching the base of your spine, visualise it spreading throughout your entire body.
• Open Your Eyes
  After completing this visualisation, take a deep breath and open your eyes.
• Notice the Difference
  Observe how you feel after this practice. Pay attention to any shifts in your physical, mental, or emotional state.

FREE Chakra Cheat Sheet

There’s a lot to be said about chakras. To keep things as simple as possible, I have created this “chakra cheat sheet”, which contains the most important information about each chakra.

Click the image below for full size and for the printable PDF version, see the link at the end of the article.

This chakra cheat sheet can help you to “self-diagnose” the imbalances of your chakras to see which one needs healing. Simply start by finding your current feeling. Then look to the right to discover which one of the seven main chakras is feeling off-balance. You can meditate using its corresponding colour, element, vibrational sound to help realign it.

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