Chakras are the energy centres of the body starting at its base of the spine and running upwards to the crown of the head.
The 7 chakras radiate a specific colour and energy, and each one coincides with a gland in the physical body. Because the chakras relate to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of our being, it is believed that a blockage can lead to physical, psychological and emotional disorders. On the other hand, when we create conscious awareness and balancing of these energy centres, we increase the likelihood for wellbeing and good health.
The Root Chakra
The root chakra is the first chakra and is located at the base of the spine/coccygeal plexus. It embodies our physical identity and begins developing from the womb to the first year of life which in the face of adversity, may affect the balance of this chakra.
This is the chakra that deals with survival and self-preservation -- the body, its foundations, roots, grounding, nourishment, trust, health, home, family and prosperity. With its grounding energy in the earth element, the root chakra thrives in and aims to have stability, to be grounded, in good physical health and trust.
The root chakra is weakened by trauma, neglect, abandonment, physical abuse, illness, accidents, surgery -- any situation that may cause you to question your right to be in this world. We feel fear and instability when the root chakra is blocked or out of balance. With no grounding we lose our centre, get swept off our feet or daydream in a fantasy world. We lose our ability to contain, which is to have and to hold.
To regain balance in this chakra we should ensure that we are meeting basic survival needs in ways to offer security, stability and enough freedom to expand beyond surviving. Ensuring basic needs like keeping rent and mortgage paid and food on the table gives us a means of our own independence.
Some affirmations that may help connect with your root chakra are:
It is safe for me to be here.
The earth supports me and meets my needs.
I love my body and trust its wisdom.
I am immersed in abundance.
I am her and I am real.
The Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is the second chakra located in the abdomen, genitals, lower back and hips. It embodies our emotional identity and begins developing from 6 months to 2 years of life.
This is the chakra that deals with sexuality and emotions -- all things to do with change, movement, flow, sensation, pleasure, need, desire, the shadow, guilt and duality. With its flowing energy in the water element, the sacral chakra thrives in and aims to feel fluidity, pleasure, healthy sexuality and passion.
Guilt is the demon of the second chakra and what keeps us in our shadows. The greater the guilt, the more we try to become flawless and inhibit the natural flow of energy, polarising the body and mind.
A balanced sacral chakra has the capacity for sexual satisfaction with a true sense of connection, physical pleasure, general enjoyment of life, comfort and intimacy and the ability to accept movement and change gracefully. There is steadiness and clarity in the emotional states. Balance allows the ability to nurture the self and others while still maintaining healthy sexual and emotional boundaries. Allowing movement of the body can help release emotions. Kicking when angry, sobbing when sad, yearning when reaching out, shaking when nervous. Try these affirmations when feeling blocked in this chakra:
I deserve pleasure in my life.
I absorb information from my feelings.
I embrace and celebrate my sexuality.
My sexuality is sacred.
I move easily and effortlessly.
Life is pleasurable.
The Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra located under the breast bone. It embodies our ego-identity and begins developing from 18 months to 4 years of life.
This is the chakra that deals with energy, activity, autonomy, authority, individuation, will, self-esteem, proactivity and power. With its fierce energy in the fire element, the solar plexus chakra thrives in and aims to feel vitality, spontaneity, strength of will, purpose and self-esteem.
An imbalance of the solar plexus chakra can result from feeling emotions like ego, anger, lack of self-esteem, shame and aggression and manifest physically as digestive and liver problems.
To balance the solar plexus chakra we must be willing to step out of the familiar and confront the challenge of uncertainty. It is about daring to be unique, risking disapproval for the integrity of your own truth. It is the unfolding of our soul and journey. Many people do not awaken this chakra at all and spend their whole lives following the path of least resistance, giving their power to others.
Affirmations that can help nurture this chakra include:
I honour the power within me.
I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly.
The fire within me burns through all blocks of fears.
I can do whatever I will to do.
The Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is the fourth chakra located in the chest. It embodies our social identity and begins developing from 1 to 7 years of life.
This is the chakra that deals with love, balance, self-love, self-reflection, self-acceptance, relationships, intimacy, anima/animus, eros/thanatos, devotion, reaching out and taking in and compassion. With its energy in the air element, the heart chakra thrives in and aims to feel both self-acceptance, acceptance of others, the right to love and be loved.
When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness. By harmonising this energy centre, a person begins to feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated. Loving acceptance of others allows the rejected parts of our psyche to emerge safely. This sets us up for the self-expression of the 5th chakra.
Affirmations for the heart chakra:
I am worthy of love.
I am loving to others and to myself.
There is an infinite supply of love.
I live in balance with others.
I forgive myself, I forgive others
The Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is the fifth chakra located in the throat. It embodies our creative identity and begins developing from 7 to 12 years of life.
This is the chakra that deals with communication and self-expression. With its energy in the space element, the throat chakra thrives in and aims to experience clear communication, inspiration, creativity and resonance.
A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts. When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.
Self expression is the gateway between the inner and the our world. Only by self-expression lets the outer world get to know what’s happening in the inner world. The throat chakra is the gateway between the mind and the body. Only when the mid and body are connected do we have true resonance. If we live in our head with a throat chakra block, then we cannot speak what we know. We cannot translate knowledge into feeling or action and therefore cannot manifest When mind and body are not congruent when there is a tendency to throw the head out of alignment with the body.
To help clear a throat chakra blockage, speak these affirmations:
I listen to my own inner knowing.
I speak my truth.
I let my voice be heard.
I trust my conviction and act on my truth.
I do no harm with my words.
I speak with authenticity, grace, and courage.
I express my creativity with ease and joy.
The Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra located between the brows. It embodies our social identity and develops during our adolescence.
This is the chakra that deals with intuition and imagination. With its energy in the light element, the third eye chakra thrives in and aims to have psychic perception, accurate interpretation, imagination and clear seeing.
When imbalanced, it may make you feel non-assertive and afraid of success, or on the contrary, it can make you more egoistical. An imbalance can manifest as physical problems like headaches, blurry vision, and eye strain. When this chakra is active and balanced, a person feels more vibrant and confident, both spiritually and emotionally.
The third eye witnesses the internal screen, where memory and fantasy, images and archetypes, intuition and imagination intertwine. Creating meaning and bringing consciousness to all that exists within and outside of us. Opening the third eye, we see beyond the physical, find meaning and patterns, connecting the dots, forming images and meaning. This self reflection leads to self knowledge and wholeness. Recognition of patterns can either shut off new information or it can spare us an experience we would rather avoid - our interpretation will decide which we choose. This is the beginning of wisdom.
I trust my intuition, always.
I seek to understand and learn from my life experiences.
I am connected to my higher power.
I am connected to the wisdom of the Universe.
Every situation is an opportunity for growth.
I am able to see and act in alignment with my divine purpose.
The Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is the seventh chakra located at the top of the head It embodies our universal identity and develops all throughout life.
This is the chakra that deals with awareness and self-knowledge. With its energy in the thought element, the crown chakra thrives in and aims to know wisdom, knowledge, consciousness and spiritual conception.
When it gets imbalanced, one might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, melancholy and destructive feelings. In harmony, it allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness.
Opening the crown chakra is about expanding our awareness so that it can embrace a larger portion of the universal field of consciousness. This occurs through meditation, spiritual practice, study and education and simple act of paying attention. When we shift into the crown chakra we shift from observation to experiencing. At this point, I becomes we and we become one with the divine, dissolving and transcending the boundaries that keep us separate. This is where we let go of attachment -- and while attachment is necessary for making and maintaining commitment to the lower chakras, it inhibits our ability to expand the crown chakra, keeping us trapped in a small space, unable to embrace a larger place.
I honour the Divine within me.I am open to new ideas.
Information I need comes to me easily.
The world is my teacher.
I am guided by a higher power and inner wisdom.
I am worthy of love from divine energy.
We hope this blog post helped you to further understand what the 7 chakras are, how the way we feel may indicate blockages or imbalances in the various chakras and how to regain that harmonious balance again.
May the affirmations within provide you with a starting point in your healing journey.
