Chakras Explained…
What is a Chakra?
In Sanskrit (classical language of South Asia), the word “chakra” means “disk” or “wheel” and refers to the energy centers in your body. These wheels or disks of spinning energy each correspond to certain nerve bundles and major organs in the body.
To function at their best, your chakras need to stay open and balanced. If they get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra.
Chakras move clockwise and spin the energy out of our body into the space around us; into our aura or “bio-field”. They spin counterclockwise to pull energy from our external world (and from the people in it) towards us. Chakras can also become distorted in shape or completely close when blocked for a prolonged about of time. The best way to envision a chakra is like the aperture of a camera lens, opening to allow more light/energy to flow in or closing, causing light/energy to become restricted or blocked.
There are seven main chakras that run along your spine. They start at the root, or base, of your spine and extend to the crown/top of your skull. It is believed that the human body has over 114 chakras, but most people focus on the main seven chakras in the system. Essential Self focuses on the seven main chakra points as well as the chakras in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Root chakra (Red) (First Charka)
The root chakra is located at the base of your spine. It provides you with a base or foundation for life, and it helps you feel grounded and able to withstand challenges. Your root chakra is responsible for your sense of security and stability. When the root chakra is open, we feel confident in our ability to withstand challenges and stand on our own two feet. When it's blocked, we feel threatened, as if we're standing on unstable ground.
Sacral chakra (Orange) (Second Chakra)
The sacral chakra is located just below your belly button. This chakra is responsible for your sexual and creative energy. It’s also linked to how you relate to your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Those with a blocked sacral chakra could feel a lack of control in their lives.
Solar plexus chakra (Yellow) (Third Chakra)
The solar plexus chakra is located in your stomach area. It’s responsible for confidence and self-esteem, willpower and personal power, as well as helping you feel in control of your life. If your solar plexus chakra is blocked, you might feel overwhelming amounts of shame and self-doubt. Those with open sacral chakras are free to express their true selves.
Heart chakra (Green) (Fourth Chakra)
The heart chakra is located near your heart, in the center of your chest. It comes as no surprise that the heart chakra is all about our ability to love and show compassion. The heart chakra, is the bridge between the lower chakras (associated with physicality) and the upper chakras (associated with spirituality). This chakra can influence our ability to give and receive love—from others and ourselves. Someone with a blocked heart chakra will have difficulty fully opening up to the people in their life. If someone's heart is open, they can experience deep compassion and empathy.
Throat chakra (Blue) (Fifth Chakra)
The throat chakra is located in your throat. This chakra has to do with our ability to communicate verbally. When it's functioning at full capacity, it allows us to express ourselves truly and clearly. Someone with a blocked throat chakra will feel like they have trouble finding the words to say how they truly feel, or swallow their words creating a stuck or tight feeling in the throat.
Third eye chakra (Indigo) (Sixth Chakra)
The third eye chakra is located between your eyes on your forehead. You can thank this chakra for a strong gut instinct. That’s because the third eye is responsible for intuition. It’s also linked to imagination. The third-eye chakra controls our ability to see the big picture. Think of it as the “eyes of the soul”: It registers information beyond the surface level. Visions and intuitive hits are not uncommon for someone with an open third-eye chakra.
Crown chakra (Violet) (Seventh Chakra)
The crown chakra is located at the top of your head. Your crown chakra represents your spiritual connection to yourself, others, and the universe. It also plays a role in your life’s purpose. The crown chakra is the entry point for energy to enter our system.
Warning Signs Your Chakras Are Out Of Balance
These are just some of the possible dysfunctions or imbalances that can arise when your chakras are blocked, closed and out of balance:
Root Chakra: Problems in the legs, feet, rectum, tailbone, and immune system, degenerative arthritis, knee pain, sciatica, eating disorders, and constipation, stress about money and security.
Sacral Chakra: Sexual and reproductive health issues, urinary issues, kidney dysfunctions, hip, pelvic, and low back pain, inability to express emotion or desire, constant fear of betrayal, creativity blocks.
Solar Plexus Chakra: Digestive problems, chronic fatigue, pancreas and gallbladder issues, an unrelenting inner critic, constant fear of rejection, feeling powerless and low self esteem.
Heart Chakra: Asthma, lung issues, heart issues, upper back and shoulder problems, arm and wrist pain, over-loving to the point of suffocation, jealousy, and bitterness, constant fear of being alone.
Throat Chakra: Thyroid issues, sore throats, ear infections, neck and shoulder pain, issues expressing yourself, constant fear of being out of control, feeling misunderstood.
Third Eye Chakra: Headaches, blurred vision and eye strain, sinus issues, moodiness and stubbornness, lack of forward thinking or imagination, uncontrolled anxiety.
Crown Chakra: Rigid thoughts, analysis paralysis (overanalyzing / overthinking), constant fear of alienation, feeling disconnected.
Interested in Assessing your Chakra Health?
Book a Reiki Energy Experience to have your baseline chakra functions tested + balanced. Essential Self provides Chakra Progress Reports for each session helping to track patterns, imbalances and overall chakra function over time.