The concept of the chakras is popular in eastern systems like yoga, Buddhism, Qi Gong and Hinduism. The Sanskrit word ‘chakra’ translates to ‘wheel’. Simply put, chakras are vortexes of energy in the subtle body. They form where many ‘nadis’ (subtle energy channels resembling nerves) come together. While there are over a hundred of them, the seven chakras along your spine are most important.
Give these a read to find out which of your chakras are open, overactive and under-active – and how that shapes your life.
The Seven Chakras: Your Body’s Energy Vortexes
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Root Chakra a.k.a Mooladhaara
The blood red coloured Root chakra is located at the base of the spine. It governs the blood, legs, gonads and skeletal system.
This chakra is all about the physical and primal aspects of life – survival and reproduction. When your Root chakra is open, you feel grounded, safe, physically fit, and financially secure. When imbalanced, it leads to excess or lack of attachment to the material world, insecurity and inability to handle practical life.
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Sacral Chakra a.k.a Swadhishtana
The vivid orange Sacral Chakra is two inches below the belly button. It governs the lower abdomen, reproductive organs, kideys, bladder, as well as the circulatory system.
The Sacral chakra is the seat of sexuality, creativity and pleasure. When it’s open, you can build healthy relationships with others and yourself, have a vivid imagination, and you’re able to enjoy life. An imbalanced Sacral Chakra causes guilt, obsessiveness with sensual pleasures, or inability to enjoy them.
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Solar Plexus Chakra a.k.a Manipura
The fiery yellow coloured Solar Plexus Chakra is located at the solar plexus, a few inches above the belly button. It governs the adrenal glands, pancreas, liver, and digestive system.
The Solar Plexus chakra links to emotions, identity, and transformation. It enables you to have ambitions as well as generate the energy to achieve them. It improves confidence, intellect, and emotional wellbeing. When imbalanced, it can cause over-assertiveness or powerlessness, emotional imbalances, and insufficient or excess ambitiousness.
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Heart Chakra a.k.a Anahatha
Located at the centre of the chest, the Heart chakra is vibrant green. It governs the lungs, arms, and circulatory system.
This chakra is linked to love and empathy. When open, it helps you experience harmonious emotions, forgive easily, and develop deep connections with others. When blocked, the Heart Chakra causes a general inability to relate with others, leading to negative emotions like envy, hatred, and lack of compassion.
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Throat Chakra a.k.a Vishuddhi
A soothing shade of light blue, the Throat chakra is situated at the throat. It governs the mouth, neck, shoulders, and thyroid gland.
It is the centre of expression and inspiration. An open Throat chakra means that you are able to express yourself well, and confidently speak the truth. You are also keen to explore and grow. When it goes out of balance, you may often feel misunderstood, unable to speak freely, and low on creativity.
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Third Eye a.k.a Ajna Chakra
Located between the eyebrows, the Third Eye is a luminescent indigo colour. It governs vision, memory, the pineal and pituitary glands, as well as the nervous system.
This popular chakra is all about insight, intuition, and spiritual understanding. When open, the Third Eye lets you explore higher realms of consciousness, progress spiritually, discover your inner wisdom, and listen to your intuition. Imbalance leads to lack of these, or excess imagination and disconnection from reality.
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The Crown a.k.a Sahasrara
The last of the seven chakras, the Crown chakra, is located at the tip of the head. It has a divine violet colour, and associates with the pituitary gland and central nervous system.
The bliss centre, this chakra is where you unite with God, supreme consciousness…whatever you may call it. Here, the truth of human existence unfolds itself at the highest stage of spiritual progress. When open, the Crown chakra unites your energies into one and you can experience deep peace and oneness. When blocked, it causes depression and disconnection from the truth and the world.
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