Understanding the chakras is a powerful tool. The chakras relate to our beliefs, fears, needs and desires as humans and when we understand this beautiful system, we are able to transform and heal.
As listed on our blog as one of the top tools we recommend for transformation, the Chakras are thousands of years old and have been studied by yogis, medicine men and women, gurus, teachers and others on the path of enlightement and transformation.
In most traditions, they recognize 7 basic chakras. These chakras transcend the physical and so they cannot be measured, but they do influence our lives to the deepest levels possible.
Our chakras develop throughout our lives and can become imbalanced from certain stressors or experiences or they can be balanced in health. In some, they may even become excessive. As we study the chakras, know that this is simply a tool to determine imbalances they may exist in your body and that it also offers the path to freedom.
The Seven Basic Chakras are as followed:
-Root Chakra
-Sacral Chakra
-Solar Plexus Chakra
-Heart Chakra
-Throat Chakra
-Third Eye Chakra
-Crown Chakra
Each chakra relates to a different part of the body and governs different aspects of our beings. Above, the chakras are shown from left to right: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown chakras.
We will begin by discussing our first chakra, the root chakra.
The Root Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Muladhara
Location: base of the body, pelvis
Color: red
Basic right: to be here
Demon: fear
Our root chakra develops from the time we are in the womb to about 12 months old. This chakra governs our understanding of safety in the world. From a very young age, even within the womb, we are determining the safety of the world. Is food plentiful? Are there stressors? Are we grounded and in one spot?
Imbalances: the root chakra can very easily come out of balance if we did not have stability or safety growing up. This can also be affected by poverty, lack of consistent housing or even if we did not have a positive father or lacked a father altogether. The root chakra is related to the masculine and so our relationship to our father and men in general is stored here, especially as women. Chronic fear and anxiety can also be a sign of an imbalanced root chakra.
Health: We are grounded, consistent, safe and secure. We have healthy relationships with the divine masculine.
The Sacral Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Svadhisthana
Location: reproductive area
Color: orange
Basic right: to feel
Demon: guilt
The sacral chakra develops around the ages of 6 months to 2 years. This chakra governs our relationship to the feminine, our reproductive area and our femininity. We are also determining the safety of expressing our feelings, experiencing emotions and also connecting to our intuition. If from a young age these things are discouraged, it can be very easy to disconnect from this chakra.
Imbalances: lack of connection to the feminine, resentment of own womanhood, disgust or fear at reproductive area, poor connection to mother. An imbalance here often manifests as an inability to flow with emotions. Women may also lose their intuition if repressed here.
Health: we are connected to the Divine Feminine and we have a healthy sex life. Our intuition is powerful and our reproductive area is healthy.
The Solar Plexus Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Manipura
Location: core
Color: yellow
Basic right: to act
Demon: shame
The solar plexus chakra governs our ability to act, create and live in alignment with our truths. This chakra develops around the ages of 18 months to 4 years. Our solar plexus chakra determines motivation, determination and creativity. When we are connected to this chakra, we are able to energetically create our goals with ease.
Imbalances: common imbalances look like a lack of motivation, disconnect from creativity, sloth and laziness. We may also feel disempowered, unable to change, stuck or fearful of change.
Health: we are able to actively work towards our dreams with passion! We are aware of our limits and honor our bodies.
The Heart Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Anahata
Location: heart space
Color: green
Basic right: to love
Demon: grief
The heart chakra develops around 4 to 7 years old. Our heart space governs our ability to show love, to be compassionate and to be tolerant. An active heart chakra allows us to feel fully and to share our experiences with others. We are able to communicate with love and we do things out of the goodness for ourselves and others. When our heart chakra is fully connected, we feel a deep sense of love for ourselves and that radiates to others in our lives.
Imbalances: fearful to love, unable to show compassion, bitterness, heart walls, boundaries. Unable to determine own worth, lack of self love, self sabotage. A heart chakra imbalance may also look like self abandonment.
Health: ability to love and share vulnerable side. Compassion and tolerance are easy to offer. We love ourselves deeply and unconditionally.
The Throat Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Vishuddha
Location: throat
Color: blue
Basic right: to speak
Demon: lies
The throat chakra develops from the ages of 7 to 12 years old. This chakra governs our ability to speak our truth, to say what we need to say and to speak with compassion. The throat chakra is the chakra I tend to see the most shut down in women. The throat chakra is also our connection to our voice and our ability to sing.
Imbalances: inability to say no or to express yourself, fear or rejection, dishonesty, inability to sing. This can also manifest as a woman who uses sarcasm or hatred in her words instead of love and compassion.
Health: we are able to speak our truth and say no as needed. Our words are honest and compassionate and are used for the greater good.
The Third Eye Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Ajna
Location: between the eyebrows
Color: purple
Basic right: to see
Demon: illusion
The third eye chakra develops in our adolescence and gives us the ability to see beyond our sight. This chakra is magnificent because it allows us to see our own inner knowing and to see the divine flow and universal alignment - much more than our eyes can see. If you have been to India, you may have seen the people there with a red mark drawn between their eyebrows. This is their attention to the third eye chakra, to see and know beyond.
Imbalances: inability to connect to God, inability to see beyond the physical, fear, lack of intuition, distrust in the Universe or God, inability to see the spiritual aspects of life. An imbalance in this chakra often develops if we lose our connection to Source, or something greater than us.
Health: deep intuitive connection and trust in seeing beyond the physical. Healthy connection to Source.
The Crown Chakra~
Sanskrit word: Sahasara
Location: top of head at crown
Color: violet or white
Basic right: to know
Demon: illusion
The crown chakra relates to our connection to higher sources and develops throughout life. Our crown chakra connects us to all that will ever be and all that has ever been. This chakra connects us to the Divine and guides us. Often this chakra needs to be connected in order to find our true paths in life and live them fully. Our ability to trust the flow of life comes from the health of this chakra.
Imbalances: inability to pray, atheism, rejection of spirit, ignorance of soul path
Health: deep rooted understanding of Source and lives in alignment with soul path, understands attachment and releases things freely and with grace
And that is all 7 chakras! How did that feel? Was there anything that you felt may be out of balance? Without judgement, just be aware of what imbalances exist so that you can begin to support your body.
If you loved learning about the chakras, we recommend the author Anodea Judith, the world's leading expert on chakras. We personally love her book Eastern Body, Western Mind.
Let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed this post.
Lots of love,
Cassandra Wilder