Seven Chakras of the Body and Their Significance
The Basics of Chakras
Chakra, a term derived from the Sanskrit words for 'disc' or 'wheel, represents an ancient human energy system that dates back to India between 1500-500 BC. Some literature suggests that knowledge of chakras may even have existed before any written records. Ultimately, it may be impossible to identify the source of this valuable system. Regardless of the mystery, if you’re on a journey of self-discovery, you’ll find many of your answers by examining your chakra system.
These seven primary energy centers in the body, known as chakras, play a pivotal role in regulating and maintaining physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual well-being. They are not just a theoretical concept but an integral part of any effective self-care regimen. Located in the human energy field, they facilitate the flow of energy in and out of your body. The chakra system serves as a valuable resource for uncovering answers when you experience discomfort, disease (dis-ease), mental challenges, emotional dysregulation, or relationship issues. These centers can become imbalanced or blocked due to various factors, including the overuse or underuse of available energy.
As a practitioner, I find immense joy in empowering my clients with the knowledge of chakra-balancing techniques. For those who prefer a DIY approach, visualization can be a potent tool. You can tap into the immense power of these energy vortexes by simply visualizing the color of each chakra at the specified locations and spinning them clockwise (as if you are standing in front of yourself). This powerful technique is a valuable addition to your self-care tool kit, empowering you to take charge of your overall well-being. You can even use everyday objects for visualization, such as a red apple for the root (1st) chakra and the sky for the throat (5th)chakra.
The first chakra is a will center, and the seventh is a mental center. The second through sixth have a chakra on the front of the body and a counterpart on the back. The front chakras are emotional centers, and the back centers are will centers. If you experience back pain, consider that you may be over or under-utilizing your rear will centers. Whenever my back lights up, I start paying attention. Either I’m backing out on myself or trying to force my way through something. The goal is to have chakra balance, including the front and rear aspects.
Key Takeaways
If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, you’ll find many of your answers when you examine your chakra system.
The seven main chakras in the body regulate and hold the key to your physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual well-being.
DIY: Envision the chakra’s color at the below locations and spin them clockwise.
The goal is to have chakra balance, including the front and rear aspects.
Seven Chakras: Meaning and Significance
Root Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Muladhara
Color: Red
Location: Base of the spine
Sense: Kinesthetic
Will Center: Quality of your physical energy and your will to live
Governs: The spinal column, kidneys, and adrenal glands
Mantra: LAM
Open Root Chakra: I am safe, I am grounded, I am immersed in abundance, I release any doubts and fears, I am divinely protected
Sacral Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Svadhisthana
Color: Orange
Location: Lower abdomen
Sense: Emotional
Front Emotional Center: Quality of self-love
Rear Will Center: Quality of sexual energy
Governs: Reproductive centers
Mantra: VAM
Open Sacral Chakra: I am creative, I radiate joy & happiness, I have healthy & healing emotions, I value & respect my body, I am passionate
Solar Plexus Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Manipura
Color: Yellow
Location: Above the naval
Sense: Intuition
Front Emotional Center: Pleasure and expansiveness, spiritual wisdom, consciousness or universal life, who you are in the universe
Rear Will Center: Healing, intentionality toward health
Governs: Stomach, liver, gall bladder, nervous system, and the pancreas
Mantra: RAM
Open Solar Plexus Chakra: I own my power, I honor myself, I am in alignment, I act with courage & strength, I am strong, I am capable
Heart Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Anahata
Color: Green
Location: Middle of the chest
Sense: Loving
Front Emotional Center: Feelings of love for others, openness to life
Rear Will Center: Ego will or will towards the outer world
Governs: Heart, blood, vagus nerve, circulatory system, and the thymus gland
Mantra: YAM
Open Heart Chakra: I love, I live in balance with others, I forgive myself & I forgive others, I am loved
Throat Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha
Color: Blue (sky blue or turquoise)
Location: Throat
Sense: Hearing, tasting, smelling
Front Emotional Center: Taking in and assimilating
Rear Will Center: Sense of self within society & profession
Governs: Respiratory system and the thyroid
Mantra: HAM
Open Throat Chakra: My voice matters, I express myself, I speak my truth, I speak with kindness, I speak with love
Third Eye Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Ajna
Color: Indigo
Location: Between the eyebrows
Sense: Seeing and visualizing
Front Emotional Center: Capacity to visualize and understand mental concepts
Rear Will Center: Ability to carry out ideas in a practical way
Governs: Lower brain, nervous system, and the pituitary gland
Mantra: OM
Open 3rd Eye Chakra: I am intuitive, I see clearly, I know all I need is within me, I create my reality, I am connected to my higher self
Crown Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara
Color: Purple (white or purplish white)
Location: Top of the head
Sense: Knowing the whole concept
Mental Center: Integration of total personality with life and spiritual aspects of humankind
Governs: Upper brain and pineal gland
Mantra: (Silence) OM