What are Chakras?
According to the ancient Hindu and yogic traditions, there are seven main energy centres in the subtle body, and these centres are known as Chakras.
The word “chakra” translates to “wheel” or “disk”, and in our bodies they are spheres of energy that stem out from the base of the spine through the crown of the head. Each energy is associated with a different element, state of consciousness, universal principle and colour, but they are all connected in the transfer of energies upward and downward. Knowing what each chakra represents allows us to become aware of those elements and allows us to experience them and learn what we can do to keep the energy flowing freely.
The 7 chakras
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Muladhara or Root chakra, located at the base of the spine.
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Svadisthana or Sacral chakra, located at the lower abdomen between the belly button and the pubic bone.
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Manipura or Solar Plexus chakra, located between the belly button and the bottom of the rib cage.
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Anahata or Heart chakra, located at the center of the chest.
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Vishuddha or Throat chakra, located at the throat.
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Ajna or Third Eye chakra, located between the eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose.
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Sahasrara or Crown chakra, located at the top of the head.
The seven chakras can be categorized into two – the lower chakras and the upper chakras. The three lower chakras (Muladhara, Svadisthana and Manipura) relate to the physical aspects, while the upper chakras (Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara) are more mentally and metaphorically focused.
There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple. – Dalai Lama XIV
Think of your body as the vehicle that will carry you to your journey and the physical aspect of your temple. This vehicle is given only once per lifetime, therefore it is crucial that you take care of it the best you can. Like any other vehicles, you have to be inside it before you can drive. You have to learn how it functions, where the controls are, how to steer, how to accelerate, how to brake and how to drive it smoothly. This is the task of embodiment; it is something you learn from the inside.
Chakras, though are said to have a location in the body, does not have physical entities in and of themselves. They cannot be held yet they have strong effects in the body as they embody the spiritual energy on a physical plane. You can think of the chakras as vital programs encoded deep in the core of the mind-body interface, as such although not physically seen, they have a strong influence in the physical functions of a person. Just as emotion can and do affect a person’s breathing, heart rate and metabolism, the flow of the chakras influence our glandular processes, body shape, chronic physical ailments, thoughts and behaviour.
Brief introduction to the 7 Chakras
MULADHARA
I am grounded and I am connected to the whole of Life, I belong, I am worthy, I am strong.
Muladhara, or Root Chakra, is located at the base of the spine.
It is symbolised by a lotus with four petals. Muladhara represents the centre of instincts, stability of mind and body, survival and self-sufficiency.
This chakra is about belonging. It is about our basic needs and instincts, and also motivation and vitality for the physical body.
Our Root Chakra is what grounds us. It’s the foundation on which we build ourselves. It supports our confidence, strength and overall sense of well-being.
Learn more about Muladhara chakra HERE
SVADISTHANA
I am inspired, I am creative, I am joyful, I am unique.
Svadhisthana, or Sacral Chakra, is located at the lower abdomen between the belly button and the pubic bone.
It is symbolised by a lotus with six petals, and it relates to creativity, pleasure/pain, relationships, and emotions.
A positive balance in the Svadhisthana Chakra would be represented by stability in one’s sexuality, sensuality and emotions. It is related to the reproductive system.
Learn more about Svadisthana chakra HERE
MANIPURA
I am confident, I have a purpose, I am capable, I do.
Manipura, or Solar Plexus Chakra, is the third chakra and is located between the belly button and the bottom of the rib cage.
It is symbolised by a triangle within a 10 - petal lotus. It relates to personal power, self esteem and energy, and is also related to the metabolic and digestive systems.
A healthy balance in the Manipura Chakra would be visible in the form of motivation, purpose and confidence.
Learn more about Manipura chakra HERE
ANAHATA
I love, I am loved, I accept myself, I accept others.
Anahata, or Heart Chakra, is located at the center of the chest. It is symbolised by a lotus with 12 petals.
It represents love, acceptance and trust. Anahata is the centre of compassion and is related to the immune and endocrine systems.
A healthy balance in the heart chakra means sensitivity and unconditional love for the self and others - being a compassionate person who is sensitive to other people’s needs.
Learn more about Anahata chakra HERE
VISHUDDHA
I speak my truth, I express myself, I speak with kindness, I speak with love.
Vishuddha, or Throat Chakra, is the purification centre and is located at the throat.
It is represented by a crescent within a 16 -petal lotus and it relates to communication, inspiration, expression and faith.
A healthy balance in the Vishuddha Chakra would be shown as fluent and clear thought, creative written and spoken expression, and wisdom. It is related to the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
The Throat Chakra is our centre of truth and self expression. It governs our ability to express ourselves through our opinions and voice.
Learn more about Vishuddha chakra HERE
AJNA
I see clearly, I think clearly, I trust my intuition, I trust my decisions.
Ajna, or Third Eye Chakra, is located between the eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose.
It is represented by a lotus with two petals and is thought to be the centre that controls all higher mental activities including psychic, emotional, and mental intelligence, and insight. It is related to the pineal gland which produces the hormones serotonin and melatonin.
A healthy and balanced sixth chakra means keen imagination and intellect, strong intuition and deep spiritual awareness.
Learn more about Ajna chakra HERE
SAHASRARA
I am, I am at peace, I understand, I am light.
Sahasrara, or Crown Chakra, is the seventh chakra and is located at the top of the head. It is represented by a thousand-petaled lotus and is considered to be the centre of wisdom and pure consciousness. It relates to devotion, inspiration, selflessness and spiritual understanding. It is related to the Central Nervous System.
A balanced seventh chakra means highly developed emotional awareness and a feeling of oneness.
The Crown Chakra is our centre of knowledge as well as our connection to divinity, spirituality and everything in the universe - physical or otherwise.
Learn more about Sahasrara chakra HERE
What blocks a Chakra?
An individual’s life experience, such as childhood traumas, cultural practices, limited belief systems, restrictive or exhausting habits, physical and emotional injuries, or even just lack of attention may all contribute to blockage of a chakra. Each individual develops their own coping mechanism as response to difficulties they face in life. When these difficulties persist, their coping mechanism become chronic patterns, anchored in the body and psyche as defense structures. Eventually these defenses create holding patterns in our body that restrict the free flow of energy, even when real threats cease to exist. This chronic tension is known as body armor.
How do you balance the Chakras?
Each of the chakras have what we call a specific demon that interferes with its health and undermines its identity. As a person experience difficulty, the accumulated negative experiences or trauma creates these so called demons that keeps the chakras from flowing freely through the body. When ignored, these demons will eventually hold a person back from moving forward. If we acknowledge the demons we face and explore the reason for their being, we will gain better understanding of ourselves. To acknowledge what we fear enables us to face it, understand its cause and eventually overcome it. To acknowledge grief is the beginning of healing.
Which Chakra is for you?
Try our CHAKRA TEST to discover which Chakra connects with you the most!
Check out our Chakra Collection HERE