A Beginner's Guide to Chakras

The word Chakra originates from Sanskrit and means wheel. Chakras are energy centers within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to the immune system and emotions. We can commonly count 7 chakras positioned throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency, that is depicted through a specific chakra color, and governs specific functions that help make you, well, human.

Read over the reflections section of each Chakra to find out what blockages your may be experiencing.

ROOT CHAKRA

Color: Red

Location: Base of the Spine

Element: Earth

Endocrine Gland: Adrenal Cortex

Physical Organs: Spine, hip joints, rectum, blood, immune system

Physical Dysfunction: Chronic lower back pain, Sciatica, Rectal Tumors/cancer, chronic fatigue/depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis, skin problems, immune-related disorders

Psychological Functions: Survival, safety and security, independence, money, food, career, home, physical safety, physical belonging

Challenge: Any fears or worries about physical needs (money, career, home, belongings)

REFLECTION

· Do you feel grounded or connected?

· Do you feel secure and safe?

· Are you financially stable?

· Do you catch yourself daydreaming?

· Do you give up easily?

· Do you take time for yourself?

· Do you prioritize others?

· Do you show signs of addiction?

· Do you exercise, eat healthy, and rest?

SACRAL CHAKRA

Color: Orange

Location: Halfway between your root chakra and belly button

Element: Water

Endocrine Gland: Ovaries, testicles

Physical Organs: Sexual organs, large intestine, pelvis, appendix, bladder

Physical Dysfunction: Chronic lower back pain, Sciatica, OB/GYN Problems, Pelvic Pain, Sexual Potency, Urinary Problems, Creativity, Appendicitis

Psychological Functions: Movement and connection, this chakra controls our desire to serve pleasures through sound, taste, smell, touch, and sight

Challenge: Guilt and Blame

REFLECTION

· Do you feel emotionally stable?

· Do you feel creative?

· Do you feel blocked?

· Are you in touch with your sensuality?

· Are you able to feel sensual pleasure?

SOLARPLEXUS CHAKRA

Color: Yellow

Location: Above your belly button

Element: Fire

Endocrine Gland: Adrenals, pancreas

Physical Organs: Abdomen, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine, lower esophagus

Physical Dysfunction: Arthritis, gastric ulcers, colon/intestinal problems, pancreatitis/diabetes, indigestion, anorexia, bulimia, liver dysfunction, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome constipation, diarrhea, adrenal dysfunction

Psychological Functions: Trust, self-esteem, self-worth, the responsibility to make decisions and choices to follow through

Challenge: Shame

REFLECTION

· Do you feel worthy?

· Are you self-confident?

· Do you have high self-esteem?

· Are you in touch with your inner power?

· Do you trust your decisions?

· Are you in touch with your intuition?

· Do you feel fatigued?

· Is it easy to make decisions?

· Do you feel people’s energy?

· Do you lack concentration?

HEART CHAKRA

Color: Green

Location: Heart Level

Element: Air

Endocrine Gland: Thymus

Physical Organs: Heart and circulatory system, lungs, shoulders, arms, ribs, breast, diaphragm, thymus gland, upper esophagus

Physical Dysfunction: Congestive heart failure, heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, cardiomegaly, asthma/allergy, lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, upper back, should, breast cancer, hypertension

Psychological Functions: Connection between the physical self to the higher self (spiritual self), capacity to accept ourselves and others, to trust, to express and resolve anger, hostility, joy, love, grief, forgiveness. Sense of having what you need, abundance, prosperity and good health

Challenge: Grief

REFLECTION

· Is it easy to give and receive love?

· Do you love yourself unconditionally?

· Do you accept yourself just the way you are?

· Do you love others unconditionally?

· Do you feel empathy for others?

· Do you struggle with keeping healthy relationships?

· Do you feel lonely or isolated?

· Do you carry unresolved relationships from the past?

· Do you feel fear or resentment towards love or being loved?

THROAT CHAKRA

Color: Blue

Location: Throat Level

Element: Akasha (Spirit)

Endocrine Gland: Thyroid and parathyroid

Physical Organs: Thyroid, throat, trachea, neck vertebrae, mouth, teeth, gums

Physical Dysfunction: Bronchitis, chronic sore throats, mouth ulcers, gum difficulties, temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ), cervical disc disease, laryngitis, swollen glands, thyroid problems

Psychological Functions: It represents communication, the expression of truth, our emotional intelligence, and our ability to hear the thoughts of others, the voice inside of you and to develop clairaudience (hearing guide)

Challenge: Lies

REFLECTION

· Do you feel understood?

· Are you able to listen to others?

· Do you communicate with ease and honesty?

· Do you have difficulties to express yourself?

· Do you speak your truth?

THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Color: Indigo

Location: At the level of the forehead, between your eyes and just above your eyebrows

Element: All elements combined (light)

Endocrine Gland: Pineal Gland

Physical Organs: Brain, eyes, ears, nose, pineal gland, nervous system, pituitary gland

Physical Dysfunction: Brain tumor/hemorrhage, stoke, neurological disturbances, blindness, deafness, full spinal difficulties, learning disabilities, seizures, dizziness, ringing in ears

Psychological Functions: Personal expression, following one’s dreams, balance left and right sides of the brain, ability to see clairvoyantly (see people, places, events in the future)

Challenge: Illusion

REFLECTION

· Do you feel in touch with your intuition?

· Do you have the desire to connect with your spiritual self?

· Do you feel like those insights or intuitions come and go?

· Are you able to see the truth beneath?

· Do you have the ability to see spirit?

CROWN CHAKRA

Color: Violet

Location: At the top of the head

Element: No element, or thought

Endocrine Gland: Pituitary Gland

Physical Organs: Muscular, skeletal system, skin

Physical Dysfunction: Developmental disorders (cerebral palsy), genetic disorders, MS, ALS, multiple system abnormalities, energetic disorders, mystical depression, chronic exhaustion (not linked to physical disorders), extreme sensitivities to light, sound and other environmental factors

Psychological Functions: Ability to trust life, clear sense of life’s purpose, connection to the Universe, ability to see larger pattern, selflessness, humanitarianism

Challenge: Attachment

REFLECTION

· Do you feel in touch with your true self?

· Do you feel connected to your guides?

· Do you feel supported by the Universe?

· Have you had a sense of a past life?

· Do you ever receive information that comes from a divine source?

· Have you had a moment of pure bliss?

· Do you feel a desire to achieve this state?