101 Guide to Chakras

If you are interested in spirituality, yoga or the metaphysical then you have probably heard people mention “Chakras.” But what are they and why should you care?

Well in my 101 Guide to Chakras I will help you to understand what everyone’s on about, and how you can use this knowledge to improve your body, mind and spirit.

What are Chakras?

Chakra literally means “wheel” in Sanskrit and refers to the main energy points throughout your body. These points are known as the 7 Chakras and are said to be spinning discs/wheels of energy, their continuous flow is important to keep the body, mind, and spirit happy, healthy and aligned.

When energy flows freely through your Chakras your body is in a state of balanced harmony. If one or more Chakras is “blocked” this causes an imbalance and affects your emotional and physical wellbeing.

1. ROOT CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Muladhara

Controls: Physical survival and financial stability

Position: Base of the spine (the tailbone)

Colour: Red

Blocked: You may experience fatigue and general sluggishness. This may be combined with constipation and discomfort in your bowels. Mentally you may feel quite “spaced out,” like you are just participating but not really present. This can contribute to an uneasy nervousness, instability, and potential feelings of being unsafe.

Balanced: You feel grounded, stable, confident, and ready to take on any challenges.

Affirmation: I am…

Mantra: I am grounded, I am safe, I am in control.

Crystals: Red Jasper, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, Amphibole, Shungite, Obsidian

Yoga Pose: Tree

2. SACRAL CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Swadhisthana

Controls: Sexual energy, emotional connections, well being and creativity

Position: Lower abdomen. 5 centimetres below your belly button.

Colour: Orange

Blocked: You may experience painful periods, sexual dysfunction or a low sex drive. Thinking creatively becomes a struggle and you get “writer’s block.” Your pleasure in life is reduced and not much sparks joy.

Balanced: You feel happy and enjoy life. Your creativity flows freely and you feel empowered to explore. You have good spiritual and emotional connections and sexual pleasure comes naturally.

Affirmation: I feel…

Mantra: I feel emotions flowing freely, my creativity is alive, I feel fulfilled.

Crystals: Aragonite, Carnelian, Copper, Orange Calcite, Sunstone

Yoga Pose: Goddess

3. SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Manipura

Controls: Self-belief, inner confidence and self-esteem

Position: Stomach, upper abdomen

Colour: Yellow

Blocked: You may experience digestive problems, feel nauseous and struggle to control your eating habits. Your blood sugar may bounce around due to your irregular over or under eating. You feel a lack of confidence in yourself and your choices. You doubt yourself, struggle to communicate your needs to others, and have low body acceptance which leads to reduced willpower and negative thoughts.

Balanced: You feel confident and empowered. You trust your own physical and mental abilities and are able to communicate effectively.

Affirmation: I do…

Mantra: I do accept myself as I am, I am worthy.

Crystals: Honey Calcite, Citrine, Pyrite, Golden Healer, Amber

Yoga Pose: Warrior 1

4. HEART CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Anahata

Controls: Our ability to give and receive love, as well as to love ourselves. It is the bridge between the lower material Chakras and the higher spiritual Chakras.

Position: Centre of the chest

Colour: Green

Blocked: You may experience heart problems, high blood pressure or stress-related palpitations. You may feel unable to fully open up to the people in your life as if there is something holding you back which can develop into a fear of intimacy.

Balanced: You can fully accept and bestow love, without fear. You don’t hold back and you are a compassionate and caring friend. You are deeply empathic and are in tune with the emotions of others. You have periods of inner peace and open reflection.

Affirmation: I love…

Mantra: I love myself, my love is free-flowing, I am open to the world.

Crystals: Aventurine, Amazonite, Epidote, Jade, Kambaba Jasper, Malachite, Moldavite, Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Pink Opal, Rhodonite, Mangano Calcite

Yoga Pose: Camel

5. THROAT CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha

Controls: Our inner and outer voice. It controls how we speak to our inner selves and our ability to communicate with the world.

Position: Throat (obviously)

Colour: Light Blue/Turquoise

Blocked: You may struggle to speak out, stutter or feel shy. You may suffer from regular sore throats, thyroid issues, or stress-induced jaw, throat muscle clenching and teeth grinding. You find it incredibly difficult to say what you want and you may only be able to express your real needs and feelings when you are very angry or hurt. Social situations become stressful and you become easily overpowered in a conversation. Your views and desires are overlooked and you retreat into yourself.

Balanced: You can communicate openly and clearly. You can lay bare your true self and ask for what you need.

Affirmation: I speak…

Mantra: I speak and I will be heard, I am important too.

Crystals: Aquamarine, Blue Lace Chalcedony, Celestine, Chrysocolla, Chrysoprase, Angel Blue Calcite

Yoga Pose: Supported Shoulder Stand

6. THIRD EYE CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Ajna

Controls: Our intuition, awareness, internal wisdom and ability to focus.

Position: Center of the forehead

Colour: Dark Blue/ Purple

Blocked: You may physically experience headaches, migraines, brain fog, poor vision, hormonal imbalance, depression or anxiety. You doubt your own instincts, make questionable choices in love, and your intuition is poor. You may even alienate friends and family with your unfiltered words or actions but fail to understand what you did wrong.

Balanced: You can easily access your own inner wisdom, you are intuitive and your counsel is often sought by friends. You can focus on complicated or multiple tasks and think clearly. You have fresh energy for new projects and have learnt to trust your gut reaction.

Affirmation: I see…

Mantra: I am open, I see the world around me, I am ready for what life brings me.

Crystals: Amethyst, Azurite, Apatite, Blue Kyanite, Fluorite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Shttuckite, Sodalite

Yoga Pose: Downward-Facing Dog

7. CROWN CHAKRA

Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara

Controls: Our inner and outer beauty as well as our spirituality.

Position: Top of the head

Colour: Violet/ White

Blocked: You may suffer from difficulties sleeping, nightmares or disrupted sleeping patterns. Feelings of loneliness and isolation creep into your daily thoughts. You find it hard to meditate, and feel disconnected from your physical body.

Balanced: You feel like you are the best version of yourself. You feel balanced and aligned spiritually, and generally feel contented. You are confident to explore new things, learn and open your mind. You are comfortable in your own skin.

Affirmation: I understand…

Mantra: I am at one with the universe, I understand it, and it understands me, its energy flows through me.

Crystals: Amethyst, Ametrine, Apophyllite, Clear Quartz, Howlite, Lemurian Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, Selenite, Spirit Quartz

Yoga Pose: Headstand or Child Pose if a headstand is not possible

Still hungry for more?

Well, there are a lot more Chakras! The 7 I have outlined here are the amalgamation of a whole host of energy points. The first expansion set is the next 8 Chakras, bringing the total up to 12. These extra Chakras, starting from the top are:

• God’s Head Chakra: 12 inches above the Crown Chakra
• Soul Star Chakra: Just above the Crown Chakra
• Pineal Chakra: In the center of the brain just behind the eyes
• Cerebellum Chakra: Is located at the back of the neck, where your head meets your neck
• Thymus Chakra: Right between the heart and the throat
• Sacred Heart Chakra: Is just below the heart and to the left
• Core Star Chakra: Is found above the Sacral Chakra
• Earth Star Chakra: 11 inches under your feet

The two extra that I usually incorporate into my practice are the Soul Star Chakra and the Earth Star Chakra.

The Soul Star I use to help me access karmic knowledge and enter other astral planes. It helps me feel more connected to the stars and the Universe as a whole. Meditating with this Chakra is a way to access information before you perform readings.

The Earth Chakra lets me really connect to Mother Earth. It makes me feel intensely grounded and at home in my space. It is an awesome meditation to do in nature!

So what do you think? Would you like a full blog post on these extra Chakras? Let me know in the comments.

If you would like to take your Chakra learning to the next level then you can glean some information from my blog “How to Unblock Your Chakras.” I discuss how to use meditation, crystals, malas, yoga poses, and candles to work with your Chakras.

Wishing you love, light and spinning discs of energy!

House of Formlab

CHAKRA COLLECTION