Chakras 101: What Chakras Are and How to Keep Your Chakras Aligned
Have you ever felt like something was off, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it? Maybe you were feeling low on energy, or like your life was out of balance. It could be that your chakras are out of alignment.
In this post, we'll explore what chakras are and how keeping them aligned can improve your overall well-being. We'll also provide some tips for maintaining balanced chakras. So if you're ready to feel more grounded, centered, and at ease, read on!
What Are Charkras, and Where Did They Originate?
Chakras are an integral part of Vedic and yogic philosophies, originating from ancient India. The word chakra means “wheel” in Sanskrit and is associated with vortices of energy inside our bodies which are thought to differ in size and vibrational frequency. Each chakra point corresponds with various body parts, emotions, imbalances, and colors. Learning about and focusing on your chakras can help facilitate more powerful connections between the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of your life. Through practices like yoga, meditation, mantras, and breathwork, we can open up these energetic fields, enabling us to release blocked energy from our bodies and call in elevated health and well-being.
Root Chakra
The root chakra (Muladhara) stores our vital life source energy. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra is related to our sense of security, safety, and basic human needs. When in balance, the root chakra allows us to feel grounded and connected to ourselves, as well as secure, comfortable, and fearless. When we are connected to our root chakra, everything else in life falls into place because we have a solid foundation to make healthy decisions. Taking some time each day to tend to your root chakra helps you re-align with your innermost power so that you can live with greater purpose and radiance.
The color associated with the root chakra is red.
Some positive affirmations for your root chakra include:
I am connected and grounded.
I am self, healthy, and secure.
I feel protected and at ease.
I am comfortable in the skin I’m in.
I am worthy of respect.
Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra, also known as Svadhisthana, is associated with creativity, passion, emotions, and sexuality. Located in our lower abdomen above the pubic bone, it’s the place where we learn to engage with our inner dancer and enjoy the fluidity of life. The sacral chakra is connected to the water element and is linked to our sense of general and sexual creativity. When balanced, the Sacral Chakra fills us with enthusiasm for living out our full potential. Blocked energy here can manifest as feelings of hopelessness or an overall lack of fulfillment.
The color associated with the sacral chakra is orange.
Some positive affirmations for your sacral chakra include:
My mind is positive and free.
I can manifest abundance through my creative spirit.
I welcome change in my life.
I embrace my vibrant sexuality and honor my needs.
I am excited about life and live it to the fullest.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, is the third chakra in our energetic bodies. Connected to the element of fire and located at the center of your abdomen, (between the navel and the breastbone) this chakra acts like a furnace for your willpower, confidence, and self-esteem. When it's balanced, you are driven with direction and purpose, open to receiving abundance, and have a strong sense of self-value and personal power. An imbalance can lead to feeling disconnected from your true identity and finding yourself stuck in patterns of low self-worth or a lack of motivation.
The color associated with the solar plexus chakra is yellow.
Some positive affirmations for your solar plexus chakra include:
I am worthy and have value.
I am a magnet for miracles.
I am powerful and courageous.
I have a clear mind and am confident in myself and my decisions.
I love myself and am committed to living out my life’s purpose.
Heart Chakra
Located between your shoulder blades, the Heart Chakra, or Anahata in Sanskrit, is the bridge into our higher selves – a gateway to compassion and inner peace. Representing the air element, the heart chakra is closely associated with matters of the heart, such as love and kindness. If the Heart Chakra is blocked, it may result in feelings of bitterness and resentment or can even manifest as physical ailments like asthma and heart issues. Reciting positive affirmations and connecting with people who enrich your life without expectations can be an amazing way to open and align your Heart Chakra.
The color associated with the solar plexus chakra is green.
Some positive affirmations associated with your heart chakra are:
I am ready and open to giving and receiving love.
I am filled with joy and gratitude.
I release all resentment and anger; I embrace peace and love.
I accept myself as I am right here, right now.
I am grateful for the love and relationships in my life.
Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra (Visuddha) is associated with communication, honest expression, and authentic truth. Unblocking the Throat Chakra can lead to newfound confidence in speaking up for yourself and understanding the importance of your voice. This chakra is connected to the space element, and in addition to being located in your throat, also relates to your neck, thyroid, and mouth. When the throat chakra is aligned, you’ll be able to communicate openly and honestly as an advocate for yourself and those around you without worrying about judgment or criticism from others. This alignment can be incredibly empowering, enabling you to truly honor yourself through self-expression giving yourself permission to be seen and heard.
The color associated with the solar plexus chakra is blue.
Positive affirmations that can help align your solar plexus are:
My voice and my words matter.
I communicate honestly and freely.
I vocalize what is on my mind with love and without hesitation.
My opinion is valuable.
Being honest frees me.
Third Eye Chakra
While many call this the Third-Eye Chakra, I consider it to be your first eye. Located right between our eyebrows, this chakra represents light and is connected to our intuition and inner vision. This chakra helps us see the big picture in life while trusting ourselves, enabling us to make wise decisions and live a fulfilling life. The third eye carries valuable information from the spiritual realm, which we can use to guide our lives in the right direction. So if you're looking for clarity and understanding in uncertain times, work on unlocking your Third Eye Chakra. A fun way to do this is to imagine a glowing ball of energy just above your eyebrow - keep imagining until you feel something shift within you! Try incorporating this into your daily meditation routine for enhanced control over your inner landscape.
The color associated with the solar plexus chakra is indigo.
Some positive affirmations for your third eye chakra include:
I trust myself and follow my intuition.
I think, see, and observe clearly and accurately.
I am wise and intuitive.
I can manifest anything that I want.
My vision of myself is aligned with my higher purpose.
Crown Chakra
The seventh and final chakra is the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara). This chakra is located on the topmost area of your head. It is all about spiritual connection, enlightenment, and going beyond your normal limits. This chakra can greatly influence how we think and act; it links us to that part of ourselves that seeks something greater than ourselves. Opening up the Crown Chakra can give you a sense of joy, inner peace, and unconditional love for yourself, those around you, and life in general. Meditation and positive affirmations are great tools for accessing its energies to achieve higher consciousness where we live in a state of compassion and light.
The color associated with the crown chakra is white.
Positive affirmations to help align your crown chakra include:
I am a manifestation of love and light.
I release all doubt, knowing that I am guided.
I am limitless, abundant, and successful.
I have unconditional love for myself and others, knowing that we’re all connected.
I am more powerful than I could ever imagine.
Key Takeaways
Your chakras are energetic centers of awareness located along your spine. We have taken a deep dive into understanding their origin, symbolism, and meaning. There are many paths to aligning our chakras and restoring our health on an energetic level, so take your time to find what fits your lifestyle. With love and care, we can open ourselves up to new healing possibilities in our lives and create a greater sense of peace, joy, love, and well-being.