What are chakras?
Chakras are energy centres located throughout the body. The earliest written record of chakras comes from the Vedas, which are ancient Indian texts that describe the philosophy of yoga written sometime between 1,500 and 500 B.C.
Nowadays, you can still learn about the seven chakras and chakra alignment through meditation, Reiki, yoga or visiting an energy healer — but before you can unblock your chakras and achieve free-flowing energy, you should understand the basics.
What does chakra mean?
The Sanskrit word “chakra” translates to “wheel” or “disk” but it typically references a spiritual energy centre within the human body, of which there are seven main energy centres. The seven chakras are vortexes of energy that represent our seven levels of consciousness. Through these seven chakras, we move from the lower self, or an unconscious state, to the higher self, or conscious state.
There are actually at least 114 different chakras in the body — but the chakras most often referred to are the seven main ones that start at the base of your spine and extend to the crown of your head. They are positioned in a perfect straight line in the spine, each with a specific location and function which are responsible for the functioning of the body systems and key organs.
Where are chakras located?
To be clear, chakras aren’t something you can see. The chakras don’t exist in the physical plane. They are present in the astral or spiritual realm, but they can still influence our physical health and life. It’s believed that having your chakras open and aligned allows the ultimate pure healing energy to flow through them, which in turn can make you feel happier and healthier on all levels.
Does a Chakra have a shape?
There are many myths about the shape of the chakras, however, as now we know that ‘Chakra’ means ‘Wheel’ or ‘Disc’ this tends to indicate that the Chakra’s resemble a round shape, while others believe they are like flowers hanging from the spine. Some people even think that they resemble an ice cream cone! All these different ideas exist simply because the chakras cannot be seen by the eyes or by any device. So, we tend to believe whatever becomes commonly circulated.
Some ancient scriptures say that a chakra is shaped like a sphere or a ball. And it is even believed that planet earth is a major chakra of the solar system and a minor chakra of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
What is the size of a Chakra?
Some people say that chakras are one foot in radius, while others say that they change their size according to the energy flow. However, other sources tell us that the chakras are very small, as they are located in the astral spinal cord, which is further located inside the physical spinal cord.
What purpose do the chakras have?
Each of our seven main chakras serve different purposes in the body. They not only play an important role in the optimal functioning of the different set of organs, glands, and systems in the human anatomy, but they also allow us to experience and move through the different layers of this physical realm. It is through the seven main chakras that we experience, grow, and evolve as spiritual beings and when all the chakras are balanced and harmonious, we are able to live our best lives.
Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of each main chakra:
- Your Crown Chakra is all about your connection to spirituality. It also plays a role in your life’s purpose.
- Your Third Eye Chakra governs your intuition. It’s also linked to imagination.
- Your Throat Chakra is a place of speaking truth and ensuring your inner truths are properly communicated.
- Your Heart Chakra is linked to self-love and love for others.
- Your Solar Plexus Chakra is all about confidence, as well as helping you feel in control of your life.
- Your Sacral Chakra rules sexual and creative energy. It also influences how you relate to your emotions and the emotions of others.
- Your Root Chakra focuses on stability and security. It helps you feel grounded and able to withstand challenges.
What causes chakras to become imbalanced?
There are a variety of reasons why your energy centres may be blocked, or not functioning as they should. Your emotional well-being can influence your energy balance and potentially create an imbalance, especially if you’re not able to let go or release emotions. This is why it’s important to resolve matters, because lingering emotions can create blockages.
Experiencing too much stress, physically or mentally, can also lead to one or more chakras falling out of balance. Personal habits such as poor physical alignment or posture, eating unhealthy food, or self-destructive behaviour may cause a chakra to be blocked. And while each chakra has its own distinct properties, they work as a system, which means if one’s out of balance, then it affects all the rest. Prolonged imbalance can impact your health and general wellbeing — but luckily, there are ways to unblock your chakras and allow your energy to flow freely again.
How can you activate or unblock your chakras?
Signs of blocked or out of balance chakras are different depending on the chakra itself. We look at how these imbalances can be identified and specific signs or symptoms of an imbalance for each chakra further down in this artic. To unblock the chakras, you must first bring awareness to the root of the problem and work effectively on the affected chakra.
A great way to promote balance in a chakra is to create alignment in your physical body through yoga postures and meditative practices. Once the blocks are removed, we can increase the energy flow in the body using energy healing techniques and work on activating the chakra.
Yoga and meditation aren’t the only ways to unblock or align your chakras. Energy Healing practices such as Reiki, Crystal therapy, Sound Bathing, Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique, Meditative Hand Mudras and embracing one’s inner child through regression therapy can help.
Chakra = “Wheel’
We aware that the word Chakra means “wheel” or “disc” in Sanskrit, however this can actually be a little misleading. A wheel usually moves in one direction whereas chakras can move in different directions and at different speeds.
Why Do the Chakras Spin?
Chakras spin to move energy around the body. They act like gateways, receiving energy from the universe, transforming it and directing it around our physical and spiritual bodies.
The chakras are connected by nadis and meridians, which are channels through which life force energy (also known as prana) is carried throughout our being, feeding our physical, emotional, and spiritual actions.
Let’s take a closer look…
Which Way Does Each Chakra Spin?
Honestly, there is no definitive answer when it comes to chakras spinning.
Some believe that when our chakras are open and balanced then they spin in a clockwise direction, spinning energy away from the bottom of our spines to the crown of our heads. On the contrary, when a chakra is blocked or unbalanced then it may spin counter clockwise.
Others believe that the chakras spin in a clockwise direction in order to release energy out of the body, while chakras spin anti clockwise in order to pull energy from the external world into our being.
Spinning speed;
An inconsistent spin movement may also signal a problem. Chakra blockages typically occur in one of three ways. The function of a chakra might be:
- Under-active – there isn’t enough energy going in and out of it.
- Overactive – causing an excessive amount of energy to flow in and out of that chakra.
- Closed – There is no energy moving in and out of the chakra.
No Spin:
If your chakras are not spinning, then they cannot transform and direct healing energy around the subtle body. Energy can get stuck or blocked. A chakra blockage can have a physical, emotional, or spiritual manifestation.
If you’re experiencing particular ailments and illnesses, then the first thing to do is analyse your symptoms and consider which chakra could require healing.
How to Measure the Spin of Your Chakras
There are a few ways to reveal the spinning direction and speed of your chakras, such as;
- Intuition: Always trust your intuition. Focus on the area, and trust what answer comes to mind first.
- Pendulums: Can reveal the speed and direction of chakra spinning. By holding a pendulum above the chakra in question, you can watch the direction that the pendulum moves in – clockwise spinning means the chakra is open while counter clockwise, side to side or up and down means the chakra is blocked.
- Energy Healers: You can also find trained energy healers who can reportedly sense what direction the chakras are spinning in and feel for any energy blockages.
The 7 Major Chakra's
![THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRA'S - CROWN CHAKRA](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CROWN-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
· Symbol: The Crown Chakra symbol is depicted as a ring of a thousand lotus petals surrounding an inverted triangle. This symbolizes the rising of divine energy into the Crown Chakra, bringing spiritual liberation and enlightenment.
· Color: Violet White
· Element: None
· Location: The Sahastrara or Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. The seventh chakra is the center of spirituality, enlightenment, and dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness.
· Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Crown Chakra: When it gets imbalanced, one might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, melancholy and destructive feelings.
· Signs of a balanced Crown Chakra: A balanced Crown Chakra promotes spiritual understanding, inner peace and a clear perspective on the world.
· Mantra: Sahastrara Chakra is ‘Aum’.
![THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRA'S - THIRD EYE CHAKRA](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/THIRD-EYE-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
· Symbol: The Third Eye Chakra symbol consists of an inverted triangle resting in a circle between two lotus petals. The two petals and downward-facing pyramid both signify wisdom, emphasizing the Third Eye Chakra’s role in our journey to spiritual awareness.
· Color: Indigo
· Element: None
· Location: The Ajna Chakra (pronounced as ‘Agya Chakra’) is located between the eyebrows. Also known as the Third Eye Chakra, it is often used as a focal point during asana practice to develop more concentration and awareness. It is said that meditating upon this chakra destroys the karma of past lives and brings liberation and intuitive knowledge. Its attributes are intelligence, intuition, insight, and self-knowledge.
· Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Third Eye Chakra: When imbalanced, it may make you feel non-assertive and afraid of success, or on the contrary, it can make you more egotistical. An imbalance can manifest as physical problems like headaches, blurry vision, and eye strain.
· Signs of a balanced Third Eye Chakra: When this chakra is active and balanced, a person feels more vibrant and confident, both spiritually and emotionally. In the absence of the fear of death, one becomes his own master and remains free of all attachment to material things.
· Mantra: Ajna Chakra is ‘Om’.
![The 7 Major Chakra's - Throat Chakra](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/THROAT-CHAKRA-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
· Symbol: The symbol of the Throat Chakra consists of a 16-petalled lotus flower surrounding an inverted triangle which holds a circle within. This represents spiritual growth and the purification of the body, mind, and spirit.
· Color: Blue
· Element: Space
· Location: The Visuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well.
· Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Throat Chakra: A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts.
· Signs of a balanced Throat Chakra: When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.
· Mantra: Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Ham’.
![The 7 Major Chakra's - Heart Chakra](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HEART-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
· Symbol: In the Heart Chakra symbol, two triangles intersect to form a yantra which represents the balance of yin and yang, or upward and downward forces. Outside, there is a lotus flower with 12 petals symbolizing the twelve divine qualities associated with the heart.
· Colour: Green
· Element: Air
· Location: As the name implies, the Anahata Chakra is located in the heart region. This chakra is the seat of balance, and it is characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, trust, and passion.
· Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Heart Chakra: When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness.
· Signs of a balanced Heart Chakra: By harmonizing this energy center, a person begins to feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated.
· Mantra: Anahata Chakra is ‘Yam’.
![THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRA'S - SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SOLAR-PLEXUS-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
- Symbol:The Solar Plexus Chakra symbol consists of a downward-pointing triangle within a ten-petalled lotus flower. The ten petals symbolize ten negative character traits that we have to conquer, while the triangle is the Agni tattva or fire of kundalini energy which signifies our inner strength.
- Color:Yellow
- Element:Fire
- Location:The Manipura Chakra is located at the solar plexus, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is characterized by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression.
- Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra:An imbalance of the Solar Plexus Chakra can manifest physically as digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes. On an emotional level, one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism.
- Signs of a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra:By balancing this chakra, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focused.
- Mantra: Manipura Chakra is ‘Ram’.
![THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRA'S - SACRAL CHAKRA](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SACRAL-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
· Symbol: The symbol for the Svadhishthana Chakra or Sacral Chakra is made up of multiple circles, a crescent moon, and six lotus flower petals. The circles and crescent moon represent the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, while the 6 petals portray the 6 negative aspects of our nature that we need to overcome to open this chakra.
· Colour: Orange
· Element: Water
· Location: The Svadhishthana Chakra, more commonly known as the Sacral Chakra, is located in the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. Its attributes include the basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-worth.
· Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Sacral Chakra: When the Sacral Chakra is imbalanced, a person may feel emotionally explosive and irritable, sense a lack of energy and creativity, feel manipulative, or obsessed with sexual thoughts.
· Signs of a balanced Sacral Chakra: When balanced, it makes one feel more vibrant, happy, positive, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.
· Mantra: Svadhishthana Chakra is ‘Vam’.
![THE 7 MAJOR CHAKRA'S - ROOT CHAKRA](https://coastlinehh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ROOT-SYMBOL-150x150.png)
Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
· Symbol: The Root Chakra symbol consists of a 4-petalled lotus flower, a square, and a downward-facing triangle. Each element is said to represent the 4 aspects of the human mind, uniting to form the birth of the human consciousness.
· Colour: Red
· Element: Earth
· Location: The Root Chakra also known as the Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine. It is characterized by the emotions of survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency.
· Symptoms of a blocked Root Chakra: When this chakra is out of balance, a person starts feeling unstable, ungrounded, lack of ambition, lack of purpose, fearful, insecure, and frustrated.
· Signs of a balanced/imbalanced Root Chakra: However, when the Root Chakra is balanced, these are replaced by more positive emotions, and you feel stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent, and strong.
· Mantra: Muladhara Chakra is ‘Lam’.
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