KNOW YOUR CHAKRAS

Chakras are energy centers in the body that play an

important role in our physical, mental, and spiritual
wellbeing. Understanding this mind-body energy system
is essential for becoming the most vibrant, healthy, and
radiant version of yourself.
Since everything in the mind-body energy system is
moving, it’s essential that your seven main chakras stay
open, aligned, and fluid. If there’s a blockage, the flow of
energy is constricted – like water forced to run through a
narrow pipe. So it is too with our bodies and the chakras.
The key to unblock, move, and transform your energy –
so that you can reach your highest mental, physical, and
spiritual potential – is simple: awareness.

THE ROOT CHAKRA

RELEASE YOUR FEARS
Located at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor, and the
first three vertebrae, the root chakra or Muladhara is
responsible for your sense of safety and security on this
earthly journey.
Balancing the root chakra creates the solid foundation for
opening the entire chakra system. Imagine that you’re
laying the foundation for a house in which you’re going to
live for a long time. A solid foundation embedded in firm
soil will provide the stability you need to create a home
filled with joy for years to come.
The first chakra is comprised of whatever grounds you to
stability in your life. This includes your basic needs such
as food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as your more
emotional needs such as letting go of fear. When these
needs are met, you feel grounded and safe, and tend to
worry less day to day.

IMBALANCES IN THE ROOT CHAKRA

If there is an imbalance in the root chakra, you may
experience anxiety disorders, unfounded fears, or
nightmares. Physical imbalances can manifest as
problems in the colon, with the bladder, with elimination,
or with lower back, leg, or feet issues. In men, prostate
problems might occur. Eating disorders may also be a
sign of a root chakra imbalance.

THE SACRAL CHAKRA

AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVITY
The second chakra, Svadhisthana, is also known as the
creativity and sexual chakra. It is located above the pubic
bone – below the navel – and encompasses the genital
region and the hypogastric plexus.
The focus of the sacral chakra is creativity. As humans, it
is part of our nature to create. When we use our creative
energy – whether it is through cooking, baking,
gardening, procreating, or even finding a new solution to
an old problem – we are opening our second chakra. A
balanced sacral chakra leads to feelings of wellness,
abundance, pleasure, and joy.

IMBALANCES IN THE SACRAL CHAKRA

When this chakra is out of balance, you may experience
emotional instability, creative blocks, fear of change,
sexual dysfunction, depression, or addictions.

THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

DISCOVER YOUR POWER
The third chakra is called Manipura, which means
“lustrous gem.” Located around the navel in the area of
the solar plexus and up to the breastbone, it is a source
of personal power and governs self-esteem, warrior
energy, and the power of transformation. The Manipura
chakra also controls metabolism and digestion.
When you feel self-confident, have a strong sense of
purpose, and are self-motivated, your third chakra is
open and healthy. Having clear goals, desires, and
intentions allows you to move forward and achieve them.
Each small step you take while honoring the larger
intention helps to strengthen your third chakra. You can
harness the power of Manipura to assert your will in a
healthy way and achieve any goal you set out to
accomplish.
IMBALANCES IN THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
If your third chakra is out of balance, you can suffer from
low self-esteem, have difficulty making decisions, and
may have anger or control issues. The digestive fire,
called Agni, is also present in the third chakra – weak
digestion may indicate a blockage in this chakra.

THE HEART CHAKRA

OPEN YOURSELF TO LOVE
The fourth chakra, also referred to as the heart chakra, is
located at the center of the chest and includes the heart,
cardiac plexus, thymus gland, lungs, and breasts. It also
rules the lymphatic system.
The Sanskrit word for the fourth chakra is Anahata, which
means “unstruck” or “unhurt.” The name implies that
beneath the pains and grievances of past experiences lies
a pure and spiritual place where no hurt exists.
When your heart chakra is open, you are flowing with
love and compassion, you are quick to forgive, and you
accept others and yourself.
IMBALANCES IN THE HEART CHAKRA
A closed heart chakra can give way to grief, anger,
jealousy, fear of betrayal, and hatred toward yourself and
others. Physical imbalances may manifest as heart
conditions, respiratory problems or upper back pain.

THE THROAT CHAKRA

SPEAK YOUR INNER TRUTH
In the area of the throat, the fifth chakra, or Vishuddha,
governs the anatomical regions of the thyroid,
parathyroid, jaw, neck, mouth, tongue, and larynx. To be
open and aligned in the fifth chakra is to speak, listen,
and express yourself from a higher form of
communication. Faith and understanding combine the
essence of the Vishuddha chakra.
Work on the lower chakras will help prepare you for this
level of communication. For example, when you align the
first and second chakras, it helps with overcoming fear.
Opening the third chakra helps you to feel your personal
power and have the confidence to express yourself.
Knowing what’s in your heart comes when you align the
fourth chakra. Then, when verbalizing your needs,
desires, and opinions, you’re better able to determine
how to be truthful to yourself and others.
IMBALANCES IN THE THROAT CHAKRA
If your throat chakra is out of balance, this may manifest
as difficulty communicating and expressing your feelings,
indecision, and mood swings. Thyroid problems, a sore
throat or stiff neck, and tooth and gum issues may also
be a sign of 5TH Chakra imbalance.
THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA
TRUST YOUR INTUITION
The sixth chakra, Ajna, is in the area of the third eye,
which is found in the space between the eyebrows. It
encompasses the pituitary gland, eyes, head, and lower
part of the brain. A spiritual chakra which means “beyond
wisdom,” this is your center of intuition. Ajna leads you to
an inner knowledge that will guide you if you let it. An
open sixth chakra can enable expanded imagination,
visualization, clairvoyance, telepathy, and lucid
dreaming.
Your intuition is like a “sixth sense” that grows stronger
as you open your third eye, something you can look to for
guidance in making the right decisions. With a blocked
sixth chakra, only the mind, intellect, and ego are used in
the decision-making process. When the third eye is open,
however, the soul becomes involved as well. Pay
attention to a hunch or a subtle feeling of moving forward
or holding back. If you are conflicted, ask for your sense
of intuition to be opened in order to help you make the
right choice.
IMBALANCES IN THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA
If there is an imbalance in the sixth chakra you may
experience poor intuition, lack of concentration, impaired
judgment, confusion, or depression. Physical imbalances
may manifest as headaches, trouble sleeping, or
nightmares.

THE CROWN CHAKRA

CONNECT TO THE DIVINE
The seventh chakra, Sahasrahara, is referred to as the
thousand petal lotus chakra. Of the seven main chakras,
this one is highest, located six inches above the crown of
the head. Sahasrahara is our source of enlightenment
and spiritual connection to our higher selves, to every
being on the planet, and ultimately to the divine energy
that creates everything in the universe.
While many of us have the demands of daily living and
the busy minds that accompany these demands, reaching
enlightenment may not be as far off as it appears.
Practicing meditation, prayer, or daily silence are
disciplines that lead to increased moments of spiritual
connection. Once you’ve established a daily practice of
these activities that connect you to universal
consciousness, you will see expansion of spiritual
awareness in your outer world. You will begin to
experience unconditional love on a consistent basis. You
will be more compassionate, kind, and forgiving, and
show more humility. Life will become less about you and
more about serving others because when you serve
others, you are serving yourself.
IMBALANCES IN THE CROWN CHAKRA
A closed crown chakra can lead to lack of inspiration,
aimlessness, feelings of loneliness, excessive
materialism, lack of spiritual connections, and difficulty
meditating. Physical imbalances may manifest as
exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sounds, poor sleep
habits, or migraines and tension headaches.