Gain A Better Understanding Of The Meaning Behind Chakras

Not everyone is familiar with chakras. In fact, there are many people who have never heard the word before, let alone understand what the seven chakras are and why they’re considered important by some. If you’ve recently begun to explore yoga, meditation or Eastern traditions, you may have discovered the concept of chakras. If you’re fairly well-versed in meditation, Reiki or other practices, you’ve probably heard the term, but may not be familiar with what the chakras are. In this guide, we’ll discuss the seven chakras of the body, what they are and why they’ve been considered important to well-being for thousands of years.

What are chakras?

The word chakra translates loosely to English as wheel or circle. It’s a Sanskrit word that’s been in use since sometime around 1500 BCE, and as you may have noticed the concept of chakras has grown in popularity in recent years. Chakras are thought to be the energy centers of the body. They’re “rooted” in physical locations along your spine, neck and head, but are thought to be more intangible, spiritual centers. For instance, the crown chakra is said to be located at the top of your head, a physical point in your body. However, the crown chakra is responsible for how you experience a cosmic connectedness.

We’ll explore the seven chakras one by one further along in this guide. For now, let’s discuss the importance of chakras to those who follow religious or spiritual paths that recognize them. Chakras are assumed to have been mentioned first in ancient Hindu scriptures called Vedas. Of course, there may have been mention of these energy centers prior to the texts, which date back to around 1500 BCE. What remains as fact is that, if there was such a reference, experts have not yet found them. According to the Vedas, each of your seven chakras is linked to your spirituality, your emotions and even your physical organs. It’s believed that by keeping these energy centers clear and unobstructed, you can enjoy a more harmonious, balanced life.

What happens if your chakras are blocked?

It’s said that if your chakras are blocked, you can experience a range of negative effects. You may begin to have nightmares or feel anxiety. You may feel depressed, uninspired or you may experience low self-esteem. Negative emotions toward others may manifest, and you may find that your relationships suffer.

Perhaps more important are the physical manifestations of blocked chakras. Headaches, dizziness, muscle and joint stiffness and digestive trouble are just a few symptoms of blocked chakras. We’ll explore the individual chakras and their respective symptoms in subsequent sections of this guide. Thankfully, there are methods you can use to unblock your chakras. Let’s look at each of the seven chakras and what they represent, then we’ll discover how to determine if a chakra is blocked and what you can do about it.

The Root Chakra

As we go through the seven chakras, we’ll start at the base of your spine and end at the crown of your head. The root chakra is, as you’d expect, at the base of your spine. It’s near your tailbone, and is one of the closest places on your body to the earth when you’re in a seated yoga pose. When you hear your Reiki healer or yoga instructor speak of your root chakra, or base chakra, they’re referring to the energy center that’s responsible for your personal feelings of security and your confidence that you can overcome challenges. Many people associate the root chakra with financial confidence and independence as well.

When your root chakra is flowing and unblocked, you’ll be calm and secure, with little anxiety or uncertainty about the future. However, if this center is blocked, the opposite can take effect. You may feel anxious, threatened or even worried about your personal well-being. In extreme cases, you can feel paranoid. There are physical manifestations of a blocked root chakra, too. Back pain, cold hands and feet and general lethargy may mean you have a blocked root chakra. The root chakra is usually represented by the color red and the earth element.

The Sacral Chakra

The second chakra is the sacral chakra. The sacral chakra is in your lower abdomen, a couple inches below your belly button, and it’s the energy center that’s responsible for your sexuality, your sensuality and your overall desire for pleasure. When your sacral chakra is flowing freely, you’ll feel a healthy sex drive, a general sense of well-being and contentedness and will seek out pleasure in a healthy way. If you’re experiencing a blocked sacral chakra, you’ll feel almost opposite to that. Your sex drive may suffer, you may feel exceptionally bored and you certainly won’t seek out new opportunities.

Physical symptoms of a blocked sacral chakra include digestive trouble, particularly in the urinary tract as well as allergies. You may also be more prone to seek out addictive substances or engage in addictive behaviors. The sacral chakra is usually represented by the color orange and the water element.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

Slightly further up your body is the solar plexus chakra. It’s located at the top of your abdomen, right below your rib cage and it’s inextricably linked with your feelings of self-worth and determination. The solar plexus chakra is probably one you’ve physically felt before. Have you ever had your feelings hurt, or felt nervous before a public presentation? That sinking feeling or those butterflies you felt were in your solar plexus.

When all is well within your solar plexus energy center, you’re confident, determined and in control. You feel independent – on top of the world – and you are the master of your own life. However, when this chakra is blocked, you will feel none of these things. You may feel as if you’re not good at your job or adequate in your relationships. When your solar plexus chakra is blocked, you may have digestive issues and your memory may actually suffer. The solar plexus is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire.

The Heart Chakra

As you might have supposed, the heart chakra rests just above your heart. It’s responsible for your feelings of love and empathy. A clear heart chakra means a feeling of inner peace and a sense of openness to the universe and to others. The heart chakra is important to well-being as it’s a link between the body, the spirit and the mind. A blocked heart chakra can seriously impact your relationships with others, whether they be friendships, romantic relationships or even with those you work with. You may be less likely to put your trust in others and will likely feel anxious in social situations. These effects, of course, can impact other aspects of your life.

It’s thought that a blocked heart chakra can lead to some serious health issues, too. A blocked heart chakra can impact your blood pressure, your circulatory system and your immune system. The heart chakra is represented by green and the element of air.

The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is another that’s relatively self-explanatory, and is located in your throat. This energy circle is in control of your communication. This means the ability to speak the truth as well as your own personal truth. It means you can communicate your self and who you are. You can be forthright and choose your words wisely. When your throat chakra isn’t aligned, you’ll feel an inability to find the right words to express yourself. You won’t necessarily begin to tell mistruths, but may be misinterpreted by others and cause conflict. Miscommunications may impact your relationships and your career, and may also cause you to feel depressed or anxious.

Physical effects of a blockage of your throat chakra include a sore throat, of course. You may also feel neck and upper back pain, and some people may experience hormone fluctuations. The throat chakra is symbolized by blue and the element of ether.

The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra is the most well-known of all the chakras. It symbolizes an elevated consciousness, a connection with the universe and even a state of enlightenment. You’ve likely heard the third eye referenced in popular culture, but as with the other chakras, the concept of a third eye has been around for thousands of years. Many religions, even Christianity, recognize the third eye in some capacity. However, the definition and purpose of the chakra varies from tradition to tradition. Some religious followers believe it’s responsible for reflection and understanding. Others believe it offers a more literal “sight,” allowing people to see auras, premonitions and other things that aren’t visible with your first two eyes.

If your third eye chakra is aligned, you can trust your instincts. You may have gut reactions to people or circumstances, whether they be positive or negative. You’re more readily able to see a broad scope as you look at your personal world, and to make sound decisions based on what you observe. If your third eye chakra is blocked, however, this all changes. You will have difficulty “seeing the forest for the trees,” and may feel unsure about how to proceed in your life. You may also feel less confident about your instincts, and doubt your intuition. A blocked third eye chakra can make itself known through a lack of quality sleep and even a bit of clumsiness. The third eye chakra is represented by the color blue and the element of light.

The Crown Chakra

Finally, the chakra located at the crown of your head is the crown chakra. As we touched on earlier, this energy wheel is responsible for how spiritually connected you are. Even if you don’t observe any one particular religion, the crown chakra can help you feel a sense of balance and experience a greater feeling of joy in your day to day life. A blocked crown chakra can lead to depression and a sense of wandering about your life with no clear and true purpose. You may feel less motivated to try new things, or even engage in activities you previously loved. Or, your symptoms may be as simple as a decrease in spirituality. If your crown chakra is not aligned, you might notice frequent headaches. The crown chakra is represented by the color purple and the element of pure light.

How do you unblock your chakras?

If your energy is not flowing freely in the way that it should, it may manifest itself in different ways, many of which we’ve discussed within this guide. Your symptoms could be physical, emotional or simply something you just can’t quite put a finger on. The best course of action you can take is to speak with your spiritual advisor. Whether you’re religious or not, someone who has studied the Vedas or who has a greater understanding of chakras and how they affect your well-being will be very well equipped to help you identify issues you may be having. You can choose a spiritual leader, a yogi or a Reiki practitioner, to name a few examples.

Imbalance with your chakras can be brought on by a number of things. From a traumatic life experience to a simple argument with your spouse, life events will impact different people in different ways. However, please do bear in mind that if you feel that you’re experiencing severe depression, you should make an appointment to speak with a licensed healthcare professional. Don’t delay. Once you’ve gotten to the root of your chakra imbalance, there are several ways you can remedy it. First and most obviously, do try to eliminate the source of the imbalance from your life! Stress, toxic relationships and more can throw your energy into a state of misalignment. Take steps today to fix the root of the issue.

There are a few ways to work on reviving a healthy flow of energy throughout your chakras. Reciting mantras is a particularly effective way of clearing blockage in your chakras. As you now know, each chakra represents a different area of your body and of your being. For each of the seven chakras, there are mantras you can recite which will help you restore balance. As an example, there are syllables associated with each.

• Root – lam

• Sacral – vam

• Solar plexus – ram

• Heart – yam

• Throat – ham

• Third eye – ohm

• Crown – silence is best

Another method of clearing blocked chakras is as relaxing as it is effective: visit a Reiki master. Reiki is the transfer of positive energy to your body which clears away the negative energy causing your imbalance. Always ensure that your Reiki practitioner is certified or licensed in your locality. Yoga, meditation, relaxation and sound healing are all additional ways you can restore healthy energy flow in your body. Again, remember that if you’re suffering from depression or have thoughts of harming yourself or others, please talk to a medical professional right away.

Use Your Knowledge Of Chakras To Support A Healthy Body and Mind

The concept of chakras may be new to you, and is only recently gaining exposure in the modern world. However, chakras have been important to humanity for thousands of years. Listen to your body and know the symptoms of imbalance. You can use your knowledge of the chakras to support a healthy body and mind. 

Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.

Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren

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