A Guide to the 7 Chakras:

Understanding
Your Energy
 A Guide to the 7 Chakras:
Understanding
Your Energy

Despite being a commonly used term in the yoga world, chakras

are largely misunderstood. You may have heard a yoga teacher
direct a specific pose for a certain chakra, or you may have done
a guided meditation around chakra healing, but what does it all
really mean?

Whilst they are not often explored in detail during yoga classes,
chakras are not just for experts and they’re less confusing than
you think!

In simple terms, chakras are energy centres within the body,

each with a unique vibrational frequency and healing potency.
If a chakra becomes blocked, it can have a significant impact on
physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Whether you are looking to heal a specific wound, or simply to

live a more optimal life, a basic understanding of chakras can
have a deeply positive influence.
 In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore each of the seven chakras, not
only to provide an understanding of their meaning and symbolism, but
to explore and work through potential blockages to find an energetic
balance in body and mind.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 3

 It’s all Energy

Everything in the entire universe is made up of energy. From the smallest

particle to the biggest star, from a tiny ant to a giant whale, we are all
formed from the same stuff: atoms.

For over a century now, we have understood that atoms are not solid – far
from it. These building blocks of the universe are composed of subatomic
particles in constant motion, meaning that all that we consider to be solid
is in fact made up of space, movement and energy. Even the chair you
are sitting on and the phone, computer or tablet you are using to read is
buzzing and alive with energy.

Our bodies are no exception.

We are a mass of energy in a state of constant flux, moving and changing

just as everything around us is. Most of us can relate to that abstract
sense of being low in energy, but it is important to recognise the intricate
mechanisms behind this.

Since all we can see is flesh and bones, energy can seem like an intangible
or even radical concept, but just as our hearts and brains are run by
electrical impulses, there are subtle energetic currents governing all
processes within the body and mind, from organ function to feelings and
emotions.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 4

 What is a Chakra?

Long before modern scientific understanding, ancient cultures knew

instinctively that all living things carried a shared energy or life force
within. Religious and spiritual traditions across the ages seem to
agree that the flow of this energy is an essential part of existence. In
addition to chakra healing, practices like Reiki, Qigong, Tai Chi, and
yoga all focus on manipulating and balancing energy as a means of
promoting wellbeing.

First described in ancient Hindu scriptures, chakras have been

referenced in Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese teachings
for thousands of years. Chakra is Sanskrit for ‘wheel’, and is best
understood as an energy centre, a vortex of swirling energy within
the body. There are seven main chakras, forming a straight line from
the base of the spine to the space just above the crown of the head.

Chakras essentially provide an alternative understanding of how

energy moves within the body; an altogether more experiential
system of energetic flow than found in Western medicine.

According to yogic science, chakras are connected by energy

pathways called nadis, Sanskrit for ‘rivers’. The interaction between
these nadi rivers and chakra whirlpools controls the circulation of
our life force energy within. Emotional and physical disturbances in
the body and mind are thought to stem from an under-active, over-
active or blocked chakra, preventing a balanced flow of energy.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 6

 Chakra Imbalance

Although chakras are believed by different traditions to have various

levels of activity, ideal wellbeing occurs when all chakras are open,
and energy is able to flow freely. As we all know, ideal balance can be
hard to come by, and in this fast-paced modern world it’s a sad truth
that many of us are not functioning optimally.

Imagine a time where you felt either stagnant or wired; this may
well point to imbalanced energy centres within the body. In addition
to being blocked, some chakras can be under-active whilst others
compensate by becoming over-active, neither of which supports
optimal health.

The ideal state is one in which all seven chakras are open, allowing
a balanced flow of energy. Much in the same way that optimal
plumbing relies on the flow of water through an open passageway
of pipes, optimal energetic balance relies on the flow of life
force through an open passageway of energy centres. Disease is
considered to arise as a result of blockages in this flow, and countless
medicinal traditions from acupuncture to Ayurveda rely on the
existence of these energy channels for healing.

By understanding more about the seven chakras, it becomes

possible to determine where your own blockages lie, and to become
more in tune with the unique energy cycles of your own body. This is
a powerful means of self-healing.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 7

 According to yogic principles, practices such as pranayama, asana,
mantra chanting, meditation and visualisation encourage and
improve energy flow throughout the chakras, allowing us to address
and heal our own physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances from
within. Chakra meditations involve simply focussing on the specific
area of the body or colour associated with the chakra as a means of
restoring and balancing energetic flow.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 8

 Is There Scientific Proof?

Exploring the metaphysical through a scientific lens is becoming

more and more common, but chakras remain, unfortunately, under
researched. Nonetheless, emerging scientific evidence from the
field of quantum physics is proving the interconnected nature of
all beings, at least on an energetic level. It is accepted that energy
governs all bodily functions, and in many ways, chakras can be
understood as corresponding with physical energy centres in the
body, such as the circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine and nervous
systems.

It has been argued that nadis correlate with nerve pathways, and
that the positioning of the major chakras reflects the position of the
vagus nerve. In addition, each chakra directly corresponds to the
major glands and nerve ‘bundles’ in the body, where the primary
functions of our bodies vital systems are directed.

In this sense, there is no need to ‘prove’ the existence of chakras,

rather to accept that they are a different way of describing
something we already know, a different lens through which to
understand our experience.

What’s more, thanks to ever increasing research in the field of mind-

body medicine, the impact of mental and emotional states on the
physical body has become clear. The idea that we have the power
to help heal ourselves may have seemed wild not so long ago, but a

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 9

 wide array of studies has begun to support what ancient traditions
have been telling us all along; the connection between mind and
body is powerful.

Arguably one of the side-effects of any kind of chakra healing is

elicitation of the relaxation response, our bodies built-in off-switch
to “fight or flight” mode. Eliciting the relaxation response has
been shown to be effective in treating a huge number of common
ailments, from chronic pain to cardiac arrhythmias among hundreds
of others. It makes sense that our scientific understanding of
energetic balance is not yet complete, and that the mind has
a greater impact on health and wellbeing than we can so far
comprehend.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 10

The Seven
Chakras
 1. The Root Chakra

Sanskrit Name: Muladhara

Colour: Red

Location: Base of the spine, tailbone area

Symbolism and Meaning: Muladhara is made

up of two words; mula, meaning ‘root’, and
dhara meaning ‘support,’ both poignant to the
meaning of the chakra itself. Since muladhara
symbolises our foundation and sense of being
grounded, the root chakra determines an individual’s feelings of safety and
security. When it’s under-active, you may feel fearful, threatened, uprooted or
unsettled. When it’s over-active, you may become materialistic, resistant to
change and obsessed with security.

Signs of Balance: If this chakra is balanced, you have a strong sense of being
grounded. Your connection to family and community is solid and there is little
doubt over your sense of security in the physical world.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: Fixation on aspects of survival, such as money

and food. Financial instability, moving home frequently, disconnection from
family and trouble with consistency or routine are all signs of muladhara
chakra imbalance. In some people, this can manifest as anxiety, paranoia or
hypochondria.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: The root chakra presides over the health of the
feet, legs, hips rectum, immune system and male prostate gland. Those with
blockages and imbalances are likely to experience joint pain and arthritis,
sciatica, cold extremities, constipation or eating disorders.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 12

 2. The Sacral Chakra

Sanskrit Name: Svadisthana

Colour: Orange

Location: Lower abdomen, around 5cm below the navel

Symbolism and Meaning: This chakra is all about

identity and creative energy. Svadisthana governs
pleasure, enjoyment, sexuality and intimacy, as well as
our ability to accept and navigate change. If you feel
unemotional and not open to others, this could indicate
an under-active sacral chakra. Conversely, becoming
overly emotional or attached to people suggests that
this chakra is over-active.

Signs of Balance: When the svadisthana chakra is balanced, you feel creative, confident,
passionate and outgoing. You are committed and yet able to take risks, and you enjoy a
healthy connection to your own sexuality as well as others. In balance, svadisthana helps you to
experience a sense of abundance from the pleasures in life, without overdoing them.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: This chakra is strongly connected to emotions. Imbalance can
cause difficulty in expressing yourself, both creatively and sexually. You may find it difficult to
embrace pleasure in general, leading to a sense of boredom and listlessness as well as feeling
uninspired.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: The sacral chakra governs the reproductive system and kidneys.
Imbalance can manifest as low sex-drive, reproductive or urinary problems, kidney dysfunction,
pelvic or lower back pain. Addictive behaviours can also be increased by issues with this chakra.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: Taking time to assess whether or not your actions are
healthy and nourishing is an important step in balancing the sacral chakra. The best practice
for restoring energetic flow through this chakra is simply to take time for yourself and enjoy
life! That said, finding a balanced engagement with pleasure is key.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 13

 3. The Solar Plexus Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Manipura

Colour: Yellow

Location: The upper abdomen, from the centre of the

navel to the sternum

Symbolism and Meaning: The solar plexus is home to

our self-esteem and personal power. The symbolism
of this chakra’s location is reflected by that old notion
of a “gut feeling” – our intrinsic intuition that guides
determination. When it’s under-active, you tend to be
indecisive or passive. If it becomes over-active, you may
be unusually aggressive or domineering.

Signs of Balance: When this chakra is balanced, you have

an abundance of compassion and respect for yourself. You
are confident and have no trouble being assertive and
direct, leading to a strong sense of being in control. You can
see a clear path to success and feel like you can accomplish
anything you put your mind to.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: Issues with self-worth, self-esteem and confidence

are common signs of a problem with this chakra. You may feel powerless, ashamed or
embarrassed, often fretting over what others think of you. Imbalance tends to bring out the
inner critic, with a focus on rejection, criticism and failure.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: Manipura presides over the pancreas, liver and intestines. Signs
of imbalance include digestive and liver problems, gallstones, ulcers and pancreatic disorders,
such as diabetes and hypoglycaemia.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: Figuring out your purpose in life is important
for maintaining balance in this chakra. Try to find motivation in the things you feel most
passionate about and direct your energy there. Setting intentions and creating your own
personal affirmations can help to shift manipura blockages. Additionally, child’s pose is
thought to be stimulating for the solar plexus and may help to nurture a sense of compassion
toward yourself.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 14

 4. The Heart Chakra
Sanskrit Name: Anahata

Colour: Green

Location: Centre of the chest, directly above the heart

Symbolism and Meaning: Sanskirt for “unhurt,” both

the name and location of this chakra speak volumes;
we all know what it’s like to think or feel from the
heart. Anahata chakra influences our capacity for love,
governing aspects of emotional intelligence, such as
compassion and forgiveness. If this chakra is under-
active, you may become cold or distant toward others.
When it is over-active, you tend to give love too freely
and find it hard to set personal boundaries.

Signs of Balance: Steady feelings of joy, gratitude, and empathy. Balance in this chakra
provides a strong sense of trust, alongside an abundance of love and compassion. You will find
it easy to forgive and let go.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: This chakra’s connection with love is not only in relation to
others but to yourself. When you find yourself putting the needs of other people before your
own, it’s likely that anahata is out of balance. Equally, if you struggle to relate to others and
feel impatient or distrustful, there may be a blockage. Unsurprisingly, jealousy, abandonment
issues and loneliness are all indicators of a problem with the heart chakra.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: Anahata controls the heart, lungs and thymus region. Fast heart
rate, palpitations, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, asthma and lymphatic issues are
all signs of imbalance in this chakra.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: Self-care is vital for maintaining a flow of energy in
the heart chakra. This may be as simple as taking regular baths or keeping a gratitude journal.
Love for others begins with love for yourself, and so knowing how to truly love and care for
yourself is a vital step in finding balance. In those blockages, loving-kindness meditations can
help to cultivate compassion.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 15

 5. The Throat Chakra

Sanskrit Name: Visuddha

Colour: Blue

Location: The throat

Symbolism and Meaning: The throat chakra is symbolic

of our ability to communicate and voice opinions. Those
with under-active throat chakras tend to speak very little
and may be introverted or shy. When this chakra is over-
active, you may become domineering, overbearing and
arrogant.

Signs of Balance: Free-flowing expression and

communication. If vishuddha chakra is balanced, you are
honest and truthful, both to yourself and those around
you. You are a good listener and able to engage in mindful
communication.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: Difficulty with self-

expression of feelings and individual truths. A blockage
in the throat chakra can significantly impact your ability
to communicate, even to the point of holding back on
expressing and fulfilling your own needs and desires.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: This chakra maintains the

thyroid gland. Imbalance can cause sensitivity to hormone
fluctuations, thyroid issues, neck and shoulder pain, sore
throat, laryngitis or ear infections.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: If your throat chakra is over-active, it is important to
think before you speak! Remember to ask yourself: Is it truthful? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
As strange as it may sound, a great way to energise this chakra is to speak your truth out loud
when you’re alone. The more you practice, the easier it gets! Shoulder stand and fish pose are
excellent ways to stimulate the vishuddha chakra, helping to shift blockages.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 16

 6. The Third Eye Chakra

Sanskrit Name: Ajna

Colour: Indigo

Location: The centre of the forehead, between

the eyes

Symbolism and Meaning: Ajna presides over

intuition, alignment with the universe and ability to
see the bigger picture. It is believed that this chakra
picks up on information that cannot be perceived
by the five senses. When it is under-active, you may
feel trapped by earthly and materialistic realities.
When it is over-active, you may have a tendency to fantasise, and become overly
engrossed in spiritual and psychic activities.

Signs of Balance: A strong sense of connection to intuition and wisdom. You are able
to think with clarity and make decisive decisions. You will feel equally in tune with your
physical and spiritual realities, and not overwhelmed by either one. If ajna is balanced,
it is easy to discern truth from illusion.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: A lack of imagination and the tendency to be stuck

in a stressful, analytical mode. You may become attached to hypothetical outcomes
and feel distressed when things don’t work out your way, leading to a rollercoaster of
emotions.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: Ajna governs the pituitary and pineal glands. Imbalance
may cause insomnia, frequent headaches, sinus conditions, neurological disorders and
problems with the eyes or ears.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: Solitary meditations focussed on soul

connection will help third eye energy to flow. It is important to practice faith and
surrender to a higher purpose if there is a blockage in this chakra, and affirmations
such as “I am on my true path” can help to connect you with your intuition.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 17

 7. The Crown Chakra

Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara

Colour: Violet

Location: The top of the head

Symbolism and Meaning: Sahasrara is the highest

chakra, symbolic of our connection to a higher self.
It determines spiritual connectivity and our ability
to access pure bliss. If this chakra is under-active,
you tend to have little awareness of spirituality and
only believe in things that can be proven by the
five senses. When it is over-active, you may become
addicted to spirituality and unable to recognise bodily needs.

Signs of Balance: A sense of being at one with yourself and the world around you. You
will experience a connection with the divine in the universe, giving you a profound and
lasting sense of joy and peace.

Signs of Emotional Imbalance: When the crown chakra is out of balance, you may be
unable to see beauty in the world. Imbalance can lead to depression, lack of motivation
and an unhealthy attachment to possessions and relationships. You see everything and
everyone as separate from yourself.

Signs of Physical Imbalance: Sahasrara governs several areas of the brain including
the amygdala, responsible for memory, emotions and aggression. Imbalance may
cause chronic headaches and problems with physical coordination.

How to Restore and Maintain Balance: This chakra is notoriously subtle. Instead
of actively trying to focus on the crown chakra, it is instead important to locate and
work on blockages or imbalances in the previous six. The best way to find complete
energetic balance is to start from the root chakra and work your way up to the
crown. In doing so, the ajna chakra will open naturally, allowing free flowing energy
throughout all seven chakras.

A Guide to the 7 Chakras: Understanding Your Energy 18

 Author Bio

Rachel Bilski started life in the countryside of northern

England before natural curiosity whisked her away around
the world. She began practicing yoga after a life-changing
meditation retreat and has since combined her passions for
travel and yoga by attending intensive retreats and trainings
throughout Europe and Asia.

Rachel is the manager of Yoga Pod Saigon and co-founder of

Shanti Niwas, a yoga collaborative through which she holds
yoga retreats in Portugal and teaches classes in Vietnam.
Rachel takes a holistic and therapeutic approach to Yoga
teaching, knowing that yoga holds many of the answers for life
off the mat. You can follow her other musings on yoga, travel
and life on the Shanti Niwas blog, Yoga Trade, Balance Garden
or Daily Cup of Yoga.