An Introduction to the Seven Chakras

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The chakras represent the seven major energy centers of our bodies. Learning about the chakras has helped me tremendously in better understanding the concept of inner balance and myself as a whole. Blockages in the chakras can cause mental, emotional and spiritual problems, which is why it's important to keep energy flowing freely between them. Here's an introduction to each of the chakras and which areas they govern:

1st Chakra – Root (Muladhara)

Location: Base of spine

Color: Red

Associated primarily with: basic survival needs such as security, safety, belonging, and sex (particularly for males), as well as grounding

Balancing Affirmations:
"I am safe and I trust that all of my needs will be taken care of."
"I am meant to be here now; I am firmly rooted in the present moment."

2nd Chakra - Sacral (Swadhisthana)

Location: Below navel

Color: Orange

Associated primarily with: emotions, creativity, birth, self-worth, intuition, friendliness, and sex (particularly for females)

Balancing Affirmations:

"I embrace my feelings and am in touch with my creativity."

"I easily accept and am fully deserving of pleasure and joy."

3rd Chakra – Solar Plexus (Manipura)

Location: Above the navel and below the rib-cage

Color: Yellow

Associated primarily with: personal power, manifesting, confidence, willpower, "gut" feelings, psychic development, anger, strength, and passions

Balancing Affirmations:
"I trust in myself."
"I am the powerful creator of my own life. I manifest my desires easily."

4th Chakra - Heart (Anahata)

Location: Heart

Color: Green

Associated primarily with: compassion, love for others and self, connection with others, spirituality, giving and receiving

Balancing Affirmations:

"I love and accept myself. Love is my essence."

"I am overflowing with love and compassion for others."

"I effortlessly give and receive love."

5th Chakra - Throat (Vishuddha)

Location: Neck/throat

Color: Blue

Associated primarily with: communication, expression, honesty, creativity, and transformation

Balancing Affirmations:

"I express myself easily, with honesty, love and clarity."

6th Chakra - Third-Eye (Ajna)

Location: Middle of forehead, in between the eyebrows

Color: Indigo

Associated primarily with: intuition, psychic ability/sixth sense, higher self, selflessness, and detachment

Balancing Affirmations:

"I am completely in tune with my intuition. I trust my intuition."

"I see clearly into both the physical and psychic realm, and am under the protection of the divine."

7th Chakra - Crown (Sahasrara)

Location: Top of the head

Color: Light purple

Associated primarily with: connection to the divine, spirituality, enlightenment, wisdom, and higher consciousness

Balancing Affirmations:

"I am connected to and guided by the divine."

"I am pure love and light."

Another great chakra-balancing exercise is visualization. For example, when I'm feeling anxious about something, I'll visualize a bright, red wheel spinning freely at the base of my spine. For overall balancing, it's a good idea (ideally during meditation) to visualize each chakra color one by one as freely spinning wheels while bringing your attention to the associated body part.