The 7 chakras of the body are located along the spine, beginning at the base of our tailbone and stretching to the top of our head. The chakras act as central points of energy that balance our emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The word chakra is derived from Sanskrit, which translates to wheel or circle in English, but it’s characterized as the 7 centers of our spiritual being that are directly linked to our nerves and vital organs.
When balanced, the chakras allow a healthy flow of life force energy through each of these centers. Channeling our inner spiritual energy aids our overall health by reducing our anxiety and strengthening our immune system, among other benefits, and we are more receptive to a life of abundance and tranquility.
What Are the 7 Chakras?
- Crown Chakra
- Third Eye Chakra
- Throat Chakra
- Heart Chakra
- Solar Plexus Chakra
- Sacral Chakra
- Root Chakra
How Can My Chakras Become Blocked?
Your chakras can become blocked for a variety of reasons, but it all circles back to your emotional and physical health. If you don’t feel healthy, then it’s likely that your chakras may need realigned. A blocked chakra signifies hindered energy, and a blockage can include anything that is affecting your physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or karmic energy.
These may include:
- Unhealed trauma
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Unexpressed emotions
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices or environmental exposure
- Lying or being deceptive to yourself or others
- Excess waste or toxins
- Overexertion
Keep reading below for signs that your chakras may be blocked and tips on how to unblock them!
Crown Chakra – “I Understand”
The Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara, is located at the top of the head, and this energy point’s purpose is linked to our knowledge and consciousness. When our Crown Chakra is balanced, the ego begins to dissipate at our surrender to wisdom, leaving behind defense mechanisms and inviting true serenity of the mind.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, the chakras can be observed in any practice or denomination. Think of your Crown Chakra as the direct physical link to your spiritual beliefs. It’s represented by the color violet, and it acts as our spiritual center, connecting us to the universal energy that creates all life.
Crown Chakra Affirmation: I am enlightened and infinite.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Depression, loneliness, feelings of hopelessness, or anxiety
- Feelings of disconnection from the spirit
- Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or environments
- Issues with self-knowledge or greater power
- Chronic tension headaches or exhaustion
Third Eye Chakra– “I See”
The Third Eye Chakra, or Ajna, is located in the center of the forehead, between the eyes. This energy point is linked to our intuition and lucidity, and it’s represented by the color indigo. More specifically, it connects you to your purpose and direction in life.
Think of this chakra as the invisible eye between your brows, perceiving all things that cannot be seen with your physical ones. Your inner eye harnesses the power to access wisdom and mental clarity with ease, allowing you to face obstacles like judgement and fear with the strength of sight.
Third Eye Chakra Affirmation: I follow my intuition and nurture my spirit.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- No sense of purpose
- Inability to plan or set goals
- Poor vision or memory
- Tension headaches in the brow area
- Lack of confidence and commitment, or indecisiveness, in decision making skills
Throat Chakra– “I Talk”
The Throat Chakra, or Vishuddha, is located in the throat, and it’s linked to our expression, communication, and creativity. This chakra is represented by the color blue. Physically, it supports your neck, mouth, sinuses, throat, and thyroid gland.
This chakra affects your ability to be honest and authentic. When your Throat Chakra is balanced, you express your needs, desires, and emotions clearly. This is a crucial component to our ability to speak and live our personal truth.
Throat Chakra Affirmation: I live an authentic life, and I speak with love.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Difficulty expressing yourself
- Insensitivity or dishonesty
- Settle with following others’ opinions
- Are considered timid or shy, or have social anxiety
- Experience sore throat, swollen glands, or sinus problems
Heart Chakra– “I Love”
The Heart Chakra, or Anahata, is located at our hearts, and it balances our forces of love and sincerity. This chakra is represented by the color green, and it manages your self-acceptance and relationships.
It affects our capability for compassion, forgiveness, and empathy, and physically, it supports the chest, heart, lungs, and arms. When this chakra is balanced, we harness the ability to develop deeper connections with ourselves and others.
Heart Chakra Affirmation: I forgive myself and others, and I am worthy of love.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Jealousy and insecurity
- Harsh judgment or high expectations of others
- Dependent on others for fulfillment, or are clingy and needy
- Self-sabotaging relationships with anger and distrust
- Experience chest pain, allergies, asthma, or issues with circulation
Solar Plexus Chakra– “I Do”
The Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura, is located in your stomach, from the center of your naval up to your sternum. This chakra is responsible for our confidence and determination, and it’s represented by the color yellow.
This chakra deals with our ambition and willpower, affecting our ability to take action. When balanced, the Solar Plexus promotes our self-esteem and determination, and physically, it supports the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, and spleen
Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmation: I feel my own power for my potential is unlimited.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Low self-esteem
- Concerned about the opinions of others
- Emotional distress or stomach anxiety
- Feeling powerless to circumstance and others’ desires
- Digestive issues or stomach pains
Sacral Chakra– “I Feel”
The Sacral Chakra, or Svadhishthana, is located between the hips and navel, and it is responsible for our sensuality and pleasure. This chakra is represented by the color orange, and it’s primarily responsible for our creative and sexual energy.
It’s directly linked to our emotions, as well as our ability to perceive the emotions of others. When balanced, we are more receptive to and engaged in intimacy, desire, and sexuality. This chakra supports the reproductive system, bladder, and kidney.
Sacral Chakra Affirmation: I honor my desires and express my emotions.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Low sexual desire or detachment
- Manic or emotional instability
- Lack of creative inspiration or energy
- Reproductive issues
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, and pelvis
- Anemia, hypoglycemia, or joint problems
Root Chakra– “I Am”
The Root Chakra, or Muladhara, is located in the base of our spine, at our tailbones. This chakra is primarily responsible for our security and stability, and it’s represented by the color red. This chakra tends to be weakened most commonly, directly relating to our sense of grounding—just like the roots of a tree—, and our ability to withstand challenges.
It supports basic physical and emotional needs, and when balanced, it diminishes our fears and connects us to our sense of safety. Physically, the Root Chakra is connected to the adrenal glands, kidney, colon, skeletal, and muscular system.
Root Chakra: I have everything I need.
Signs your chakra may be blocked:
- Lack of energy and vitality
- Feeling dissatisfied in your life or career
- Equating money to security
- Your well-being is reflective primarily of external circumstances
- Inflammation, colon, bladder, or prostate issues
How to Unblock Your Chakras
There’s a variety of methods that you can use to open and cleanse blocked chakras, like certain crystals and foods, but one of the most effective methods is to stimulate each of your energy points through yoga or meditation. Meditation is the ancient mindful practice that promotes emotional, spiritual, and psychological health, and it has been used in place of modern medicine for centuries. Utilizing meditation, we gain mental clarity through mind, body, and soul stimulation.
Yoga is a tried and true practice that works beautifully alongside meditation practice. You can physically unblock your chakras and experience sensations of energy with specific poses and mudras that channel its life force energy, stabilizing your mind, body, and soul in balance. Some blockages may need more attention than others, and its important that you utilize all possible resources in support of your overall health.
If you’ve never meditated before, don’t worry! I’ve created a complete beginner’s guide here: 8 Reasons to Meditate & How to Get Started. If you’re not sure how meditation can benefit you, consider checking out this blog! Reason #7 will really surprise you! Plus, it’s actually pretty easy to do when you have the right guidance.
Interested in setting up your own meditation corner? Check out this blog for a list of helpful meditation accessories!
Her Voice Rising 