Chakras - the subtle energy centers of our body

Chakra is a Sanskrit word for “wheel” or “circle” and refers to subtle energy centers in the body. These chakras are located as rotating vortices in the body's energy channels (meridians), which absorb and distribute the cosmic life energy prana. The chakras are in constant circular motion, which causes energy to be drawn into the chakras. There are thousands of chakras in the body.

The seven main chakras are of particular importance and represent different areas of our lives, from basic needs and emotions to spiritual abilities. Each chakra vibrates in a color and has a physical connection. The lower chakras vibrate more slowly. They are associated with basic needs and emotions. The upper chakras vibrate higher and correspond to spiritual abilities.

Chakras can be both misaligned and energetically unbalanced. This is often due to associated energetic imbalances in the area of the chakra concerned. Such an imbalance may or may not have an obvious relationship to the particular characteristics of the chakra or the parts of the body associated with it.

The 7 main chakras

In the following, we will look at the main chakras of our energetic system.

Root Chakra (Sanskrit: Muladhara Chakra)

Location in the body: Pelvic floor, at the perineum between anus and genitals
Themes: Grounding, stability, security, grounding, connection with the physical body
Physical reference: Everything solid such as the spine, bones, teeth as well as the anus, rectum, intestines, blood, cell structure, adrenal glands
Energetic reference: ovaries, testicles, prostate, anus, large intestine, adrenal glands
With ideal alignment: full life energy, self-confidence, stability, assertiveness, better digestion
Consequences of blockages: Existential fears, inertia, insecurity, materialism, intestinal diseases, bone diseases, weight problems, blood pressure problems

Sacral Chakra (Sanskrit: Svadisthana Chakra)

Location in the body: In the spine, at the level of the genitals
Themes: Joy of life, sexuality, unfiltered emotions, passion, creative energy
Physical reference: everything fluid such as blood, lymph, digestive juices, sperm; pelvic area and hips (especially hip flexors), transverse abdominal muscle, sacrum, tongue, sexual organs, gonads, ovaries, prostate, testicles
Energetic reference: testicles, ovaries
With ideal alignment: full zest for life, emotional balance, self-esteem
Consequences of blockages: Aggression, anger, sadness, addictions

Solar Plexus Chakra (Sanskrit: Manipura Chakra)

Location in the body: Between the sternum and navel
Themes: Willpower, assertiveness, self-efficacy, self-confidence, identity, personal power
Physical connection: Lower back, abdominal cavity, digestive system, liver, spleen, stomach, autonomic nervous system, pancreas
Energetic reference: eyes, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, metabolism
With ideal alignment: Peace, inner harmony, serenity
Consequences of blockage: Materialism, ruthlessness, compulsion to control, restlessness, dissatisfaction

Heart Chakra (Sanskrit: Anahata Chakra)

Location in the body: in the spine at the level of the heart
Themes: Devotion, connection, unconditional love, closeness
Physical reference: heart, upper back with rib cage, lower lung area, circulatory system, skin, thymus gland
Energetic connection: heart, thymus gland, skin, hands
With ideal alignment: devotion, confidence, optimism, warmth, cordiality, cheerfulness, compassion, helpfulness
Consequences of blockage: Separation, negativity, doubt, insecurity, imbalance, depression

Throat Chakra (Sanskrit: Vishuddha Chakra)

Location in the body: between the hollow of the throat and the larynx
Themes: Communication, truth, clarity, creativity, self-expression
Physical reference: throat, neck, jaw, ears, vocal cords, trachea, bronchi, upper lung area, oesophagus, arms, thyroid gland
Energetic reference: thyroid gland, larynx, ears, mouth
With ideal alignment: ability to communicate, inspiration, self-determination, independence, expressiveness, integrity
Consequences of blockage: Rationalism, conformity, communication blocks, isolation, shyness, closed-mindedness, insecurity

Forehead Chakra, third eye (Sanskrit: Ajna chakra)

Location in the body: Between the eyebrows
Themes: Vision, spirituality, intuition, higher insight, intellect
Physical reference: Face, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, cerebellum, central nervous system, pituitary gland
Energetic reference: Pineal gland
With ideal alignment: High consciousness, spirituality, alert mind, idealism, imagination
Consequences of blockage: Top-heaviness, isolation, loss of reality

Crown Chakra (Sanskrit: Sahasrara Chakra)

Location in the body: At the crown of the head
Themes: Enlightenment, connection to source, coming home, wisdom, consciousness
Physical reference: Cerebrum, pineal gland
Energetic reference: spiritual center
With ideal alignment: Perfect understanding, connection with the divine source, abundance
Consequences of blockage: Uncertainty, aimlessness