An introduction to the
chakra system

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Welcome!

So, you’ve discovered the chakra system and you’re curious to learn more? I hope you find this to be a helpful introduction.

The purpose of this blog is to provide a brief introduction to the chakra system, to give you a flavour of what it’s all about which may spark your curiosity to explore and read further.

Going on a journey of self-discovery and getting to know the chakra system as part of this can be an insightful and empowering experience, enhancing our understanding of just how connected our minds, bodies, and emotions truly are.

There is a multitude of information about the chakra system out there but I’ve worked from one particular source that I’ve found most compelling and empowering to give an introduction: “Eastern Body, Western Mind. Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self”, by Anodea Judith. It’s absolute gold and is a book I continuously come back to. I recommend it if you’re keen to gain a deeper, more thorough understanding of the workings of the chakra system and each individual chakra.

Any quotes that follow are from Anodea.

With love,
Katie

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What are chakras?

Chakras are energy centres of the body. Anodea Judith explains each individual chakra forming the wider system to be: “a center of organization that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy.”

The word “chakra” itself translates to “wheel” or “disk” and refers to a spinning sphere. There are 7 main chakras, which while not of physical form in themselves, do still have fairly specific locations within the body – from the base of the spine (root chakra) up to the top of the head (crown chakra). We also have many other smaller chakras in our hands, fingertips, feet and shoulders.

Each of the 7 central chakras are associated with a different part of our physical bodies (and thus our physical health), and an area of human psychological health. Each chakra, beginning with the root, came into being in line with our development – right from the root chakra (womb to 6 months) through to the crown (adulthood). The explanation of each individual chakra below also explain when each chakra developed, and what each is associated with – where everything will begin to make more sense.

Life force energy flows through us predominantly in two directions – horizontal currents of energy channelled through the chakras. One current flows downwards, from the upper to lower chakras and into the earth. This is known to be the current of manifestation, associated with the tangible and physical, form and body/mass, the more practical matters of our lives such as survival, movement and action. Whereas the upwards flow of energy is said to be the current of liberation, associated with freedom, expansion from the physical into the mental realm, a more symbolic level of words, images, and concepts. Earth versus universe connection. See image (p. 13, Eastern Body, Western Mind)

What’s key is that there is a healthy balance, where both currents flow as freely as possible in each direction, because the chakras are working as they should to process that energy. It’s no coincidence that the heart chakra – at the very centre of the chakra system (chakra 4 of 7, from the root) is associated with balance. If our energies our balanced, we’re more likely to feel safe in and experience the world through our bodies, we are grounded and have a sense of personal will – while also experiencing the world through our minds. We are visionary, expressive, connect to something bigger than us, and are are in touch with our intuition – our inner guidance system.

After all, the chakra system, which originated in India over 4,000 years ago, came to the west with the practice of yoga – which is said to mean “yoke”, melding mind with spirit through various physical and mental disciplines. It all comes back to balance.

But let’s be real, balance is no mean feat! The human experience is, after all, not necessarily easy and so it’s undeniable that the natural flow of energy will become imbalanced along the way by, for example, illness, trauma, social conditioning and programming, worries, fears, challenging environments, to name but a few.

What can help is learning to pay attention and observe what is happening in our physical, emotional and mental bodies, to see where we may need nurturing, care, and healing, while exploring the ways we can rediscover just how intertwined the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual parts of ourselves are so we can relish in and rest in our beautiful wholeness – for it is the integration of mind, body, and energy that can make healing possible.

Balancing the chakras and supporting the healthy flow of energy within may require different approaches (such as, for example, Reiki healing and mindful movement like yoga), so that the natural flow of energy within is restored and supported. If we can rediscover the inner balance and harmony that is our birth right, we align ourselves with the universe, and even in time come to realise that we and the universe were always one and the same after all.

I always recommend approaching the Chakra system with light heartedness and playful curiosity, remembering that if there is a potential energetic imbalance this isn’t a “problem” and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. By nature of being human, energy is likely to become imbalanced as we move through life. You are always already whole and complete just as you are. Exploring the Chakra system may support you to get to know yourself more deeply and become more aware of the universal life force energy within you.

Below is an overview of what each chakra relates to. Please note that this is a very top-level summary, including potential healing practices for chakras where energy may need balancing. Each chakra can be explored in-depth via further reading and research.

If you’re curious to learn more about Reiki as a way to support the chakra system, click here.

You can also check out my guided chakra balancing meditation here.

The 7 main chakras

Root (Muladhara)

“Reclaiming the sacred temple of our bodies, our right to be here, and our right to have what we need in order to survive can be a joyous reunion with the very ground of our own being and a solid beginning to the exciting journey of discovery through the chakras.”

Balanced characteristics: well-grounded, comfortable in body, good health, sense of trust in the world, feeling of safety and security, ability to relax and be still, stability, prosperity
Imbalanced characteristics: disconnection from body, fearful, anxious, restless, poor focus and discipline, financial difficulty, poor boundaries, sluggish, lazy, fear or change/addiction to security, rigid boundaries
Physical issues: disorders of the bowel, disorders of solid parts of the body (teeth, bones), issues with legs, feet, knees, base of spine, buttocks, eating disorders, frequent illness
Healing practices: reconnect with body, physical activity (aerobics, weights, running, dance), lots of touch – massage, bioenergetic grounding, Hatha yoga, explore earliest childhood relationship to mother
Affirmations: It is safe for me to be here, the earth supports me and meets my needs, I love my body and trust its wisdom, I am immersed in abundance, I’m here and I’m real.

Sacral (Svadhisthana)

“Healing our wounds in this chakra creates the necessary emotional depth for developing true power, compassion, creativity, insight and awareness – all aspects that are ahead of us on the chakra journey.”

Balanced characteristics: graceful movement, emotional intelligence, ability to experience pleasure, nurturance of self and others, ability to change, healthy boundaries
Imbalanced characteristics: rigidity in body and attitudes, fear of sexual intimacy, poor social skills, denial of pleasure, excessive boundaries, fear of change, lack of desire, passion, excitement, pleasure addiction, excessively strong emotions/ruled by emotions, oversensitive, poor boundaries, emotional dependency, compulsive attachment
Physical issues: disorders of reproductive organs, spleen, urinary system, menstrual difficulties, sexual dysfunction, low back pain, knee trouble, loss of appetite for food, intimacy, life
Healing practices: movement therapy, emotional release or containment as appropriate, inner child work, boundary work, 12-step programmes for addictions, assign healthy pleasures, develop sensate intelligence
Affirmations: I deserve pleasure in my life, I absorb information from my feelings, I embrace and celebrate my sexuality, my sexuality is sacred, I move easily and effortlessly, life is pleasurable.

Solar plexus (Manipura)

“The person with a healthy third chakra is a person with good vitality and a playful ability to laugh at themselves.”

Balanced characteristics: responsible, reliable, balanced and effective will, good self-esteem, balanced ego-strength, warmth in personality, confidence, spontaneity, playfulness, sense of humour, appropriate self-discipline, sense of one’s personal power, able to meet challenges
Imbalanced characteristics: low energy, weak will – easily manipulated, poor self-discipline and follow-through, low sel-esteem, cold emotionally and/or physically, poor digestion, passive, unreliable, need to be right/have the last word, stubbornness, temper, competitive, hyperactive
Physical issues: eating disorders, digestive disorders, ulcers, hypoglycaemia, diabetes, muscle spasms, muscular disorders, chronic fatigue, hypertension, disorders of the stomach, pancreas, gall bladder, liver
Healing practices: risk taking, grounding and emotional contact, deep relaxation and stress control, vigorous exercise, martial arts, sit-ups, psychotherapy to build ego strength, release or contain anger, work on shame issues, strengthen personal will and encourage autonomy
Affirmations: I honour the power within me, I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly, the fire within me burns through all blocks and fears, I can do whatever I will to do

Heart (Anahata)

“Healing the heart involves tending to the most vulnerable and sacred aspects within ourselves. Only through attending to their truth can we drop the protective armor that keeps us bound to the ego, bound to the smaller parts of ourselves. Manipulation, derision, criticisms, or command will not work. We can only melt the armor with the combination of feeling and understanding that is love.”

Balanced characteristics: compassionate, loving, empathetic, self-loving, altruistic, peaceful, balanced, good immune system
Imbalanced characteristics: antisocial, withdrawn, cold, critical, judgmental, intolerant of self or others, loneliness, isolation, depression, fear of intimacy, fear of relationships, lack of empathy, narcissism, codependency, poor boundaries, demanding, clinging, jealousy, overly sacrificing
Physical issues: disorders of the heart, lungs, thymus, breasts, arms, shortness of breath, sunken chest, circulation problems, asthma, immune system deficiency, tension between shoulder, blades, pain in chest
Healing practices: breathing exercises, pranayama, work with arms, reaching out, taking in, journaling and self discovery, psychotherapy to examine assumptions about relationships, emotional release of grief, forgiveness when appropriate, inner child work, codependency work, self-acceptance
Affirmations: I am worthy of love, I am loving to myself and others, there is an infinite supply of love, I live in balance with others.

Throat (Vissudha)

“The health of the throat chakra rests… in its ability to accurately communicate the truth of one’s experience, witness and meet another’s truth, and approach life creatively and effectively.

Balanced characteristics: resonant voice, good listener, clear communication, good sense of timing and rhythm, lives creatively
Imbalanced characteristics: fear of speaking, small, weak voice, difficulty putting feelings into words, introversion, shyness, poor rhythm, too much talking/talking as a defense, inability to listen, poor auditory comprehension, gossiping, dominating voice, interruptions
Physical issues: disorders of the throat, ears, voice and neck, tightness of the jaw
Healing practices: loosen neck and shoulders, release voice, singing, changing, storytelling, journal writing, automatic silence, non-goal orientated creativity, psychotherapy to learn communication skills, inner child communication
Affirmations: I hear and speak the truth, I express myself with clear intent, creativity flows in and through me, my voice is necessary

Third eye (Ajna)

“With the healing of the sixth chakra, we are able to create vision. We are able to form, consciously, the path to the future and liberate ourselves from the grips of the past. Our vision makes the difference.”

Balanced characteristics: intuitive, perceptive, imaginative, good memory, good dream recall, able to think symbolically, able to visualise
Imbalanced characteristics: insensitivity, poor vision, poor memory, difficulty seeing future, lack of imagination, difficulty visualising, denial (can’t see what’s going on), monopolarised (one true right and only way)
Physical issues: headaches, vision problems
Healing practices: create visual art, visual stimulation, meditation, psychotherapy to work with memory, connect image with feeling, dreamwork, hypnosis, guided visualisations, past life regression therapy
Affirmations: I see all things in clarity, I am open to the wisdom within, I can manifest my vision

Crown (Sahasrana)

“Restoration of the seventh chakra is about awakening to the reality of our spiritual nature. As we eliminate the demons of fear, guilt, shame, grief, lies, illusions and attachments, we are liberated from the habitual patterns of our thoughts and are free to experience consciousness as infinite source.”

Balanced characteristics: ability to perceive, analyze and assimilate information, intelligent, thoughtful, aware, open-minded, able to question, spiritually connected, wisdom and mastery, broad understanding
Imbalanced characteristics: spiritual cynicism, learning difficulties, rigid belief system, apathy, excess in lower chakras such as materialism, greed, over intellectualisation, spiritual addiction, confusion, dissociation from the body, migraines, amnesia, cognitive delusions
Physical issues: migraines, amnesia, cognitive issues
Healing practices: Re-establish physical, emotional connection, re-establish spirit connection, learning and study, spiritual discipline, meditation, psychotherapy to examine belief systems, develop inner witness, work with higher power
Affirmations: divinity resides within me, I am open to new ideas, information I need comes to me, the world is my teacher, I am guided by higher power, I am guided by inner wisdom.