“From the great spiral galaxies, thousands of light years across, to the trillions of atoms swirling in a grain of sand, the universe is composed of spinning wheels of energy. Flowers, tree trunks, planets, and people — each is made of tiny wheels turning inside, riding upon the great wheel of the Earth, spinning in its orbit through space. A fundatemttal building block of nature, the wheel is the circle of life flowing through all aspects of existence.”

-Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, Ph.D

At the core of each of us are seven energy centers. Seven interacting energetic forces (or chakras) that spiral throughout our bodies. These chakras govern certain aspects of consciousness (awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc) that are essential to our lives. When all seven work in tandem with each other, balanced and not under or over-active, we can find harmony between mind, body and spirit. As seven vibratory modalities, the chakras illuminate a “rainbow bridge” (or a connecting channel) connecting heaven and earth or mind and body.

In 1919, Englishman Arthur Avalon published a translation of tantric texts that held information about the chakra system. The Sat-Cakra-Nirupana (written by an Indian pundit in 1577), and Padaka-Pancaka (written in the 10th century) both contain descriptions of the chakra system and certain practices related to these energy centers. Gorakshashatakam, another 10th century text, provides instructions on how to meditate on the chakras. The chakra system is derived from Tantric tradition, and encompasses the concept of duality, being the bridge between Heaven and Earth, mind and body, spirit and matter, divine masculine and divine feminine. We have these texts to thank for our understanding today of the chakra systems and their functionality.

Energy is received and transmitted through our chakras. They are depicted as lotus flowers that are embedded in the spinal column. Each corresponds to a different color of the rainbow. 

With each chakra there is a Sanskrit name that coincides with it. Each chakra is represented by a color. Each Chakra is linked to a different system in the physical body. Our chakras also correlate with a gland in our endocrine system. Our chakras bridge the visible, physical self, the spinal cord, the nervous and endocrine system with our energetic body - our aura.

Chakra Activity:

Chakras are often described as "open" or "closed", but truthfully, they never close completely. What will often happen is we’ll find our chakra "blocked" in some way. Here are the most common forms o chakra activity:

An active chakra is functioning and maintaining a healthy flow of energy. When your chakras are active, your body and energy field will be vibrant, vital and emotionally healthy. An underactive chakra is in need of some stimulation or energy work. An underactive chakra can cause another chakra center to become overactive, pulling more energy away from that part of the body. A passive or balanced chakra is resting or harmonious. This is considered a normal state. An overactive chakra is functioning in excess. This causes imbalances in the physical body and may cause health issues. 

The Root Chakra: Muladhara / Nervous System

Our root chakra is responsible for our sense of security and stability. Located at the base of the spine, balancing your root chakra will create solid foundations for opening the rest of your chakra system.

The word Muladhara breaks down into two Sanskrit words - mula meaning “root” and adhara meaning “support”, “foundation“ or “base”. It is the foundation of your emotional and mental health, your connection to traditional familial beliefs, and supports the formation of your identity and sense of belonging to a group. It is what connects us to the earth and grounds us down into our place on this planet and in this life.

Color: Red

Associated Body Parts: Bones, Skeletal structure, Nervous System 

Emotional/ Physical Dysfunction: Mental lethargy, ungrounded energy, unfocused mind, nervousness, anxiety, osteoarthritis

Common Grounding Exercises: Jump rope, jogging/running, bike riding, massages, sleeping/resting

the sacral chakra: svadhisthana / reproductive system

The sacral chakra is the center of feeling, emotion, pleasure, sexuality, sensuality and intimate connection. It resonates with our need for satisfying relationships. Located below the belly button, the sacral chakra corresponds with the sacral plexus, a nerve ganglion, the center of motion for the body.

The sacral chakra’s focal point is to help us find what it is we enjoy - from hobbies to relationships and sexual encounters. This chakra is centered on personal play and identity and how it responds when being seduced by external forces. Thats why many of us battle with addictions when this chakra is unbalanced. In Sanskrit, Svadhisthana translates to “one’s own abode”. The root svad translates to “to taste with pleasure”, putting more emphasis on the sacral charka our center of sexuality. Because of its correspondence with the element water, you will find the sacral chakra has many connections to bodily functions that have to do with liquid: blood circulation, elimination, sexuality and reproduction. 

Color: Orange

Associated Body Parts: Male/Female Sex Organs, Bladder, Circulatory System, Prostate, Womb 

Emotional Physical Dysfunction: unbalanced sex drive, lack of emotional connection, impotence, fertility issues, bladder & prostate problems, lower back pain 

Common Exercises: The Goddess Pose, Hip Circles, Scissor Kicks

The Solar Plexus: Manipura / Digestive system 

Located between navel & base of sternum. This is the chakra associated with the pancreas, which lies behind the stomach. 

Associated Body Parts: Digestive System, Muscles 

Emotional/Physical Dysfunction: Ego imbalances, a strong need to be in control or to be subservient, over sensitivity to criticism, aggressiveness, low self-esteem, stomach issues, allergies, diabetes 

The Heart Chakra: Anahata - Green (Cardiovascular)

Located in the center of the chest. The heart chakra is associated with the Thymus gland, located just above the heart. 

Associated Body Parts: Heart, Chest, Lungs, Circulation 

Emotional/Physical Dysfunction: co-dependency, depression, loneliness, commitment issues, heart health, vein health blood pressure, asthma, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, heart disease.

The Throat Chakra: Vishudha - Blue (Immune System)

Located at the base of the neck. This chakra is associated with the thyroid gland.

Associated Body Parts: Throat, Ears, Nose, Teeth, Mouth, Neck 

Emotional/Physical Dysfunction: trouble speaking from the heart, expressing true emotions, using loud and clear language, sore throats, neck/shoulder tension, thyroid health, hearing problems, sinus health.

The Third Eye Chakra: Ajna – Indigo – Pineal/Pituitary Gland

Located above & between the eyebrows. This chakra is associated with the pituitary gland is located at the base of the skull. 

Associated Body Parts: Eyes, base of skull 

Emotional/Physical Dysfunction: limited vision of the spiritual self, nightmares, learning difficulties, hallucinations, headaches, vision problems, neurological issues, glaucoma 

The Crown Chakra: Sahasrara - Violet, Gold, White

Located at the top/crown of your head. This chakra is associated with the pineal gland (pea sized) which lies deep within the brain. 

Associated Body Parts: upper skull, cerebral cortex, skin 

Emotional/Physical Dysfunction: lack of connection to spiritual realm, depression, obsessive thoughts, confusion, light sensitivities, chronic exhaustion, epilepsy, Alzheimer's