There are 7 days of the week, 7 colors in the rainbow, 7 deadly sins and there are 7 chakras in the human body that start at the base of your spine and go all the way to the top of your head. Chakra’s are energy points but I like to think of them as energy manufacturing plants fueling your mind, body and spirit.
- Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Your first chakra is your root chakra placed at the base of your spine. It is associated with the color red and the element earth. When your root chakra is healthy and open you feel grounded and connected to nature. To help you understand your chakras I will place them in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. When your physiological and security needs are not being met, the first two in Maslow’s model, your root chakra may be experiencing a block. This can include physical safety, but also emotional safety in your relationships and family. Sometimes I crave radishes, since this is a root vegetable that is also red, I connect this with my root chakra and often work through a grounding exercise to compliment my radish craving. Stones associated with this chakra include Ruby and Garnet.
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – Your second chakra is right above your root chakra, just below your belly button and is closely related to your sexuality, creativity and your reproductive organs. The color orange and the element of water represent this chakra and it’s often associated with your emotions. I connect this to Maslow’s social needs which includes love and a sense of belonging. When this chakra is open you are creative and maintain healthy relationships. If you are feeling a lot of guilt or feelings of shame there may be a block here. When I feel that this chakra is closed off my favorite thing to do is dance! Not only am I being creative in movement but I am physically moving and shaking the blocks out of my Sacral. Stones associated with this chakra include amber and moonstone.
- Solar Plexus Charkra (Manipura) – Your third chakra corresponds with your personality, self esteem and self worth and is located above the navel. I like to imagine that it’s right below where my ribs connect signifying where my personality and life purpose meet. It is represented by the color yellow and the element of fire. I correlate it with Maslow’s fourth need of esteem where you need the respect and appreciation of others. I believe this includes self respect, self expression and self confidence both alone and amongst others. I used to struggle with anger and rage and these are symptoms of a blockage in your Solar Plexus, for me it was a physical block as I struggled with digestive issues for the first 25 years of my life. A healthy open third chakra cultivates personal power, identity and invokes your inner warrior. One of the biggest tools besides regulating gut health includes breathing techniques to help feel inner peace and calm. Citrine and Tigers Eye are stones linked to your Solar Plexus.
- Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Your fourth chakra is your heart chakra and is of course connected to love and charity. This is representative of both the love you give yourself but also to others. Located in your chest this chakra corresponds to the color green and element of air. Correlated with Maslow’s social needs of love and belonging. If you find that you are resistant to connection or receiving love this chakra may be blocked. Getting a hug from some one you love, or even hugging yourself can help offer peace. When I am feeling unlovable I like to do an act of service, helping others reaffirms that we do have love to give and it will help us be more open to receive. Obviously this chakra can be blocked when we are amidst a break up or have lost a loved one. Reigniting hope and offering forgiveness and alleviate the heart ache and offer some relief. Crystals associated with your heart chakra include rose quartz (I know its not green) and jade.
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Located in your throat, your fifth chakra represents your true authentic voice. The color light blue and the element of sound correlates directly to your vocal cords and your voice. When this chakra is in alignment you are able to speak up and mean what you say. You are expressive, clear, and can authentically speak your inner desires. If there is a block here, it doesn’t always mean you can’t speak up. Some people manifest a block by speaking too much and not really having anything to say. Singing is one of my favorite ways to help open this chakra up. I compare this chakra to Maslow’s Self Actualization needs where you are less concerned of what others think of you and are more focused on living your potential. If you are able to openly speak your opinions and expressive yourself easily this is reminiscent of a healthy open fifth chakra. It’s open to note that your throat chakra is balanced when you find the balance between speech and silence. The stones and crystals associated here include Turquoise and Aquamarine.
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Your sixth chakra is located right between the eyes and is often referred to as your “sixth sense”. This is the source of your wisdom and intuition. The color Indigo and the element of light represents your third eye. If you have strong intuition and spiritual insight this chakra is open and healthy. When you listen to yourself and trust yourself you fuel this energy center. If you are unable to visualize past what you physically see this chakra may be blocked. Practicing guided mediations can help unlock the blocks and allow you to see past what is right in front of you. People who are clairvoyant have an open third eye and can see and know the future. This chakra is also associated to Maslow’s self actualization needs as it is associated to personal growth and potential. Awaken this chakra with Lavender or the crystals amethyst or fluorite.
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Your seventh and final chakra is located right at the top or the crown of your head. The element associated here is the element of thought and is depicted by the colors purple of white. This chakra too falls into the Maslow’s self actualization needs, like the fifth and sixth chakras. Your Crown chakra represents your connection to the divine, a spiritual connection to yourself, the universe or God. When you feel you have a divine purpose and you feel connected to your higher power this chakra is alive and well. But if we feel we have difficulty trusting in our unique path or feel unsatisfied in life, there may be a block here. Meditation and prayer are great tools to help unlock your blocks here. Also practice recognizing your beliefs through journaling. The diamond and clear quartz represent this chakra and can help open you up to better understand your values and your place in the world.
Those are the 7 chakras and how they correlate to you. There are also 107 Marma points located around your body that can also unlock energy flow, but the 7 Chakras: Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye and Crown are your power centers.
I encourage you to do some self discovery, what stones are your drawn to? What foods do you crave? What traumas are you working to over come? Understanding these questions amongst several other self inquiries will help you understand you and live a fuller, happier and healthier life.
Namaste
tigerlilyyogastudio.com 