Chakras are energy centers within our bodies essential to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While chakras are most commonly associated with Hindu and Buddhist teachings, it is also found in other spiritual traditions worldwide. This article will focus on the 7 primary chakras according to the Hindu and Buddhist teachings.
Each of the seven primary chakras in the human body corresponds to specific physical and emotional aspects of our being. We will explore the Hindu and Buddhist teachings surrounding the seven primary chakras, their functions, and how to balance and activate them for optimal health and well-being.
Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating world of chakras and explore how they work to enhance our overall health and well-being.
Know Your Chakras – What is a Chakra?
The word chakra translates from a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel.” When pronouncing it, there is an emphasis on the “ch” and the “ra.” So, “cha-kra.” They are also known as energy centers.
Most people know of 7 primary chakras, and these energy centers reside in the outer body within the energy field or the auric field.
The chakras are associated with various physical body parts, organs, nervous systems, lymphatic systems or glands, immune systems, and emotions.
They represent different aspects of our being, such as emotions, spirituality, and physical health. Furthermore, each is associated with a specific color, sound, element, and aspect of consciousness.
When the chakras are balanced and flowing smoothly, we experience a sense of harmony and well-being. However, if they become blocked or imbalanced, we may experience physical, emotional, or spiritual disturbances.
So What Do These Chakra Wheels/Vortexes Do?
The body’s energy centers function like a vortex, spinning and allowing energy to flow through them. The energy flows in and out of the energy center, moving in opposite directions to one another. That opposite spin allows the energy to vibrate and reach the corresponding body parts.
Each energy center has a specific function and location in the body. As the energy flows through each center, it affects the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of your being. Therefore, keeping these energy centers balanced and aligned is important to ensure optimal health and well-being. Different practices like yoga, meditation, and Reiki can help you achieve this balance and promote a healthier mind and body.
So, if you’ve been feeling out of sorts lately, it might be worth exploring the world of energy centers and energy flow. By understanding and working with your body’s energy centers, you can tap into a whole new level of wellness and vitality.
7 Primary Chakras and Their Meanings
Some people are really in touch with their bodies and the world of energy, while others really aren’t that sure, and life around them is chaotic and stressful. Learning to work with energy can be a real game-changer for some. From past traumas to the here and now and how you are affected in everyday life, you can make a real difference in your life by learning to heal and work with chakras and the energy surrounding you.
The Base/Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The first of the seven chakras in the human body is located at the base of the spine, near the coccyx or tailbone. The root chakra is red in the auric field and is responsible for grounding and stabilizing. Grounding helps to connect you to the physical world, helping you feel secure and supported. This chakra is linked to the adrenals – spine and lower body organs, such as the kidneys, legs, feet and bones, rectum, immune system, and teeth. The base chakra resonates with the element of Earth.
When your root chakra is balanced, you will feel a strong sense of security, stability, and groundedness in your life. Thus, when balanced, you can feel safe and comfortable in your environment and understand your physical and material needs well.
When our root chakra is imbalanced, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, and insecurity. We may find it challenging to feel connected to our physical body and struggle to establish a sense of stability and belonging in our lives. Along with these emotional symptoms, physical manifestations like digestive problems, lower back pain, or other issues in the lower part of the body can also occur. We must take care of our root chakra to maintain a healthy and happy life.
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
- Color: Red
- Sound: Lam
- Element: Earth
- Frequency: 194.18 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Survival, grounding, stability, and physical energy.
The Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
The sacral chakra is the next energy center in our body. It’s also referred to as the second chakra, located in our lower belly, below the belly button. You can think of this chakra as the color orange. It’s really important because it helps us be creative, express our feelings, and explore our sexuality. The Sacral chakra is linked to the ovaries, testes, and the reproductive system. The second chakra resonates with the element of water.
When you keep your sacral chakra in balance, you can experience many great things in life! You’ll feel happy and creative and have many great things going on. You can express your feelings and sexuality healthily and use your creativity to do things you love, like making art, playing music, dancing, or writing.
If your sacral chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you might have problems with your sexuality, creativity, and emotions. You could have trouble with things like sexual function, feeling emotionally stable, addiction, or expressing yourself creatively. It’s like your energy is stuck or not flowing properly, which can cause further issues. But don’t worry; there are ways to balance and unblock your sacral chakra so you can feel better and return to doing the things you love!
To help balance and activate your sacral chakra, you can try different practices that might work for you. For example, doing yoga or meditation can be really helpful. You might also want to express yourself creatively in ways that feel good to you, like painting, singing, or dancing.
Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
- Color: Orange
- Sound: Vam
- Element: Water
- Frequency: 210.42 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Emotions, sexuality, creativity, and pleasure.
The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
When we talk about the third chakra, the solar plexus chakra, we’re talking about the energy center in your body responsible for your sense of personal power and confidence. It’s located in your upper abdomen, just above your belly button, and is associated with the color yellow.
Furthermore, this chakra helps us understand our self-worth and how we fit into the world around us. When it’s in balance, we feel confident and empowered, but when it’s out of balance, we can feel powerless and struggle with our self-esteem. The solar plexus is linked to the pancreas and the adrenals and resonates with the element of fire.
If your solar plexus chakra is balanced, you will feel confident, powerful, and valuable. You won’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, and you’ll know your worth.
However, when the solar plexus chakra is blocked or imbalanced, we may experience a range of issues related to our self-worth, confidence, and personal power. This can manifest as low self-esteem, lack of confidence, indecisiveness, or an inability to set boundaries.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Color: Yellow
- Sound: Ram
- Element: Fire
- Frequency: 126.22 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Personal power, will, self-esteem, and confidence.
The Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The heart chakra, also known as the fourth chakra, is the center of the seven chakras in the human body, also called the heart center. It is located in the middle of the chest and is associated with the color green. The heart chakra is responsible for our ability to love, give and receive love, and feel compassion for others.
When the heart chakra is balanced, we feel a strong sense of love, compassion, and connection to others. We are able to give and receive love freely and have a deep sense of empathy and compassion for the world around us. The fourth chakra links to the thymus, which is responsible for producing progenitor cells that grow into T-Cells. This balance is essential for fighting infections as well as cancers. The Heart chakra resonates with the element of Air.
However, when the heart chakra is blocked or imbalanced, individuals may experience a range of issues related to their ability to connect with others, feel love, and experience compassion. This can manifest as feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection from others, as well as an inability to express and receive love.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Color: Green
- Sound: Yam
- Element: Air
- Frequency: 136.10 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Love, compassion, forgiveness, and connection.
The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
We identify the throat chakra as the fifth of the seven chakras within the human body, located in the throat area and associated with the color blue. The throat chakra is responsible for our ability to communicate effectively, express ourselves authentically, and speak our truth. The Throat Chakra is linked with the Thyroid and resonates with the Ether element.
When you balance your throat chakra, you can express yourself clearly and effectively and confidently communicate your needs and desires. Furthermore, you will have a strong sense of your voice and can speak your truth authentically and empoweringly.
However, when the throat chakra is blocked or imbalanced, we may experience various issues related to our ability to communicate effectively and express ourselves authentically. This can manifest as difficulty speaking up for oneself, a fear of public speaking or expressing oneself, or an inability to express oneself creatively.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
- Color: Blue
- Sound: Ham
- Element: Ether
- Frequency: 141.27 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Communication, self-expression, and speaking one’s truth.
The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
The third eye or brow chakra is also known as the sixth chakra in the human body. It is located in the center of the forehead, just above the eyebrows, and is associated with the color indigo. The third eye chakra is responsible for our intuition, insight, and spiritual awareness. Furthermore, the third eye is linked to the pineal gland, which regulates waking and sleep in the brain. The brow chakra resonates with the element of light.
When the third eye chakra is balanced, you’ll have a strong sense of intuition and be able to access your inner wisdom and spiritual insight. You can see beyond the physical world and tap into a deeper sense of spiritual awareness.
However, when the third eye chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you may experience various issues related to your ability to access your intuition and spiritual insight. This can manifest as a lack of clarity, confusion, and a disconnection from one’s spiritual purpose.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Color: Indigo
- Sound: Om
- Element: Light
- Frequency: 221.23 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Intuition, inner wisdom, perception, and imagination.
The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The crown chakra, also known as the seventh chakra, is the final of the 7 primary chakras in the human body. Located at the top of the head, we associate the Sahasrara with the color violet or white. In fact, the crown chakra is responsible for our spiritual connection to the divine and our sense of universal consciousness.
The crown is linked to the pituitary gland, which monitors and regulates many bodily functions from the hormones it produces, including the development and growth of the sexual/reproductive function. Those glands are the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and gonads. Additionally, the seventh chakra resonates with the element of thought.
When the crown chakra is balanced, we have a deep sense of connection to the divine and a strong sense of spiritual purpose. Furthermore, we can often access higher states of consciousness, experience mystical experiences, and feel a sense of oneness with the universe.
However, when the crown chakra is blocked or imbalanced, we may experience a range of issues related to our spiritual connection and a sense of purpose. That can manifest as feelings of disconnection from the divine, a lack of spiritual meaning, and a sense of existential crisis.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
- Color: Violet/White
- Sound: Silence
- Element: Thought
- Frequency: 172.06 Hz
- Aspects of Consciousness: Connection to the divine, spiritual awareness, and transcendence.