What Are the 7 Chakras?

Restoration

Aug 1

Chakra balancing is an ancient art woven through the spiritual traditions of India, Africa, and the Middle East. Rooted in millennia of wisdom, these seven energy centers within are invisible currents of energy that flow between body, mind, and spirit. The seven chakras harmonize our human experience with the rhythms of the universe. They are living aspects of our evolving consciousness, each a vibrant wheel of light, color, and intention. Though some healing traditions reference expanded chakra systems beyond the physical body, exploring the foundational seven along the spine is a powerful initiation into cultivating presence and energetic balance.

Aligning our chakras is a devotion to awareness and a commitment to conscious living. When balanced, these energy centers anchor us, fuel our creativity, and nurture our light. When blocked or overactive, they reveal our shadow and the lessons that call for attention. Each of the seven chakras carries a traditional Sanskrit name that speaks to its spiritual function and place in the human body. Their meanings connect us to timeless wisdom passed down through yogic and tantric traditions. Through meditation, breathwork, movement, and mindful living, we can awaken the chakras, inviting healing, balance, and a profound connection to our highest selves and the cosmos.

MULADHARA (Root Chakra)

At the base of your spine lives Muladhara. Meaning "root support" in Sanskrit, it’s the foundational chakra, that anchors you to the physical plane. In ancient Indian yogic philosophy, this is where Kundalini—the coiled serpent and primal spiritual energy—emerges. This chakra glows red, symbolizing your raw vitality and life force. Energetically, Muladhara is associated with the earth element, emphasizing embodiment through ascension and grounding to provide a stable foundation for all spiritual practice. The Muladhara governs survival, safety, security, shelter, and nourishment. Experiences that disturb these deeper needs will impact the balance of this chakra. A balanced Root Chakra fosters physical health, emotional stability, and a strong sense of belonging, connecting us to our ancestral roots and the cycles of nature.

SVADHISTHANA (Sacral Chakra)

Svadhisthana, the “dwelling place of the self,” rests in the lower abdomen and is the sacred center of creation and flow. In Tantric and Ayurvedic traditions, it is the home of ojas, the essence that sustains your passion for life and desire. Linked to the water element, Svadhisthana is your emotional tide, your sensual rhythm, your pulse of pleasure. Its orange hue radiates warmth and intimacy. Here, the soul explores the sacred art of receiving, of letting life move through you without resistance and feeling deeply. This is where you honor your desires as holy and where you reclaim the body as a temple of joy. Cultivating balance here emerges through honoring the wisdom of your emotions. Svadhisthana invites you to create art, life, energy, and beauty.

MANIPURA (Solar Plexus Chakra)

Manipura, known as the “city of jewels,” is located at the Solar Plexus—the center of your abdomen. This chakra is your fire center, the alchemical forge of identity, autonomy, and action. In the ancient Indian teachings, Manipura holds Agni, the sacred digestive fire that transforms all it touches—food into energy, emotion into power, challenge into clarity. It glows golden-yellow, radiant like the sun, illuminating willpower, self-confidence, and the capacity to manifest your desires. Manipura teaches you about sovereignty, the courage to assert boundaries, and conscious creation. It governs your metabolism, motion, and motivation. When balanced, it empowers you to act decisively and authentically while also understanding that true power emerges through alignment.

ANAHATA (Heart Chakra)

Immediately above Manipura is Anahata, meaning “the unstruck sound”—the emerald gateway between the upper and lower chakras (symbolizing the physical and spiritual realms). This is the seat of unconditional love, the sacred balance of vulnerability and strength. In yogic wisdom, Anahata is where prana, the breath of life, flows in its most radiant form. Governed by the air element, this chakra is expansive, free, and reflects the boundless nature of the soul. It is the power that heals, connects, and liberates. Anahata is where you soften into compassion and forgiveness. It governs the heart and lungs, symbolizing how emotional openness nurtures your physical vitality. A balanced Heart Chakra fosters a strong immune system and a deep understanding that love is the foundation of all transformation and evolution.

VISHUDDHA (Throat Chakra)

Vishuddha, which means “especially pure” is the Throat Chakra, the sacred center of communication, self-expression, and truth. It is your sacred soundscape, glowing sky-blue and governing the element of ether or space—the medium through which sound and vibration travel. In the ancient Indian teachings, this chakra holds Nada Brahma, the vibration that underlies all creation. God. Linked to the thyroid and respiratory systems, it echoes the rhythm of your breath. When Vishuddha is balanced, you use your voice with clarity and compassion. You are able to discern and resonate with truth. You listen deeply, not just to others but to the whispers of your soul, and you shape your reality with integrity and intention.

AJNA (Third Eye Chakra)

Ajna, meaning “command” or “perceive,” is the Third Eye Chakra situated that rests between the brows. Traditionally considered the seat of intuition, it governs insight, psychic ability, and the integration of logic and discernment. It is your mystic eye and the oracle within. The deep indigo color of Ajna symbolizes mystery, depth, and spiritual knowledge. In ancient teachings, this chakra is the gateway to the higher self. It governs the pituitary gland and perception. When balanced, you are able to trust your inner knowing, beyond what you can see, and recognize truth in a world of illusion. You tap into your imagination and tune into synchronicities that appear. Your dreams sharpen, and you allow your soul to lead the way forward, toward realization of your interconnectedness with the universe.

SAHASRARA (Crown Chakra)

Sahasrara, the “thousand-petaled lotus,” blooms at the crown of the head, representing a portal into the infinite realm. It is activated during the moment of spiritual awakening. Appearing as violet, Sahasrara transcends the physical body, connecting us directly to the divine source and universal consciousness. It symbolizes liberation, divine remembrance, and the union of the soul with God. Ancient Indian teachings say Sahasrara is the seat of samadhi, a state of bliss beyond mind and ego. The Crown Chakra governs the pineal gland, which is associated with spiritual insight. When balanced, you remember you were never separate from creation but part of it—a stream of consciousness flowing through a human vessel. You understand that this means the divine essence flowing through your being is not separate from the energy stream flowing through others. Most importantly, you remember that enlightenment isn’t an escape from the body—it’s a return to your true self.