Chakras! Whether you’re a yogi or someone who hasn’t practised a single time, you’ve probably heard about them.

So what are they? In yoga philosophy, chakras are 7 energy points in our subtle body or centres, forming a spiral of energy flow through our body.

Each chakra represents a different aspect of our body, mind and soul. Any imbalances in chakras (also called blocks) can create an imbalance in those areas and the entire wellbeing of a person.

When all chakras are in a balance, they create a healthy flow of energy through our body.

Through our yoga asana practice, meditation, connection to natural elements as well as healthy nutrition, we can achieve that healthy energy flow and overall wellbeing.

We’ve created his 7 chakra guide to help you understand each chakra, what it represents, and what and we do to reach the chakra balance (and the health of each chakra separately).

The guide includes the meaning, representation, location, element, colour, mantra, crystals, aromas, foods, yoga poses and affirmations as well as symptoms of imbalance for each chakra.

Chakras represent not only physical but also our mental and spiritual health. A balanced chakra system allows us to feel our best, to reach our goals, manifest our true selves and simply – live healthy lives.

Muladhara (Root Chakra)

Meaning: Mula – “root”, Adhara – “support” or “base.”
Location: base of the spine
Element: earth
Colour: red
Sound (mantra): Lam
Crystals: red jasper, garnet, bloodstone, smokey quartz, poppy jasper, jet.
Aromas: cloves, cedar, rose, sandalwood.
Foods: red apples, strawberries, eggs, beans, nuts, root vegetables (potato, sweet potato, beetroot)
Poses: Vrkhasana (Tree pose), sukhasana (simple pose), malasana (deep squat), tadasana (mountain pose), Virabadhrasana II (warrior II), balasana (child’s pose), savasana (corpse pose)
Affirmations: I am safe. I am secure. I am here.

The Root chakra represents and is associated with safety, security, stability and grounding. It includes our basic needs and desires (food, shelter, security). These lay the foundations for our lives, represent our core beliefs, values, family relationships, “feeling at home”. The fight or flight response comes from this chakra.

Imbalanced chakra creates feelings of being lost, anxious, stressed.

Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra)

Meaning: Swa – “one’s own”, adhisthana – “abode” or “seat.”
Location: pelvic area
Element: water
Colour: orange
Sound (mantra): Yam
Crystals: amber, orange moonstone, citrine, hematite, carnelian
Aromas: rose, jasmine, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, clary sage
Foods: oranges, carrots, mangoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, various seeds and nuts, fish
Poses: Virasana (hero pose), Deviasana (Goddes pose), Anjaneyasana (low lunge), Mandukasana (Frog pose), Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend).
Affirmations: I feel. I love. I am passionate. I am creative.

The sacral chakra is a centre of feeling, emotion, intimacy, pleasure, connection. It is associated with or creativity as well as sexuality and fertility. It corresponds to the reproductive and sexual organs and represents fluidity, creativity, and fertility. A healthy second chakra represents a healthy, creative, passionate life.

Blocked chakra creates feelings of low self-confidence, inability to cope with changes, feeling emotionless, cold, rigid.

Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)

Meaning: “resplendent gem” or “lustrous gem.”
Location: between the navel and the rib cage, solar plexus
Element: fire
Colour: yellow
Sound (mantra): Ram
Crystals: Tiger’s eye, amber, citrine, yellow jasper, Lemon Quartz, Malachite
Aromas: chamomile, myrrh, rose, frankincense, sandalwood
Foods: ginger, chamomile, turmeric, cumin, bananas, flax seeds, lemons, legumes, whole grains
Poses: Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), Virabadhrasana III (Warrior III), plank pose, Parsvottanasana (side stretch), Kappalabhati pranayama, Navasana (Boat Pose)
Affirmations: I can. I am confident. I am worthy of.

Manipura chakra represents our power, strength, self-esteem. Self-worth and acceptance stem from this chakra. If the chakra is balanced, we feel confident with our decisions in life; we take action, are productive.

A blocked chakra creates low self-esteem, self-doubt, fear, low energy and passive behaviour. It cal also create issues and pain with digestion.

Anahata (Heart Chakra)

Meaning: “unhurt.”
Location: centre of the chest, heart area
Element: air
Colour: green
Sound (mantra): Yam
Crystals: jade, rose, emerald, rose quartz, amazonite
Aromas: rose, lavender, neroli, marjoram, basil
Foods: green vegetables (spinach, green beans, zucchini), green fruit (avocado, limes, kiwi, apples), herbs (basil, parsley, mint, coriander), green teach, spirulina, chlorella
Poses: Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Ustrasana (camel pose), Camatkarasana (wild thing), Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (bridge pose), Matsyasana (fish pose)
Affirmations: I have infinite love. I love.

This chakra represents and is a channel for love, compassion, understanding, empathy. It helps us connect with the world, others and ourselves, exercises kindness and compassion. It helps overcome sadness or anger and is the energy centre for love, happiness and joy.

Blocked chakra manifests with loneliness, shyness, fear, inability to connect with others and actual heartache.

Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)

Meaning: “pure” or “purification”
Location: throat area
Element: ether
Colour: blue
Sound (mantra): Ham
Crystals: aquamarine, azurite, turquoise, sodalite
Aromas: frankincense, jasmine, sandalwood, rose, ylang-ylang
Foods: soups, sauces, fresh juices, smoothies, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, plums, coconut water.
Poses: Singhasana (Lion Pose), Halasana (Plow Pose), Matsyasana (fish pose), seated cat-cow, mantra chanting
Affirmations: I live my truth. I am heard. I am positive.

This chakra represents the ability to communicate freely, speak the truth, express emotions, respect own and others opinions. It helps live honestly, reach goals and live in harmony with others.

Blocked chakra manifests in holding back on expressing needs and desires, not finding own voice or truth.

Ajna (Third-Eye Chakra)

Meaning: “perceive” or “authority.”
Location: between the eyebrows
Element: light
Colour: indigo
Sound (mantra): OM
Crystals: clear quartz, amethyst, purple fluorite, moldavite
Aromas: myrrh, sandalwood, Palo Santo, grapefruit
Foods: fish, nuts, blueberries, flax seeds, purple cabbage, cacao and dark chocolate, grapes, eggplants
Poses: Sukhanasan (Easy pose), flows, meditation, chants
Affirmations: I am that. I see clearly. I trust myself.

The third eye chakra represents intuition, spiritual awareness, ability to see clearly and through illusions. It governs all of the other chakras. It allows us to tap into our deeper wisdom, subconscious, spiritual insight, understand the meaning of it all.

Blocked chakra represents in migraines, poor sleep or insomnia, difficulty to make decisions.

Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)

Meaning: “thousand pettaled.”
Location: the crown of the head
Element: Cosmic Energy
Colour: white
Sound (mantra): OM
Crystals: blue sapphire, amethyst, clear quartz, diamond
Aromas: rose, jasmine, frankincense, lavender, sandalwood,
Affirmations: I trust my intuition. I am connected.

Located outside of the body, this chakra represents the non-physical, spiritual realm. It allows us to experience oneness with the world and complete freedom. We start living with faith, trust and abandon fear and anxiety.

Blocked chakra manifests with feelings of isolation, lack of direction, disconnectedness.

If you want to go further into your chakra journey, here are some of our suggestions for the first steps!

The post The Ultimate Chakra Guide appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.