By Vicki Patterson
The 7 Chakras
Chakras are commonly described as energy centers that correspond to various organs and nerves in the body. Energy (known as prana in the yogic tradition) flows through the chakras. When a body is balanced, energy flows freely and can be energizing, revitalizing, and peaceful.
First Chakra—Muladhara
The first chakra, Muladhara, sits at the base of the spine and is associated with the element of earth and the color red. Referred to as the root chakra it is connected to courage and self-care as well as stability. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is LAM.
In Balance: Balance in the first chakra allows you to feel grounded and confident.
Too Much: Excess energy in this chakra leads to greed and cockiness.
Not Enough: Low energy in this chakra can leave you feeling unhinged or disconnected from your job, family, and true self.
To increase your root energy:
Wear red, walk barefoot in nature, dance, exercise, or garden.
To calm your root energy:
Get rid of items you no longer need, practice forgiveness.
Affirmation, "I am safe, grounded and connected to the Earth"
Second Chakra—Svadhisthana
The second chakra is called Svadhisthana or the sacral chakra. It is located in the area of the pelvis. Its element is water. Here in the West, it’s known as the creativity chakra, as well as the chakra associated with sexual desire (or the lack thereof). Its color is orange and its element is water. Creativity and pleasure stem from this energy center. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is VAM.
In Balance: Balance in the second chakra allows you to feel comfortable in your own skin and accepting of your emotions. It also allows for creative expression of self.
Too Much: When the sacral chakra is over energized, you may look past your faults and become hyper focused on pleasure. It can lead to excessive indulging and co-dependence.
Not Enough: Low energy can lead to creative blocks, feeling unloved, and emotional roller coasters.
To increase your sacral energy:
Spend time near water, such as oceans, rivers, or lakes.
Schedule some time in your week to do something that feels like play.
Get a massage.
Spend time journaling.
To calm your sacral energy:
Put clear boundaries around relationships at home and work.
Try Reiki or acupressure.
Affirmation, "I flow with the rhythms of life"
Third Chakra—Manipura
The third chakra, Manipura, the solar plexus, is associated with personal power, energy, and transformation. Its color is yellow and its element is fire. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is RAM.
In Balance: Balance in the third chakra is indicated by high self-esteem, strong charisma, and confident decision making.
Too Much: When the energy of this chakra is too high, tempers may flare and you may feel a need to control everything and everyone.
Not Enough: Low energy can lead to poor appetite, anxiety, disorganization, and difficulty staying on task.
To increase your sacral energy:
Enjoy spicy foods.
Get out in the sunshine.
Wear gold.
To calm your sacral energy:
Drink only room-temperature beverages.
Take slow, calming breaths.
Try a session in a floatation tank.
Affirmations, "I live with abundant energy and vitality"
"I stand in my personal power"
Fourth Chakra—Ahahata
Perhaps the most familiar chakra is the heart chakra, Ahahata. Its color is green and its element is air. It is deeply associated with love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is Yam.
In Balance: When energy flows freely, you will experience compassion, love, and acceptance.
Too Much: If you are experiencing jealousy or feeling clingy, you may have too much heart energy.
Not Enough: Signs that your heart chakra may be blocked or low in energy include feeling shy or lonely, or experiencing an inability to forgive.
To increase your heart energy:
Use the affirmation I deeply and completely love myself.
Watch a romantic movie.
Wear pink quartz.
Keep rose essential oil handy and diffuse it or dab it on your wrists.
Try a loving-kindness meditation.
To calm your heart energy:
Write a letter expressing your gratitude.
Put your attention on uplifting emotions such as compassion, joy, and tenderness.
Look through an old photo album and savor your memories.
Affirmations, " I open my heart to embrace life as it is"
"My heart is filled with love and joy"
Fifth Chakra—Vishuddha
The Vishuddha or throat chakra is your center of expression, associated with speaking your truth. Its element is space. The color associated with Vishuddha is blue. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is HAM.
In Balance: When the throat chakra is in balance, you feel authentic and are a confident conversationalist and good listener.
Too Much: If you know the expression “all choked up” then you understand what too much throat chakra energy might feel like—an emotional overload. It is also associated with manipulative behavior, arrogance, and being too talkative.
Not Enough: When the throat energy is low, there can be a tendency to feel shy or reticent or to act in a passive-aggressive way.
To increase your throat energy:
Sing.
Chant.
Speak your opinions even when they might be unpopular.
To calm your throat energy:
Listen.
Drink warm tea.
Journal—write rather than speak.
Affirmation, " I speak my truth and communicate it clearly"
Sixth Chakra—Ajna
The sixth chakra is found at the center of your forehead, the third eye. This is the Anja Chakra. Your decisions, intuition, and choice-making are connected with this chakra, whose associated color is purple. Element, all five - Earth, water, fire, air and space. The mantra or seed sound that corresponds with this chakra is Om.
In Balance: Ajna means “beyond wisdom,” and in balance you experience expanded imagination, clairvoyance, synchronicity, and intuition.
Too Much: When the third eye chakra is overactive, the mind races. You can feel that buzzy energy of over-caffeination or sleeplessness. It can be difficult to concentrate or stay on task.
Not Enough: Low or blocked Ajna energy impedes your ability to remember and concentrate. Processing speed slows and you may be prone to procrastination and indecision.
To increase your Ajna energy:
Spend time in the sun.
Explore and release limiting beliefs.
Pay attention to your dreams.
To calm your Ajna energy:
Enjoy the scent of sage or sandalwood.
Spend time under the moon and stars.
Affirmations, "I love with wisdom and vision"
"I invite intuition and inner awareness into everyday life"
Seventh Chakra—Sahasrara
The seventh chakra is called Sahasrara or the crown chakra. It is your connection to your source, spirit, or the collective consciousness. Its color is white or ultra-violet. The mantra that corresponds with this chakra is Silence.
In Balance: In balance, this chakra maintains your self-awareness, wisdom, and connection to the inner compass that guides you to your highest self.
Too Much: Signs of too much crown energy include materialism and rigid self-identity.
Not Enough: Low crown energy leads to depression, a sense of disconnection from life, and a lack of compassion.
To increase your crown energy:
Learn something new
Meditate
Wear purple
To calm your crown energy:
Witness your thoughts rather than getting caught up in them
Wear white
Affirmation, " I live in oneness and unity with the divine and all beings"
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