Muladhara (Root Chakra)
Element: Earth
Colour: Red
Sound: Lam
The Muladhara is the foundation of the energy body which governs family ties, survival instincts, belonging, and security. Your childhood memories are stored here, including whether your basic needs were met or not. When it is blocked or out of balance, you can become needy, have low self-esteem, or have self-destructive behavior. When it is in balance, you feel strong and confident, you can stand up on your own two feet and take care of yourself.
Svadhishtana (Sacral or Pelvic Chakra)
Element: Water
Colour: Orange
Sound: Yam
Swa means self, adhishtana means established. This chakra corresponds to your reproductive and sexual organs, and represents creativity and fertility. You can take a literal interpretation of this chakra with whether or not you feel deserving of a pleasurable, abundant, creative life. When it’s out of balance, you can feel emotionally unstable, guilty, or harsh on yourself. When Svadhisthana is in balance, you feel creative, positive, and receptive to change, you’re in the flow.
Manipura (Navel Chakra)
Element: Fire
Colour: Yellow
Sound: Ram
Manipura is considered the center of dynamism, energy, will power, and achievement, which radiates prana throughout the body. It is associated with the power of fire and digestion, as well as with the sense of sight and the action of movement When it’s blocked, you lack courage, have low self-esteem, and feel stagnant and inert. By working on this chakra, you can awaken your true personal inner power and work through your fear of taking risks.
Anahata (Heart Chakra)
Element: Air
Colour: Green
Sound: Yam
In Sanskrit Anahata means “sound produced without touching two parts” and also pure or clean. The name of this chakra signifies the state of freshness that appears when we are able to become detached and look at experiences of life with a state of openness. It is associated with the ability to make decisions outside the realm of karma. In Manipura and below, man is bound by the laws of karma and fate. In Anahata one makes decisions (follows one’s heart) based on one’s higher self, not the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature. when it is awakened you feel the power of unconditional love within you through compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance. When the heart chakra is blocked, you become possessive and co-dependent, and may form abusive relationships. You may also stay isolated for fear of rejection.
Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)
Element: Ether
Colour: Blue
Sound: Ham
Vishuddha chakra is associated with higher discrimination and self expression. When it is blocked, you feel like you can’t find your inner voice or truth. You will be overly talkative and not listen to others. When this chakra is open and stimulated, your voice moves through space to help you communicate your emotions in healthy ways, negative experiences are transformed into wisdom or learning. You will listen to others opinions without judging them.
Agnya (Third-Eye Chakra)
Element: Light
Colour: Indigo
Sound: OM
Agnya is Sanskrit means command or order. This chakra governs or controls other chakras, just like pitutary gland controls other glands. It is associated with your intuition, or sixth sense. When it is functioning well, you have insight, and you can rely on your intuition to face life’s challenges. When it’s blocked, you feel close-minded, too attached to logic, not trusting, and cynical. Meditating on this chakra opens your mind to the bigger picture and different perspectives, and it helps you receive the wisdom that cannot be seen or heard by ordinary senses.
Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
Element: Cosmic Energy
Colour: Violet or White
Sound: OM
The crown chakra is the 7th Chakra and is connected to spiritual realm. It helps you to understand who you are beyond your physical self, that you are a spiritual being having a human experience. People who are liberated, or self realized or who can attain Samadhi state in meditation have active Crown chakra. It is actually not located inside the body but hovers slightly above the the head. When it’s closed, you become materialistic and think happiness can only come from the outside.