The Chakras: Explained for Beginners

Even if you aren't a spiritual person, you have probably heard the word "chakras". It may have been thrown around as a joke... but we've all seen the memes (yes, even I think they're funny). This post is for beginners looking to understand the basics of the Chakra system and will not go in to extreme detail (future posts may be more in depth focusing on 1 chakra at a time). 

What are the Chakras? 
In the interest of being short and sweet, the Chakras are the 'energy body' to our physical body. There are 7 chakras which correspond with these energy centers. Each chakra works within the body to help you function at your highest level. Chakras are not only useful in the spiritual sense, but play a big role in the physical functionality of your body and your health. Keeping the chakras balanced is ultimately the goal. This is why you often see the chakras used in yoga and meditation practices. Awareness of their existance is the first step in balancing them and becoming a better you. 


The Chakras:  from bottom up

​Root: (red) located at the base of the spine

Physical: pelvis, bones, legs, ankles, feet, hips, rectum, immune

Potential Health Problems: sciatica, varicose veins, pelvic pain, rectal tumors, hemorrhoids, problems with hips, knees, ankles and feet.

Emotional: Security, self-esteem, being at home on Earth, connection to the Eath.

Helpful Crystals: Smokey Quartz, garnet, bloodstone, ruby, red jasper, red beryl, red calcite, red agate, hematite, obsidian, Bloodstone 

Sacral: (orange) located just below the navel 

Physical: Sexual organs, large intestine, kidney, bladder, appendix, lower spine

Potential Health Problems: lower back pain, premenstrual tension, infertility, impotence, bladder infections, appendicitis, kidney stones, infertility, pregnancy problems/positioning

Emotional: Feelings, intimacy, desire, pleasure

Helpful Crystals: Carnelian, orange calcite, citrine, tangerine quartz, fire opal, orange aragonite, moonstone

Solar Plexus: (yellow) located just below the rib cage

Physical: Stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, mid-spine

Potential Health Problems: ulcers, colon cancer, diabetes, indigestion, eating disorders, hepatitis, gallstones, constipation, diarrhea

Emotional: Trust, personal responsibility, courage

Helpful Crystals: Amber, yellow jasper, yellow tourmaline, golden topaz, tiger’s eye, citrine, rutilated quartz, yellow calcite, sunstone

Heart: (green) located in the center of the chest 

Physical: Heart and circulatory system, ribs, chest, lungs, shoulders and arms, breasts, upper spine

Potential Health Problems: high blood pressure, heart disease, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, shoulder problems, breast cancer

Emotional: Love, compassion, empathy, relationship

Helpful Crystals: Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, crysophase, pink danburite, peridot, green fluorite, green aventurine, green citrine, green jade, green jasper 

Throat: (blue) located at the throat

​Physical: Throat, neck, mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, thyroid, neck vertebrae, esophagus

Potential Health Problems: sore throat, laryngitis, frequent colds, gum disease, dental problems, thyroid problems, swollen glands, stiff neck

Emotional: Loyalty, integrity, self-expression

Helpful Crystals: turquoise, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, blue lace agate, celestite, blue sapphire, sodalite, aqua aura 
​
Brow (Third Eye): (lavender) located in between the brows

Physical: Brain, central nervous system, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, pituitary gland, pineal gland

Potential Health Problems: epilepsy, eye problems, sinus infections, headaches, migraines, stroke, deafness, insomnia, nightmares

Emotional: Clarity, open mindedness, imagination

Helpful Crystals: Amethyst, iolite, azurite, purple fluorite, lilac kunzite, blue obsidian, sugilite, blue chalcedony, lapis lazuli 

Crown: (indigo) located just above the top of the head

​Physical: whole body systems: skeletal, muscular, skin, neurological

Potential Health Problems: chronic exhaustion/fatigue without physical cause, skin diseases, environmental illness, neurosis, mental illness

Emotional: Self-knowledge, learning, understanding, devine connection/connection to universe

Helpful Crystals: Purple jasper, purple sapphire, lilac danburite, labradorite (spectorolite), clear quartz, apophyllite, diamond, selenite (usually clear or purple) 

The Chakras in Meditation: 
I always recommend beginning your meditation by grounding through your chakras first. Starting with the Root and moving up, one by one, to the Crown. I recommend moving up. 

You may find a Tibetan Singing Bowl Chakra playlist most helpful for the practice when you are first starting. I still prefer using this method when guiding my Morning Meditation Circle. You may also find guided chakra meditations on YouTube. It can take some time to discover which method works best for you and what sounds you prefer! 


 Healing & Balancing the Chakras:

Like with most things, especially spiritual, there are several ways you can work on healing and balancing your chakras. 

You caan work on your chakras solely through meditation. Preferably at least once a day, but at least a few times a week. It is recommended and ok to start of slow and simple! just a couple minutes when first beginning can be beneficial.  

You may employ the use of healing crystals during meditation to aid in your chakra work. Crystals can also be held or carried on a daily basis to aid you with certain chakras. Say you are about to be going to a very emotional event, you may take with you your Red Jasper or Hematite to help keep you grounded and protect your energy. In the above breakdown I've listed the most popularly used crystals with each chakra. If you're itching for more information on healing crystals, it is next week's topic! 

You may also seek the help of spiritual healers to aid you in clearing and balancing your chakras. Many trained in Reiki, for instance, will lbe able to help you with this. Keep in mind chakra balancing and healing is a never-ending process. It keeps you functioning at your best. Much like exercise, working on your chakras is a necessary and vital part to your health, energy, spirituality, and mindfulness. Start today and see what changes you experience! 

Do you habe any awesome stories about how chakra awareness, healing, and balancing has changed your life? Comment below or email me at [email protected] I would love to share your story! 

​Crystal of the Week: With my weekly posts you will also be getting a crystal of the week infographic! ​

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