When you hear the word “chakra”, or “chakra healing” what comes to mind?
For many of us, a lot of connotations come to mind when we hear it. We think hippie, yogi, crystals, moons, etc.
While it may sound pretty out there or “woo-woo,” the concept of chakras and chakra healing began and has been present in Buddhist scholarship centuries ago.
In this article, we’ll be diving into the basics of what chakras are, chakra healing, the seven chakras, and their meanings.
What are Chakras and Chakra Healing?
The Sanskrit meaning of “chakra” is Wheel. Chakras are also known as the hierarchy of seven coils. These coils or wheels each have their own distinctive types of energy, which are loosely mapped along the central nervous system or the spine.
The seven chakras can be located from the base of your tailbone to the crown of your head.
When your chakras are said to be “open” and “unblocked,” there is harmony within your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual being. The philosophy of the chakras system believes that your energy intake and output are essential parts of your overall health and well-being. And, our seven chakras play a significant role in our wellness.
Chakra healing means balancing all seven chakras and opening them up so that the physical body is alive, balanced, and working well.
The History of Chakras and Chakra Healing
The chakras have gained more popularity as yoga and meditation have grown as well. New age philosophies have grown more popular as well.
This complex and ancient energy system started in India.
So what should you know about the seven chakras? Below is a crash course for beginners.
The Seven Chakras for Chakra Healing
Muladhara, The Root Chakra
The root chakra is the first one because everything begins here. Just like a tree with roots, we too have roots that ground us and keep us sturdy and standing tall.
According to the philosophy of chakras, our energy begins from the root chakra and stems upward. This channel is what keeps us most grounded and connected to Mother Earth. The chakra healing for the Root Chakra helps us find our balance and keeps us grounded when things seem out of hand.
The element of this is the earth. The affirmation used when meditating on the root chakra is “I am.” This affirmation or chant has a sound frequency that is helpful in opening chakras, especially the root chakra.
The crystal of this chakra is the Red Jasper, and the color used is red.
Svadhisthana, The Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is our second chakra.
It is about passion, birthing life or concepts, and creativity.
Additionally, this chakra helps us better understand and feel pleasure and sensuality. We also get our self-esteem from this chakra. We feel self-doubt because this chakra is blocked.
The chakra healing for the sacral chakra helps us boost our self-confidence and self-esteem when we are experiencing self-doubt or when we hear our inner critic.
The Sacral chakra’s element is water and the affirmation used when meditating on it is “I feel.”
Its crystal is the Carnelian. In ancient times, people would wear this crystal when traveling in order to have more protection. Additionally, this crystal helps release negative self-talk. Its color is orange.
Manipura, Solar Plexus
The solar plexus is in the stomach area. This is why, when we are using our gut feeling, we are using or tuning into our Solar Plexus chakra.
When we begin questioning our self-worth, this is usually because our solar plexus chakra is blocked. The sun is linked to the solar plexus chakra, which is why basking in the sun and getting some vitamin D is a great way to heal and open our solar plexus chakra. Imagine the sun burning away anything that is blocking this chakra.
The solar plexus chakra’s element is fire. Use the affirmation “I can” when meditating on this chakra.
Its crystal is the Tiger’s eye which helps to boost your self-esteem and its color is yellow.
Anahata, the Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is responsible for love and nurture.
We’ve all dealt with sadness, grief, and heartache a few times in our life. When you are dealing with or going through these challenges, try to meditate on the heart chakra.
The element of this chakra is air and being the chakra for love, its affirmation is “I love.”
The crystal of the heart chakra is Rose Quartz and Green Calcite which are both good for opening up the heart. These crystals give you the strength and ability to give and receive love. The heart chakra color is green.
Vishuddha, Throat Chakra
This chakra is another important one. The throat chakra is your truth. Additionally, it is the root and base of your communication and self-expression.
It is what we use to express ourselves, our voices, and our opinions. When you are having trouble sharing your thoughts, ideas, or speaking up, try to meditate on the throat chakra.
Remember, you should not wait for someone to give you permission to speak, nor should you allow anyone to stifle your voice. When you work on unblocking this chakra, you are speaking your truth and sharing your voice.
The element of the throat chakra is ether and its affirmation is “I speak” or “I express.”
Lapis Luzil is the crystal of the throat chakra. This crystal enhances confidence and attracts abundance. It’s color is blue.
Ajna, The Third Eye
For many of us, when we hear “third eye” we immediately think “ghosts” or “psychics.”
The third eye chakra is actually a connection to the vision we have for ourselves. When this chakra is unblocked, we become clear-sighted. Additionally, our dreams are closely affected by this chakra. When you are stressed or experience insomnia, your third eye chakra may be blocked.
The element of this chakra is light, and the affirmation used when meditating on this chakra is “I see.”
The Amethyst is the crystal for the third eye chakra and it helps remove negative energy that can cloud our vision. Its colour is violet.
Sahasrara, The Crown
Lastly, the crown chakra.
This chakra is our link to whatever higher being or power is outside of us. It is the highest of all frequencies. It is important to unblock your chakras in order to have energy flow freely.
To feel grounded, we must unblock both the root and crown chakra.
This is why it’s important to use and unblock each of the seven.
This chakra’s element is different from the rest as its element is nothing, everything, and all things in between. The affirmation to use when meditating on this chakra is “I know.” The crystal for the crown chakra is the Selenite crystal which helps in clearing negative energy. Its colour is indigo.
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Everything you think, feel and act on, has specific vibrational energy. This energy corresponds to one of the chakras.
It is essential to unblock all your chakras and have them in optimal health and allow energy to flow freely through all chakras. This will help keep your well-being in balance.