Feeling depleted, depressed, or just generally out of balance? Then you might want to try some chakra work. Here is our beginner’s guide.
You don’t have to be a New Age guru or a yoga expert to work with your chakras. There are plenty of simple, everyday things you can do to help balance, revitalize, and unlock your chakras.
Today we’re looking at all 7 chakras; their effects on the body, mind, and spirit; and how you can tell if a chakra is blocked, balanced, or overactive.
ROOT CHAKRA
AKA MULADHARA
The root chakra sits at the base of the spine. It keeps us “rooted” and grounded. It represents our foundation and our ability to withstand challenges.
Might be overactive if: you often feel cynical, greedy and aggressive.
Might be blocked if: you’re often anxious, have money problems, or if you spend too much time daydreaming.
It’s balanced when: you’re grounded, happy to be alive, and you feel safe, secure, and centered.
Mindfulness meditation and certain yoga poses, such as Warrior 1, can help you balance your root chakra and strengthen your foundation.
SACRAL CHAKRA
AKA SWADHISTHANA
The sacral chakra governs our emotions and informs our relationships. It is also the site of creativity, well-being, and pleasure.
Might be blocked if: you have little to no creative outlets, you’re isolated, and if you have a fear of intimacy
Might be overactive if: you are over-emotional and tend towards hedonism
It’s balanced when: you’re passionate, creative, and emotionally open
Affirmations and essential oils can help you balance your chakra. You might also consider adding certain foods to your diet, like mandarin oranges, peaches, and oysters.
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
AKA MANIPURA
The solar plexus is the chakra of transformation. It is located just above the navel.
Might be blocked if: your temper feels out of control, or you are often arrogant
Might be locked if: you feel timid, powerless, and inferior
Might be overactive if: you suffer from perfectionism, or when you’re overly critical of others and yourself
It’s balanced when: you’re confident, driven, and have good self-esteem
Balance your solar plexus by wearing yellow, spending time in the sun or around heat, and being kind to others.
HEART CHAKRA
AKA ANAHATA
The heart chakra serves as the bridge between your lower and upper chakras. It deals with emotions, as the name suggests.
Might be blocked if: you’re low on empathy or compassion
Might be overactive if: you worry too much about others
It’s balanced when: you’re compassionate, warm, and tolerant
Balance your heart chakra by wearing pink quartz, watching a romantic movie, and writing a letter expressing your gratitude.
THROAT CHAKRA
AKA VISHUDDHA
The throat chakra helps you speak your mind and listen better to other people, animals, nature, and your own intuition.
Might be blocked if: you are often dishonest or shy.
Might be overactive if: you talk excessively or have no filter.
It’s balanced when: you are able to speak freely and with compassion.
Balance your throat chakra by eating fruit like blackberries and blueberries, and putting on lemon oil or chamomile oil on your neck and chest area.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA
AKA AJNA
The third eye chakra governs intuition, imagination, and concentration.
Might be blocked if: you are not in touch with your intuition
Might be overactive if: you often come across as a “know it all”
It’s balanced when: you are in touch with your intuition and can see the big picture.
Balance your third eye chakra by increasing your consumption of violet/purple foods like grapes and plums. Use blue or purple crystals in meditation.
CROWN CHAKRA
AKA SAHASRARA
The crown chakra governs your connection with your spiritual self and your inner wisdom.
Might be blocked if: you tend towards materialism and narrow-mindedness
Might be overactive if: you often feel overwhelmed or apathetic and have self-destructive tendencies.
Balance it with clear white crystals and aromatherapy using frankincense and vanilla to calm and maintain healthy functioning of the crown chakra.
*Friendly reminder that we are not mental health professionals and you should be taking everything we say here with a grain of salt.
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