Beginner’s Guide to the 7 Chakras

The seven chakras are energy centers in our bodies that energy flows through. When energy is blocked in any of these seven areas, it can lead to emotional or physical illness.

In an article from the Chopra Center, Michelle Fondin describes the chakra system this way:

The Sanskrit word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body. There are seven main chakras, which align the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head. To visualize a chakra in the body, imagine a swirling wheel of energy where matter and consciousness meet. This invisible energy, called Prana, is vital life force, which keeps us vibrant, healthy, and alive.

It’s important to know where your chakras are located, what they represent, and how you can keep the energy flowing through them. So we created a simple beginner’s guide to the 7 chakras.

Enjoy this informative guide to the 7 chakras and be sure to get the 8-Step Guide To Practice A Chakra Meditation at the end.

A Short Guide to the 7 Chakras

1. Root Chakra (also known as Base Chakra)

Color Association: Red
Location: Base of the spine
Associations: Survival, standing up for yourself, financial independence, security
Imbalances: Fatigue, low back pain, depression, cold hands and feet
Healing: Exercise and restful sleep, red food and drink, red gemstones and clothing, red essential oils (ylang ylang or sandalwood)

2. Sacral Chakra (also known as Spleen Chakra)

Color Association: Orange
Location: Lower abdomen below navel
Associations: Feelings, ability to be social, pleasure, sexuality, well-being
Imbalances: Alcohol and drug abuse, depression, allergies, yeast infections, urinary problems, sexual problems
Healing: Massage, orange food and drink, orange gemstones & clothing, red essential oils

3. Solar Plexus Chakra

Color Association: Yellow
Location: Upper abdomen, stomach area
Associations: Personal power, self-confidence, self-control, humor, intellect
Imbalances: Digestive problems, diabetes, constipation, memory loss
Healing: Learning, doing puzzles, detoxing, yellow food and drink, yellow gemstones and clothing, yellow essential oils (lemon)

4. Heart Chakra

Color Association: Green
Location: Center of the chest, above the heart
Associations: Ability to love, joy, inner peace
Imbalances: Heart and breathing issues, breast cancer, high blood pressure, muscle tension
Healing: Family time, spending time with nature, green food and drink, green gemstones & clothing, green essential oils (pine or eucalyptus)

5. Throat Chakra

Color Association: Blue
Location: Throat
Associations: Communication, relationships, trust, loyalty
Imbalances: Thyroid problems, hormonal issues, fever, menopause, mood swings
Healing: Singing, conversations, collecting, blue food and drink, blue gemstones and clothing, blue essential oils (chamomile)

6. Third Eye Chakra (also known as Brow Chakra)

Color Association: Indigo
Location: Forehead, between the eyes
Associations: Intuition, imagination, ability to make decisions, psychic abilities
Imbalances: Learning disabilities, sleeping disorders, imbalance
Healing: Watch the stars, meditation, indigo food and drink, indigo gemstones and clothing, indigo essential oils (patchouli)

7. Crown Chakra

Color Association: Violet
Location: Top of the head
Associations: Ability to connect spiritually, knowingness, spirituality, connection to God
Imbalances: Headaches, mental illness, senility, lack of coordination, rashes
Healing: Focus on dreams, writing down inventions, violet food and drink, violet gemstones and clothing, violet essential oils (lavender)

If you want to learn more about how to practice chakra meditation, try this 8-Step Guide To Practice A Chakra Meditation.