Chakras & Their Functions

The word Chakra comes from Sanskrit and translates as wheel or disk of energy. The human body contains 114 chakras or energy centres, this article will only focus on the 7 primary chakras as depicted in yoga practises. The 7 primary chakras are vertically spaced along the spinal cord from the tail bone (root) up to the top of the head (crown). In a physical sense, these energy centres are a mass of nerves that govern our physical organs and our emotional or mental attributes.

The Physical Chakras

The first 3 Chakras relate to our physical attributes and base instincts. Let’s take a closer look at them from the ground upwards:

Root Chakra is called Muladhara (root of existence)

The Root Chakra is the first of 7 main energy centres located at the base of your spine, it encompasses the first 3 vertebrae and is the root of your being; it has deep connections with your physical body, your environment and Mother Earth. The Root Chakra spins at the slowest rate of all the major Chakras. It relates to your physical body such as bones/teeth, Adrenal Gland, Legs, Feet and Large Intestine.

This chakra is at the root of our base instincts such as survival, security and stability. When this chakra is lacking or unbalanced; we may feel insecure, suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, and develop bowel disorders, eating disorders, bone/teeth disorders, frequently cold feet and sore legs.

When this chakra is functioning correctly, we feel safe, secure and have good physical health in regard to the above symptoms. The colour associated with this chakra is dark red or brown and the element is earth.

Sacral Chakra is called Svadhisthana (where your being is established)

The second chakra is where your emotions, creativity and sexuality flow from. The Sacral Chakra is located between the navel and pelvic area. This important energy centre is responsible for regulating the health of your kidneys, pancreas, liver, adrenal glands, spleen, bladder and sexual organs.

Imbalances or blockages here can manifest the following physical and emotional issues:

• Sexual addictions
• Addiction to stimulation
• Mood swings
• Emotional over sensitivity
• Emotional dependency/instability
• Lack of desire, passion, or excitement
• Lack of sexual appetite, desire
• Poor social skills and relationship problems

An open and healthy sacral chakra allows us to access our creative forces easily, express our emotions and our sexuality in a balanced natural way. The colour associated with this Chakras vibration is orange, and the element is water.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is called Manipura (resplendent gem)

The third chakra is located between the navel and the solar plexus. This important energy centre is the seat of our ego and as such our personality. Our self-esteem, willpower and confidence flow from this chakra. Its element is fire – hence the saying “she has fire in her belly”. The main challenge for this chakra is learning to use our personal power in a balanced reliable way.

Blockages or deficient energy at this chakra level may manifest the following conditions:

• Emotional outbursts
• React negatively to life circumstances
• Passive \ inactive
• Often stressed out
• Low self-esteem
• Low energy
• Weak will \ easily lead, controlled & manipulated
• Lack of confidence
• Cold, emotionally &/or physically
• Victim mentality
• Bullied &/or physical abusive

Excessive energy at this level manifests the following:

• Manipulative
• Power hungry, dominating & controlling
• Deceitful
• Overly aggressive
• Addiction to sedatives
• Hyperactive
• Need to be right \ have last word
• Overly competitive
• Arrogant
• Temper tantrums

Physical disorders:

• Eating disorders
• Diabetes
• Muscle spasms
• Hypoglycaemia
• Chronic fatigue
• Muscular disorders
• Hypertension
• Digestive disorders
• Pancreas, adrenal gall, liver & bladder disorders

Keeping this centre balanced is essential for good physical and emotional health.

The Heart Chakra is called Anahata (Unstrcuk)

The fourth chakra is where physical matter meets spiritual energy. This chakra simultaneously operates on both dimensions and is considered the bridge to the upper chakras which all operate at higher frequencies on the dimension of spirit or mind. The Heart chakra is located between the chest, in the centre of the breastbone; at the back its location is the first thoracic vertebra between and below the shoulder blades.

This important chakra resonates with the colour green and relates to feelings of love, self-love, intimacy, relationships, forgiveness or lack of, attachments to people and devotion. This chakra corresponds with the following physical glands; Thymus, Heart, lungs, arms, hands, immune system and Circulation.

Blockages or deficiencies at this level can manifest the following emotional conditions:

• Lack of self-love
• lack of empathy
• intimacy issues/sexual abuse
• antisocial/withdrawn
• intolerance of self and others
• depression
• fear of commitment/relationships
• judgemental/critical

Excessive energy at this centre can manifest the following:

• Demanding
• Co-dependent
• Being clingy
• Jealousy
• Fear of abandonment

Physical Malfunctions:

• Disorders of the heart, lungs, thymus, breasts, arms
• Shortness of breath
• Sunken chest
• Circulation problems
• Asthma
• Immune system deficiency
• Tension between shoulder blades
• Pain in chest
• Heart problems

Balanced Characteristics include:

• Compassionate
• Loving
• Empathetic
• Self-loving
• Altruistic
• Peaceful
• Balanced
• Strong immune system

The Spiritual Chakras

The top 3 chakras vibrate at much higher frequencies than the lower three. These powerful chakras that are said to operate in the realm of spirit; govern our mind, intuition, intelligence and connection to the divine.

The Throat Chakra is called Vishuddha (Especially pure)

The 5th chakra is located between the shoulders and the ears. This chakra spins at a much faster rate than the previous 4 and corresponds to our verbal expression, speaking your truth, articulating your thoughts/emotions accurately, and the physical aspects of the shoulders, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, throat/neck, tonsils, tongue, gums, mouth and ears.

This chakra resonates with the colour blue and deficencies or blockages may lead to the following symptoms:

• Lies & mixed messages
• Verbal abuse and shouting
• Excessive criticism (blocks the creativity)
• Secretive behaviour
• Alcoholic or drug dependencies
• Shyness \ Introversion
• Fear of speaking out
• Softly spoken
• Difficulty putting feelings into words
• Poor rhythm
• Tone deaf

Excessive energy Symptoms:

• Over talkative
• Inability to listen
• Repetitive verbal expression
• Gossiping
• Overly loud or dominant voice
• Interrupting others
• Not listening well

Physical Symptoms:

• Stiff shoulders\neck
• Shoulder issues
• Tonsillitis
• Frequent sore throats
• Gum infections
• Frequent\chronic Bad breath
• Ear infections and other disorders
• Voice chord issues
• Jaw ache or locking

The Brow Chakra or Third Eye is called Ajna (beyond wisdom)

The 6th chakra is located between the brow at the centre of the head; this chakra encompasses the eyes, the pineal gland and the base of the skull. The third eye is associated with our intuition, vision, memory, imagination/visualisation, dreams, healthy sleep cycles and according to mystics – psychic abilities.

This chakra resonates a deep indigo blue or purple. Blockages or deficiencies at this chakra can produce the following symptoms:

• Poor vision\memory
• Insensitivity
• Lack of imagination
• Denial
• Lack of foresight
• Unable to remember dreams
• Unable to visualise clearly
• Frequent headaches

Excessive energy at this centre can manifest the following symptoms:

• Hallucinations
• Obsessive behaviour
• Delusions
• Day dreaming constantly
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nightmares
• Frequent Migraines
• Insomnia
• Mental Health issues

The Crown Chakra is called Sahasrara (Thousand Petals)

The Sahasrara chakra which translates as thousand petal lotus flower is located in the crown at the top of the skull. This chakra is associated with knowledge, enlightenment, awareness, intelligence, wisdom, our connection to others and spirituality or the divine spirit.

This chakra resonates with the colour’s indigo to pure white. Deficiencies or blockages at this chakra can manifest the following symptoms:

• Secretive Behaviour
• Misinformation
• Lies
• Blind Faith
• Narrow mindedness
• Learning difficulties
• Greed / materialism
• Domination of others

Over abundant energy at this chakra level manifests the following symptoms:

• Over developed intellect
• Spiritual addiction
• Dissociative behaviour
• Difficulty socialising
• Confusion
• Dissociation from body

That sums up the 7 major chakras and the potential issues that deficient or excessive energy can cause. Yogi healers believe that when one is physically ill or falls under the influence of a disease/sickness it is directly related to these chakras malfunctioning. The issues tend to begin from the mind and gradually manifest into physical ailments the longer the underlying issues are left untreated.

To find out the health of your chakras take this free online test – which takes just a few minutes to complete: http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/chakraevaltest.php

There are several ways of managing Chakra health that include, eating the right foods, exercising, meditating and mindfulness. Please get in touch for a consultation.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Until the next time; stay positive, stay healthy, live with passion and compassion.

Your Brother,

Andre Zen