You probably heard about chakras, but maybe not really understood what they are. Here is a guide that helps you understand the chakras and how to keep them in balance.

Chakras are centers of energy, located on the mid-line of the body and outside the body (over the head and down into the earth). The chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC. The word chakra translated to wheel and is also a metaphor for the sun. They are like disc shaped “energetic motors” within the mental, emotional and physical energy fields in and around your body. One could say that the chakras are like “receivers and transformers” and through the chakras we can take prana (life force) and vital energy and transform them into the frequencies we need in different parts of the physical, emotional and spiritual body. And yes, there is science behind this. You can see the actual energy centers measured in brainwaves and electromagnetic activity. The chakras houses our mental and emotional strengths, but if we have physical issues it created a weakness in our emotional behavior. And vice versa. So you want your chakras to be opened and balanced and there are many techniques to do that.

Meditation, yoga, mantras, mudras, aromatherapy and crystal healing are a few things that can help you. And there are ways to figure out which of your chakra that is closed and imbalanced. In the traditional scriptures it is said there are 88,000 chakras in the human body. We have 7 chakras that are primary (located inside the body), a 12 chakra system (located outside our bodies) and 40 secondary chakras, located in our inner organs, back of the neck, in the palms of your hands and under the soles of your feet.

1st CHAKRA – THE ROOT CHAKRA
Located: Base of the spine.
Color: Red.
In sanskrit: Mooladhara Chakra
The word: I am.
Sense: Smell.
Stands for: Connection to earth, survival instincts, basic needs, inherited believes and self-preservation.
If closed: You worry about your basic needs, you don’t feel safe, you feel disconnected.
If over-active: You may be materialistic and greedy, obsessed with being secure and resist change.
Physical signs: Pain in lower back, legs and feet.
How to balance it: Go outside, walk around barefoot, reconnect with the earth.
Balancing gemstones: Lava, Smokey Quartz, Jasper, Onyx, Garnet, Hematite & Bloodstone.
Balancing scents: Sandalwood, Orange, Jasmin & Peppermint.
Balancing yoga poses: Tadasana, Easy Seat, Child’s Pose & Malasana.
Balancing mantra: Lam.
Balancing mudra: Thumb and index finger to touch.

2nd CHAKRA – THE SACRAL CHAKRA
Located: Below navel.
Color: Orange.
In sanskrit: Swadhisthana Chakra.
The word: I feel
Sense: Taste.
Stands for: Sexuality, reproductive functions, relationships, desire and creativity.
If closed: Lack of creativity, anger or jealousy or trouble enjoying yourself.
If over-active: You are probably over emotional and over sexual.
Physical signs: Kidney or bladder issues, fertility or sexual problems.
How to balance it: Do something where you feel creative. Paint, sing, dance, knit, cook.
Balancing gemstones: Carnelian, Red or Orange Aventurine, Red Jasper, Garnet & Ruby.
Balancing scents: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lemon & Bergamot.
Balancing yoga poses: Goddess, Warrior II, Reverse Warrior, Low Lunge, Pigeon & Bound Angle Pose.
Balancing mantra: Vam.
Balancing mudra: Hands in lap, palms up and thumbs touching.

3rd CHAKRA – THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
Located: Upper abdomen.
Color: Yellow.
In sanskrit: Manipura Chakra.
The word: I do.
Sense: Sight
Stands for: Personal power, confidence, respect for self and others.
If closed: Lack of confidence, can’t make a decision, no sense of purpose or depression.
If over-active: You could be domineering and probably even aggressive.
Physical signs: Slow metabolism, weight problems, poor digestion.
How to balance it: Have fun, do things that makes you laugh out load. Try laughing yoga.
Balancing gemstones: Citrine, Pyrite, Rhononite, Amber, Quartz, Topaz, Golden Calcite & Aragonite.
Balancing scents: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lemon & Bergamot.
Balancing yoga poses: Boat, Knee to Nose, Twisted Crescent Lunge, Revolved Triangle, Seated Twist & Child’s Pose.
Balancing mantra: Ram.
Balancing mudra: Hands on your stomach, pointing forward, fingertips to touch and thumbs crossed.

4th CHAKRA – THE HEART CHAKRA
Located: Chest center.
Color: Green.
In sanskrit: Anahata Chakra.
The word: I love.
Sense: Touch.
Stands for: Love, self-love, acceptance, forgiveness, relationships and following your heart.
If closed: Lack of compassion for self and others, selfishness or feeling of no love in your life.
If over-active: Suffocating people with your love and your love probably has quite selfish reasons.
Physical signs: Heart problems, skin problems, bad blood circulation.
How to balance it: Love and take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, sleep.
Balancing gemstones: Aventurine, Fluorite, Jade, Kyanite, Magnetite, Moonstone, Rose Quartz, Serpentine, Tourmaline & Green Calcite.
Balancing scents: Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine & Rose.
Balancing yoga poses: Camel, Low Lunge, High Lunge with Back Bend, Wild Thing, Upward Facing Dog, Bridge, Wheel & Reclined Bound Angle.
Balancing mantra: Yam.
Balancing mudra: Index finger and thumb on both hands to touch, put your left hand on your left knee and your right hand in front of the lower part of your breast bone.

5th CHAKRA – THE THROAT CHAKRA
Located: Throat.
Color: Blue.
In sanskrit: Vishuddhi Chakra.
The word: I speak.
Sense: Hearing.
Stands for: Communication, truth, be heard, choice and willpower.
If closed: Trouble expressing yourself, weak voice, talking to much or lying (even white ones).
If over-active: You tend to speak too much, and you’re a probably a bad listener.
Physical signs: Sore throat, pain in neck and shoulders, thyroid imbalance.
How to balance it: Speak your truth, speak with integrity.
Balancing gemstones: Blue Aventurine, Amazonite, Angelite, Aquamarine, Sodalite, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Topaz & Turquoise.
Balancing scents: Tea Tree, Chamomile, Peppermint & Eucalyptus.
Balancing yoga poses: Knees-Chest-Chin, Neck Rolls, Fish Pose, Plow, Shoulder Stand & Legs up the Wall.
Balancing mantra: Ham.
Balancing mudra: Create a circle with your hands, cross your fingers on the inside of your hands, let the thumbs touch at the tops.

6th CHAKRA – THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA
Located: Between eyebrows.
Color: Indigo.
In sanskrit: Ajna Chakra.
The word: I see.
Sense: Thought.
Stands for: Intuition, knowledge and divine wisdom.
If closed: Not trusting your intuition, fear of success or feeling that imagination is unimportant.
If over-active: You tend to live in a fantasy world. Worst case you may suffer from hallucinations.
Physical signs: Headaches, sinus trouble, hearing problems, sleep disorders.
How to balance it: Trust your intuition without feeling the need to justify it. It’s ok to say “no, I don’t feel like it”.
Balancing gemstones: Amethyst, Lilac, Amazonite, Marble, Moonstone, Quartz, Turquoise, Azurite, Lapis Lazuli & Sodalite.
Balancing scent: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Juniper & Rosemary.
Balancing yoga poses: Dolphin Dog, Eagle Pose, Warrior III, Forearm Balance & Child’s Pose.
Balancing mantra: Sham
Balancing mudra: Hands in front of chest, the middle fingers are straight and touch at the tops, pointing forward. The other fingers are bent and touch at the knuckles. The thumbs point towards you and touch at the tops.

7th CHAKRA – THE CROWN CHAKRA
Located: Top of head.
Color: Violet.
In sanskrit: Sahasrara Chakra.
The word: I understand.
Sense: Unity.
Stands for: Connection, higher power, life force and inspiration.
If closed: Feeling of separation and loneliness, feeling lost or lack of joy in life.
If over-active: You may be intellectualizing things too much. You may be addicted to spirituality and are probably ignoring your bodily needs.
Physical signs: Headaches, migraines, high blood pressure.
How to balance it: Find a way to connect. Meditation, yoga, spiritual group or finding a spiritual mentor.
Balancing gemstones: Amethyst, Labradorite, Lilac, Moonstone, Quartz, Clear Calcite & Sapphire.
Balancing scent: Frankincense, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Lotus & Palo Santo.
Balancing yoga poses: Standing Back bend, Warrior I with Eagle Arms, Bound Half Moon, Saddle Pose & Meditation.
Balancing mantra: Aum
Balancing mudra: Ring fingers point up, touching at their tops, cross the rest of your fingers, with the left thumb underneath the right.