Complete Guide to the 7 Chakras for Beginners
The word Chakra is a Sanskrit word which means ‘wheel’. Chakras are energy centers in the human body. They are part of the subtle body and are the most vital part of the energy system of the human body. Much like the blood that circulates through the veins and arteries in the physical human body, the energy moves through energy channels, known as Nadis. The energy radiates from the Chakras to the Aura, the energy field surrounding the body then re-enters the body through the Chakras again. Thus the Chakras rotate, absorb and emit universal energies and ensure the optimal working of the human energy system. A balanced Chakra allows energies to circulate and brings physical, emotional and spiritual balance to each human being. The significance and knowledge of Chakras are found in almost all ancient traditions such as meditation, yoga, ayurveda and in other countless ancient Vedic texts. There are 7 Chakras that are considered as primary Chakras. In addition to the primary Chakras, there are many secondary Chakras that are located all over our body. The 7 primary Chakras or these spinning vortexes of energies are located starting at the base of the spine and moving to the top of the head in a human body.
The seven primary Chakras are the Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra), Swadhisthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra), Manipura Chakra (Navel Chakra), Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra), Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra), Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra) and Sahasrara Chakra (Crown Chakra). Each of these 7 Chakras is associated with a distinct color, ruling Deity, Planet, Mantra and aspect of human development. Below are the details:
The Muladhara Chakra is the first Chakra which is located at the bottom of the spine. The chakra is associated with survival and support. It connects us to the earth and to the physical world. This Chakra is associated with strength, fighting spirit, well-being and security. A balanced Root chakra helps you stay grounded and move forward in life. It confers vitality, a feeling of well-being, willpower and self-confidence. It is also the seat of the Kundalini Shakti or the coiled Divine energy in the human body.
Name of the Chakra: Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra)
Location: Base of the spine
Characteristics: Support, Stability and Survival
Color: Red
Mantra: Lam
Element: Earth
Swadhisthana Chakra is the 2nd Chakra, the name Swadhisthana means “the place of the self”. Thus it is the chakra of who you are and what you do, it is associated with one’s identity. The Swadhisthana Chakra is also associated with creative energy, artistic expressions and sexuality. A balanced Chakra connects one with emotions and energizes all areas of life.
Name of the Chakra: Swadhisthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)
Location: 2 inches below the Navel
Characteristics: Creativity, Pleasure and Sexuality
Color: Orange
Mantra: Vam
Element: Water
The Manipura Chakra is the seat of your personal power. The 3rd chakra is located at the navel area. The name Manipura means “lustrous gem”. It is in this Chakra where self-confidence is born. This Chakra is associated with vigor and the vital force, the capacity to carry out all that is important to us. It brings us good health. This Chakra instils self-esteem and teaches lessons relating to personality. It promotes the management of situations and the courage to take risks. A balanced Solar Plexus chakra confers power, respect for oneself and others.
Name of the Chakra: Manipura Chakra (Navel Chakra)
Location: At the navel center
Characteristics: Power and Self-esteem
Color: Yellow
Mantra: Ram
Element: Fire
Anahata Chakra is the 4th chakra, the Chakra associated with love, kindness, forgiveness and compassion. The name Anahata means “unharmed”, this Chakra is also associated with health and healing. Located in the middle of the chest, the Anahata Chakra is the seat of feelings and balance. This Chakra is said to be the link between the three lower Chakras concerning the physical plane and the three higher Chakras which are in relation to the spiritual plane. A balanced heart chakra puts you in touch with your feelings and allows you to be open and friendly.
Name of the Chakra: Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra)
Location: Centre of Chest
Characteristics: Love and Compassion
Color: Green
Mantra: Yam
Element: Air
Vishuddha Chakra is the 5th Chakra, the Chakra associated with communication, it promotes communication with others, whether for listening or speaking. The name Vishuddha means “very pure”. This chakra allows you to speak your truth with clarity. It is located in the throat region. Further, it is the center of communication, self-expression and creativity. This Chakra is intimately linked to our personal expression and teaches the exteriorization of the personality. A balanced Throat chakra allows one to exist in the world with confidence and serenity.
Name of the Chakra: Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra)
Location: Throat region
Characteristics: Communication and willpower
Color: Blue
Mantra: Ham
Element: Space
Ajna or the Third Eye Chakra is the 6th chakra which is beyond the material world and the 5 senses. The name of the Chakra means “beyond wisdom”. Extra-sensory perception, intuition or psychic energy, everything we perceive comes from the Ajna Chakra. Located on the forehead between the eye-brows this Chakra is a source of intuition and inner balance. The role of this chakra is to open the mind to achieve wisdom through life experiences. A balanced Ajna chakra allows better intuition and improves sixth sense and insights.
Name of the Chakra: Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)
Location: Forehead
Characteristics: Intuition
Color: Indigo
Mantra: Aum
Element: Light
The Sahasrara Chakra is the 7th chakra which is located at the top of the head and is associated with spirituality and Divinity. The name Sahasrara means “a thousand petals”. It is the Chakra which is our connection with the entire universe. The Crown Chakra helps raise awareness, spirituality and connect to the Divine essence. Our own consciousness is located in this Chakra. A balanced Sahasrara chakra allows complete access to the collective unconscious, in which we are all interconnected as One.
Name of the Chakra: Sahasrara Chakra (Crown Chakra)
Location: Top of the head
Characteristics: Spirituality and Divine Consciousness
Color: Violet
Mantra: Aum
Element: Thought
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