Location

Perineum area, between anus and genitals

Color

Red

Element

Earth

Description

The symbolic triangle of the root chakra points downward, drawing the healing earth energies into the base of the spine. This grounding and denser earth energy radiates out into every cell of the body promoting health, support, and stability both emotionally and physically. Sanskrit name: Muladhara

Emotional Issues

Feelings of safety and security in the physical body.  Feeling like you “belong” here.  Issues of belongingness in your family or “tribe.”  Feeling grounded in your body and joyfully connected to the earth.  Feel a clear sense of mission while in the physical body and able to carry out that mission. Feeling powerful in the physical body, not feeling powerless and victimized. Feeling energized, healthy, clear.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Fear, terror, panic, rage,  risk-taking behavior, self-destructive, overly dependent on others, excessive materialism,  over-reactive adrenal response or “fight or flight” response precipitating anxiety, panic, agitation, terror, and verbal or physical violence. Feeling victimized by life and living life with a defensive attitude.  Withdrawing into the self, creating isolation and disconnectedness from others.

Physical Issues

Any issue with the physical body, especially the bodily system that gives you support: The skeletal system. Imbalances may contribute to arthritis, fibromyalgia (pain in muscles, ligaments and other connective tissue), disc disease, immune system dysfunction, overactive or under active adrenal glands, kidney problems and problems with the sexual organs.

Developmental Issues

The energy of the root chakra develops at the moment of conception until age 8.  Any difficulties or traumas in our lives during these early years may dramatically affect our sense of safety and belongingness in the world, such as abuse, abandonment, parental loss, or poverty.

Sense

Smell.  The sense of smell is associated with the root chakra as our most primordial sense.  Different smells can trigger us into feelings of relaxation and safety, or remind us instantly of times where we felt unsafe in the physical body.

Aromatherapy

Sleeping Tree, Chakra Gold

Healing Crystals

Bloodstone, Red Jasper, Hematite, Tiger’s Eye

Location

Lower abdomen, midway between the navel and the genitals

Color

Orange

Element

Water

Description

The 2nd chakra represents creativity, sexual passion, our relationship with ourselves and our willingness to feel our emotions. The element for this chakra is water, symbolizing the need to let our emotions and creativity flow rather than keep them inside and restricted. Sanskrit name: Svadhisthana

Emotional Issues

Being connected to your “self” and others (relationships) and developing yourself to your full potential beyond the values of your family of origin. Ability to feel pleasure and joy in life.  Allowing yourself to have your feelings without judgment, shame, guilt or regret. Expressing yourself creatively in any way you wish to bring pleasure into your life. Allowing yourself to feel joy.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Mood swings, overly emotional and overly sensitive to others and the world, social and emotional isolation, excessively critical of oneself, self-loathing, addictive behavior to avoid painful feelings, blocked creativity, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), depression and anxiety.

Physical Issues

If blocked or unbalanced, disease or illness of the reproductive system, bladder, prostate, or lower back may occur. Also, decreased libido and infertility.

Developmental Issues

This chakra begins its full development between the ages of 8 and 14, the period of childhood when developing healthy self-esteem and self-image is the primary goal.  This is the age when we express ourselves in the world of school, peers, and family. When “who we are” is rejected, criticized, or our feelings are invalidated, neglected, or our needs for love go unmet, our emotional selves feel unsafe. Constriction in this chakra results.

We often consciously or unconsciously stifle the ebb and flow of our emotional selves in an effort for self-preservation.  If it felt unsafe to express your emotions as a child because your needs were left unheard or neglected, you may never have learned to meet your own needs for comfort and pleasure.  This frequently leads to depression, martyrdom and codependency as an adult, obsessing about others needs and neglecting your own.

Sense

Taste.  The ability to taste the pleasure and joy of life.

Aromatherapy

Chakra Gold

Healing Crystals

Carnelian, Amber, Citrine, Topaz

Location

Center of the stomach area, between the bottom of the ribcage (sternum) and the navel.

Color

Yellow

Element

Fire (heart “burn”) 

Description

This chakra is the seat of personal empowerment and self-esteem in the body, relying on our own confidence, self-love, and courage to live our lives being who we truly are.  Our self-esteem and confidence in ourselves is built upon the lower two Chakras, a foundation of safety and emotional freedom to be ourselves.  The Sanskrit name for this chakra, Manipura, means “City of Jewels” or “Lustrous Gem.” The goal of this chakra is to release beliefs of unworthiness and undeservedness and to embrace the jewels of our precious individuality. The Jewels reside in the power of God that lies within us, empowering us to be ourselves. Sanskrit name: Manipura

Emotional Issues

Believing “I am worthy, I am deserving, I am loveable, I am, I can, I will.” Developing self-esteem, confidence, and courage to be your true self.  Based upon lower chakra experiences, our 3rd chakra becomes the mirror of how we feel about ourselves. Whether or not we felt safe and unconditionally accepted by significant others in our world, we may feel confident or insecure about who we are.  In this chakra, we address having the courage of our convictions.

Security about oneself, fearlessness in being an individual, confidence in your own uniqueness and gifts, self-esteem, calmness of thought, peacefulness, respect for self and others, ability to know your “gut” feelings and trust their wisdom to take action. Good boundaries for yourself and others.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Overly dependant on others approval, excessive fears of rejection and ridicule, wanting reassurance from others that you are “OK,” fearful of being alone, wanting to control others, often angry and resentful.  Believes self-esteem comes from outside sources such as work or relationships and often is addicted to both.
“Butterflies in the stomach” anxiety feeling, stemming from a perceived lack of confidence in being able to handle something or fear of ridicule.

Physical Issues

Problems with the digestive tract i.e. Heartburn, reflux, (What is it in your life that you cannot digest??)  Diabetes, obesity, irritable bowel and colon disease, ulcers, gastritis, hiatus hernia, hepatitis, fatigue

Developmental Issues

The chakra steps into full development between ages 14-21 when individuals are getting ready to leave the nest of the family tribe, and “launch” into the world.  One must have developed a healthy sense of self and personal power to launch successfully, securely, and with confidence to negotiate the world away from the safety of the tribe.  Traumatic events, rejections or losses during this time may halt the separation/individuation process. Individuals may postpone taking on the responsibility of being an adult, feeling they cannot master “the real world.”

Sense

Sight; seeing into ourselves to access our “gut feelings” about something.  Failure to acknowledge our gut feelings leads us to making wrong decisions for ourselves, resulting in self-directed anger and perceived loss of personal power

Aromatherapy

Chakra Gold

Healing Crystals

Citrine, Sunstone, Yellow Calcite

Location

Center of the chest

Color

Green or Pink (a blending of the red of the root with the white of the crown, integrating and created as pink)

Element

Air (breath)

Description

This chakra is located directly in the center of the other Chakras and acts as the great “integrator” of all issues arising from the lower Chakras, and descending from the more spiritual, higher Chakras.  It is in the heart where we process all our feelings of love, anger, sadness, empathy, compassion or hatred.  It is here that we choose to forgive ourselves and others and process feelings of betrayal. This is where heaven meets earth, integrating you into a whole, blended being, radiating love out into the world, while radiating love inward toward yourself.  This is where you feel the love of God within. Sanskrit name: Anahata

Emotional Issues

Loving oneself and others unconditionally. Forgiveness of self and others and letting go of the past. High degree of compassion for oneself and others.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Possessiveness, jealousy, chronic worry about being cheated on in relationships, depression, self-pity, lack of intimate relationships due to fear of being hurt or betrayed, loneliness, numbing of feelings, shortness of breath and anxiety attacks, loving too much hoping for love in return, codependency

Physical Issues

Circulatory system issues such as heart attacks, blocked arteries, high blood pressure, blood clots.  Also, issues of the respiratory system such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema. The heart chakra extends to the shoulders, arms and hands, giving way to problems such as Frozen Shoulder, Bursitis, Tennis Elbow, and Carpal Tunnel disease. Anger tends to be associated with the circulatory system and grief/sadness with the respiratory system. 

Developmental Issues

This chakra is associated with ages 21-28 when most adults are dating and opening their heart to a partner and perhaps marriage.

Sense

Touch

Aromatherapy

Light of Heart

Healing Crystals

Rose Quartz, Jade, Fluorite, Emerald

Location

Center to lower neck, in area of thyroid gland

Color

Blue

Element

Ether

Description

This 5th chakra is the chakra of communication and expression in the physical body.  This chakra is called the “Purifier,” as all the lower chakra and higher chakra energy converges here to express ourselves in the world.  In other words, this chakra gives us the opportunity to take off our masks and reveal our true feelings and our “pure” identity.  Only by accepting the truth about ourselves can we act with integrity in this world through thought, word and deed.  As our truth is purified and acknowledged from the upper and lower Chakras, we have a choice:  Do I fully speak and act in my truth or do I pretend to be someone else out of fear of rejection or ridicule?  Do I say “yes” when I really mean “no?”  What feelings do I continue to swallow?  As a child, was I told to be seen and not heard?

This chakra is also the chakra of listening in an effort to accurately communicate with another person.  In order to fully become our true self in this world, this chakra must be fully open and connected to the sacral chakra, the seat of creativity, so that we make our very own unique contribution to the world. Sanskrit name: Visudda

Emotional Issues

If your feelings were chronically invalidated or unmet as a child, you may find it difficult in adulthood to “find your voice” and ask others for what you need.  Emotional issues with this chakra include assertiveness, acting in your truth, seeking divine guidance and surrendering to divine will so that we co-create that which will bring us peace and joy. By deliberately choosing to connect with the Divine, we will achieve our greatest joy and full expression of that in the world.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Fear of failure and rejection when expressing the true self, holding back or withholding the self, excessive talking, rapid speech, perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive and bipolar disorder, excessive pride and arrogance, blocked creativity, difficulty finding the words to express oneself 

Physical Issues

Thyroid Problems, neck problems, ear, nose and throat problems such as hearing loss, colds and sore throats, infections, stuttering and other speech problems, mouth sores and teeth problems

Developmental Issues

This chakra begins its full development during the late 20’s to mid 30’s when we are fully adult. We can choose to take responsibility for our lives by moving ahead and living in our truth, or choose to withhold ourselves from our relationships, careers, and ourselves.  It is our choice to deny ourselves or live in our purest integrity.

Sense

Hearing (not just with the ears but with the compassion learned in the heart chakra)

Aromatherapy

I Express My Truth

Healing Crystals

Turquoise, Lapis, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Sodalite, Aquamarine                                                      

Location

Between the eyebrows

Color

Indigo Blue, Purple

Element

Intuitive, Psychic Energy

Description

This 6th Chakra is the chakra for “knowing” within ourselves and outside of ourselves.  This chakra is the seat of our intuition where we develop “in-sight” into ourselves and others.  With an open 3rd eye, you can see yourself clearly and honestly, as well as gain new insights into life concerns and problems.  When this chakra is open and freely connected to the Solar Plexus, we connect our “in-sight” to our “gut feelings” and decisions about our lives come easily and without effort.  We know what to do next.  Those with an open and balanced 3rd eye are often psychic, connected to the divine, and experience mysticism in their daily lives.  As this chakra develops during our lifetime, the benefits include strong intuition and wisdom. Sanskrit name: Ajna

Emotional Issues

Learning to pay attention to our intuition and acting on it, trusting the information that comes to us from within.  Letting go of rational, logical thinking and opening up to the broader perspectives of the universe and the divine.  Realizing that issues are solved from a feeling of “knowing” rather than obsessive thinking. Willingness to see beyond the eyes.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Rationalizing your feelings, disconnected from feelings of self and others, nightmares, insomnia,  bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, feelings of detachment from the body, fear of life, thoughts of  hopelessness and despair, feeling that life is not worth living.  Disconnection from divine energy with life appearing purposeless and meaningless—depression and anxiety.

Physical Issues

Issues of the head and brain. Headaches, migraines, epilepsy and other neurological conditions, learning disabilities, and visual problems.

Sense

“6th” sense

Aromatherapy

Chakra Gold

Healing Crystals

Amethyst, Lapis, Fluorite, Sapphire

Location

Top of the Head

Color

Violet, White, Gold, Silver

Element

Thought and the Energy that thought creates

Description

This chakra is our connection to the divine, the God within and the Universal Intelligence.  The symbolism for this chakra is a thousand-petal lotus flower, gently spinning to attract energy to stay connected to our divine source.  To be a whole, blended being of the spiritual and physical, this chakra must be opened and balanced.  This chakra helps us to healthfully detach from the earthly, material world we live in, knowing that there IS more. By detaching and observing our difficulties in life, rather than despairing over them, we learn that there is a greater, broader perspective to our lives and that on the spiritual plane, “All is well.” Sanskrit name: Sahasrara

Emotional Issues

Learning to trust in the process of life.  Learning to “let go” into the knowing that the universe will provide for you.  Detaching from material possessions realizing that these do not bring happiness.  Allowing God into your mind, heart, and body to co-create your greatest joy.  Realizing that thoughts have energy and that by thinking positive, healthy thoughts, you have the power to create and manifest all that you desire.  Believing that we are one with the divine.

Symptoms of Imbalance

Problems with focusing and concentrating, feeling confused about your purpose and mission in life, obsessive, negative thinking, insomnia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADD, ADHD, autism, psychotic disorders,  believing that life ends at death, difficulty meditating and slowing down the mind, egocentric and selfish

Physical Issues

Associated with Skull , Brain, Skin.  Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Chemical Sensitivities, Brain Tumors, Chronic Exhaustion, Rashes and Skin Ailments

Sense

Sense of knowing beyond the self that there IS more and "all is well."

Aromatherapy

Chakra Gold

Healing Crystals

Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Diamond, Clear Topaz