Chakras: The Energetic Body

The word ‘chakra’ in Sanskrit means wheel. Chakras are vortexes of energy. There are seven fundamental chakras, representing specific centers of energy along the spine from its base up to the crown of the head. There are two levels of energetic nerve centers – physical and psychic.

Understanding and committing to mastering the higher vibrations of each chakra allows us to transcend imbalances, to raise our energy, and to express the highest potential of each vortex of energy and of the Self. Let’s take a look at each chakra individually, but know that working on any one chakra will affect all chakras.

Muladhara

Element: Earth

Planet: Saturn

Day: Saturday

Color: Red

Deity: Shiva and Kali

This is the root chakra. It is the seat of Kundalini Shakti, our infinite potential of being. It is located at the base of the spine.

Imbalance here shows up as deeply held fear, fear of the unknown and fear of losing the known, instability, ungrounded, stagnation, living an ever-repetitive past.

When Muladhara is balanced, you feel grounded, steadfast, deeply balanced, with unshakeable certainty regardless of circumstances.

Swadhisthana

Element: Water

Planet: Jupiter

Day: Thursday

Color: Orange

Deity: Ganesha

This is the sacral chakra. It is the seat of taste, of desire. It is located at the level of the reproductive organs. 

Imbalance here can show up as feelings of guilt, self-hatred, state of wanting or lack, holding of childhood issues, having desire to relate but inability to do so.

When the Swadisthana chakra is balanced, there is an abundance of energy, expansive vision, and understanding of timing. You then have evolutionary desires as nature desiring through you.

Manipura

Element: Fire

Planet: Mars

Day: Tuesday

Color: Yellow

Deity: Hanuman

This is the solar plexus chakra. It is the seat of fire. It is located at the navel center, our first mouth in the womb.

Imbalance at the Manipura can show up as self-doubt, insecurity, anger, blame, victimhood, depression and lethargy.

When balanced, there is energy, health, vitality, insight, will power, self-reliance and follow-through.

Anahata

Element: Air

Planet: Venus

Day: Friday

Color: Green

Deity: Lakshmi and Krishna

This is the heart chakra. It is the seat of love and compassion. It is located at the level of the heart.

Imbalance here can show up as attachment, longing, neediness, co-dependency and me and mine mentality.

When balanced, there is deep compassion, transcendence of fear, clairvoyance, authentic connection and reasonless joy.

Vishuddha

Element: Ether

Planet: Mercury

Day: Wednesday

Color: Blue

Deity: Saraswati

This is the throat chakra. It is the seat of power of the word. It is located at the throat center.

When imbalanced, there can be issues with creativity or communication.

When balanced, true wisdom awakens, there is ease in self-expression, an ability to speak from the heart and truly listen.

Agya

Element: Beyond the elements

Planet: Sun and Moon

Day: Sunday

Color: Indigo

Deity: Shiva, Kali, and Durga

This is the Master chakra. It is the seat of Divine Permission. It is located at the third eye center.

When imbalanced, there can be a lack of clarity, inability to see the way.

When the Agya chakra is balanced, there is clear intuition, a deep inner knowing, clarity and vision arise.

Sahasrara

Element: Beyond the elements

Planet: Universal

Color: Colorless

Deity: All deities – the absolute, shapeless, and formless

This is the thousand-petaled lotus, which symbolizes infinity. It is located at the crown of the head.

When balanced, truth is attained through self. 

If you are ready to move through any imbalances and master the higher vibrations of each chakra, join Annemarie for her Chakra Sadhana Series on Sattva Connect.