“Chakras” is a term you may have heard more than once if you’re just starting out. In this post, we’re going to take a look into what chakras are and why they’re so important. This is an excellent read for beginners who are curious about what chakras are and how to integrate chakras into their routine!
Simply put, chakras are essentially our bodies’ energy centers. It is believed that their main function is to make sure all the body’s processes are going smoothly, from how your organs are functioning to how well your immune system is holding up.
The word “chakra” itself is a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel” or “disk.” Now that you know this, you can visualize what chakras look like: spinning wheels of energy. These wheels are the intersections of consciousness and physical matter. The energy itself is pure and healing- it is called “Prana” and it is basically what keeps us actively working, vibrantly healthy, and constantly happy!
And that is exactly why chakras are so important: they keep us going! We are comprised of energy, just like any other living being on this planet. It is of utmost importance to make sure these energy wheels are functioning well- if not, we become emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually unhealthy. These centers of energy affect every aspect of our being, and so it is just as important to recognize which is which so that you’ll know what to address should you feel unhealthy in any way.
There are seven chakras found throughout our bodies, situated all along one’s spine:
The first is the Root chakra. This can be found at the very base of your spine. It’s red in color and presides over your body’s pelvic floor, the base of the spine, bladder, colon, and the first three vertebrae as well as survival instincts, sense of security, and stability. Think of this as a foundation.
The second chakra is the Sacral chakra. You’ll find this at your lower abdomen, right below the navel. Orange in color and mainly mental and spiritual in what it oversees, the Sacral chakra governs your creativity, sexuality, intuition, passion, joy, and sense of self-worth.
The third chakra is the Solar Plexus chakra. Yellow in color, this one can be found in your upper abdomen. It controls your sense of restraint and willpower, personal power, ability to commit, as well as your self-esteem. Physically, it presides over your digestive system, including your stomach.
The fourth chakra is the Heart chakra. Situated right in the center of your chest, this green chakra governs your spirituality, forgiveness, love, sense of service and of compassion, on top of making sure your heart, thymus gland, lungs, and breasts are all in working order.
The fifth chakra is the Throat chakra. Located, well, at your throat, this chakra is blue. It has to do with your ability to communicate your inner truth and needs, to process and act on emotions, and your ability to listen to others properly. As for how it rules over the body, the Throat chakra governs your thyroid, parathyroid, neck, tongue, larynx, and mouth.
The sixth chakra is the Third Eye. Purple in color, this one is located in between your eyebrows. It rules over your eyes, head, pituitary gland, and the lower part of your brain. Energy-wise, it keeps your intuition, rationality, and wisdom in check. This is the one you refer to when you need to see a clearer, truthful picture of the outside world.
The seventh and last chakra is the Crown. You’ll find this at the very top of your head. Indigo in hue, this chakra is the very center of enlightenment. It acts as a bridge to your spiritual higher self and to the divine. Keeping this one healthy is a must if you want to think clearly, powered by pure awareness and enlightenment and undeterred by outside forces.
Sources:
The Importance of the Main Chakras