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Long maligned as “woo-woo”, chakras are going through a renaissance as a powerful tool for our overall well-being. With this surge in interest, however, comes a plethora of misunderstandings about what chakras are, where they come from, and how they function. So before we go into what the chakras are, let’s debunk what they are not.
- Chakras are “new age”. Actually they go back over 3500 years! The chakras can be traced back to ancient Indian Vedic texts written around 1500 BCE, where they are are described as vital points along the spine that facilitate the flow of prana, or life force energy. The alignment and balance of these energy centers were already believed to be essential for physical health, emotional stability, and spiritual enlightenment. Moreover, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine recognized that blockages in these energy centers could lead to imbalances that emerge as physical ailments. They cleared these blockages with diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.
While the term “chakra” is not prevalent in ancient Chinese traditions, the concept aligns closely with ideas within Chinese medicine regarding qi/chi and meridians—pathways through which life force flows in the body.
In ancient China, practices such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi embodied similar principles to those represented by chakras. These practices focused on cultivating internal energy through movement and breath control. The seven primary chakras also correspond closely with certain acupuncture points used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Techniques like acupuncture or acupressure were used to clear blockages in meridians, which parallels the clearing of energy pathways associated with the chakras.
- Chakras are tangible entities or physical organs within the body. In reality, chakras are often understood as points that correspond to various aspects of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It’s better to think of them as vibrational frequencies rather than solid structures. This abstraction allows for a more holistic understanding of how energies flow throughout our bodies and impact our overall health.
- Chakras are just spinning wheels. The English word “chakra” does indeed derive from the Sanskrit cakraṃ चक्रं, meaning “wheel” or “circle”, and most illustrations show the chakras as a line of circles going up the body. However, chakras should be viewed more as systemic vortices of energy. In nature, vortices are locations where energy is concentrated and flows in spirals or whirlwinds. Energy flows in humans are no different. The relationship between natural vortices and chakra balancing centers around this energy flow.
- Color has always been important to the chakras. Most of us see the chakra system as a sort of rainbow of gem-like colors. But did you know that the colors associated with each chakra were a Western addition? One of the key figures in this development was Charles W. Leadbeater, whose 1927 book “The Chakras” described each chakra as having a specific color. This gained traction in the 1970s with Christopher Hills’ book, “Nuclear Revolution: Discovery of the Rainbow Body”. Hills proposed that each chakra resonated with a unique frequency, wavelength, and density that associated with a specific color matching its vibration. So in addition to adding something the scientific community could sink its teeth into, assigning colors to the chakras allowed the greater public to better grasp this once esoteric practice.
- You must be spiritual or religious to engage with chakras. Many individuals shy away from exploring their chakras because they believe they must adhere to a specific spiritual tradition or religious framework. The principles underlying chakra work—self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence—are universal concepts that can benefit anyone regardless of their spiritual beliefs or backgrounds.
- (This is the biggie) We have a LOT more than just 7 chakras. The Westernized concept of seven chakras (6 chakras + the crown) was the brainchild of Sir John Woodroffe, who first wrote about them in his 1918 book, “The Serpent Power”. However, it is said that we actually have up to 114 chakras. Moreover, our bodies are made up of a subtle energy network that flows through 72,000 channels called Nadis. Most physical ailments will ultimately relate to the flow of energy within our Nadis, so healing should be seen in terms of correcting the energy flow. While there is disagreement over whether or not the 7 chakras are Nadi energy merging points, it is agreed that balancing the chakras is a “plumber’s helper” in unblocking stagnant energies, and thus an important ally in our overall well-being.
Here is a pared-down description to the 7 main chakras to get you acquainted:
- The Root Chakra, or Muladhara Chakra (color: red, element: earth)
The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It is characterized by the emotions of survival and stability. When this chakra is out of balance, we feel unstable, ungrounded, lost, fearful, insecure and frustrated. When the Root Chakra is balanced, these are replaced by more positive emotions, and we feel stable, balanced, and strong.
The Root Chakra affects the lower body, digestive system, and immune system.
- The Svadhishthana Chakra or Sacral Chakra (color: orange, element: water)
The Sacral Chakra is located in the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. Its attributes include the basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-worth. When the Sacral Chakra is imbalanced, we may feel emotionally explosive, irritable, or manipulative. We may also lack energy and creativity, or be obsessed with sexual thoughts. When balanced, we feel more vibrant, happy, positive, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.
The Sacral Chakra affects the reproductive organs, bladder, and lower back.
- The Manipura Chakra or Solar Plexus Chakra (color: yellow, element: fire)
The Solar Plexus Chakra is located at the solar plexus, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is characterized by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression and can manifest as depression, a lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism. When balanced, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focused.
The Solar Plexus Chakra affects the digestive system, liver, and adrenal glands.
- Anahata Chakra or Heart Chakra (color: green, element: air)
The Heart Chakra is located in the heart region, but aligned with the center of the body. This chakra is the seat of balance, and it is characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, and trust. When the heart chakra is imbalanced, we may feel anger, a lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness. When this energy center is harmonized, we feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated.
In addition to the heart, this chakra affects the lungs and circulatory system.
- Vishuddha Chakra or Throat Chakra (color: blue, element: space)
The Throat Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well. A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express thoughts. When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.
In addition to the throat, this chakra affects the thyroid gland and respiratory system.
- Ajna Chakra or Third Eye Chakra (color: indigo, element: none)
The Third Eye is located between the eyebrows. When imbalanced, we feel non-assertive, afraid of success, or more egotistical. When this chakra is balanced, we feel more vibrant and confident, both spiritually and emotionally.
The Third Eye Chakra affects the brain, pineal gland, and eyes.
- Sahastrara Chakra or Crown Chakra (color: violet, element: none)
The Crown Chakra is located at the crown, or top of the head. When it imbalanced, we might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, melancholy and destructive feelings. A balanced Crown Chakra brings us inner peace, spiritual understanding and a clear perspective on the world.
The Crown Chakra affects the upper brain, nervous system, and pituitary gland.
The chakras’ effect on our body.
As we can see, Chakras are associated with the organs and glands of the particular region where they are located. As such, they have a strong bearing not only on our physical health, but also our mental state and our relations with others. Factors such as our lifestyle, environment and surroundings, or even past experiences, have an affect on the chakras. If a chakra is imbalanced, the energy flow goes into either a hypoactive (insufficient, reduced) or a hyperactive (excessive) mode, creating an imbalance in the overall flow of energy throughout the body. As the chakras are interrelated, when one of them is imbalanced, it will cause a disturbance in the functionality of the other chakras as well. If you feel “off” both physically or emotionally, it’s likely your chakras are imbalanced.
Take a free Chakra Balance Test
This assessment helps you understand which chakras may be overactive or underactive.
Almost as misunderstood as the chakras themselves are the ways to engage them and balance them. In fact, it’s a lot easier and more accessible than you think!
- Chakra meditation requires special skills.
You don’t need to be an experienced yogi to engage the chakras. In fact, there are basic methods for connecting with the chakras that are simple and accessible to everyone. Techniques such as breathwork, visualization exercises, sound healing with mantras, and even guided meditations can be practiced by anyone interested in exploring their energetic landscape without requiring specialized knowledge.
- Chakra balance can be achieved quickly.
Working with energy centers often requires time and patience.You’re essentially getting to know someone you have never met before. Cultivating balanced chakras demands an ongoing effort of self-reflection. It’s thus important to make whatever you do a regular practice. Activities like meditation or journaling are ways to explore your energetic self. - Our chakras have to be wide open.
We usually hear about “opening our chakras”. Yet, the key word when discussing the optimal state of the chakras is balance. Chakras that are wide open or shut tighter than a clam only serve to throw the whole chakra system out of whack. Hyper-focusing on this or that chakra will lead to self-absorption, essentially cutting ourselves from the whole. - Chakras are always perfectly aligned.
While it’s natural to think that healthy chakras are always perfectly aligned and balanced, it is essential to recognize that life is dynamic and that our chakra systems can experience fluctuations based on our emotional states, life experiences, and even environmental influences. It is normal for chakras to become occasionally blocked or imbalanced, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re not “perfect” all the time.
A common misconception in regards to balancing the chakras is that it can only be done through meditation, Mudra hand gestures and Asana yoga poses. While these are indeed standard approaches, there are many other ways to balance the chakras, including a colorful, clean diet and breathwork.
Solfeggio Frequencies
A powerful newcomer to the scene are Solfeggio tones. The relationship between chakras and Solfeggio frequencies is profound yet intricate. Each chakra is believed to vibrate at a unique frequency that corresponds with a specific Solfeggio tone, so balancing the chakras is as simple as realigning them with the appropriate Solfeggio frequencies. Here are the chakras and their corresponding Solfeggio frequencies:
Crown Chakra – Not directly tied but relates closely to higher frequencies not traditionally included in the Solfeggio set but explored in other sound healing modalities. Higher frequencies like 963 Hz can stimulate spiritual awakening and connection to universal consciousness.
Here is a wonderful tool to help you easily incorporate Solfeggio frequencies into you chakra work.
The synergy between the chakras and Solfeggio frequencies offers profound opportunities for healing on multiple levels. Playing Solfeggio frequencies can be used as a stand-alone protocol or as a powerful boost to any practice or practices that you choose to balance your chakras. However you use these modalities, you will find yourself playing a vital role in your own well-being… and that’s empowering!
