Chakras: The 7 energy centers at a glance

Chakras are the invisible energy centers in the human body. We will explain the most important things about chakra teachings and give you an overview of the 7 main chakras.

At first, the concept of chakras may seem a bit abstract and alien to you. If you delve a little deeper into the chakra theory, you will soon see the connection to very real and tangible phenomena in life. If you want, you can use the system of energy centers and benefit from it on many levels.

Chakras: General information about the energy centers

The teaching of the chakras has its origins in the Vedas and Upanishads, philosophical texts from India that are thousands of years old. To this day, chakras not only play an important role in tantric Hinduism and yoga, but are also used in Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), various meditation practices and Ayurveda. Through these practices and philosophies of life, the chakra teachings also became known in Western culture.

Chakras are understood as subtle energy centers inside and outside the body. Similar to the soul, they do not exist organically, but are part of the so-called astral body. According to the traditional texts, there are supposed to be thousands of such chakras, whereby today the main focus is on the seven main chakras. These lie along the spine and are energetically connected to the so-called nadis. These are energy channels through which the prana flows, the life energy that is also called chi or qi in other traditions. Enclosing the seven main chakras are the two main nadis, Ida Nadi and Pingala Nadi.

Put simply, a chakra absorbs energies from outside and feeds them to the human energy system. They receive, distribute and transform the life energy in and around us.

The importance of the chakra system in life

The teachings based on the chakras place great importance on them: blocked chakras impede the flow of energy in the body and could lead not only to emotional and mental problems, but also to physical pain and illness. According to chakra teachings, certain emotions and experiences trigger such blockages.

The aim of the teaching is to dissolve such blockages or to prevent them from arising in the first place. Then there is talk of open chakras – the prana energy can flow unhindered through the body, which is said to lead to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being.

Below we present the seven main chakras in detail: You will find out which topics and aspects of life are associated with each chakra, where it is located in the body and what is associated with it. For example, each chakra is assigned a color, an element, and a sense of the body. On a physical level, each energy center is responsible for specific bodily functions and organs. You will also learn how to recognize disorders in the chakras and how to specifically support and strengthen the chakras as required.

Meditation techniques, mindfulness exercises and yoga will help you to get a feeling for these energy centers and their potential and difficulties. With a chakra meditation you can also open your chakras and balance out disturbed energy centers in your body.

1st Chakra: Root Chakra – Muladhara

Located at the bottom of the spine, the root chakra is literally the foundation. An open Muladhara Chakra leads to strong primal trust.

• Main themes: physical existence, trust

• Location: coccyx, perineum

• Red color

• Element: Earth

• Sense: smell

• Organic reference: solid parts of the body (bones, teeth, etc.) as well as blood, intestines and pelvic floor

• Phrase: I have

• Positive qualities: vitality, (self-)confidence, assertiveness, good digestion

• Symptoms of disorder: chronic anxiety, financial problems, materialism, weight problems, bowel and bone disorders

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday things: exercise in the fresh air, flowers, walking barefoot

  • Yoga: Standing poses, forward bends, seated poses with good grounding

  • Diet: high-protein food

  • Scents: carnation, rosemary, ginger, cedar, white smoke

2nd Chakra: Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana

The sacral chakra is the second chakra and is primarily responsible for our sexuality and feelings. His element is water.

• Topics: sexuality, feelings

• Location: a hand’s breadth below the navel

• Color orange

• Element: water

• Sense: taste

• Organic reference: bodily fluids (lymph, blood, sweat, etc.) and hormonal control of the reproductive organs

• Phrase: I feel

• Positive qualities: zest for life, creativity, vital sexuality

• Symptoms of disorder: shame, guilt, impotence, sex addiction, obesity or anorexia, hormone imbalances, loneliness, envy

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: contact with water – swimming, drinking, being by the sea, creative activities – making music, painting

  • Yoga: all postures that affect the pelvic area and lower spine

  • Nutrition: liquids

  • Scents: Orange, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Pepper, Ylang-Ylang

3rd Chakra: Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura

The solar plexus chakra or manipura chakra is connected to the fire element and not only “fires” our digestion, but also our self-confidence and the ability to put goals into action.

• Topics: identity, power

• Location: navel to solar plexus

• Color yellow

• Element: fire

• Sense: seeing

• Organic reference: vegetative nervous system as well as abdominal organs, liver, gallbladder, etc.

• Phrase: I act

• Positive qualities: self-confidence, assertiveness, responsibility, power

• Symptoms of disorder: low self-esteem, anger, obsession with power, digestive problems, diabetes

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: soulful music, candlelight, yellow flowers, deep abdominal breathing, short sunbaths

  • Yoga: twists and postures that affect the abdominal organs

  • Diet: Carbohydrate food

  • Fragrances: chamomile, lemon, lavender, anise, grapefruit, fennel

4th Chakra: Heart Chakra – Anahata

The fourth chakra is located in the middle of the chest at the level of the heart. The Anahata Chakra is related to love and compassion and is responsible for our circulatory and cardiac systems on a physical level.

• Themes: love, connection

• Location: Heart, in the middle of the chest

• Color green

• Element: air

• Sense: touch

• Organic reference: heart, lungs and circulatory system as well as thymus gland

• Phrase: I love

• Positive qualities: devotion, compassion, joy of the heart, self-love

• Symptoms of disorder: lack of love, inner emptiness, rejection, addictive behavior, heart problems, asthma, allergies

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: taking care of yourself and other living beings, being in green nature, wearing green clothes

  • Yoga: poses that open the chest – backbends

  • Diet: Vegetables, especially green ones

  • Scents: rose, jasmine, cardamom, tarragon

5th Chakra: Throat Chakra – Vishuddha

The throat chakra is strongly associated with communication skills, both physically and emotionally. Shyness, tension and speechlessness can indicate a blocked Vishuddha Chakra.

• Topics: communication, self-development

• Location: throat, larynx

• Colour blue

• Element: sound

• Sense: hearing

• Organic reference: vocal cords, spinal cord, thyroid, esophagus and bronchi

• Phrase: I speak

• Positive qualities: strong communication skills, authentic self-expression, self-confidence

• Symptoms of disorder: fear of rejection, speechlessness, shyness, tension, dental problems, hoarseness, thyroid disease

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: Singing, writing, listening to music, light blue environment and clothes

  • Yoga: Inversions (e.g. headstand) and backbends

  • Diet: fruit

  • Scents: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Manuka, Roman Mint

6th Chakra: Brow Chakra – Ajna

The brow chakra or Ajna chakra is located between the eyebrows. When open, it brings mental clarity and presence. Otherwise, worries and fears can create difficulties.

• Topics: intuition, mental power

• Location: middle of the head, between the eyebrows

• Colour: dark purple

• Element: light

• Sense: seeing

• Organic reference: face with eyes, ears and nose as well as the cerebellum

• Phrase: I see

• Positive qualities: mental clarity, intuition, imagination, presence, good memory

• Disorder Symptoms: Worries, fears, stress, disorientation, headaches, insomnia

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: keeping a dream diary, stimulating the imagination – eg with fables and fairy tales, sunlight, quiet music, dark blue clothing

  • Yoga: Third Eye Meditation, Eye Yoga

  • Nutrition: mindful eating, targeted fasting cures

  • Scents: Jasmine, Lemongrass, Mint, Violet, Basil, Frankincense

7th Chakra: Crown Chakra – Sahasrara

The crown chakra is located at the highest point of the body. It represents spirituality and the connection to the cosmic. Its Sanskrit name Sahasrara can be translated as “thousandfold”.

• Topics: spirituality, universal connection

• Location: top of head

• Colour: white-purple

• Element: Thought

• Sense: empathy

• Organic reference: Effect on the whole body, pineal gland

• Phrase: I know

• Positive qualities: wisdom, intelligence, inner peace, self-realization, enlightenment

• Symptoms of disorder: Inner emptiness, forgetfulness, dissatisfaction, learning difficulties, immune deficiency, sleep disorders

• Strengthen Chakra:

  • Everyday: Seeking broad perspectives, bowing to self and others, and respecting yourself and others

  • Yoga: Mantra Meditation on “OM”

  • Diet: fasting

  • Scents: Rosewood, Frankincense, Neroli

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Niyamas: How the Yoga Code helps you in your private life – Techzle.com
• Yamas: How yoga ethics ensure peaceful coexistence
• Study proves: those who do yoga and meditate live healthier lives