Unlocking Your Energy: The Basics of Chakras & Alignment


You’ve probably heard people talk about ‘balancing your chakras’-but what does that actually mean? Are chakras just a cool concept, or do they really affect our energy and well-being? In this post we’re breaking down: What chakras are, what each one represents, their associations and simple ways to keep them aligned. No complicated jargon, just clear and practical info.


  1. History of Chakras
  2. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
  3. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
  4. Throat Chakra (Vishuddah)
  5. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
  6. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
  7. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
  8. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
  9. Beyond the Seven Chakras: The Soul Star & Earth Star Chakras
  10. How to Keep Your Chakras Balanced

History of Chakras

The concept of chakras dates back to thousands of years, first appearing in the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of India, written around 1500-500 BCE. These texts describe energy pathways (nadis) within the body, with chakra acting as key points where life force (prana) gathers and flows. Over time, this understanding developed further through yoga, Tantra and other practices.

In the west, the chakra system became widely known in the 20th century. While different traditions describe chakras in various ways, the most common system today recognizes seven main chakras, each associated with different aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

At the peak of the chakra system sits the Crown Chakra, Sahasrara.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Location: Top of the Head
Color: Purple
Element: Thought / Divine Consciousness

Associated Crystals:
Amethyst
Clear Quartz
Selenite

Associated Herbs:
Lavender
Elderberry
Blue Lotus Flower
Sage
Holy Basil

Signs of Imbalance:
Feeling disconnected from yourself or the universe
Lack of purpose or spiritual confusion
Tension headaches or dizziness

Causes of Blockages:
Over-attachment to material things or relationships
Resistance to surrendering control
Neglecting spiritual or meditative practices

Ways to Balance the Crown Chakra:
Meditation: Reflect on what ties you to the material world. Imagine releasing these attachments like leaves floating down a river. Surrender yourself to the universe.
Prayer & Mindfulness: Whether through spiritual prayer or simple moments of presence, invite higher consciousness into your daily life.
Energy Work: Use sound healing, breathwork or Reiki to clear stagnant energy.
Crystals & Herbs: Meditate with amethyst or place lavender near your bed for enhanced connection.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Location: Between the Eyebrows
Color: Indigo
Element: Insight / Intuition / Light

Associated Crystals:
Amethyst
Labradorite
Moonstone

Associated Herbs:
Ashwagandha
Ginger
Garlic
Sage
Dandelion Root

Signs of Imbalance:
Confusion or mental fog
Difficulty trusting intuition
Struggling to trust others or yourself

Causes of Blockages:
Illusions or misperceptions, especially the illusion of separation- We are all one
Difficulty seeing the interconnectedness of all things
Suppression of intuitive abilities

Ways to Balance the Third Eye Chakra:
Visualization: Practice exercises that help you visualize energy flowing freely.
Mindfulness: Be present with your thoughts and feelings to strengthen your intuition.
Dream Journaling: Keep a journal to record your dreams, tapping into the subconscious for deeper clarity

Throat Chakra (Vishuddah)

Location: Throat
Color: Blue
Element: Truth / Communication / Sound

Associated Crystals:
Lapis Lazuli
Turquoise
Sodalite

Associated Herbs:
Blueberry Leaf
Blackberry Leaf
Chamomile
Slippery Elm

Signs of Imbalance:
Difficulty expressing yourself
Fear of speaking up or being heard
Sore throat or tension in the throat

Causes of Blockages:
Lies or self-deception
Difficulty accepting yourself as you are
Suppressed truth or emotions

Ways to Balance the Throat Chakra:
Singing: Use your voice freely whether in song or chant.
Humming: Use a soft hum whether in song, “Om,” or a bhramari pranayama- a breathing technique also known as a honeybee breath.
Journaling: Express your inner thoughts and emotions on paper.
Speaking Affirmations: Verbalize positive affirmations to reinforce self-acceptance.

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Location: Center of the Chest
Color: Green
Element: Air / Love

Associated Crystals:
Rose Quartz
Emerald
Malachite
Prehnite

Associated Herbs:
Roses
Jasmine
Passionflower
Chamomile

Signs of Imbalance:
Difficulty with self-love or compassion
Feelings of resentment, jealousy, or isolation
Difficulty forming or maintaining healthy relationships

Causes of Blockages:
Grief, loss, or unresolved emotional pain
Suppressed feelings or lack of forgiveness

Ways to Balance the Heart Chakra:
Gratitude Practices: Cultivate appreciation for yourself and others.
Heart-Opening Yoga Poses: Poses like Camel or Cobra can help release tension and open the chest.
Acts of Kindness: Preform kind gestures toward yourself and others to nurture love and connection.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Location: Upper Abdomen
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire / Personal Power

Associated Crystals:
Citrine
Sunstone
Amber

Associated Herbs:
Chamomile
Ginger
Lemon Balm
Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena

Signs of Imbalance:
Self-doubt or lack of confidence
Lack of motivation or direction
Digestive issues or discomfort in the stomach area

Causes of Blockages:
Shame or guilt
Repressed feelings or past disappointments
Fear of failure or lack of self-acceptance

Ways to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra:
Core-Strengthening Exercises: Build physical strength to empower your willpower and confidence.
Positive Affirmations: Repeat affirmations to boost self-worth and personal power.
Setting Goals: Create and accomplish small goals to build self-trust, confidence and motivation.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Location: Lower Abdomen
Color: Orange
Element: Water / Creativity / Pleasure

Associated Crystals:
Carnelian
Tiger’s Eye
Orange Calcite

Associated Herbs:
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Raspberry Leaf

Signs of Imbalance:
Creative blockages or lack of inspiration
Emotional instability or difficulty managing feelings
Lack of desire or sensuality

Causes of Blockages:
Guilt or self-blame
Repressed emotions or unresolved issues from the past
Fear of vulnerability or expressing emotions freely

Ways to Balance the Sacral Chakra:
Dancing: Express your emotions and creativity through movement.
Creative Expression: Engage in activities like painting, writing, or other forms of art.
Hip-Opening Exercises: Poses like pigeon or butterfly to release tension.
Connecting with Water: Enjoy time by a body of water or take soothing baths to nurture the sacral energy.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Location: Base of the Spine
Color: Red
Element: Earth / Security / Survival

Associated Crystals:
Red Jasper
Red Coral
Bloodstone
Black Tourmaline

Associated Herbs:
Ashwagandha
Ginger
Turmeric

Signs of Imbalance:
Anxiety or constant worry
Feelings of insecurity or fear
Financial instability or lack of direction

Causes of Blockages:
Fear of survival or instability
Unresolved trauma or emotional experiences
Fear of the unknown or future

Ways to Balance the Root Chakra:
Walking Barefoot: Ground yourself by connecting directly with the earth.
Grounding Meditations: Visualize roots growing from your body into the earth, bringing stability.
Connecting with Nature: Spend time outside, whether hiking or simply sitting in nature, to feel more anchored.

Beyond the Seven Chakras: The Soul Star & Earth Star Chakras

Soul Star Chakra (8th Chakra):
Location: 6-12 inches above the crown chakra
Associated with: Higher consciousness, divine wisdom, connection to the Akashic Records, and spiritual awakening

The Soul Star Chakra acts as a gateway between personal energy and the universal energy field, deepening our spiritual awareness. It’s where our connection to higher realms and consciousness exists. Activating the Soul Star Chakra can open us up to new spiritual insights and a stronger sense of universal interconnectedness.

Ways to Activate the Soul Star Chakra:
Meditation focusing on higher consciousness
Connect with Cosmic Energy through visualization or energy work
Visualize White or Violet Light above your head to stimulate higher vibrational energy

Earth Star Chakra (Subpersonal Chakra):
Location: 6-12 inches below the feet, within the earth’s energy field
Associated with: Grounding, ancestral healing, deep connection to the Earth’s energy, and stability

The Earth Star Chakra serves as our anchor to the planet, helping us stay grounded, balanced, and protected. It connects us to the Earth’s energy, aiding us manifestation and healing from ancestral or past-life imbalances.

Ways to Activate the Earth Star Chakra:
Walk Barefoot to directly connect with the Earth
Spend Time in Nature to feel rooted in the Earth’s energy
Grounding Meditations visualizing roots extending deep into the Earth

How to Keep Your Chakras Balanced

Your chakras are ever-changing. Day by day, week by week, year by year. Internal emotions and external influences can impact their flow if we allow them to. The goal isn’t to have your chakras perfectly aligned at all times– that would be like eating soup with a fork. Instead, it’s about awareness-living with intention. Listening to your body, your energy flow and the areas that may need more attention and care.

The best way to align the chakras is with daily practices like meditation, yoga, breathwork, journaling, or energy healing. Self-awareness is a key-imbalances often show up in the simplest ways. Trust your body- listen to its signals, rather than overthinking.

If you have a crystal collection, try laying down with the stones placed at their corresponding chakras. As you breathe deeply, visualize a warm light filling each space. You can also imagine the color of each chakra filling the corresponding spaces as you scan your body. If you notice resistance or struggle to see a color in a particular area, it may indicate a blockage.

Chakras symbolize the flow of energy and life force within us. Even if you don’t connect with the traditional colors or symbols, energy moves through you. Sometimes, you just know when something feels off-whether in your head, heart, stomach or somewhere in between.
Healing begins with awareness and intention. Balance is not a destination, but a journey-one of constant growth, release and realignment.

You’re not alone in your journey.

I’d love to hear from you! Which chakra do you feel most connected to right now? Or is there one you’re working on unblocking? Drop a comment or reach out!

Blessings!


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