7 Chakras: align your mind, body and soul

Locating and analyzing the chakras can help in healing old emotional and physical wounds. Here is a look at the location of the 7 chakras in our body and their functions: 

The chakras are invisible energy centers located along the spinal cord through which energy flows, connecting body, mind, spirit and soul. Each chakra represents a different center of energy, a different physical and emotional state and governs the functioning of a specific endocrine gland.

These are by their meaning and color:

 1. Muladhara, the root chakra

 

This chakra, represented by the color red, is located at the base of the spine.

• On an emotional level it refers to free consciousness, survival, stability and our place on earth.
• Gives energy to all levels of the body.
• It corresponds to the kidneys, the bladder, the spine, the hips and the legs, and when it is unbalanced it brings with it diseases such as constipation, hypertension, fear and fear of dealing with daily life.

Some exercises to activate and/or unblock this chakra include dancing and walking, preferably barefoot on sand or grass, sitting down, bending the trunk until we touch the tips of our feet.

2. Svadhisthana, the sacral chakra

It is located in the lower part of the abdomen and is governed by the color orange.

• It is the chakra of sensuality and emotions.
• It is related to respect for ourselves, our freedom to be as we want to be and the ability to have diverse interests and activities.
• It is associated with the uterus, large intestine, prostate, so its imbalance is associated with menstrual pain, ovarian cysts, prostate and testicle diseases, feelings of guilt, fear of enjoying.

To harmonize this chakra, it can be treated through aquatic activities and those that involve rotation of the hips.

3. Manipura, the solar plexus chakra

It is located about 3 fingers above the navel, and is associated with the color yellow.

It represents personal power. The capacity for action and assertiveness that we have as individuals in the world since it is the energy center associated with self-confidence. Therefore, having this chakra in harmony helps us in our decision making.

• It is a chakra related to self-esteem, personality, ego and intellect.
• It is associated with the liver, spleen, small intestine and stomach. Diabetes, liver disease, ulcers and gallstones are related to stagnation of this chakra as well as shame, little or no willpower, feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and dissatisfaction.

Some strategies to help unlock this chakra are jogging and skipping.

4. Anahata, the heart chakra

It is ruled by the color green, it is located in the center of the chest.

• This chakra speaks of the ability to give and receive without asking for anything in return, of real and unconditional love.

• It is related to balance, love and self-control.

• Imbalances of this chakra cause heart problems, autoimmune diseases, allergies, breast cancer, inability to love and selfishness.

This chakra can be worked with different breathing exercises and performing at least one good selfless deed per day.

5. Vishuddha, the throat chakra

It is represented by the color blue and is associated with the throat and lungs.

• It is the chakra of the spirit and free expression, related to communication, truth and wisdom.
• Its stagnation is identified with thyroid diseases, asthma, bronchitis, hearing problems, tonsillitis.
• This chakra represents the engine of creativity and communication. When we work on it, we activate the energy necessary for writing, singing, speaking and listening. 
• When it is closed, throat and voice problems can appear. We may also experience difficulties in communicating with others and fear of expressing ourselves for fear of getting into trouble.

To reactivate this chakra, you can perform vocal exercises with mantras like "OM" or another, rotate your neck and its muscles, or scream at the top of your lungs.

6. Ajna, the third eye chakra

This chakra is represented by the color indigo and is located on the forehead.

• It is the chakra related to oneself, to one's own life, it is the one that connects us with our own self, our unconscious.
• Often related to mysticism, intuition and understanding.
• The imbalance produces headaches, migraines, myopia, glaucoma, cataracts, sinusitis, memory problems, inability to concentrate, living in an illusion.

Some techniques to activate this chakra include massaging the eyes with the lids closed and the eyebrows using the fingertips, visualizing simple geometric shapes, or massaging the temples in a circular motion.

7. Sahasrara, the crown chakra 

The color is violet and it is related to beauty, inspiration and creativity.

• It is located on top of the head, and the related organ is the brain.
• It is the chakra of union with our higher self, spirituality and higher consciousness.
• Its imbalance is related to diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, dizziness and, on an emotional level, the arrogance and difficulty of autonomous thought.

To counteract it, exercises such as any type of meditation or prayer can be performed.

The most important key is that through the chakras we are able to create health, joy, prosperity, love, pleasant relationships... Being aware of ourselves and of the different energetic forms of our internal world gives us the possibility to act instead of reacting.

Live a more conscious, harmonious and fuller life!