Are Your Chakras Blocked? Here's How to Balance Them...
If you've been practicing yoga or meditation for a while now, you've probably heard the word 'chakra' come up a few times during your sessions. Well today, we're going to delve a little deeper into what they are, where to locate them, understanding which ones need work, and learning how to balance them.
To start, what on Earth are chakras?
Simply put, chakras are energy points within your body. There are 7 chakras in total, each one represented by a different colour, all in a vertical line from the base of your spine to the crown of your head.
Each chakra is connected to different areas of your body, and has an effect on your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. When a chakra is blocked or out of balance, many problems can arise, so it is important to understand which ones need work, how open them and bring them back to alignment.
Where are my chakras located?
7. Sahasrara Chakra - the crown chakra, located at the top of your head. It's colour is violet.
6. Ajna Chakra - the third eye chakra, located between your eyebrows. Its colour is indigo.
5. Vissudha Chakra - the throat chakra, located at your throat. Its colour is blue.
4. Anahata Chakra - the heart chakra, located at your heart center. Its colour is green.
3. Manipura Chakra - this is the solar plexus chakra, located at the upper abdomen, middle back areas. Its colour is yellow.
2. Svadisthana Chakra - the sacral chakra, located at the lower abdomen and lower back areas. Its colour is orange.
1. Muladhara Chakra - the root chakra, located at the base of your spine. Its colour is red.
How can I tell if my chakras are blocked? And how to balance them...
1. Root Chakra: this chakra is linked to stability, security, trust and grounding.
Signs of a blocked root chakra:
financial stress
unable to set boundaries
distancing yourself from others
fear of the future
constantly tired
overworking
paranoia
overeating or undereating
How to balance your root chakra:
Affirmations like "I am safe and secure" or "I trust that the universe has my back"
Going for a walk barefoot, connecting to nature
Guided meditations or Kundalini yoga
Wearing red, or eating red foods (tomato, pomegranate, strawberry)
Grounding yoga poses like Tree pose, Lotus pose or Mountain pose
2. Sacral Chakra: this chakra is linked to creativity, physical touch and sexuality.
Signs of a blocked sacral chakra:
lack of creativity
low libido
loneliness
overly sensitive
obsessive behaviour in a relationship
reproductive health issues
urinary or kidney problems
How to balance your sacral chakra:
Affirmations like: "I am grateful for my creativity and can easily tap into it"
Go for a swim or take a bath
Self-reflection, understanding and acknowledging your feelings
Wearing orange, or eating orange foods (orange, mango, carrot, sweet potato)
Hip-opening yoga poses like Garland pose or Happy baby pose
3. Solar Plexus Chakra: this is linked to wisdom, willpower and self-confidence.
Signs of a blocked solar plexus chakra:
low self esteem
lack of motivation
victim mentality
bossy or self-centered
aggressive
need to be right
overly competitive
How to balance your solar plexus chakra:
Affirmations like "I am powerful, successful and confident"
Spend time in the sun
Wearing yellow, or eating yellow foods (banana, pineapple, corn)
Ab-focused yoga poses like Cat Cow, Boat pose or Bow pose
4. Heart chakra: linked to love, kindness, healing and forgiveness.
Signs of a blocked heart chakra:
shyness
trust issues
inability to forgive
loneliness
toxic relationships
jealousy
high expectations
needing acceptance from others
asthma or breathing problems
How to balance your heart chakra:
Affirmations such as "My heart is open to give and receive love," or "I am in a happy, healthy and honest relationship."
Guided meditation for loving kindness
Creating gratitude lists
Wearing green, or eating green foods (spinach, celery, kale, cucumber)
Heart-opening yoga poses like Camel pose, Dancer's pose, Bow pose, Wheel pose
5. Throat chakra: linked to communication, creativity and self-expression.
Signs of a blocked throat chakra:
difficulty in communicating with others
unable to express feelings
throat infection
mouth sores
overtalking
oversharing
using aggressive language
gossiping
arrogance
How to balance your throat chakra:
Have warm drinks (honey ginger tea)
Journaling
Keep your neck warm and protected
Wearing blue, or eating blue foods (blueberry, blackberry, eggplant)
Yoga poses like Cat Cow, Cobra, Upward dog, Shoulder stand, Puppy pose
6. Third eye chakra: linked to wisdom, awareness and spiritual awakening.
Signs of a blocked third eye chakra:
lack of imagination
unable to focus or stay present
poor vision or memory
sinus problems
headaches
spacing out
hallucinations
paranoia
How to balance your third eye chakra:
Affirmations like "I trust my intuition," or "I am wise, and guided by a higher power"
Guided meditations
Candle gazing
Getting good quality sleep
Wearing indigo, or eating indigo foods (black beans, raisins, plum, fig)
Yoga poses like Wide leg forward fold, Downward dog, Plough pose
7. Crown Chakra: linked to spirituality, connection to the divine source.
Signs of a blocked crown chakra:
lack of focus or confusion
brain fog
disconnected from oneself
overly spiritual
lack of inspiration
oversleeping
coordination issues
tension headaches
exhaustion
How to balance your crown chakra:
Unblocking the other 6 chakras
Affirmations like "I am guided by a higher power", "I surrender to my destiny, the universe has my back"
Meditations
Expand your knowledge about self-growth
Chant 'Aum'
Reiki healing
Wearing violet, or eating violet foods (black cherries, prunes, beetroot, raisins)
Inverted yoga poses like Headstand, Rabbit pose, Savasana