Chakras are energy centers within the body that influence both physical and mental health, psychological stability and a feeling of inner peace.  It is a subtle method of healing that stems from the Vedas, some of the oldest written teachings in India and are connected to the practice of yoga for overall balance and health. 

Through our yoga practice we can balance our chakras in order to achieve and help maintain our highest level of calm within and as a path toward freeing ourselves from suffering.

Chakras can be visualized as wheels or discs and we will focus on the 7 main chakras. 

C1: Root Chakra (Muladhara): Our Foundation for all other chakras. Color: Red. Element: Earth. Focus is on stability, will to live, self-preservation and security. Life energy, being grounded and a sense of trust reside here.  Connected to self-worth and our right to be here. The first chakra seeks to hold onto and create structure.

Location: the area of the coccyx between the anus and the perineum - corresponds to the base of the spinal column.

When our Root chakra is unbalanced we can have fear, anxiety, worry, grief, depression, distrust, low self-esteem, greed, self-centeredness.  Our physical imbalances may include: low back pain, sciatica, obesity, anorexia, prostate problems, varicose veins. Physical or Body functions connected to: adrenal glands, large intestine, back, legs, feet & bones.

C2: Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Color: Orange. Element: Water. Pleasure, Sexuality, fertility, confidence, intimacy, creativity and sensuality reside here along with our sense of self-worth. The second chakras purpose is to let go and create flow(emotional). Represents grace and acceptance.

Location: a little above the sacrum and sex organs, a finger width below the navel.

When our sacral chakra is unbalanced we can have frustration, excessive attachment, a tendency to be manipulative, overly emotional and overt sexuality. Our physical imbalances may include: impotence, gynecological problems, kidney, bladder & urinary problems, lower back stiffness. Physical or Body functions connected to: hips, low back, sex organs, bladder, kidneys, stomach & all body fluids.

C3: Solar plexus Chakra (manipura): Color: Yellow Element: fire Associated with identity and self-esteem.  Known as the “power center’  Assertiveness, intuition, inner drive, personal power, gut instinct, decision-making abilities, will, discipline.

Location: abdomen/navel center

When our solar plexus chakra is unbalanced we can have anger, fear of rejection, poor self-image, compulsiveness, apathy, resentment indecisiveness.  Digestive problems, diabetes, food allergies, liver problems, arthritis, hepatitis, jaundice, gallstones. Physical or Body functions connected to: stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen, adrenal glands.

C4: Heart Chakra (anahata): Color: green. Element: air. Associated with compassion, kindheartedness, empathy, forgiveness, hope, relationships, selfless love and devotion, where we process and store emotional experiences

Location: center of the chest

When our heart chakra is unbalanced we can experience grief, despair, heartache, jealousy and sadness. Feelings of abandonment, isolation, loneliness or shyness may dominate. Resentment, suspicion, dependency, sorrow, depression, emotional insensitivity, possessiveness. Cardiovascular problems, hypertension, stroke, respiratory ailments, upper back and shoulder problems, arthritis. Physical or Body functions connected to: heart, lungs, diaphragm, chest, thymus, circulatory system, shoulders, arms, hands.

C5: throat Chakra (visuddha): Color: turquoise/blue. Element: ether. Associated with sound, self-expression, speech and communication. Ability to speak honestly, to receive, process, and assimilate information, to connect and speak our inner truth, the center of transformation and change.

Location: center of the throat, neck

When our throat chakra is unbalanced we can be frustrated, timid, dishonest, self critical and critical of others, low self-esteem, excessive talking, inability to verbalize, overly opinoionated. Physical issues include: sore throat, laryngitis, upper respiratory illnesses, dental problems, teeth grinding & TMJ, skin irritations, ear infections, hyperthyroidism, stiff neck, shoulder pain, stuttering, attention disorders. Physical or Body functions connected to: Throat, neck, ears, jaw, mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, thyroid gland.

C6: third eye Chakra (ajna): Color: indigo. Element: light. Associated with sight and seeing both physically and intuitively. Related energies of clear vision, intuition, light and spirit. Here is where we can find and receive inner guidance.

Location: between and above the eyes (brow center)

When our third eye chakra is unbalanced we can have fuzzy thinking, confusion, aimlessness. Physical issues include: headache, sinusitis, brain tumors, stroke, blindness, learning disabilities, blindness, anxiety, nightmares. Physical or Body functions connected to: eyes, brain, lymphatic and endocrine systems, pineal & pituitary glands, clairvoyance, wisdom, imagination, dreams, ideas, reasoning.

C7: crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Color: white or violet. Element: energy. Associated with spirituality and purity. The crown chakra represents liberation, inner wisdom, enlightenment, union with the higher self.

Location: top of head

When our crown chakra is unbalanced we can have fuzzy thinking, confusion, aimlessness. Physical issues include: headache, sinusitis, brain tumors, stroke, blindness, learning disabilities, blindness, anxiety, nightmares. Physical or Body functions connected to: cranial and cerebral illnesses, skin problems, chronic exhaustion, musculoskeletal system diseases, hypersensitivity to light, sound & environment.