What Are the 7 Chakras?: A Beginner’s Guide To Awakening Your Seven Chakras

The word chakra comes from Sanskrit and means “spinning wheel of energy.”
Chakras are subtle energy centres that are constantly active within the human system. They represent specific points where body, mind, and spirit meet, influencing our physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, and spiritual growth.

In yogic and tantric traditions, chakras exist in the subtle body, not the physical body. They act as junctions for energy pathways known as nadis, through which prana (life-force energy) flows. Ancient texts describe many chakras, but seven primary chakras are considered the most important, as they govern our overall well-being and consciousness.

1. Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra)

Element: Earth | Colour: Red | Location: Base of the spine

Muladhara is the foundation of the chakra system and is associated with survival, stability, and security. It supports our basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety.
Physically, it influences sexuality and elimination.
Mentally, it governs stability and grounded thinking.
Emotionally, it relates to sensuality and trust.
Spiritually, it creates a sense of safety and belonging.
This is also the point where the three main nadis begin their upward journey.

2. Swadhisthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)

Element: Water | Color: Orange | Location: Sacral region

Swadhisthana is connected to emotions, pleasure, and creativity. It governs relationships without attachment and helps balance emotional desires.
Physically, it influences the reproductive system.
Mentally, it supports creativity and imagination.
Emotionally, it governs joy and emotional expression.
Spiritually, it nurtures enthusiasm and flow in life.

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3. Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)

Element: Fire | Color: Yellow | Location: Solar plexus

Manipura is the centre of personal power and transformation. It is closely linked to digestion and metabolism.
Physically, it governs the digestive system.
Mentally, it influences confidence, fear, and self-discipline.
Emotionally, it represents expansiveness and motivation.
Spiritually, it supports growth and self-evolution.

4. Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra)

Element: Air | Colour: Green | Location: Centre of the chest

Anahata bridges the lower and higher chakras and is the centre of love and compassion.
Physically, it governs circulation and the heart.
Emotionally, it relates to unconditional love and emotional healing.
Mentally, it influences passion and emotional balance.
Spiritually, it fosters devotion and inner harmony.

5. Vishuddhi Chakra (Throat Chakra)

Element: Ether | Color: Blue | Location: Throat

Vishuddhi is the centre of communication and self-expression. It supports personal growth and truthfulness.
Physically, it governs speech and the throat region.
Emotionally, it promotes independence and clarity.
Mentally, it encourages joy and honest expression.
Spiritually, it strengthens inner security and authenticity.

6. Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)

Element: Subtle Energy | Color: Indigo | Location: Eyebrow center

Ajna is known as the third eye and is associated with intuition and insight. It regulates awareness between waking and sleeping states.
Mentally, it governs perception and visual consciousness.
Emotionally, it provides intuitive clarity.
Spiritually, it enhances inner wisdom, creativity, and insight.

7. Sahasrara Chakra (Crown Chakra)

Element: Cosmic Energy | Colour: Violet | Location: Top of the head

Sahasrara means “thousand-petaled lotus” and represents pure consciousness. When Kundalini energy rises to this chakra, it unites Shakti with Shiva, leading to a state of liberation and deep samadhi.
Physically, it supports meditative awareness.
Mentally, it opens universal consciousness.
Spiritually, it represents enlightenment and oneness.

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A Simple Chakra Awakening Exercise

A gentle way to begin activating your chakras is through color visualization. Before sleep each night, take a few quiet minutes to practice the following:

Visualise a soft red glow at the base of your spine. Make the colour bright, warm, and alive.
Allow this red energy to slowly expand, flowing upward through your body, arms, legs, and head. Let it surround you.

Repeat this process with each chakra colour:

• Orange in the pelvis

• Yellow in the solar plexus

• Green in the heart

• Blue in the throat

• Indigo at the Brow Centre

• Violet at the crown of the head

Finally, imagine a gentle white light surrounding your entire body.
Breathe slowly and deeply, allowing each colour to flow and blend naturally.

With regular practice, you will begin to feel the subtle energy moving within your inner body. Perform this exercise nightly and gently observe the positive changes in your awareness, balance, and well-being.