What are Chakras?
Chakras are ENERGY WHEELS strategically positioned in your plexuses from the base of the spine to the top of the head. More are documented to extend beyond the body, but I will specifically focus on the 7 foundational wheels. These wheels of energy complement the demands of our sympathetic nervous system and reside in three Nadis (energy channels), supported by a dormant, Shakti energy known as Kundalini. Working with chakra energies has been linked to increase lifespans, mental health, emotional health, and personal well-being. Each chakra is linked to organs within the body, emotional attitudes, mental attitudes, physical health (including diseases), colors, sounds, psychic talents and more.
Below I will highlight each chakra, its nature, and its specific responsibility.
Mooladhara Chakra (or "Root" Chakra)
Main Names
Root Chakra, First Chakra, Base Chakra, Muladhara, Foundational Center
Meaning of “Muladhara”
From Sanskrit: mula (root) + adhara (support, base)
Location
Base of the spine (perineum)
Corresponding Gland
Adrenal glands
Color
Red
Sound / Mantra
LAM
Number of Petals
4 petals — वं (vaṃ), शं (śaṃ), षं (ṣaṃ), सं (saṃ)
Primary Themes
Survival, safety, grounding, belonging, stability, primal trust
Positive Aspects
Vitality, endurance, persistence, embodiment, connection to Earth
Negative Aspects
Fear, hoarding, inertia, aggression, existential dread
Associated Body Parts
Legs, feet, bones, large intestine, lower back, pelvis
Common Physical Ailments
Lower back pain, sciatica, constipation, immune weakness
Mental & Emotional Issues
Fear, anxiety, insecurity, abandonment issues
Element
Earth
Primary Symbol
Square
Animal Symbols
Elephant, bull, ox
Associated Sense
Smell
Deities
Brahma, Dakini
Frequency
256 Hz
Affirmations
“I am safe.”
“I belong here.”
“I trust life.”
Crystals
Red Jasper, Hematite, Garnet, Smoky Quartz
Essential Oils
Patchouli, Vetiver, Cedarwood
Yoga Poses
Mountain, Warrior I & II, Tree, Bridge
Mudras
Prithvi Mudra, Bhairava Mudra
Dietary Suggestions
Root vegetables, proteins, warming foods
Positive Spiritual Traits
Grounded presence, resilience, embodiment
Nature Connection
Barefoot walking, forests, mountains
Season
Winter
Associated Planets
Saturn, Mercury
Personal & Professional Traits
Reliability, stability, consistency
Self-Care Practices
Routine, grounding rituals, body awareness
Astrology
Saturn (structure, survival)
Healing Practices
Grounding, somatic work, breath
Numerology
1
Relationship Dynamics
Secure attachment, family bonds
Svadhishtana Chakra (or "Sacral" Chakra)
Main Names
Sacral Chakra, Second Chakra, Svadhisthana, Pleasure Center
Meaning of “Svadhisthana”
“One’s own dwelling” or “abode of the self”
Location
Lower abdomen, below the navel
Corresponding Gland
Reproductive glands (ovaries / testes)
Color
Orange
Sound / Mantra
VAM
Number of Petals
6 petals — बं, भं, मं, यं, रं, लं
Primary Themes
Pleasure, sexuality, creativity, emotions, fluidity
Positive Aspects
Joy, sensuality, creative flow, intimacy
Negative Aspects
Addiction, guilt, shame, emotional volatility
Associated Body Parts
Genitals, hips, bladder, kidneys, womb
Common Physical Ailments
Sexual dysfunction, UTIs, lower back pain
Mental & Emotional Issues
Shame, jealousy, emotional dependency
Element
Water
Primary Symbol
Crescent Moon
Animal Symbols
Crocodile, fish
Associated Sense
Taste
Deities
Vishnu, Rakini
Frequency
288 Hz
Affirmations
“I honor my pleasure.”
“I allow myself to feel.”
Crystals
Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Moonstone
Essential Oils
Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Orange
Yoga Poses
Hip openers, Goddess Pose, Pigeon
Mudras
Shakti Mudra, Yoni Mudra
Dietary Suggestions
Hydrating foods, fruits, healthy fats
Positive Spiritual Traits
Creative life force, erotic intelligence
Nature Connection
Water, oceans, rivers
Season
Spring
Associated Planets
Moon, Venus
Personal & Professional Traits
Creativity, adaptability, charisma
Self-Care Practices
Dance, sensual embodiment, emotional expression
Astrology
Venus (pleasure & intimacy)
Healing Practices
Tantra, emotional release
Numerology
2
Relationship Dynamics
Intimacy, attraction, emotional bonding
Manipura Chakra (or "Solar Plexis" Chakra)
Main Names
Solar Plexus Chakra, Third Chakra, Manipura, Power Center
Meaning of “Manipura”
“City of jewels”
Location
Upper abdomen, diaphragm
Corresponding Gland
Pancreas
Color
Yellow
Sound / Mantra
RAM
Number of Petals
10 petals
Primary Themes
Power, will, confidence, autonomy
Positive Aspects
Self-esteem, discipline, leadership
Negative Aspects
Control, anger, shame, domination
Associated Body Parts
Stomach, liver, gallbladder
Common Physical Ailments
Digestive issues, ulcers, diabetes
Mental & Emotional Issues
Low self-worth, rage, perfectionism
Element
Fire
Primary Symbol
Triangle
Animal Symbols
Ram, lion
Associated Sense
Sight
Deities
Agni, Lakini
Frequency
320 Hz
Affirmations
“I am powerful.”
“I trust myself.”
Crystals
Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite
Essential Oils
Ginger, Lemon, Peppermint
Yoga Poses
Boat, Plank, Warrior III
Mudras
Rudra Mudra
Dietary Suggestions
Whole grains, spices, warming foods
Positive Spiritual Traits
Personal sovereignty
Nature Connection
Sunlight, deserts
Season
Summer
Associated Planets
Sun, Mars
Numerology
3
Relationship Dynamics
Boundaries, self-respect
Anahata Chakra (or "Heart" Chakra)
Main Names
Heart Chakra, Fourth Chakra, Anahata Chakra, Cardiac Center, Bridge Chakra
Meaning of “Anahata”
From Sanskrit, meaning “unstruck,” “unhurt,” or “unbeaten” — referring to the eternal inner sound that exists without external contact
Location
Center of the chest, at the level of the heart and sternum
Corresponding Gland
Thymus gland — regulates immune function, T-cell production, and overall vitality (especially linked to emotional health and stress)
Color
Green (primary), Pink (secondary — unconditional love and compassion)
Sound / Mantra
YAM (the seed mantra that activates balance, love, and emotional openness)
Number of Petals
Twelve petals, traditionally associated with qualities such as:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, clarity, humility, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, and unity
Primary Themes
Love, compassion, connection, forgiveness, emotional integration, balance between body and spirit
Positive Aspects
Empathy, emotional resilience, devotion, generosity, trust, authentic connection, capacity to love without attachment
Negative Aspects
Grief, jealousy, possessiveness, emotional withdrawal, codependency, martyrdom, fear of intimacy
Associated Body Parts
Heart, lungs, chest, breasts, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands
Common Physical Ailments
Heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, shallow breathing, immune disorders, upper back and shoulder tension
Mental and Emotional Issues
Grief, heartbreak, abandonment wounds, fear of rejection, difficulty giving or receiving love, emotional numbness
Element
Air
Primary Symbol
Hexagram (two intersecting triangles — union of masculine and feminine, spirit and matter)
Animal Symbols
Antelope (lightness, sensitivity, alertness)
Associated Sense
Touch
Deities
Ishana Rudra Shiva, Vayu, Kakini
Frequency
341 Hz
Affirmations
“I love and accept myself fully.”
“My heart is open and safe.”
“I give and receive love freely.”
Crystals
Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Emerald, Malachite, Jade, Rhodonite
Essential Oils
Rose, Jasmine, Neroli, Geranium, Bergamot
Yoga Poses
Camel Pose (Ustrasana), Cobra (Bhujangasana), Bridge (Setu Bandhasana), Fish Pose (Matsyasana), Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)
Mudras
Anahata Mudra, Padma Mudra (Lotus), Hridaya Mudra (Heart Gesture)
Dietary Suggestions
Green leafy vegetables, fresh herbs, lightly cooked foods, heart-healthy oils, cacao (in moderation)
Positive Spiritual Traits
Unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, emotional wisdom, unity consciousness grounded in humanity
Nature Connection
Forests, green spaces, fresh air, open fields, gentle breezes
Season
Spring
Associated Planets
Venus (love, harmony), Moon (emotional bonding)
Personal and Professional Traits
Emotional intelligence, cooperation, trustworthiness, relational leadership, service-oriented work
Self-Care Practices
Heart-focused breathing, loving-kindness meditation, grief rituals, healthy emotional boundaries
Astrology
Strongly associated with Venus for love and harmony; Moon for attachment and emotional safety
Healing Practices
Heart-coherence breathing, inner-child healing, forgiveness practices, somatic emotional release
Numerology
4 (stability, balance, integration)
Relationship Dynamics
Capacity for intimacy without loss of self, healthy attachment, mutual respect, emotional availability
Vishuddha Chakra (or "Throat" Chakra)
Main Names
Throat Chakra, Fifth Chakra, Vishuddha Chakra, Communication Center, Truth Center
Meaning of “Vishuddha”
From Sanskrit, meaning “especially pure,” “purification,” or “cleansing” — referring to the refinement of truth through sound and expression
Location
Throat region, base of the neck, cervical spine, jaw and mouth area
Corresponding Gland
Thyroid and parathyroid glands — regulate metabolism, calcium balance, growth, and energetic pacing
Color
Blue (sky blue, turquoise)
Sound / Mantra
HAM (seed mantra associated with resonance, truth, and vibrational clarity)
Number of Petals
Sixteen petals, each traditionally linked to Sanskrit vowels — representing the full spectrum of sound and speech
Primary Themes
Truth, communication, self-expression, authenticity, listening, resonance between inner and outer worlds
Positive Aspects
Clear communication, integrity, authenticity, creative expression, inspired speech, active listening
Negative Aspects
Silencing oneself, fear of speaking, lying, gossip, verbal aggression, over-talking, spiritualized avoidance
Associated Body Parts
Throat, neck, jaw, mouth, tongue, vocal cords, ears, cervical spine, shoulders
Common Physical Ailments
Sore throat, thyroid imbalance, TMJ, neck pain, chronic tension in shoulders, voice strain
Mental and Emotional Issues
Fear of judgment, shame around truth, people-pleasing, repression, difficulty being heard
Element
Ether (Akasha / Space)
Primary Symbol
Circle containing an inverted triangle (sound moving from the subtle to the manifest)
Animal Symbols
White elephant (wisdom, memory, sound)
Associated Sense
Hearing
Deities
Sadashiva, Shakini
Frequency
384 Hz
Affirmations
“I speak my truth with clarity and compassion.”
“My voice matters.”
“I listen deeply and honestly.”
Crystals
Blue Lace Agate, Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Amazonite
Essential Oils
Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Blue Chamomile, Frankincense
Yoga Poses
Plow Pose (Halasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Fish Pose (Matsyasana), Lion’s Breath (Simhasana)
Mudras
Granthi Mudra, Akasha Mudra, Chin Mudra (for expression)
Dietary Suggestions
Warm fluids, herbal teas, honey, soups, foods that soothe the throat and support metabolism
Positive Spiritual Traits
Truthfulness, vibrational integrity, inspired expression, alignment between soul and speech
Nature Connection
Open skies, wind, echoing spaces, cliffs, wide horizons
Season
Late Spring / Early Summer (transition season)
Associated Planets
Mercury (communication, intellect), Neptune (higher expression, inspiration)
Personal and Professional Traits
Clear leadership, teaching, writing, public speaking, ethical communication
Self-Care Practices
Vocal toning, chanting, journaling, conscious listening, setting verbal boundaries
Astrology
Mercury for communication; Neptune for intuitive speech and artistic inspirationHealing Practices
Sound healing, mantra chanting, somatic voice work, trauma-informed truth expression
Numerology
5 (freedom, expression, change)
Relationship Dynamics
Healthy communication, honesty, emotional transparency, ability to express needs and boundaries
Ajna Chakra (or "Third Eye" Chakra)
Sahasrara Chakra (or "Crown" Chakra)
Crown Chakra: The Complete Guide