Awakening the Energy Within: Understanding the Seven Chakras

Hiromi Kiritani
Oct 7
5 min read

In yoga philosophy, chakras are the energy centers within us — spinning wheels of light that bridge our physical body with our emotional, mental, and spiritual worlds. The word chakra in Sanskrit means “wheel” or “circle,” symbolizing the flow of prana, or life force, through our subtle body.

When this energy flows freely, we experience balance, vitality, and a deep sense of harmony. But when the flow becomes blocked or unbalanced, we may feel tension, confusion, or emotional heaviness. By understanding and working with our chakras, we begin to bring awareness and healing to every level of our being — body, mind, and soul.

The Seven Main Chakras

Each chakra has its own vibration, color, and quality of consciousness. Together, they form a radiant map of our inner energy system.

1️⃣ Root Chakra (Muladhara) — “I am safe.”

Color: Red

Location: Base of the spine

Element: Earth

Mantra Sound: LAM (लं)

The Root Chakra is the foundation of our being — our connection to the Earth and to survival. It governs our sense of safety, stability, and belonging. When this chakra is balanced, we feel grounded, secure, and supported by life. When it’s blocked, we may experience anxiety, fear, or a sense of disconnection.

Physical associations: legs, bones, large intestine, and adrenal glands

Emotional associations: safety, stability, belonging

💠 Balancing tip: Practice grounding postures like Tadasana (Mountain Pose), spend time in nature, or visualize roots growing from your feet deep into the earth.

2️⃣ Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) — “I am creative.”

Color: Orange

Location: Lower abdomen, below the navel

Element: Water

Mantra Sound: VAM (वं)

The Sacral Chakra is the center of creativity, pleasure, and emotional flow. It governs our ability to experience joy, intimacy, and healthy relationships. When balanced, it brings vitality, playfulness, and openness to life. When blocked, it may cause emotional instability, guilt, or emotional numbness.

Physical associations: reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, hips

Emotional associations: joy, creativity, pleasure, intimacy

💠 Balancing tip: Practice gentle hip-opening poses like Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), move freely to music, or engage in creative expression — painting, writing, or dancing.

3️⃣ Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) — “I am powerful.”

Color: Yellow

Location: Upper abdomen, stomach area

Element: Fire

Mantra Sound: RAM (रं)

The Solar Plexus Chakra is our center of willpower, confidence, and transformation. It governs self-esteem, decision-making, and personal power. When this chakra is in harmony, we feel empowered, confident, and capable of manifesting our goals. When blocked, it can cause low self-worth, powerless, shame, anger, or suffer from digestive issues.

Physical associations: digestive system, liver, pancreas, metabolism

Emotional associations: confidence, willpower, self-worth

💠 Balancing tip: Engage the core with Navasana (Boat Pose), practice Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire), or repeat affirmations like “I am strong, I trust my inner power.”

4️⃣ Heart Chakra (Anahata) — “I am love.”

Color: Green

Location: Center of the chest

Element: Air

Mantra Sound: YAM (यं)

The Heart Chakra is the bridge between the physical and spiritual planes — it unites earth and sky, body and soul. It governs love, compassion, forgiveness, and empathy. When open, it allows us to give and receive love freely. When blocked, we may feel grief, jealousy, or emotional coldness.

Physical associations: heart, lungs, thymus gland, arms, and hands

Emotional associations: love, compassion, forgiveness, empathy

💠 Balancing tip: Practice heart-opening poses such as Ustrasana (Camel Pose) or Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose), and cultivate gratitude or loving-kindness meditation.

5️⃣ Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) — “I speak my truth.”

Color: Blue

Location: Throat

Element: Ether (Space)

Mantra Sound: HAM (हं)

The Throat Chakra governs communication, truth, and self-expression. It allows us to express our authentic voice with honesty and compassion. When balanced, we communicate clearly and listen deeply. When blocked, we may experience fear of speaking, dishonesty, or creative frustration.

Physical associations: throat, thyroid gland, mouth, jaw, teeth

Emotional associations: truth, expression, authenticity

💠 Balancing tip: Chanting, humming, or reciting affirmations like “My voice is clear and true” helps release blockages. Gentle neck stretches and journaling also support openness.

6️⃣ Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — “I see clearly.”

Color: Indigo

Location: Between the eyebrows

Element: Light

Mantra Sound: OM (ॐ) or AUM

The Third Eye Chakra is the seat of intuition, perception, and inner vision. It allows us to see beyond illusion and connect to inner wisdom. When balanced, it brings mental clarity, insight, and trust in our intuition. When blocked, we may feel confused, disconnected from intuition, or overthink.

Physical associations: eyes, brain, pituitary gland, nervous system

Emotional associations: intuition, insight, perception

💠 Balancing tip: Spend time in quiet meditation, visualize an indigo light between the eyebrows, focus on mindfulness practices that strengthen awareness, or or gazing softly at a candle flame while chanting “OM.”

7️⃣ Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) — “I am one with all.”

Color: Violet or White

Location: Top of the head

Element: Cosmic Energy

Mantra Sound: Silence or OM (ॐ)

The Crown Chakra connects us to higher consciousness and divine awareness. It governs spiritual connection, inner peace, and enlightenment. When open, we feel unity with all existence — a sense of oneness with the universe. When blocked, we may feel disconnected, spiritually lost, confusion about purpose, depressed, or overly attached to the material world.

Physical associations: brain, pineal gland, nervous system

Emotional associations: bliss, unity, divine connection

💠 Balancing tip: Meditate in stillness, repeat sacred mantras like Om, or simply sit in gratitude for life itself.

Balancing the Energy Within

Each time we come to our yoga mat, breathe deeply, or sit in meditation, we are realigning these centers of energy. Yoga postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayamas), and meditation together help keep the chakras in balance, so our energy can rise freely — from the root to the crown — awakening higher consciousness.

As Swami Sivananda said,

“The body is the temple of God. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.”

When the chakras are balanced, our body becomes that sacred temple — radiant, alive, and filled with divine light.

Closing Reflection

Each chakra is like a note in the great symphony of your being. When one goes out of tune, the whole melody changes. But with asanas, breath, and awareness, we can restore harmony and let our true light shine again.

Take a few moments today to breathe into your heart, feel your energy rising, and remember — you are not separate from the universe. You are a living expression of it.