These 112 chakras are arranged in 7 dimensions; it is these 7 dimensions that are referred to as the 7
chakras. Chakras, apart from the physical dimension also have a spiritual dimension. Sadhguru
elaborates on the qualities of each of the seven chakras; Muladhara, Svadishthana, Manuparaka,
Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna and Sahasrara.
Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning “spinning wheel of energy”. These energy centers within our
bodies receive and transmit energy, and each is situated at a major endocrine gland, and nerve
bundle within the physical body, called a plexus. Each chakra is connected and associated with a
different part of the body. There are seven main chakras. Each chakra has a colour. Understanding
and using your chakras can promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing, and can lend energy
to your manifestation work.
The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine. It is closest to the Earth, and can be utilized for Earthly grounding. It controls your physical vitality, flight or fight response, physical survival instincts, and the emotions of desire, anger, jealousy and greed. Its color is red, other colors associated with the Root Chakra are black, brown, and gray. Gemstones like hematite, bloodstone, black tourmaline, labradorite, garnet, ruby, onyx, fire agate, smoky quartz, star ruby and red jasper are beneficial in balancing this chakra.
The First, or Root, Chakra governs life lessons involving the lessons of the material world, such as survival, and stores information involving family beliefs and loyalty, you ability to stand up for yourself, superstition, instincts, physical pain or pleasure, and touch. Your sense of self esteem, safety and security are also based here. An imbalance in the First Chakra may be indicated by a loss of interest in the real world and
practical survival, obsessions and addictions, volatile emotions, selfishness, restlessness and a lack of energy.
Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Root Chakra are corn, clematis, rosemary, ylang-ylang, myrrh,
frankincense, benzoin, patchouli and sandalwood.
Foods that fuel the First Chakra are Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips,
radishes, beets, onions, garlic, Protein-rich foods like eggs, meats, beans, tofu and soy
products, and peanut butter, and Spices like horseradish, hot paprika, chives, cayenne,
and pepper.
The Navel Chakra is located just below the navel, about 2-3 fingers. It is also known as the Sacral, or Second
Chakra. In Martial Arts, it is called the Hara. It represents your sexuality, creativity, self esteem, pleasures and frustrations. Its color is orange. Orange Gemstones like carnelian, orange tourmaline, tangerine quartz, fire opal, citrine, moonstone, and orange zincite help to bring this chakra into balance.
The Second Chakra governs life lessons involving blaming and guilt, manifesting, money and prosperity, sex, power, control, and it is the base of you creativity and sense of morality. Information stored in the Second Chakra involves feelings of duality, personal magnetism, your patterns of control, your sociability, and emotions and feelings. An imbalance in the Second Chakra may contribute to an eating disorder, drug or alcohol addiction, depression, and intimacy issues, and may contribute to impotence and frigidity. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Second Chakra are all citrus oils, such as neroli, melissa, and orange. Also rose, hibiscus, and jasmine.
Foods that fuel the second Chakra include sweet and tropical fruits like melons, mangos, strawberries, passion fruit, oranges, coconut, etc. Also Honey and Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds etc. and Spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, carob, sweet paprika,
sesame seeds, and caraway seeds.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is just above your navel, at the center of your solar plexus. Emotional memories are stored here, and it’s where your gut feelings come from. It is the seat of your emotional life, and many of us are naturally connected to our environments through this chakra. Its color is yellow. Gemstones like citrine, golden topaz, amber, yellow tourmaline and yellow sapphire are used to bring this chakra into balance. The Solar Plexus, or Third Chakra, governs life lessons involving your self esteem, a fear of rejection or an oversensitivity to criticism, distorted self-image, and a fear of your secrets being found out. Information stored in the Third Chakra involves your personal power, your personality, your sense of knowing and your sense of belonging. An imbalance in the Third Chakra may manifest as a difficulty concentrating, a poor ability to make decisions, or to judge a situation accurately, a feeling that you are more important, or less than, than other people and trouble taking
action or getting things done. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Third Chakra are yarrow, chamomile, peppermint, lemon juniper, vetivert,petigrain and marjoram. Foods that fuel the Third Chakra are granola, grains, pastas, breads, cereal, rice, flax seed, sunflower seeds, etc. Dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, and spices like ginger, mints, chamomile, turmeric, cumin, and fennel.
The Heart Chakra is in the heart. It is the center for unconditional love, tolerance, empathy, forgiveness, and compassion. It is the seat of the soul. Its color is green and the secondary color is pink. Gemstones like rose or green quartz, ruby zoisite, watermelon, pink or green
tourmaline, aventurine, malachite, jade, emeralds, moss agate, peridot, and pink saphire are useful for bringing this chakra into harmony. The Heart, or Fourth Chakra, governs life lessons involving love and compassion, self confidence and self acceptance, inspiration and hope, generosity, and on the flip side, feelings of despair, hate, envy, fear, jealousy, and anger. Information stored in the Heart Chakra includes the connections or “heart strings” to those we love. An imbalance in the Heart Chakra may be felt as a lack of self discipline, difficulty in
relationships, attempts to live vicariously through others, and depending on someone else for your happiness. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Fourth Chakra are holly, poppy, rose, eucalyptus and pine, bergamot, jasmine or rosewood. Foods that fuel the Heart Chakra are leafy greens and vegetables like spinach, kale, dandelion greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, squash, etc. liquids like green and herbal teas, and spices such as basil, sage, thyme, cilantro, and parsley.
The Throat Chakra is located in the throat, near the thyroid gland. It is the chakra of communication, expression and judgment. Its color is aqua or turquoise, secondary colors are various shades of light blue. Gemstones like turquoise, blue opal, blue topaz, fluorite, or blue lace
agate balance this chakra. The Throat, or Fifth Chakra, governs life lessons of self expression and speaking ones truth, creativity (especially writing or speaking) faith, and making decisions and will power. On the flip side, issues of addiction, the need to criticize, lack of authority, and indecisiveness. Information stored in the Fifth Chakra includes self-knowledge and truth, attitudes, and the senses of hearing, taste, and smell. An imbalance in the Throat Chakra can be felt as difficulty in self expression, poor learning ability, habitual lying, fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Fifth Chakra are cosmos, trumpet vine, larch, blue chamomile, sage, lemongrass, geranium or hyssop. Foods that fuel the Fifth Chakra are liquids in general, such as water, fruit juices, and herbal teas, tart or tangy fruits like lemons, limes, grapefruit, and kiwi, other tree growing fruits like apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, etc. and spices like salt, and lemon grass.
Located in the center of the brain (not the center of the forehead), is “the Third Eye”. This chakra governs spiritual direction and
wisdom. It is the seat of dreams, inner vision, and the spiritual life. Its color is indigo or shades of dark blue.
Gemstones like lapis lazuli, purple flourite, sugalite, azurite or sodalite compliment this Chakra. Life lessons centering
around the Brow Chakra include understanding, reality checks, detachment, open mindedness, trusting your intuition and insights, and developing your psychic abilities. Self-realization, and releasing hidden and repressed negative thinking. The information stored within the Third Eye Chakra include seeing things clearly (symbolically or literally), wisdom, intuition, and intellect. An imbalance in the Sixth Chakra may
contribute to a learning disability, co-ordination problems, or sleep problems. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Sixth Chakra are wild oat, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, spruce, frankincense, patchouli, elemi or clary sage. Foods that fuel the Third Eye include dark bluish colored fruits such as blueberries, red grapes, black berries, raspberries, etc. and liquids such as red wines and grape juice, and spices like lavender.
The Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It balances the inner and outer person, and is the connection for
the higher self. It is the channel through which we receive divine guidance, purpose and wisdom. Its color is purple, the
secondary color is clear or white. Gemstones like amethyst, clear quartz, diamonds, moldavite, and peacock ore are perfect for bringing the crown charka into alignment and balance. Life lessons to be learnt through the Crown Chakra are intuitive knowing, integration of the whole Self, spirituality, living in the now, discovery of the Divine, the ability to see the big picture in the stream of Life, devotion, inspiration, values, ethics, trust, selflessness, humanitarianism. The information stored in the Seventh Chakra includes your connection to the Divine, your life’s purpose, your connection to past lives, and Immortality. An imbalance in the Crown Chakra may be felt as lack of purpose, loss of meaning or identity,and mental instability. Among the essential oils and flower essences used to balance the Seventh Chakra are lotus, angelica, star tulip, frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, jasmine, benzoin, neroli and lavender. Foods that fuel the Seventh Chakra are none! Fasting and detoxing are
recommended, and using incense and smudging with herbs like sage, copal, myrrh, frankincense, and juniper.
