A Beginner’s Guide To The 7 Chakras + How To Unblock Them
By Yogi Cameron
October 17, 2024
The seven chakras are the main energy centers of the body. You’ve probably heard people talk about “unblocking” their chakras, which refers to the idea that when all of our chakras are open, energy can run through them freely, and harmony exists between the physical body, mind, and spirit.
Chakra translates to “wheel” in Sanskrit, and you can imagine them like wheels of free-flowing positive energy.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll summarize the defining characteristics of the seven main chakras, explain how to tell when any of them are blocked, and share how to unblock each one—from root to crown—using mantras, yoga poses, and more.
What are chakras?
The name “chakra” is the Sanskrit word for “wheel.” In yoga, chakras are used to describe the way energy “moves” throughout the body. Each of the seven chakras (described below) are said to correlate with different abilities, expressions, and types of health.
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The Muladhara, or root chakra, represents our foundation. On the human body, it sits at the base of the spine and gives us the feeling of being grounded.
When the root chakra is open, we feel confident in our ability to withstand challenges and stand on our own two feet. When it’s blocked, we feel threatened, as if we’re standing on unstable ground.
Location: Base of spine, in tailbone area
What it controls: Survival issues such as financial independence, money, and food
Mantra: “I can’t grow from an unsteady foundation.”
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Stone: Hematite
Yoga pose: Warrior I
When it develops: 1-7 years old
2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
The Swadhisthana, or sacral chakra, helps inform how we relate to our emotions and the emotions of others. It also governs creativity and sexual energy. Those with a blocked sacral chakra could feel a lack of control in their lives.
Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel
What it controls: Your sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality
Mantra: “I always honor others but not before myself.”
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Stone: Tiger’s Eye
Yoga pose: Bound Angle Pose
When it develops: 8-14 years old
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The third chakra, the solar plexus chakra, speaks to your ability to be confident and in control of your life. Think back to the last time you had butterflies or felt a pit in the stomach: That’s the Manipura chakra at work.
If your solar plexus chakra is blocked, you might feel overwhelming amounts of shame and self-doubt. Those with open sacral chakras are free to express their true selves.
Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area
What it controls: Self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem
Mantra: “Self-love starts when I accept all parts of myself.”
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Stone: Amber
Yoga pose: Boat Pose
When it develops: 15-21 years old
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The Anahata, or heart chakra, is the bridge between the lower chakras (associated with materiality) and the upper chakras (associated with spirituality). As the name suggests, this chakra can influence our ability to give and receive love—from others and ourselves.
Someone with a blocked heart chakra will have difficulty fully opening up to the people in their life. If someone’s heart is open, they can experience deep compassion and empathy.
Location: Center of chest, just above the heart
What it controls: Love, joy, and inner peace
Mantra: “When I love myself, loving others comes easily.”
Color: Green
Element: Air
Stone: Rose Quartz
Yoga pose: Camel Pose
When it develops: 21-28 years old
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
The Vishuddha, or throat chakra, gives voice to the heart chakra and controls our ability to communicate our personal power.
When it’s functioning at full capacity, it allows us to express ourselves truly and clearly. Someone with a blocked throat chakra will feel like they have trouble finding the words to say how they truly feel.
Location: Throat
What it controls: Communication, self-expression, and truth
Mantra: “I speak my truth, always.”
Color: Light Blue/Turquoise
Element: Sound/Music
Stone: Aquamarine
Yoga pose: Fish Pose
When it develops: 29-35 years old
6. Third-Eye Chakra (Ajna)
As we move up the body, we’re getting closer to communion with the divine. The Anja, or third-eye chakra, controls our ability to see the big picture and connect to intuition. Think of it as the eye of the soul: It registers information beyond the surface level.
Visions and intuitive hits are not uncommon for someone with an open third-eye chakra.
Location: Forehead between the eyes (also called the Brow Chakra)
What it controls: Intuition, imagination, and wisdom
Mantra: “I am open to exploring what cannot be seen.”
Color: Dark Blue/Purple
Element: Light
Stone: Amethyst
Yoga pose: Child’s Pose
When it develops: 36-42 years old
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The Sahasrara, or crown chakra, the highest chakra, sits at the crown of the head and represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually. When you fully open your crown chakra—something very few people ever do!—you’re able to access a higher consciousness.
Location: The very top of the head
What it controls: Inner and outer beauty, spiritual connection
According to ancient yogic philosophy, the body has seven main energy centers or energy wheels that rotate independently on their axes, as well as in unison. When the wheels connect and move in sync, they are known to unfold unlimited potential in a human being.
But, are these just esoteric theories that only, perhaps, the enlightened yogis can experience?
Not really. The seven chakras have a tremendous influence on our everyday lives, and once understood and meditated upon can be harnessed to enhance our careers, romantic lives, health, and wealth.
Let’s look at each one briefly.
1. Root or Muladhara Chakra
A firm foundation is what dreams are built on!
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine. It gives you a sense of stability and security and helps you stay rooted and grounded in all you do.
If you are the type of person who does not have the patience to stick out something, this area needs working on. The root chakra is where you will find the “why” to all your answers. It takes you to the beginning of it all, to the very origins of something, and helps you discover a reason to stay.
Additionally, a heightened root chakra can instill a greater sense of trust, both toward yourself and others. Thus, it works as a foundation to build healthier and long-lasting relationships, personally and professionally.
Meditation exercise: Sit cross-legged on the floor, or upright on a chair, with your feet firmly touching the floor. Keep your chin parallel to the ground and gently close your eyes. Now imagine, there are great winds around you, things are falling, and even you or your chair may be toppled over at any moment.
Are you able to stay calm and still through all that, or is your mind looking for an escape route?
Are you secure in the belief that all will turn out well, or are you fearful that there may be utter destruction? Don’t worry, stay there a bit longer, now imagine the storm has passed, and everything is slowly returning to its place… Feel the stillness once again, feel reassured that the worst is over.
It’s only from a sense of security that a strong foundation is built. So, identify what you need to work on to make your base strong — Perhaps, more positive emotions, more skills, more faith, or simply more time to help you grow exactly where you are.
2. Sacral or Svadhishthana Chakra
Master your emotions to master your actions!
The second chakra — the Sacral or Svadhishthana chakra is located at your lower back region, a little below the navel. It is often referred to as the emotional center of the body, a place where emotions flow freely.
The emotions seated here can be beneficial as they trigger the creative and artistic streak within us. But, when these emotions are stuck and refuse to move freely, we may experience what is called a “creative block.”
The sacral chakra is thus essential to anything we do. It drives us and energizes us…because, only when we feel strongly about something, will we make it happen. Perhaps, that’s why emotion is often referred to as “energy in motion.”
Working on this chakra is about identifying emotions that serve you and those that don’t. When you can objectively sit back and monitor how you feel in a situation, rather than give in to the impulse of the moment, you have adequately gotten in touch with this sacred space.
Introspection exercise: Take a sheet of paper and divide it into two columns. In one column, objectively write down the emotions that work for you, while in the other jot down the emotions that work against you. This awareness will slowly help you overcome and let go of weaker emotions, as you enhance and retain emotions that aid your growth.
3. Solar Plexus or Manipura Chakra
Decision-making is enhanced with greater knowledge!
The third chakra is the Solar Plexus or Manipura Chakra, and is located a little above the navel, at the exact center of the body. This is often called the “power chakra” because it is where our core strength lies. It is from here that we make all important decisions, also reflecting our “gut instinct”.
This chakra when heightened gives us the energy and courage to make plans and pursue them to the finish. When it is weak, though, we may feel uncertain about our actions, even scattered in our minds, unable to make quick and clear decisions.
The Manipura chakra sheds light on our inner strengths, helping us pursue our intellectual and creative ideas with greater ease. The solar plexus chakra also allows us to see through problems and figure out solutions for them. It essentially lights up the path ahead!
If you are a quick problem solver, you probably have a heightened solar plexus chakra. If not, you need to work on it!
Related activity: If you feel unsure about what to do next, you probably don’t have enough information or knowledge regarding the issue. To solve the problem, try doing more research on the topic in question, reach out to experts on that subject, or take up a course, and get back into student mode. As is often said, “Knowledge is power”, and this power will only aid your decision-making skills!
4. Heart or Anahata Chakra
Do it with your heart, or don’t do it at all!
The Heart chakra also known as the Anahata chakra is the fourth chakra and is located in the middle of the seven chakras. You can almost say it is the bridge between the three action-oriented chakras below and the intuitive spiritual ones at the top.
In the body, it is located at the center of the chest, close to the heart. Undoubtedly then, as the name suggests, the heart chakra encompasses every quality of the heart — the ability to be forgiving, compassionate, loving, giving, and trusting in yourself, in your relationships, and in life in general.
A heightened heart chakra gives you the awareness to follow your heart’s calling, rather than ignore it and feel regret later. It also determines if you are committed to something or not, because only if your “heart is in it”, will you stay the course!
But, you can also experience a “heavy heart” sometimes… Perhaps, because you’re holding on to something, a past failure, rejection, or loss, and are unable to move on from there. Feeling cold or distant from something/someone, grieving for too long, or even fearing something, denotes a weak heart chakra.
Meditation practice: Just like nature is green, the heart chakra is also green… So, to activate this chakra, be in nature as often as you can, walk barefoot on grass, look out the window at green trees, or simply imagine a beautifully landscaped garden or lush green hills in your mind. Being with nature, or thinking about it, will make you feel more peaceful and grateful for the abundance in the world!
5. Throat or Vishuddha Chakra
“When there is an original sound in the world, it makes a hundred echoes.” — John A. Shedd
This is exactly the power of the fifth chakra in the body, the Vishuddha or Throat Chakra.
This chakra, located at the throat, is about communication and expression in their many forms.
Communication includes speaking and listening… While many of us may think that as long as we’re listening or speaking, we are communicating, the truth is we have to focus on both.
When emphasis is placed on both speaking and listening, our relationships and leadership abilities will improve… We will become more empathetic, compassionate, and prudent in our actions. We will realize that we do not exist in isolation, and what we say can have widespread consequences, if not based in truth or if not sensitive to another’s feelings.
Expression is when what we say takes on an artistic form. For those who express themselves through writing, the arts, speaking/podcasting, or music, the ability to express feelings and wisdom through their chosen medium makes them connect with the hearts of their audiences.
The throat chakra thus urges you to focus on what needs to be said, focus on saying it well, but most importantly focus on the receiver, because without your audience, you do not exist!
Meditation exercise: To activate your throat chakra, you can chant the universal sound “AUM”, or any mantra of your choice, or you can make the humming bee sound… These are great ways to exercise your vocal cords, and find some peace too!
6. Third Eye or Ajna Chakra
The mind is finite but potential is always infinite!
The Third Eye or Ajna Chakra is the sixth chakra located between the eyebrows. As its name suggests it relates to the sixth sense or one’s ability to perceive beyond the five senses and mind and see the unknown.
The third eye gives us extra vision and insight into a situation, helping us connect the dots and see why and how something is happening. It also helps us take cues from the universe, as we now operate from a place of greater awareness and acceptance, rather than fear and ignorance.
Intuition and imagination can both be heightened when this chakra is meditated upon. This chakra also highlights the unlimited possibilities of life. However, when weak, one may ignore signs from the body and mind, and choose to be blind to situations.
Meditation practice: Focus on an object or point far away in the distance, but ensure this point is at eye level. Try not to blink or move during the practice. This meditation will help increase your concentration and focus, and you will become more receptive and responsive to problems and mysteries, soon finding solutions and answers of your own!
7. Crown or Sahasrara Chakra
To surrender is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of faith and devotion!
The crown or Sahasrara chakra is the seventh chakra located at the crown of your head. It is said to be the “god source” because it is from here that one connects to the Higher Force.
This chakra is the culmination of all the work done in the lower chakras. After tuning into them, it now becomes essential to surrender to something bigger…to simply let go and flow in faith.
It is from this chakra that you will be called upon to fulfill your soul’s purpose. You may align to a larger social or universal cause and put all your energies into it.
For creatives, when you are in sync with the crown chakra, you enter what is called a “flow state…” You are simply getting the “downloads” and presenting them through your chosen medium.
At an everyday level, this chakra helps you collaborate with those around you. You become more inclusive as a leader or team player, and you become more expansive with your visions and ideas. You now feel anything is possible because you feel guided by a Higher Force and you feel a great sense of connectedness with everything around you.
Related activity: Create a chart with your name at the center. Then, draw branches around it and the many talents or skills you possess. After that, let those skills branch out further into what you can create from them, and finally draw more branches from those products/services/arts, and list how they can impact people. This exercise shows you how you have so much to offer, and any one skill of yours can have a significant impact on those around you… sometimes even connecting you to the whole world!
