Whether you believe in chakras as actual, radiant light emanating from our bodies, or as metaphors for states of being, there's some useful insight to be gained from exploring them.
Each chakra relates to a particular part of the human body and is linked with a color and an emotional state.
When we are feeling off-center or unlike ourselves, it can feel like a vague discontentment. Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint exactly what's 'off' about how we're feeling, so tuning into chakras could be a good place to start.
Root Chakra
Located at the base of your spine, this chakra deals with feeling grounded and materialism.
You're feeling:
- Angry
- Short Tempered
- Greedy
- Belligerent
- Impatient
- Stuck
You can:
Perform low-impact, balance-focused exercises such as mindful, meditative walking, lunges or gentle yoga with a focus on the lower body.
Sacral Chakra
Located around your pelvis, this chakra deals with sexuality and feelings of attraction, creativity.
You're feeling:
- Needy or clingy
- Ruled by your emotions
- Numb or out of touch with yourself
- Lost in fantasies or sexual obsessions
- Lack of sexual desire
You Can:
Reach out to loved ones and friends, sign up for a group-focused creative or artistic workshop, develop a yoga practice that highlights hip-opening poses.
Naval Chakra
This chakra can be found just above the belly button. It focuses on self-esteem, assertiveness and feeling in control of our decisions.
You're feeling:
- Obsessive desire for control
- Helplessness
- Manipulative
- Lack of ambition
- Indecisive
You Can:
Practice power posing: stand with your legs about 3 feet apart, place your hands on your hips and roll shoulders back, chin up. Hold for 1-2 minutes.
Heart Chakra
This energy center deals with love, compassion and friendliness. It deals mostly with relationships between ourselves and others with a strong focus on a love bond.
You're feeling:
- Defensive
- Closed Down
- Jealous
- Isolated
- Holding a grudge
You Can:
Practice light-cardio exercises including jogging, skipping and gentle swimming to encourage deep breathing and opening up of the chest. Go for a back massage that focuses on opening the shoulders and ribs.
Throat Chakra
This chakra involves self-expression and the ability to communicate with others. It also deals with clear speech and transmitting ideas.
You're feeling:
- Like you can't tell the truth
- Shy/afraid to speak up
- Unwilling/able to listen to others
- Interruptive
- Like you need to shout to be heard
You can:
Turn up your favorite song and belt it out; ask a friend to be your sounding board for 30 minutes.
Third Eye Chakra
This is located between your eyes on your forehead. It is linked to vision, dreams, insight and intuition.
You're feeling:
- Stuck in the daily grind
- Trapped in day dreams
- Anxious
- Lacking clarity
You can:
Practice 10 minutes of meditation by focusing on your inhales and exhales in a quiet room; go for a walk in nature; journal before you go to bed.
Crown Chakra
This final chakra is associated with your connection to a higher power. It is located a the top of your head and is driven by consciousness and the greater good.
You're feeling:
- Disconnected from god, spirit or a greater purpose
- Obsessed with spirituality
- Closed-minded
You Can:
Find new ways to step out of your comfort zone; participate in charitable activities like volunteering with a community group; pray.
[h/t Chakra-Anatomy / Chakras.info]
