The first time I was told that I have energy centers in my body called Chakras, I laughed out loud.
I wondered when they were going to pass the Kool-Aid.
The term “chakra” seemed like woo-woo jargon for the “special” people.
It took me a while to figure out that chakras are real.
Chakras are energy centers of awareness in the body that influence your cells, organs, and hormone system. They effect your thoughts and feelings too.
They play an important role in our overall health and well being. The better they function, the better we feel. The clearer they are, the clearer you feel.
The word Chakra comes from Sanskrit (the sacred language of India), meaning “wheel” or “turning”. The teachings come to us from yoga–a practice that is thousands of years old.
Each chakra takes in energy from the environment and converts it into something usable called prana–the Sanskrit name for subtle energy. They send that energy to various parts of your body, and also release stale and stagnant energy back out to the environment.
Here’s an overview of the 7 major chakras and their specific function.
Feel free to abstain from the Kool-Aid while you read 
First Chakra–Root Chakra
Sanskrit name: Muladhara, which means “root support”.
Where is it? It sits at the base of your spine, in the perineum.
What color is it? Red.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for your bones, your lower digestive tract, and your immune system.
This is the foundation chakra, upon which all other chakras rest.
When it’s in balance: You feel grounded, safe, and secure. Change is okay, you’re able to go with the flow. You’re able to find your way in life–to stand on your own two feet, put down roots and to nourish yourself physically and spiritually.
When it is weakened or closed: You experience difficulty trusting and feeling safe. You might not feel like you belong. You feel spaced out, disoriented. There is a lack of stamina, it’s hard to to see things through to the end.
Ever heard people talking about feeling grounded? This is the chakra that connects us to the earth. If you’re feeling spaced out, if you’re a little clumsy, if you feel lethargic, you’re probably not very grounded. If you feel afraid, and it’s hard to relax and trust your environment, it’s a sign you could use some grounding.
Second Chakra–Sacral Chakra
Sanskrit name: Swadhisthana, which means “the sacred home of the self” or “the sweet place”.
Where is it? Located in the pelvis at the pubic bone.
What color is it? Orange.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for your kidneys, bladder, genitals, and circulatory systems.
This chakra is about self-love. It equips you to go with the flow and enjoy the juciness that life has to offer. It’s the sensual center. This is where the creative juice flows. It’s called the “sweet place” for a reason
When it’s in balance: You are intuitive, passionate, creative, full fun plans and healthy desire. You can adapt to change, you can go with the flow. There is a sense you can DO it! You can BE it!
When it is weakened or closed: Feelings are unbalanced, you feel emotional swings from anger, jealousy to anxiety. It’s hard to set boundaries with people. There is a diminished desire in areas of passion and creativity. It’s hard to finish what you start. You can tend to overindulge in some areas of pleasure.
Feelings of attraction, excitement, and arousal are second chakra sensations.
Third Chakra–Solar Plexus Chakra
Sanskrit name: Manipura, which means, “city of shining jewels”.
Where is it? Located in the solar plexus- between your naval and your sternum.
What color is it? Yellow.
What does it do? In your body this chakra cares for your digestive organs, your muscles, diaphragm, and acts as an inner thermostat.
This is the willpower and self esteem chakra- where you store your sense of self. This energy is about how you see yourself in the world, as well as how you believe the world sees you.
When it’s in balance: You feel confident and secure. You honor yourself, and attend to your needs. You’ve got balance between your emotions and your thoughts. You are able to hold a strong boundary and can say no easily.
When it is weakened or closed: You feel insecure. Anxiety is present. It’s hard to take care of your needs and often you ignore the basics like good food and plenty of rest. It’s difficult to feel your feelings-generally you are in your head. People take advantage of you easily. It’s hard to say no.
Ever get an upset stomach when you’ve received bad news? Ever felt butterflies in your stomach when something exciting is going on? You’re experiencing the third chakra reacting.
Fourth Chakra–Heart Chakra
Sanskrit name: Anahata, meaning, “un-struck”.
Where is it? Located in the center of your chest.
What color is it? Green.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for your heart region–your pericardium, thymus, and lungs.
It governs the energy of love and compassion for ourselves and others.
When it’s in balance: You feel love and compassion for people–you’re touched and moved by their experiences. You are able to forgive.
When it is weakened or closed: You feel lonely and disconnected from others. You may feel heavy in your heart, a sadness. A person can seem heartless, bitter, and ungenerous when really they just can’t tolerate the upset of other people easily. You feel a need to isolate yourself because it’s just hard to be around other people.
If you’ve experienced a relationship breakup, a betrayal, or the loss of someone dear, you may have felt your Anahata chakra reacting. Feeling broken-hearted and being broken-open are fourth chakra experiences. If you call to mind–right now–someone you love and adore, you should be able to sense a little burst in your heart center!
Fifth Chakra–Throat Chakra
Sanskrit name: Vishuddha, meaning, “the pure place”.
Where is it? Located in your throat near the larynx.
What color is it? Sky blue.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for the organs used in communication–your mouth, tongue, throat, ears, eyes hands, as well as your neck, shoulders, thyroid and parathyroid glands.
This chakra is about inspiration, creativity, and the ability to carry ideas out. It governs your ability to speak up for what you believe in, to name what is happening, and speak your truth.
When it’s in balance: You are able to express your opinions and beliefs. It’s easy for you to speak freely–you’re confident, clear, and in command. You can get your message across!
When it is weakened or closed: It’s a challenge to speak up, hard to have a voice. It’s a challenge to think clearly, and we have a lot of negative self-talk going on.
Ever had an experience where you needed to say something that was hard for you and suddenly your throat felt tight and constricted? Ever have a coughing fit as you were trying to give a public speech? This is evidence of your Vishuddha chakra reacting to what’s going on.
Sixth Chakra–Third Eye Chakra
Sanskrit name: Ajna, meaning, “the knowledge bestowing lotus”.
Where is it? Located at the brow center, about three inches into the brain.
What color is it? It’s color is indigo blue.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for your eyes, ears, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and part of the brain.
This is the spiritual center of awareness. It is also considered to be the seat of wisdom, intellect, intuition, and self-knowledge.
When it’s in balance: Your mind is clear, focused, and calm. You have strong intuition and connect to your inner-wisdom easily.
When it is weakened or closed: It’s hard to concentrate. It seems challenging to stay focused and on task. You may be forgetful. You may feel some spiritual confusion, forgetting your place in the order of things.
Psychic vision is often associated with this chakra, and it is often referred to as the “Third Eye”.
Seventh Chakra–Crown Chakra
Sanskrit name: Sahasrara, meaning “the gateway to the universe”.
Where is it? Located at the crown of your head.
What color is it? It’s color is violet to white.
What does it do? In your body, this chakra cares for the pituitary gland, cerebral cortex, and central nervous system.
This is your highest chakra where spirituality, self-realization, and enlightenment reside. It’s considered to be the mystical center.
When it’s in balance: You experience the energy of joy on a regular basis. There is a sense of sacred union with the universe. You are open to receiving guidance from higher sources and feel drawn toward teachings of the mystical. Spirituality to you feels like an inward experience rather than an outward practice.
When it is weakened or closed: It can feel challenging to be in contact with reality. You aren’t present, it’s as if you are off somewhere else.
If you experience suspicion in areas of spirituality, and you have questions about the G-word (God!), this is a good chakra to work with.
. . . . .
As I said in the beginning of this post, it took me a while to overcome my skepticism and believe in my own way that chakras are real.
It’s okay if you do that too
You don’t have to drink the Kool-Aid!
Go at your own pace.
Want to know how your personal chakras are functioning? Get a Rock Star Reading!
It’s a fun and fresh way to learn about which of your chakras are open or closed and get actionable tips on how to get yourself to where you want to be.
I like this overview that you’ve provided. It’s clear, concise, and easy to understand. Thanks!
Thanks, JoAnn! I am glad to hear it. I’ll be writing more in depth about chakras in the weeks to come. Stay tuned
Thanks Robin!
I like the practical breakdown and your own personalized way to add to the well-known descriptions.
Cool color graphics too; makes it fun to read!
HI Kathi, thank you so much. I am glad you liked it.
And super glad you liked my drawings- thank you!!
I love it. When im not on my medication I have all the symptoms of an unbalanced chakra. The first four lower ones. Makes total sense.
Hi Carmelina, I understand that. Stay tuned then for some up and coming writings on working with those energy centers to keep them in balance. Take care, Robin