Chakras: Your complete guide to energy, balance, and healing

What are chakras?

Chakras are becoming more popular in the West as people look for ways to slow down, feel better, and reconnect with themselves. While the idea of chakras may sound unfamiliar at first, it is simply a way of understanding how our body, mind, and emotions are connected. These ancient concepts from Indian spiritual traditions have gained recognition for helping explain why stress, emotions, and daily habits affect how we feel overall.

Chakras are often described as subtle energy centres in the body. Each one is linked to different emotions, feelings, and areas of life. When these energy centres feel balanced, many people experience more calm and clarity. When they feel out of balance, it can show up as stress, low energy, or emotional discomfort affecting your overall health.

Chakras explained: A beginner's guide

Have you ever felt off without knowing exactly why, even when everything in life seems fine on the surface? This is often where the idea of chakras comes in. Chakras are commonly described as energy centres within the body, helping to explain how our physical health, emotions, and mental state are all connected. The word "chakra" comes from Sanskrit and means "wheel," referring to the movement of energy through various points in the body.

Classical Indian texts describe these energy centres as part of a sophisticated system of subtle anatomy. Each chakra is linked to certain emotions, physical areas, and aspects of daily life, such as feeling safe, confident, loved, or able to express yourself. When energy flows smoothly, many people experience a sense of balance, calm, and clarity. When that flow feels disrupted, it can show up as stress, low energy, emotional ups and downs, or a feeling of being disconnected.

Learning about chakras is not about fixing something that is "wrong," but about becoming more aware of how your body and emotions respond to everyday life. For beginners, this understanding can be a gentle and enjoyable first step toward greater wellbeing overall.

How balanced chakras improve your daily life

Understanding what chakras are naturally leads to questions about their role in everyday life. Chakras are closely connected to how we handle stress, emotions, and move through the world. When stress builds up or emotions are ignored, energy can feel stuck, which may affect not only how we feel mentally but also how our body responds to daily challenges. This subtle imbalance can then start to affect the people around you.

Balanced chakras are often associated with feeling clearer, calmer, and more energised. When energy flows more freely, it can be easier to focus, manage emotions, and feel present in your life. Rather than reacting to stress, many people find they are better able to pause, breathe, and respond with intention.

Constant schedules, screen time, pressure to perform, and limited rest can leave little space to slow down and reset. This creates tension and overwhelm over time, often without us even realising it. Becoming aware of these patterns is an important first step. By paying attention to how you feel and where stress shows up in your body, you begin the healing process naturally. Learning to unblock stagnant energy through chakra work can restore vitality and improve your overall health.

The 7 chakras: Colours, locations, and what they mean for you

After understanding why chakras matter, exploring the seven main chakras and what each one represents becomes the natural next step. You do not need to memorise them or fully understand everything at once. Simply becoming familiar with their themes, colours, and locations is enough to begin understanding how each chakra works together as part of a whole system.

Many traditions believe each chakra connects to certain places on Earth. These locations are known for their natural, strong sense of energy. Just like chakras in the body, these places are thought to support balance, reflection, and awareness. Renowned chakra expert Anodea Judith has written extensively about how these energy centres influence our psychological and physical wellbeing.

Root Chakra (Muladhara) - Red

Location: Base of the spine

Linked to grounding, safety, and stability. This chakra connects you to the earth element and relates to feeling secure in your body and in your life, including basic needs such as shelter, routine, and a sense of belonging. Balanced Root Chakra energy helps people feel calm, supported, and present. The colour red represents vitality and physical existence.

Around the world, this chakra is often associated with Mount Shasta in California, a place many people describe as deeply grounding and calming. The classical mantra for this chakra is "LAM," often used in meditation and yoga poses like Mountain Pose or Child's Pose to activate this energy centre.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) - Orange

Location: Lower abdomen, below the navel

Connected to emotions, creativity, and flow. This chakra embodies the water element and influences how we experience pleasure, express emotions, and allow life to move naturally without force. Balance in this chakra often feels like emotional ease, creativity, and openness. The vibrant orange colour symbolises creativity and passion.

This chakra is commonly connected to Lake Titicaca, on the border of Peru and Bolivia. The mantra "VAM" can help unblock this energy centre, especially when combined with hip-opening poses like Pigeon Pose or Goddess Pose.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) - Yellow

Location: Upper abdomen, around the stomach area

Associated with confidence and personal power. This fire element chakra plays a role in self-esteem, motivation, and decision-making. Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra energy helps people feel capable, focused, and comfortable trusting themselves. The bright yellow colour represents personal power and transformation.

This chakra is often associated with Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia, a powerful and ancient site. The mantra "RAM" resonates with this energy centre and can be practiced with core-strengthening poses like Boat Pose or Warrior III to build inner strength and confidence.

Heart Chakra (Anahata) - Green

Location: Centre of the chest

Sits at the centre of the chakra system and is linked to love, compassion, and connection. This air element chakra includes love for others as well as self-acceptance. A balanced Heart Chakra often feels open, warm, and emotionally steady. The green color (sometimes pink) represents healing, growth, and unconditional love.

Around the world, the Heart Chakra is often linked to Glastonbury in England. The mantra "YAM" can help open this subtle energy centre, particularly when practicing heart-opening poses like Camel Pose or Bridge Pose.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) - Blue

Location: Throat area

Connected to communication and self-expression. This chakra embodies the sound element and influences how clearly and honestly we express our thoughts, feelings, and needs. Balanced Throat Chakra energy supports confident communication and feeling heard. The blue colour represents truth and clear communication.

This chakra is commonly associated with the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, symbolising ancient knowledge passed through generations. The mantra "HAM" can help unblock this chakra, especially when used with poses like Fish Pose or Plow Pose that open the throat area.

H3/ Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) - Indigo

Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows

Relates to intuition and wisdom. This light element chakra is often associated with insight, awareness, and the ability to see clearly beyond the physical. Balance here can feel like trusting your instincts and having a strong sense of inner guidance. The deep indigo colour represents inner vision and spiritual awareness.

This chakra is often connected to Machu Picchu in Peru, a place many associate with spiritual insight. The mantra "OM" or "AUM" resonates powerfully with this energy centre and can be practiced with forward folds like Child's Pose or seated meditation to enhance intuition.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) - Violet or White

Location: Top of the head

Associated with connection to higher consciousness, purpose, and spiritual awareness. This thought element chakra represents the culmination of kundalini energy rising through all the chakras. Balanced Crown Chakra energy fosters a sense of peace, clarity, and connection beyond the self. The violet or white colour represents spiritual connection and enlightenment.

Around the world, this chakra is often associated with Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred mountain believed to represent higher consciousness. The mantra "OM" or silence itself resonates with this chakra, often practiced in Savasana (Corpse Pose) or seated meditation.

Chakras and nature: Understanding the elements within You

Each chakra connects not only to emotions, colours, and locations, but also to one of the natural elements. These elements help explain how energy feels when it is balanced or blocked, making the chakra system easier to understand, especially for beginners exploring these subtle concepts.

The Root Chakra is linked to the element of earth. Balanced earth energy creates feelings of groundedness and support, while blocked energy may manifest as fear or instability. Working with this element through grounding poses can significantly improve your overall health and sense of security.

The Sacral Chakra is connected to water, reflecting emotions and flow. Balanced energy here often feels fluid and open, while imbalance may show up as tension or resistance to change. Understanding this water element helps you unblock creative energy.

The Solar Plexus Chakra relates to fire, representing confidence, motivation, and personal power. Balanced fire brings warmth and energy; blocked fire may feel like self-doubt. This fire element can be activated through dynamic yoga poses and specific mantras.

The Heart Chakra is linked to air, symbolising openness and connection. Breathwork and gentle movement are often used to support this subtle energy centre and promote emotional health.

The Throat Chakra is connected to sound, supporting communication and expression. Mantras and chanting are commonly used to activate this energy, drawing from classical Indian practices.

The Third Eye Chakra is associated with light, representing clarity and insight, while the Crown Chakra is connected to thought and awareness, reflecting spiritual connection and understanding. These upper chakras connect to the more subtle aspects of consciousness.

How to balance your Chakras: Yoga, mantras, and daily practices

After exploring the seven main chakras and what each one represents, the natural question becomes: how do we work with them? One of the best ways to support chakra balance is through yoga. Beyond just physical exercise, yoga is a practice that combines movement, breath, and mindfulness to help energy flow smoothly throughout the body. This ancient Indian system has been adapted and embraced throughout the West for its profound health benefits.

Yoga helps balance the chakras by encouraging awareness of both the body and mind. Each yoga pose, or asana, can gently stimulate specific energy centres, while focused breathing helps release tension and calm the nervous system. Mindfulness and meditation during yoga also allow you to notice where energy may feel stuck, creating space to unblock these areas and restore greater clarity and balance.

Different yoga practices can support the chakras in unique ways. For example, slow, restorative poses can help open the heart and release tension, while dynamic sequences can energise the root and sacral chakras, building confidence and vitality. Incorporating meditation, visualisation, or mantra work can further deepen the connection to each chakra. Classical texts recommend specific mantras for each energy centre to activate and balance their subtle qualities.

Working with kundalini energy, the dormant spiritual energy believed to rest at the base of the spine, is another powerful approach. Through dedicated practice, this energy can rise through each chakra location, promoting spiritual awakening and improved health. However, this practice is best learned under proper guidance.

Take your practice deeper: Specialised Chakra retreats

For those looking to explore chakra work more deeply, specialised yoga retreats offer an immersive experience. These retreats provide dedicated time and expert guidance to understand and balance your energy centres in peaceful, supportive environments where you can focus entirely on unblocking stagnant energy.

One notable example is Six Senses Vana in India, which offers a dedicated Chakra Balancing Yoga programme. This programme uses yoga poses, meditation, breathwork, mantra practice, and holistic approaches to support the body's subtle energy centres while examining daily habits and lifestyle choices. The approach honors classical Indian traditions while being accessible even for complete beginners to chakra work.

For more information about chakra-focused yoga retreats and how they can support your healing journey, explore specialised retreat programmes designed to restore balance on emotional, mental, and physical levels while improving your overall health.

Begin your journey to balance

Understanding chakras offers a framework for becoming more aware of how your body, mind, and emotions interact. Whether you're experiencing stress, seeking greater balance, or simply curious about energy work, exploring your chakras through yoga poses, mantra practice, and meditation can be a gentle and rewarding journey.

This practice draws from ancient Indian wisdom that has travelled to the West and continues to evolve. Each chakra's colour, location, and element provides a map for understanding your subtle energy system. As renowned expert Anodea Judith teaches, chakra work is about integration, bringing together body, mind, and spirit.

This practice is personal; there's no need to rush. Approach the experience with curiosity, patience, and openness. Learn to unblock stuck energy, improve your health, and allow yourself to discover what balance means for you.

Frequently asked questions

Why is chakra balance important for overall well-being?

Chakra balance is important because chakras are believed to be subtle energy centres that influence how we feel physically, emotionally, and mentally. Free-flowing energy supports greater calm, focus, and emotional stability. Blocked or imbalanced energy can manifest as stress, fatigue, or emotional discomfort, affecting your health. Learning to unblock these energy centres can transform your wellbeing.

How can you tell if a chakra is blocked or imbalanced?

Signs of an imbalanced chakra vary from person to person. Some people notice emotional patterns, while others experience physical tension or mental overwhelm. Each chakra location in the body may manifest different symptoms—for example, throat issues may relate to the Throat Chakra. Chakra work is not about diagnosing problems, but about gently increasing awareness. Practices like yoga poses, meditation, and mantra repetition help you tune in to these subtle energy shifts.

What is the difference between traditional yoga and chakra-focused yoga?

Traditional yoga often focuses on physical strength, flexibility, and wellness. Chakra-focused yoga includes these benefits but adds an energetic and mindful layer, drawing from classical Indian texts. Classes may focus on specific chakras through intentional movement, breathwork using specific mantras, meditation, and reflection. This approach acknowledges both the physical element of each pose and its effect on subtle energy.

Can chakra work reduce stress and anxiety?

Many people find that chakra work helps reduce stress and anxiety by encouraging relaxation, self-awareness, and emotional release. Through slow movement, deep breathing, mantra practice, and mindfulness, the nervous system can begin to calm, creating a more balanced state. Understanding how to unblock stuck energy can significantly improve mental and physical health.

Can beginners work with chakras?

Yes! Chakra work is very beginner-friendly. You do not need prior experience in yoga, meditation, or energy healing to begin. Most chakra yoga practices start with simple explanations of each chakra's colour, location, and element, along with gentle techniques like basic poses and mantras. Both Eastern traditions and Western approaches offer accessible entry points to this ancient wisdom.

What is kundalini and how does it relate to chakras?

Kundalini is often described as dormant spiritual energy that rests at the base of the spine (Root Chakra location). Classical Indian texts describe kundalini awakening as this energy rising through each chakra sequentially, activating and balancing them. This process is said to lead to higher consciousness and spiritual awakening. Working with kundalini energy should be approached with respect and ideally under guidance, as it involves powerful subtle energy shifts.