What Are The Seven Chakras & How To Unblock Them?

The Chakra system is kind of like an energetic nervous system in that it’s a complex and intricate web of over 114 energy centers or wheels. Most people know the main seven and that’s because those are energetically the largest in our bodies. 

Therefore, they’re the best ones to begin working with. 

The seven largest chakras form a line moving upwards from the base of our spine to the top of our heads. When they are aligned, or not blocked or imbalanced, you will feel good, happy, and at peace. 

If there is an imbalance or blockage in one or more of the chakras, you will experience both behavioral and physical ailments. 

Having digestive issues? Look to the healing of the sacral chakra. Trouble with communication? Heal your throat chakra. 

Becoming more knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of a blocked chakra can help you in times of need. There are many things you can do to incorporate chakra cleansing and healing into your everyday life.

The Root Chakra

Located at the very base of the spine, the root chakra is your deepest sense of security. It’s said that the root chakra is half in the body and half outside, connecting us to the earth and our sense of groundedness. Physically, it’s located at the coccyx, AKA the very base of your spine.

The color associated with this chakra is red, the color of fire, vitality and passion. This is our basis of life, our basic survival and happiness. It is also connected to our healthy sex drive, as this is an important part of life on earth. Similar to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we cannot enjoy the full expression of the rest of the chakras if this one is blocked, so it’s integral to get to know the signs and symptoms of a blocked root chakra.

Signs of a blocked Root Chakra: 

• You may feel a deep sense of dread without any real outside cause 
• Laziness, narcissism, rage, insecurity and depression are all behavioral symptoms
• Physically you may experience constipation, sciatica, prostate issues, intense menstrual cramps, or bladder issues.

How to unblock your root chakra:

• Red crystals and black tourmaline placed around your house, bedroom, or kept in your pocket throughout the day will help stabilize the energy. 
• Meditate with your stones. Imagine your chakra glowing a bright and beautiful red, spinning out any negativity it is holding onto. Hold onto that high vibe feeling and let it seep into the crystal. Crystals are structurally much more sound than humans, so this energy won’t dissipate for a few days to a few weeks. Recharge them as you see fit.
• You can also keep red flowers on your desk at work, or anywhere else you deem necessary. Wear red lipstick or red clothing to work or school to help boost the energy of this chakra in order to cleanse it.

The Sacral Chakra

The second major energy center is located about an inch below your belly button. This is the chakra of pride, creativity, and confidence. This chakra is happy when it is in creation mode, so it’s also associated with procreation and childbirth. This is where we experience gut feelings. The color associated with this chakra is orange, the color of life and creation.

Signs of a blocked sacral chakra:

• You may struggle intensely with personal boundaries, at work, with friends or family members. 
• Your sexual urges may become extreme for you, insatiable and disruptive.
• You may also feel stuck in you life and creatively blocked.
•  Worry and anxiety may be on high which results in stomach aches and cramps. 
• If you’re having a lot of bad gas pain along with some of the other signs on this list, you may want to focus on your sacral chakra.

How to unblock your sacral chakra:

• Citrine, orange calcite and any other orange stone that calls to you will help vibrationally reset your sacral chakra. 
• Mediate with the stones to help set their intention.
•  Eating oranges can help stabilize this energy center, since citrus fruits are nature’s mood enhancers. 
• Taking a sunbath can also be beneficial. To do this, simply stand outside in the sunlight. Imagine the rays of the sun washing over your body as if you are taking a shower. Feel as your skin absorbs the essential vitamin D. Don’t forget to smile.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is located between your belly button and your heart. This is the center of self-love, self-respect, and self-esteem. When this chakra is balanced and healthy, your deep inner love pours out onto friends and strangers alike. This is where your personal power and success sits. 

Yellow is the color associated with this chakra which is the color of friendliness and happiness. Tradition says that yellow roses are the ones we’re meant to share with friends! Yellow is the illuminating light of the sun and so it’s fitting for this chakra that is so much about our inner illumination and glow.

Signs of a blocked solar plexus chakra:

• If you feel like you’re in competition with others, especially friends, or you find yourself blaming everyone else for your problems, you may have a block here.
•  This can also feel like a string of bad luck, indecision, or issues with control. 
• When we’re not getting energy moving in this chakra, criticism may cause you to fall deeply into a negative thought spiral. 
• On the physical level this could manifest as “letting yourself go.” If you look at self care, even basic stuff like brushing your teeth, with apathy then it might be a good idea to work with your solar plexus chakra.

How to unblock your solar plexus chakra:

• Any charged yellow crystal is going to bring a positive stabilizing energy to your field. Calcite, hematoid quartz, and yellow jasper could all work wonders. 
• A sunbath would also help raise the vibration of this chakra as well. 
• Buy yourself yellow flowers, take yourself out to dinner and eat yellow curry. Paint or create art using yellow materials. Most of all, practice gratitude.

The Anahata Chakra

The heart chakra is located precisely where it claims its name, the heart. This is the energy center that connects our basic self to out cosmic self. The heart chakra is the gateway to deep knowledge and connection. This is the center of universal love, something that can only be obtained after clearing out the solar plexus, self-love, chakra. This is our love and connection to all things, it’s where the physical meets the spiritual.

You may think that this chakra is pink but it is actually green, the color of trees and nature. Green is the color of our earth and the land, but it is also a color of calmness. Think about the feeling of trees swaying in the wind, that’s the peace this chakra brings.

Signs of a blocked heart chakra:

• Behaviorally, this blockage may be experienced as co-dependency as well as general relationship dysfunction. 
• It can also go the opposite way, calling you to loneliness and isolation from human contact. Sometimes, we humans need isolation and that’s ok, what we’re talking about here is a fear based isolation. 
• Physically this can manifest as lung or heart issues, and upper back aches and discomfort.

How to unblock your heart chakra:

• Both green and pink stones resonate with this chakra. Jade, fluorite, rose quartz, and rhodonite are just a few to choose from. 
• Wearing green and pink, giving green and pink plants to friends, using a green pen at work, buying a pink chair at a local garage sale, will all add some beautiful heart healing into your life. 
• Eating lots of healthy greens can help to boost your mood and vitality as well. Try to be as honest with yourself as possible. The heart knows how to heal itself.

The Vishuddhi Chakra

The throat chakra is our invitation to higher expression, it’s our ability to communicate effectively and with love. Coming right after the heart chakra, and being centered on our throats, this is our ability to speak our truth. Honesty moves from our hearts and up through the throat chakra.

Blue is the color of the throat chakra and is associated with calmness, like the quiet calmness of speech used when speaking from a place of love and confidence. Blue is also representative of independence and truth.

Signs of a blocked throat chakra:

• Shyness that comes from a place of fear, feeling like you can’t properly articulate your emotions and thoughts, and irrational lying could all be signs of a blocked throat chakra. 
• If you find yourself being drawn to drama, gossip, and verbally abusing loved ones then you should work from the root up in order to find balance and health in this chakra. 
• Physical symptoms might manifest as thyroid problems, a sore throat or sores in the mouth, a stiff neck, or teeth issues.

How to unblock your throat chakra:

• Meditating and carrying blue stones such as lapiz lazuli, kyanite, sodalite, chrysocolla can help to stabilize and harmonize the vibration of your throat chakra. 
• You can also practice free writing; set a time, grab a blue pen, and write without judgement or criticism, just allowing the words to flow out unhindered.
•  Spend time connecting with the element of water. Take a bath, walk by a river, throw stones in a lake, drink a lot of water. Paint your nails blue as a constant reminder of calmness and inner truth.

The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra sits between and a little above your eyebrows. It’s said that very early humans may have had three eyes instead of two. It’s here that we connect with the spirit world, the things we feel but cannot touch. This is where we process deeper insights, higher realms of intuition, and our fantastical imaginations. 

Indigo is the color associated with this chakra. Indigo is the color of new age thinking and extrasensory perceptions. It is the color of mysticism and encourages unconscious processing, which is where our intuition stems from.

Signs of a blocked third eye chakra:

• You may experience a lack of imagination or creative thinking and problem solving. 
• You may also lack the proper perspective to handle both simple and complex tasks. 
• Delusional thoughts, and in extreme cases, sociopathic tendencies can all point to blocks in this chakra. 
• On the physical level it can manifest as ocular headaches, dizziness, and ailments of the brain. If this chakra is blocked then it’s incredibly likely that other chakras need healing as well. 

How to unblock your third eye chakra:

• First you must meditate and assess which other chakras are blocked or imbalanced. Heal those chakras first, otherwise true healing cannot happen here. 
• Amethyst, labradorite, lapiz lazuli, and azurite are good stones to help balance and reset this chakra. 
• You may also want to practice taking moon baths. Stand in the glow of the moon and feel its energetic beams wash over you like a shower, let this energy heal and revive you. 
• Dark blue clothing and spaces may help as well. 
• Look into sensory deprivation tubs also, this experience will help with better aligning all of your chakras.

The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra, much like the root chakra, exists both in our bodies and outside of it. This is the top of our heads, the cerebral cortex. As the final major chakra, this is our connection to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. This is the center of our cosmic awareness, faith, spiritual power. This is the deep feeling of oneness with the universe and its beings, but it’s also knowing that this world is far bigger than you. 

Violet is the color most often associated with this chakra. Violet is the color of magick and purification. It represents our dreams, the future, and our propensity to access psychic abilities. 

Signs of a blocked crown chakra:

• This can manifest as a detachment from reality, increased intensity or new mental disorders, spiritual crisis, addition, and a deep feeling of loneliness. This loneliness is the darkest of depressions. 
• Other blocked chakras can manifest as depression and that’s because the health of the rest of the chakras will directly impact the crown. But for this chakra, depression is dire, desperate, and dangerous. 

How to unblock your crown chakra:

• If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with their brain function and severe mental disorders you should seek medical care immediately. 
• In your healing of this chakra, stones like amethyst and selenite can be of comfort and aid. 
• Surround yourself with healing colors and shades of purple. 
• Surround yourself with healing friends as well. Deep spiritual practices will aid and assist with the healing of this chakra, in conjunct with the help of professionals.