As a Reiki healer, I work with chakras all the time. During every session with a client, I check the status of the seven main chakras. This is what usually guides my healing sessions. It dictates which crystals I use and where I place the crystals on or around my client.

So what exactly are chakras?

The word chakra is Sanskrit and means wheel, which refers to the shape and movement of each chakra. Chakras are cone-shaped spinning vortexes of energy. Chakras are all about energy; they manage the energy. The energy in the chakras moves both upwards and downwards throughout your body.

There are seven main chakras and several minor chakras. Each chakra has a distinct influence on our feelings, thoughts and behaviours. The seven main chakras are located at seven different points along your spine.

The bottom three chakras represent the physical world, and the upper three chakras connect to the spiritual world. The heart chakra is considered the bridge for both the lower and the upper chakras.

In a minute, I will be giving an overview of each of the seven chakras. We want each chakra to be open and spinning at the same speed, in the same direction, and to be approximately the same size, meaning the chakra is balanced.

When our chakras are balanced, we feel happy, healthy, calm, and centred. If our chakras are out of balance, we might feel unhappy, stuck, tired and may develop physical illnesses. When our chakras become unbalanced, energy blocks occur, making it difficult for our energy to flow freely through each chakra.

For each chakra, I will discuss the main purpose, what the symptoms of a balanced chakra would look like, the symptoms when the chakra is not in balance and a few ways to heal or balance each chakra.

The 1st Chakra: The Root Chakra

Colour: Red

The root chakra is found at the base of your spine. Its primary drive is on safety, stability and survival. Meaning our basic needs are being met, and we have a sense of belonging in this world.

Balanced Root Chakra

Feeling safe and secure
Connected
A feeling of being at home with yourself and your past
Trusting
Feeling Supported
Being comfortable in your body
Feeling grounded
Ability to be still.

Unbalanced Root Chakra

Low energy
Worried about basic needs being met (money, food and shelter)
Angry
Insecure
Easily annoyed
Feeling alone and unsupported
Controlling

How to Balance Your Root Chakra

Ground yourself
Wear the colour red
Walk outside, barefoot if possible
Stay focused on the present
Garden
Eat root vegetables
Spend time in nature
Crystals (Red Jasper, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, and Black Tourmaline)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the root chakra

I am safe
My needs are always met
I am grounded
I love my body and trust it’s wisdom
I am always provided for

The 2nd Chakra: The Sacral Chakra

Colour: Orange

The sacral chakra is between your pubic bone and navel, approximately 2 to 3 inches below your belly button. This chakra is associated with sexuality, creativity, pleasure, relationships and emotional stability.

Balanced Sacral Chakra

Ability to embrace change
Healthy boundaries
Sexual satisfaction
Energetic
Creative
Healthy self-esteem
Passionate
Emotional stability

Unbalanced Sacral Chakra

Jealousy
Guilt
Poor boundaries
Instability
Avoidance of pleasure
Extremely emotional
Fear of expressing oneself
Fertility issues
Addictive behaviours and tendencies (food, gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, work)

How to Balance Your Sacral Chakra

Try something new
Pamper yourself
Increase your self-care
Wear the colour orange
Eat more orange coloured food
Do something spontaneous
Make time for sexual pleasure
Crystals (Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Amber)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the Sacral Chakra

I am creative
I embrace and celebrate my sexuality
I am in touch with my feelings
I easily allow pleasure into my life
I am a sensual and creative being

The 3rd Chakra: The Solar Plexus

Colour: Yellow

This chakra is in your upper abdomen, where your diaphragm sits. The Solar Plexus Chakra is referred to as the power chakra. It is connected to your personal power, self-esteem, confidence, self-discipline, independence, and personal identity.

Balance Solar Plexus Chakra

Strong sense of identity
Thinks clearly and logically
Compassionate
Confident
Positive
Hopeful
Assertive
Reliable
Good self-discipline
Able to take risks

Unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra

Negative
Low self-esteem
Manipulative
Feels powerless
Controlling
Arrogant
Stubborn
Passive
Weak-willed
Blaming
Competitive
Lacking clear direction or purpose

How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra

Cut ties with toxic people or at least limit contact with them
Get out in the sun more
Wear the colour yellow
Do breathing exercises
Work on goal setting
Try using the word “no” more
Do a solar plexus guided meditation
Try something new
Eat yellow foods
Crystals (Citrine, Golden or Honey Calcite, Tigers Eye)
Affirmation

Affirmations for the Solar Plexus Chakra

I am strong and courageous
I am at peace with myself
I stand in my power
I am confident in all that I do
I allow myself to shine

The 4th Chakra: The Heart Chakra

Colour: Green and also pink

This chakra is in the middle of your chest. The heart chakra is associated with compassion, love, relationships to self and others, forgiveness, and empathy.

Balanced Heart Chakra

Compassionate
Acceptance
Empathetic
Sense of internal balance and peace
Joyful
Grateful

Unbalanced Heart Chakra

Jealous or envious
Bitter
Feeling rejected
Lonely
Fear of intimacy
People pleasing
Poor boundaries
Hold grudge
Lack of compassion
Withdrawn and avoiding social situations
Self-centred

How to Balance the Heart Chakra

Practice Gratitude
Give yourself permission to feel
Do a forgiveness ritual
Eat more green food
Do one kind thing every day
Wear green
Laugh
Hug more
Crystals (Green Aventurine, Malachite, Amazonite, Rose Quartz, Kunzite, Peridot)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the Heart Chakra

I am worthy of love
I love myself and others fearlessly
I am open to love and kindness
I forgive myself and others
I let go of fear, worry, anger and guilt

The 5th Chakra: The Throat Chakra

Colour: Blue

This chakra is in the centre of your neck. It is associated with communication, self-expression, and authenticity.

Balanced Throat Chakra

Clear communication with others
Able to express oneself
Good listener
Speaks with confidence and truth

Unbalanced Throat Chakra

Fear of being judged or rejected
Resentful
Talking to much
Fear of speaking
Speaking to loudly
Struggle to verbalize your thoughts
Feeling anxious in conversation
Over opinionated

How to Balance Your Throat Chakra

Use mantras or chants
Journal your thoughts
Sing
Laugh more
Wear blue
Practice assertiveness
Crystals (Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Kyanite, Angelite, Apatite)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the Throat Chakra

I express myself with clarity and confidence
I speak my truth clearly
I am honest about who I am
I listen with interest
I am calm, confident and well-spoken

The 6th Chakra: The Third Eye Chakra

Colour: Indigo

This chakra is found between the eyebrows. The sixth chakra is responsible for how you perceive the world. It is associated with your intuition, imagination, self-awareness, and psychic ability.

Balanced Third Eye Chakra

Strong intuition
Good memory
Focused
Ability to differentiate truth from fiction
Creative imagination
Ability to visualize

Unbalanced Third Eye Chakra

Difficulty concentrating
Lack of imagination
Insensitivity
Excessive skepticism
Denial
Often caught up on the small details and unable to see the big picture
Spend a significant amount of time daydreaming
Inability to self reflect
Sees life as black-and-white
Delusions
Feeling spacey
Nightmares

How to Balance the Third Eye Chakra

Get plenty of sleep
Create a sleep routine
Practice mindfulness
Keep a dream journal
Wear the colour indigo
Do a guided meditation
Crystals (Amethyst, Tanzanite, Sodalite, Fluorite)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the Third Eye Chakra

I always honour and follow my intuition
I am wise, intuitive and connected with my inner guide
It is safe for me to see the truth
I am connected to the divine
All I need is within me

The 7th Chakra: The Crown Chakra

Colour: Violet

This chakra is located at the top of your head. The crown chakra is our connection to the universe. It is associated with our spirituality, enlightenment and interconnection.

Balanced Crown Chakra

Feeling empowered
Spiritual connection
Living in the present
Open-mindedness
Sense of purpose and belonging
Wisdom
Trust in oneself and the flow of life

Unbalanced Crown Chakra

Narrow-minded
A constant state of frustration and or confusion
Over intellectualization
Spiritual cynicism
Apathy
Inability to go with the flow
Living in your head

How to Balance the Crown Chakra

Practice meditation
Go out in nature more
Be open to guidance
Reiki healing
Wear the colour violet
Crystals (Quartz, Selenite, Danburite, Charoite, Sugilite)
Affirmations

Affirmations for the Crown Chakra

I am divinely guided and inspired
I am infinite and boundless
I am a being of light and love
I am grateful for all the goodness in my life
I am peaceful, whole and balanced

Chakra Introduction