The Chakra System - wheels of energy in the body

The chakras are often depicted in 7 colours of the rainbow, much like a spectrum of light is split into wavelengths that when separated fan out into colours. The seven colours offer an alternative perspective to the human journey, much like wavelengths our chakras have different vibrational energy.

Our consciousness is made up of mind, body, spirit, and matter which is not easily explained from a black and white view - point. Our chakras run through the core of our spine from the tailbone up to the crown of the head: Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye, Crown.

Chakra 1: Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Location: base of the spine, soles of the feet and the hip flexors.

This is the 1st chakra when we talk of the 7 chakras, as they travel from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head. The Root Chakra is associated with your basic needs of safety and security. It is known in Sanskrit as Muladhara.

Element: Earth.

Colour: The Root Chakra is often visualised as a red wheel, clay of the earth or bright red light.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Located: below the naval, includes the groin area and pubic bone.

The sacral chakra is our 2nd chakra, associated with emotions, thoughts and feelings, the seat of creativity, desire, sexuality and passion, connections, relationships.

Element: Water

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Located: above the naval, at the centre of the abdomen/chest, below the ribs.

The 3rd chakra is associated with ambition, confidence, self – esteem, will power and determination, drive to take-action, the seat of our power.

Element: Fire

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Located: at heart centre, the upper chest and area that surrounds the heart.

The 4th Chakra is the mid-point. It takes care of all the other chakras. It is typically associated with love, compassion, empathy, and awareness. This love, compassion, and empathy we give to others, but we also show toward ourselves. The Heart Chakra is where we show gratitude and forgiveness.

Element: Air

Throat Chakra (vishuddha)

Located: at the throat and neck area.

The 5th chakra is associated with expression and communication, the balance between speaking and listening, speaking your truth, shouting, whispering, singing, chanting. This can be the method of expression with vibration and sound as its toolset. It is a gateway between heart, mind and body which can expel messages from the lower chakras or put the upper chakra thoughts into words where possible.

Element: Air

The throat chakra is represented by a bright blue colour, wheel, or ray of light.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Located: at the centre of the forehead, just above and between the eyebrows.

The 6th chakra is associated with intuition, the ability to perceive or command. It holds that inner wisdom of knowing, dealing with a lot of symbolism i.e., providing a “bird’s eye view” sometimes of that which is unclear: beyond our knowledge.

Element: Light & Air

The third eye chakra is often viewed as an indigo or dark blue colour.

Crown Chakra (Sahaswara)

Located: at the crown of the head and up to 3 inches above the head.

The 7th chakra is associated with spirituality, enlightenment, cosmic connection, and universal truth.

Element: Sound & Air

The Crown Chakra is often seen as the colour purple or a bright white.