Literally, chakra is the Sanskrit (sacred language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism) word for wheel. Chakras are energy centers within each of us. There are seven chakras corresponding to major nerve ganglia (nerve clusters) located along the vertical midline of the body from the base of the spine to the top of the head (coccygeal, sacral, lumbar, thoracic, cervicothoracic, middle cervical, and superior cervical). Each chakra distributes energy to a particular area of the body. If an area of our life is out of balance, the vitality of the energy may lessen. An unbalanced chakra may affect our glands, organs, and psyche eventually leading to disease.

The ten petal lotus flower is the symbol of the third chakra also called the Solar Plexus chakra, or Manipura. It governs the digestive system including the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen, and pancreas. When the energies of this chakra are repressed, feelings are held back and there is inner turmoil. Imbalances can lead to digestive problems, ulcers, diabetes, hypo/hyperglycemia, and even eating disorders. When the energies of this chakra are balanced, emotions are felt and expressed. We enjoy well-being and have a clear sense of personal self-determination.

The chakras are associated with certain body parts, glands, elements, colors, senses, mantras (sounds), gems, etc. Click on the links below to learn more about each chakra.

	Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra
	Brow (Ajna) Chakra
	Throat (Vishuddi) Chakra
	Heart (Anahata) Chakra
	Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra
	Sacral (Svadisthana) Chakra
	Base (Muladhara) Chakra

	Base (Muladhara) Chakra (Physical Identity, Self-Preservation)
Location:	Perineum (between anus and genitals)
Function:	Survival, culture, superstitions, fear, values
Inner State:	Stability, security; sense of purpose/belonging; responsibility for actions
Body Parts:	Bones, legs, feet, male reproductive organs, rectum
Glands:	Adrenals (fight or flight response)
Malfunction:	Anemia, leukemia, sciatica, prostate problems, hemorrhoids, constipation, obesity
Element:	Earth
Color:	Red
Sense:	Smell
Mantra:	Lam
Gems:	Ruby, Garnet
Petals:	Four

Back to Top

	Sacral (Svadisthana) Chakra (Emotional Identity, Self-Gratification)
Location:	Sacral Plexus
Function:	Development of relationships with others; pleasure, sexuality, procreation; creativity
Inner State:	Self-confidence, well-being; depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment; ability to accept change
Body Parts:	Reproductive system, large intestine, appendix, spleen, bladder
Glands:	Ovaries, testes
Malfunction:	Frigidity, impotence, sexual promiscuity, uterine problems, Candida infection, bladder problems
Element:	Water
Color:	Orange
Sense:	Taste
Mantra:	Vam
Gems:	Amber, Coral
Petals:	Six

Back to Top

	Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra (Ego Identity, Self-Definition)
Location:	Between 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebrae
Function:	Personal power, will, control, autonomy; metabolism
Inner State:	Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect, self-discipline, non-dominating power (emotions are felt and expressed); responsibility for making decisions; intense emotion, laughter, joy, anger, energy, spontaneity
Body Parts:	Digestive system, stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, small intestine
Glands:	Pancreas
Malfunction:	Ulcers, diabetes, hepatitis, jaundice, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, blood sugar disorders (hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia), nervousness, timidity; acts like a dam holding back feelings, energies, and needs creating inner turmoil, repressed anger
Element:	Fire
Color:	Yellow
Sense:	Sight
Mantra:	Ram
Gems:	Amber, Gold
Petals:	Ten

Back to Top

	Heart (Anahata) Chakra (Social Identity, Self-Acceptance)
Location:	Between 4th and 5th thoracic vertebrae
Function:	Love (universal, unconditional, a continuous flow of energy toward others); power to heal and change, but must be emptied of selfish desires; practicing deep breathing counteracts the tendency to live in a shallow manner
Inner State:	Love, compassion, forgiveness, peace, hope, trust, commitment, centeredness
Body Parts:	Heart, lungs, diaphragm, shoulders, breasts, arms, hands
Glands:	Thymus
Malfunction:	Heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, lung disease, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia
Element:	Air
Color:	Green
Sense:	Touch
Mantra:	Lam
Gems:	Emerald, Malachite
Petals:	Twelve

Back to Top

	Throat (Vishuddi) Chakra (Creative Identity, Self-Expression)
Location:	Throat
Function:	Communication
Inner State:	Self-knowledge, intuition, faith; choice, strength of will; power of creativity
Body Parts:	Mouth, teeth, neck, throat, esophagus
Glands:	Thyroid, parathyroid
Malfunction:	Toothaches, TMJ, tonsillitis, swollen glands, sore throat, colds, thyroid problems, speech disorders, hiccups, hyperactivity, OCD
Element:	Akasa/Ether (spirit)
Color:	Blue
Sense:	Hearing
Mantra:	Ham
Gems:	Turquoise, Blue Topaz
Petals:	Sixteen

	Brow (Ajna) Chakra (Archetypal Identity, Self-Reflection)
Location:	Just above bridge of nose
Function:	Direct perception; seeing both physically and intuitively; lets us see the big picture, opens psychic abilities
Inner State:	Self-evaluation, ability to learn from experience; intelligence; intuition
Body Parts:	Brain, eyes, ears, nose, sinus, autonomic nervous system
Glands:	Pituitary
Malfunction:	Headaches, migraines, blindness, earaches, equilibrium imbalances, nightmares, sleep disorders
Element:	None
Color:	Indigo
Sense:	None
Mantra:	Om
Gems:	Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire
Petals:	Two

Back to Top

	Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra (Universal Identity, Self-Knowledge)
Location:	Crown of head (4 finger-breaths above top of head)
Function:	Enlightenment; connection to greater world beyond (a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing); humanitarianism
Inner State:	Knowledge, awareness, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection; selflessness; ability to trust life
Body Parts:	Cerebral cortex, central nervous system
Glands:	Pineal
Malfunction:	Alienation, mental illness, confusion, senility, skin rashes, eczema
Element:	None
Color:	Violet
Sense:	None
Mantra:	None
Gems:	Amethyst, Diamond, Quartz Crystal
Petals:	One thousand