A chakra is an energy center in the body.
There are seven main chakras in the body, which each serve different functions.
According to Merriam Webster, the first known use of the word chakra was was in 1888.
The seven chakras in the body are:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara)
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The chakras coincide with the colors of the rainbow, starting with red and ending with violet.
A properly balanced chakra is one that is not overactive or underactive. Because Chakras are centers for energy, they are prone to imbalances. Symptoms of an imbalanced chakra include feeling too much or too little of something, if the chakra is overactive or underactive.
There are many ways in which a chakra imbalance can manifest. An unbalanced chakra can lead to spiritual, mental, and even physical issues.
An understanding of what a chakra is can help to determine if and where there are any imbalances occurring.
Many people choose to use crystals and stones to balance chakras. Each crystal has a purpose and a coinciding chakra that it works best with.
For example, Red Jasper works well as a protection stone and works well with the Root Chakra. There are also meditations that you can use while holding your stone, to bring energy into a desired chakra.