Nikola Tesla, the American inventor and electrical engineer, once said that the fundamental building blocks of the universe are energy, frequency, and vibration.

You’ve likely felt this energetic field in your own life.

It’s the life force that flows through all of us, often referred to as our chakras.

Research shows we have seven main chakras running along our spines. However, some studies suggest that we may actually have more than the traditional seven; in fact, we may carry as many as 114 chakras throughout our bodies.

For today, though, we’ll focus on the seven primary chakras. This guide aims to give you a clearer understanding of each one and how they influence your mind, body, and spirit.

Let’s dive in!

A Beginner’s Guide to the 7 Chakras in Order 

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According to ancient Vedic wisdom, the word chakras derived from the Sanskrit word chakram, which mean “turning” or “wheel.”

These spinning energy wheels/disks are tied to specific nerve bundles and organs in the body.

Aligned vertically up the body, the seven chakras are approximately seven fingers from each other around the vertebrae area.

Starting at the root or base of your spine, extended to the crown of your head, these seven chakras are always in motion.

One can even say they are the “backbone” to your core energy center — transmitting energy from one point to another.

The 7 Chakras in Order 

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Each of the seven chakras is connected to a specific element, color, and vibrational mantra.

When these chakras become blocked or out of alignment, it can have a significant impact on your overall well-being — affecting you psychologically, physically, and spiritually.

For your chakras to function at their best, they need to remain open and balanced.

In The Untethered Soul, author Michael Singer emphasizes the importance of keeping your chakras open.

He explains that if you don’t, it will be much harder to regulate your body, emotions, and even fight off disease.

To keep your chakras in harmony, consider incorporating habits like regular long walks, weight training, eating a clean diet, and getting quality sleep.

These practices help to keep your energy flowing freely.

Below is an infographic of the seven-chakra system to help you explore these elements more deeply. Let’s take a look:

The 7 Chakras in Order 

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The Root Chakra

The base chakra, or Muladhara (in Sanskrit), is the foundation of your core energy center. Essentially, it is your trust in yourself and in others. The root Chakra is correspondent to your sense of stability and security. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra is the foundation for life.

Balancing the root chakra will make you feel grounded, giving you the willingness to withstand challenges.

The Sacral Chakra:

The Naval, or the sex chakra, is known In Sanskrit as Svadhisthana. The sacral chakra is located just below your belly button; it is your center energy for sexuality and creativity.

The sacral chakra is often linked to how you relate to your emotions as well as the emotions of others.

The Solar Plexus Chakra:

The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura (in Sanskrit), is located in your stomach area. The solar plexus chakra governs your self-esteem, confidence, as well as helping you feel in control of your life.

The Heart Chakra:

The heart chakra, also called Anahata in Sanskrit is located near your heart, in the center of your chest. This chakra primary purpose is to love and show compassion.

The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra, or Vishuddha (in Sanskrit). is located in your throat area. This chakra is correlated with our capability to communicate verbally.

The Third Eye Chakra

The Eye chakra, also Known in Sanskrit as the Ajana (pronounced hajj–na) chakra, is your connection to the source — the point between your soul and the universal spirit.

This chakra is located between your eyes and above your eyebrows.

This is the chakra to thank, whenever you feel a strong gut instinct.

It’s responsible for your intuition and a catalyst for your imagination.

The Crown Chakra:

At the top of your head, is where you’ll find the crown chakra. Also known as Sahasrara in Sanskrit, or the thousand-petaled-lotus chakra, the crown chakra is vital to creating a life you love and attaining inner peace.

It represents your spiritual connection to yourself, others, and the universe.

Final thoughts

As you begin to work with your chakras, you’ll learn how to unblock or rebalance your energy centers.

To speed up the process, try incorporating yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, a great way to get the ball rolling (no pun intended).

You might also consider working with a professional energy healer or a certified yoga instructor, especially if you’re not sure where to begin or want deeper guidance.

And most importantly, start by getting to know yourself better.

The more self-awareness you build, the easier it becomes to understand your energy and make choices that support your overall well-being.

References:

Photo courtesy of Cup of Couple.

Davidji, (2012–2017). Secrets of meditation. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc.

Pond, (2016). Chakras Beyond Beginners, Awakening to the Power Within. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.