A beginner’s guide to 7 chakras and how to unlock their energy

You’re wired but tired. Scattered but stuck. You say you’re fine, but your body tells another story.

That’s not random. That’s your energy all over the place and not where it should be, all balanced, in the 7 chakras.

These energy centers govern everything from your instincts to your intuition. When they’re out of sync, life feels off. You chase clarity. You repeat patterns. You lose your spark.

And understanding them is the beginning of remembering who you are before the noise, the burnout… the forgetting. 

Because the truth is, owning your energy is your birthright.

What are the 7 chakras?

The 7 chakras meaning is simple: they are your body’s main energy centers, bridging your mind, body, and spirit.They govern everything in your life, from your survival in the physical world to your confidence to even your connection to the divine.

The word “chakra” is Sanskrit for “wheel.” And that’s exactly what it is: wheels of energy in the body, with the seven main ones stacked like a ladder from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. When they spin in harmony, your whole system is harmonious.

“The chakra system is a profound philosophical system that represents the levels of consciousness,” says Anodea Judith, a chakra healing expert, author, and trainer of the Chakra Healing program on Mindvalley. “So it’s the map to the architecture of your soul.”

And science is fast catching up, framing the phenomenon of prana—Sanskrit for “life force”—as bioelectricity in motion.

Dr. Joe Dispenza, a neuroscientist and proponent of the mind-body-soul connection, calls them “mini-brains,” a.k.a. intelligent centers with their own frequency, memory, emotion, and electromagnetic influence.

“When energy flows through these centers in balance and in order, you experience health, vitality, and wholeness,” wrote Dr. Dispenza in his book, Becoming Supernatural. “But when they’re blocked or incoherent, you experience stress, disease, or dysfunction.”

In short? They’re where yogic science meets neurobiology. A system mapped in the Vedas, confirmed through somatic healing, and now lit up on EEG scans and lab tests thanks to mindfulness practices like meditation and breathwork.

And understanding them is the first step to unlocking everything you’ve ever wanted to become.

Chakra system origin history and system

Contrary to popular belief, the chakra system isn’t New Age fluff. It’s a timeless, 4,000-year-old system of inner architecture, designed for awakening.

It was thought to first show up in the Vedas, India’s sacred texts dating back to 1500 BCE. These scriptures had mapped the subtle body long before Western anatomy caught on. 

Interestingly, the word “chakra” was also traced in the Upanishads, and it was a time when yogis spoke of spinning energy wheels that influenced body, mind, and spirit. 

As centuries passed, the system evolved through Tantric and Hatha Yoga traditions, integrating breathwork, mantras, and chakra meditation to circulate life force. The energy pathways in the body that carry it all are referred to as nadis, the Sanskrit word for “motion.” “And there were thousands of them in the body,” describes Anodea.

But the 7 chakras? They’re the hubs. The vital intersections that you tune to first when you want your whole system to sing. “These chakras are organizational centers for the reception, assimilation, and transmission of life-force energy,” she adds.

But what do the 7 chakras mean to your day-to-day living?

Think of the system governing them as a reliable user manual for understanding your body, the wellness of which is the starting point for every other aspect of life. Because the truth is, you don’t heal your life by skipping your physical wellness. You heal your life by starting there.

The chakra system is a profound philosophical system that represents the levels of consciousness. So it’s the map to the architecture of your soul.

— Anodea Judith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Chakra Healing program

The 7 chakras chart and their meanings

Each chakra carries its own frequency, color, element, and psychological theme. In Anodea’s view? They spin “like jewels aligned along the radiant core of your deepest soul.”

Here’s a quick chart to show you what the 7 chakras in the human body are and their significance:

Chakra names	Chakra colors	Element	Location	What they govern
Root chakra (Muladhara)	Red	Earth	Base of the spine	Safety, survival, grounding (feeling connected to your material world)
Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana)	Orange	Water	Lower abdomen	Emotions, sensuality, creativity
Solar plexus chakra (Manipura)	Yellow	Fire	Upper abdomen (navel)	Confidence, willpower, personal power
Heart chakra (Anahata)	Green	Air	Center of the chest	Love, compassion, emotional healing
Throat chakra (Vishuddha)	Blue	Sound	Throat	Communication, truth, expression
Third eye chakra (Ajna)	Indigo	Light	Between the eyebrows	Intuition, insight, wisdom
Crown chakra (Sahasrara)	Violet	Thought	Top of the head	Spirituality, divine connection, unity

Each of these energy centers is like a radio station. Tune in to the right frequency, and your life flows. Miss the signal, and you start feeling disconnected, depleted, or just straight-up stuck.

Where are the chakras located in the body?

The 7 chakras in the human body run from the base of your spine to the crown of your head, stacked like an energetic ladder.

Each one corresponds not just to a point in your physical form but to a major nerve ganglion and endocrine gland. They don’t exist in bone or flesh. They pulse in the in-between, where your biology, emotions, and beliefs collide.

As Anodea explains in her program, “Between the crown and the base of your spine is your sacred core. A column of energy between heaven and earth in which all the chakras are found.”

That column is your central channel, also known in yogic tradition as the sushumna nadi. It’s where your life force moves upward, evolving your awareness.

Sure, you won’t see your chakras on an X-ray. But science is quickly catching up to their reality. Researchers have tracked measurable correlations between energy centers and brain activity using EEG and gas-discharge imaging, showing that these systems may be more than just ancient wisdom lore or metaphor.

And you know they’re real from the way you can feel their imbalance when they’re out of whack.

Why chakras get blocked

Chakras get blocked when the energy flowing through your system gets interrupted, suppressed, or overwhelmed. 

“We create defenses that block the inner world from connecting with the outer world,” Anodea points out. “And many of these defenses are lodged in the gates of the chakras.”

Every experience you’ve ever had—trauma, heartbreak, shame, stress, even boredom—creates a vibrational imprint. If that energy isn’t processed, it gets stuck. The system slows down. And eventually, you lose charge… and your overall “mojo.”

Now, picture your chakras like spinning gears and fear, guilt, or chronic stress as the things that jam them up. With these blocks lodged in, no wheel can spin cleanly. And your energy in any of these centers piles up or drains out as a result.

You’d know it from some common triggers you may feel from time to time, with one example representing a chakra blockage:

• Childhood wounds or unprocessed trauma
• Chronic stress, burnout, and overwork
• Repressed emotions, like grief, anger, desire
• Negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
• Living in survival mode (hello, root chakra burnout)
• Disconnection from meaning or purpose

Sometimes, it’s subtle. You feel foggy, numb, or weirdly off. Other times, it hits like a wall—you can’t speak your truth, can’t feel joy, can’t move forward. 

Whenever you’re lured to think it’s just a bad mood, think again. It’s likely your chakra’s flow, sabotaged. 

We create defenses that block the inner world from connecting with the outer world. And many of these defenses are lodged in the gates of the chakras.

— Anodea Judith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Chakra Healing program

But thankfully, there’s always a way to fix each of their balance. All you’ve got to do is start listening to your body. Then feel it. Before you move it.

Because the beautiful truth is, chakras are designed to heal… if you let them.

Symptoms of blocked chakras

When your chakras are blocked, your system goes glitchy—emotionally, physically, and energetically.

You might not see it, but you’ll feel it. In your body. In your breath. In your decisions. These blocks show up like static in your signal. Things stop flowing, and you start feeling stuck.

Here’s how that stuck energy might show up, chakra by chakra:

Chakra	Physical signs	Emotional signs
Root chakra (Muladhara)	1. Fatigue 2. Lower back pain 3. Weak immune system	1. Constant fear and worry (scarcity mindset) 2. Anxiety about plans 3. Financial stress and instability
Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana)	1. Reproductive issues 2. Libido that’s too high or low 3. Hormonal imbalances 4. Hip tightness 5. Kidney or bladder problems	1. Guilt around desires 2. Emotional numbness 3. Lack of pleasure in life 4. Blocked creativity
Solar plexus chakra (Manipura)	1. Digestive issues 2. Stomach ulcers or acid reflux 3. Adrenal fatigue	1. Low self–worth 2. Control issues (inferiority complex) 3. Chronic indecisiveness or apathy
Heart chakra (Anahata)	1. Chest tightness 2. Heart issues and palpitations 3. Upper back pain	1. Fear of intimacy 2. Emotional shutdown 3. Jealousy or bitterness
Throat chakra (Vishuddha)	1. Sore throat 2. Thyroid imbalance  3. Stiff neck or jaw	1. Fear of speaking up 2. Overtalking or social withdrawal 3. Super harsh inner critic
Third eye chakra (Ajna)	1. Headaches 2. Insomnia 3. Eye strain 4. Vision problems	1. Poor intuition 2. Mental fog 3. Escapism tendencies 4. Addiction
Crown chakra (Sahasrara)	1. Migraines 2. Sensitivity to light 3. Tension at the top of the head	1. Cynicism or hopelessness 2. Disconnection from one’s purpose 3. Spiritual numbness

Now, it’s tempting to think of blocked chakras as “bad vibes,” but there’s no use in demonizing them. At least not to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a trauma expert and psychiatrist.

In his book, The Body Keeps the Score, he wrote, “The body keeps the score: if the memory of trauma is encoded in the viscera, in heartbreaking and gut-wrenching emotions, in autoimmune disorders and skeletal/muscular problems…this demands a radical shift in our therapeutic assumptions.”

And because chakras are linked to your mind-body systems, a blockage is your inner signal that something needs to shift and that your spiritual growth is due.

How to unblock each chakra

Chakra blockages don’t always scream. Sometimes, they merely “whisper.” But no matter what the symptoms are, one thing’s for sure: your body always knows.

As Anodea explains in her program, “Through certain movements, we can direct that energy into places in the body where it’s needed. We can dissolve blockages and become more alive.”

So if you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or just off? Restore the flow—with exercises, foods, color-coded clothing, and even essential oils (which activate your parasympathetic nervous system, or the state you’re in when you relax).

Below is a quick look at how to open chakras, one at a time:

Chakra	How to unblock it	Foods to eat	Essential oils to use
Root chakra (Muladhara)	Grounding exercises, walking barefoot (earthing), root chakra affirmations	Beets, tomatoes, root vegetables, red apples	Cedarwood, patchouli, vetiver
Sacral chakra (Svadhisthana)	Hip-opening yoga exercises, dancing, daily journaling	Oranges, carrots, mangoes, pumpkins	Ylang-ylang, sweet orange, sandalwood
Solar plexus chakra (Manipura)	Core workout, saying “no”, breath of fire exercise	Pineapple, corn, bananas, yellow peppers	Lemon, ginger, black pepper
Heart chakra (Anahata)	Heart-opening yoga poses, forgiveness practices, and random acts of kindness	Spinach, kale, broccoli, green apples	Rose, bergamot, geranium
Throat chakra (Vishuddha)	Chanting, singing, speaking your truth	Blueberries, seaweed, coconut water	Lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus
Third eye chakra (Ajna)	Meditation, candle gazing (trataka), dopamine fasting	Purple grapes, eggplants, plums	Frankincense, clary sage, juniper berry
Crown chakra (Sahasrara)	Silent meditation, time in nature, and reading spiritual texts	Herbal teas, light fruits (like lychee or dragonfruit), or intermittent fasting (to clear the “noise”)	Lotus, myrrh, lavender

Did you just gasp at how “real-life” these solutions are? It’s probably because you’ve been fed a woo-woo version of chakra healing your whole life. 

Turns out, the whole process is grounded in logical, actionable steps.

1. Root chakra: How to unblock

“Begin by extending your roots down into the earth below and lifting your crown up to the heavens above,” guides Anodea in her program.

That image alone kickstarts your energy alignment.

This chakra responds to physicality, so forget the overthinking. You need movement, presence, and deep grounding to bring it back online.

Here’s how to balance it:

• Earthing. Walk barefoot on the earth. Doing this reconnects your body to the physical world and calms the nervous system.
• Practice grounding yoga poses like malasana or mountain pose to anchor your body and steady your energy.
• Wear red or keep red objects nearby. Color triggers the energy of the root chakra and activates a sense of strength.
• Write down your money fears. Then reframe them into grounded truths to shift survival-based thinking into safety-based knowing.
• Use vetiver or cedarwood oil on the soles of your feet. These earthy scents stabilize your senses and deepen your connection to the present.
• Eat grounding foods. Think root veggies, red apples, beets—anything that grows underground reinforces stability and presence.

Remember: every rise to the top in life begins at ground level. Build your base, and everything else will fall into place.

2. Sacral chakra: How to unblock

“Energy wants to flow like water through your whole body,” says Anodea. And the sacral chakra is just that: your internal tide. The more you move, the more you feel.

Here’s how to balance it:

• Do hip-opening yoga like the goddess pose or pelvic circles. This gets the energy flowing in your second chakra’s zone.
• Wear orange or surround yourself with the color. It boosts creativity and awakens sensual energy.
• Dance, sway, or move your hips daily. These are not just movements—they’re energy medicine.
• Write about what brings you joy. Then do one small version of it every day.
• Use ylang ylang or sweet orange oil on your lower belly. These oils activate sensuality and emotional openness.
• Eat hydrating fruits like oranges, mangoes, and coconuts. These support flow and feminine nourishment.

When you unlock this chakra, you will remember what it means to be in love with life.

3. Solar plexus chakra: How to unblock

Confidence lives here. So does your willpower. If your solar plexus is blocked, you’ll second-guess every move, shrink back from decisions, or feel constantly drained.

This is your inner fire. “If you want more energy,” says Anodea, “you’ve got to stoke your fire.”

Here’s how to balance it:

• Practice core-activating yoga. Think boat pose or the plank. These poses build strength and awaken your power center.
• Wear yellow or sit in sunlight. Yellow stimulates energy and self-assurance.
• Write powerful statements, like “I act with confidence and courage.” Let your words rewire your mind.
• Do the breath of fire. This sharp yet mindful breathing technique tones your core and fuels your third chakra.
• Use ginger or lemon oil on your upper abdomen. They boost clarity and confidence.
• Eat yellow foods like corn, pineapple, or bananas. These energize your system and fuel your will.

Reignite this chakra, and you stop waiting for permission. You act, and you lead.

4. Heart chakra: How to unblock

“The heart is the center of love,” says Anodea. And for good reason.

This is your energetic core, where empathy, connection, and compassion live. When it’s blocked, life feels cold and closed. But open it, and everything starts to soften.

Here’s how to balance it:

• Practice heart-opening yoga like camel pose or bridge. These expand your chest and soften emotional armor.
• Wear green or spend time in nature. Green evokes healing, balance, and love.
• Write a forgiveness letter, even if you don’t send it. Releasing grief creates space for grace.
• Try the Winged Breath (inhale to one side, exhale to the other). It clears heaviness in the chest and restores emotional rhythm.
• Use rose or eucalyptus oil on your chest. These support emotional healing and ease heartbreak.
• Eat leafy greens, avocados, or green apples. They support vitality and heart health.

Unblock this chakra and you’ll realize that love isn’t something you seek but it’s something you already are.

5. Throat chakra: How to unblock

When your truth center is blocked, you struggle to express yourself. Or worse: you silence your needs just to keep the peace.

To bring it back “online,” you need more than just words. You need resonance.

“Communication comes in and we hear it in our listening,” explains Anodea. “And we let it out as we speak our truth.”

Here’s how to balance it:

• Do neck and shoulder stretches. These release tension that constricts your voice.
• Wear blue or write in your journal with blue ink. Blue opens expression and calms your nervous system.
• Speak your truth aloud, even in private. Start with “I need…” or “I feel…”
• Try the “Get off my back” exercise. This lets your inner critic know it’s no longer welcome.
• Use peppermint or chamomile oil on your throat. These soothe anxiety and invite expression.
• Eat blueberries, seaweed, or anything high in iodine. These support thyroid health and voice clarity.

When this chakra flows, your voice carries. Not because you’re louder, but because you’re way more aligned than ever with your real self.

6. Third eye chakra: How to unblock

This is your insight center, a.k.a. the seat of your inner wisdom. When fogged up, you second-guess your gut and lose sight of the bigger picture.

As Anodea shares, “Imagine you have curtains over your windows of perception.” The third eye is what lets the light back in.

Here’s how to balance it:

• Practice drishti (focused gazing) in yoga or meditation. This strengthens concentration and intuition.
• Wear indigo or deep violet. Out of the 7 chakra colors, these two awaken your inner seer.
• Write about your dreams or gut hunches. Get familiar with your inner voice.
• Try the “curtain breath” exercise. Inhale to widen perception; exhale to soften tension.
• Use frankincense or clary sage oil on your forehead. These clear the mental fog.
• Eat purple foods like eggplant, blueberries, or grapes. These support brain function and clarity.

When this chakra is all balanced and good to go, you’ll feel connected to everything around you and beyond, yet also finally at home in yourself. (Yep, you don’t have to choose.)

7. Crown chakra: How to unblock

“Who is it that is living inside your body?” asks Anodea. “And what is this miracle of consciousness that you possess?”

This question addresses the point of why the crown chakra is important: It’s the gateway to something greater than yourself. 

Here’s how to balance it:

• Practice stillness. Meditation is key. This chakra awakens through silence, not noise.
• Wear white or violet. These colors raise your frequency and awareness.
• Write about your purpose or reflect on what gives life meaning. Purpose anchors expansion.
• Use lavender or sandalwood oil on the top of your head. These oils elevate your spiritual field.
• Eat light, sattvic foods, like coconut, raw honey, or herbal teas. These keep your vibration clear.

And here’s the ultimate kicker: when your crown is open, you don’t just believe in something greater. You actually become part of it.

How to activate all 7 chakras

Got five minutes and a foggy head? Good. That’s all you need.

Anodea’s approach to chakra healing is real-time regulation. It’s somatic awareness meets energy hygiene. Something you can do on your lunch break, between calls, or right before bed.

Here’s her go-to practice for harmonizing all seven chakras at once:

• Sit comfortably with your feet on the ground. Feel into the base of your spine.
• Visualize a central column of light running from root to crown.
• Inhale and exhale slowly. Draw energy upward from your base to the top of your head when you draw in your breath. And as you let it out, imagine it cascading gently down your spine, like a waterfall.
• Repeat this breathing rhythm for at least seven cycles. Allocate one for each chakra.
• Stay present throughout the exercise. Let your awareness follow the current, breath by breath.

Just one cycle of this practice per day, and you’ll move through this life season feeling lighter, clearer, and more attuned to yourself. 

No drama. No deep dive. Just clean energy on the go.

Chakra healing meditation (guided example)

If your energy feels scattered and you just need a reset, then this guided meditation by spiritual coach Bradley Morris can be your go-to hack. 

Whether it’s the end of a long day or a quick break between meetings, this quick meditation can help you clear all seven chakras in one smooth, guided flow.

Pro tip: bookmark this for days when you feel off but can’t put your finger on why.

Chakra stones and crystals: Do they help?

Crystals may not be magic, but they can be magnetic.

Each stone carries a subtle vibrational frequency. When placed near the body, especially on a specific chakra, they may act as tuning forks that help bring that center into resonance.

Now, while Anodea isn’t dogmatic about tools like crystals, she does acknowledge their value as energetic supports. “Use whatever reminds you to stay connected to your energy,” she says. 

And crystals, for many, do just that.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet on the right stone-chakra combo:

• Root chakra: Red jasper or hematite (for grounding)
• Sacral chakra: Carnelian (for creativity and flow)
• Solar plexus chakra: Citrine or tiger’s eye (for willpower)
• Heart chakra: Rose quartz or green aventurine (for love)
• Throat chakra: Blue lace agate (for clear communication)
• Third eye chakra: Amethyst (for intuition)
• Crown chakra: Clear quartz or selenite (for connection)

The only rule of thumb to start with is to use them with intention. What can this look like? Don’t just wear them; work with them in your day-to-day moments. Hold them during meditation. Set them on your yoga mat. And sleep with them nearby.

Remember: crystals don’t do the inner work for you. They remind you to show up and do it yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Can chakras be blocked forever?

The short answer is no. Blockages can linger, but they’re not permanent. The body stores trauma, stress, and emotional residue, but it also knows how to heal.

“When we discharge, we make more room for more love to come in,” Anodea explains on the purpose of chakra healing. 

Because in the end, energy can’t be created or destroyed; it can only flow from one state to another. And it just needs the space to do so.

What are the elements of the 7 chakras?

Each of the 7 chakras connects to a natural element: 

1. Root chakra: Earth (your foundation)

Earth symbolizes stability, structure, and survival. It holds the energy of home, of being rooted. So it makes sense that when your root chakra is balanced, you feel grounded in your body and safe in the world.

2. Sacral chakra: Water (your emotions)

Water represents movement, pleasure, and flow. It’s the very nature of your emotions and it’s also the element of change and sensuality. When your sacral chakra is in harmony, you feel creative, open, and emotionally flexible.

3. Solar plexus chakra: Fire (your will)

Fire is energy, transformation, and will. It fuels your drive and burns through fear. A balanced solar plexus chakra gives you confidence, clarity, and the strength to act.

4. Heart chakra: Air (love)

Air symbolizes expansion, connection, and breath. It moves through and between all things. When your heart chakra is open, you feel love, empathy, and emotional freedom seamlessly.

5. Throat chakra: Sound (voice)

Sound carries truth, frequency, and resonance—it’s how you express and connect with yourself and everyone else. A throat chakra in sync with you thus empowers you to speak your truths honestly and without fear.

6. Third eye chakra: Light (your insight)

Light symbolizes awareness, perception, and vision, and it illuminates what’s hidden. When your third eye chakra is in check, you’d tend to trust your intuition more and see things more clearly, as they are.

7. Crown chakra: Consciousness (your spirit)

Thought represents consciousness, unity, and the divine and is associated with stillness and spaciousness. When your crown chakra is open, you feel connected to something greater than yourself and are one with everything.

Are there more than 7 chakras?

Yes. The 7 chakra names are just the main stations. Yogic systems speak of 114 chakras, including secondary energy points in your hands, feet, and even the back of your head.

As Anodea puts it, “We work with seven because they govern the most important parts of our body and psychology, and they’re the easiest to feel.” But once you’re aware of the primary ones, the rest starts lighting up too.

Still, most chakra practices—especially for healing—begin with these core seven, because they influence everything from survival to spiritual awakening.

So, start with your seven. And from there, you’ll sense and master the rest.

Supercharge your superpower

Your body already holds every answer you’re searching for—why you keep attracting the same patterns, why you can’t fully let go and feel stuck, and why, deep down, you know you deserve so much more.

These aren’t random quirks; they’re signals from your 7 chakras. And when you learn to read them, you finally stop working against yourself and start flowing with your power.

And that’s exactly what you’ll tap into with Anodea Judith’s free Chakra Healing class on Mindvalley. Inside, you’ll be floored when you discover how to:

• Identify your root chakra imbalances with precision,
• Move blocked energy in it through breath and body,
• Tap into your intuitive intelligence,
• Ground your nervous system, and
• Heal patterns from the root up.

And there are plenty more steps where these come from. 

Just ask Shauna, a Mindvalley member from the United States, who overcame her years-long depression with Anodea’s guidance. She came in feeling lost but left the program with a map and a mission to see life not as an endless mountain to climb but as a unique terrain to explore.

Life feels better now. I notice myself participating in it more [these days].

— Shauna, a Mindvalley member

Every chakra you unlock brings you closer to your power, your clarity, your peace, and the person you truly are. The deeper you go into chakra healing, the freer you become.

Welcome in.