What are the Signs of Blocked Chakras? How to Balance the 7 Chakras?

There are seven chakras or energy centers in our subtle body through which our vital energy or prana shakti flows. Sometimes, these energy channels get blocked and this leads to illness and disturbances in the body’s natural processes. The 7 key chakras or major chakras of the body are:

1. Muladhara Chakra
2. Swadhishthana Chakra
3. Manipur Chakra
4. Anahata Chakra
5. Vishuddha Chakra
6. Ajna Chakra
7. Sahastrara Chakra

What are the signs of blocked Chakras?

Each chakra can produce different physical and behavioral symptoms when it is blocked. Following are the signs of blocked chakras:

Muladhara Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• tiredness • poor sleep • lower back pain • sciatica • constipation • immune-related disorders obesity • eating disorders • problem in legs	• anger • Intense stress about money and financial stability • depression • feeling of Insecurity

Swadhishthana Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• lower back pain • sciatica • pelvic pain • urinary problems • poor digestion • hormonal imbalances • menstrual problems	• irritability • feeling of guiltiness • shyness • sexual obsession • lack of creativity • lack of contol

Manipur Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• diabetes • pancreatitis • adrenal imbalances • arthritis • chronic fatigue • stomach ulcers • intestinal tumors • low blood pressure	• unbalanced mind • lack of self-esteem • depression  • shame • self-doubt

Anahata Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• thoracic spine problems • upper back and shoulder problems • asthma • heart conditions • shallow breathing • lung diseases	• feeling of jealousy • feeling of being alone • relationship problems

Vishuddha Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• thyroid dysfunctions • sore throat • stiff neck • mouth ulcers • gum or tooth problems • laryngitis • hearing problems	• inability to express oneself • shaken faith • indecisiveness • weak will power • lack of creativity

Ajna Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• headache • eyestrain • learning disabilities • panic • blindness • deafness • seizures • spinal dysfunctions.	• poor judgement • confusion • indiscipline • lack of concentration • depression • stubbornness

Sahasrara Chakra
Physical symptoms	Behavioral symptoms
• over sleepiness • exhaustion • chronic tension headaches • poor co-ordination	• lack of inspiration  • disbelief in any spiritual practices • materialistic nature • fear of alienation

How to balance and heal the 7 Chakras?

Chakras are very important for the integration of one's mind, body and spirit. They are 'gateways to higher consciousness' and tools to attain the ultimate i.e. enlightment. 

These are some of the most powerful methods adopted for chakra healing and balancing:

1. doing meditation

2. practicing different Yoga poses

3. eating food most suitable for each chakra

4. colour therapy (wearing crystals)

5. sound therapy( chanting beej mantras associated with each chakra.)

Let us discuss how we can balance each chakra individually.

How to balance and heal Muladhara chakra (Root chakra)?

When we feel relaxed, secured and grounded, our 1st chakra is balanced. Root chakra keeps us connected to earth. It is the base chakra and it is very important to unblock this chakra and restore the energy in it. As the proverb goes- " You can't build a great building on a weak foundation"- so a balanced first chakra paves the path for unobstructed flow of energy through entire system of chakras. Here are some methods to open Root chakra.

1. Meditation to focus your attention to the location of muladhara chakra.

2. Yoga poses such as Tadasana (Mountain pose), Vrakshasana (Tree pose), Ananda Balasana (Happy baby), Utkatasana (Chair pose), Parsvottanasana (Pyramid pose) and Shavasana (Corpse pose) help to release a lot of tension around the root chakra.

3. Chanting Muladhara chakra beej mantra 'Lam' while doing meditation

4. wearing red stones- Red jasper, blood stone, smokey quartz.

How to balance and heal Svadishthana chakra (Sacral chakra)?

Svadishthana chakra is the main centre of creativity and sexuality. Its ruling element is water and so it is also responsible for the hydration of the body. A balanced Sacral chakra ensures emotional intelligence and joy in life. Following are the ways to balance and heal this chakra.

1. Practice water meditation.

2. Yogasanas such as Utkatasana (Chair pose), Trikonasana (Triangle pose), Kakasana (Crow pose), salabhasana (Locust pose) and Balasana (Child pose) help to release toxins around the Sacral chakra.

3. Chanting Sacral chakra beej mantra 'Vam' while doing meditation

4. Wearing Svadishthana chakra stones- Orange Aventurine, Carnelian, Golden Tiger's eye.

How to balance and heal Manipura chakra (Solar plexus chakra)?

Solar plexus helps in regulating our metabolism on a physical level and increasing our gut instinct on emotional level. A balanced Solar plexus chakra means one has a developed self-esteem, self worth and balanced ego. Balancing and healing Manipura chakra requires accepting one's own individuality and coming out of past trauma and depression. These are few methods to balance and heal a blocked Manipura chakra.

1. Practicing Fire meditation as the ruling element of Manipura chakra is Fire.

2. The yogic postures like Dhanurasana (Bow pose), Navasana (Boat pose), Surya namaskar (Sun salutation), Paschimottasana (Forward bend) and Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) help in strengthening and increasing flexibility of our core and the surrounding musceles.

3. Chanting Manipura chakra beej mantra 'Ram' while doing meditation.

4. Wearing stones which empower Manipura chakra-Citrine, Yellow Calcite, Tiger's eye.

5. Fixing and regulating circadian rhythm i.e. our sleep -wake up cycle.

How to balance and heal Anahata chakra (Heart chakra)?

Anahata chakra acts as a bridge between mind and body. It is the central point of chakra system. A balanced Heart chakra culminates into feeling of calm, compassion, empathy and unconditional love towards each and everyone including our own selves. These are some tools to open a blocked Heart chakra:

1. Practicing breathing exercises such as Pranayama, anulom-vilom (Alternate nostril breathing).

2. The yogic postures like Ardha setu bandhasana (Half bridge pose), Matsyasana (Fish pose), Chakrasana (Wheel pose) and Ustrasana (Camel pose) improves the oxygen circulation in our body.

3. Practicing Nature meditation.

4. Wearing stones such as Jade, Malachite, Rose quartz.

5. Chanting Heart chakra beej mantra 'Yam' while doing meditation.

How to balance and heal Vishuddha chakra (Throat chakra)?

A healthy Throat chakra gives ourselves the ability to express ourselves clearly and truthfully, being calmer and peaceful. That includes communication with others as well as with oneself and the divine power. We can unblock the Throat chakra by working upon discovering our true self and expressing it. These are few important tools to balance the Vishuddha chakra:

 

1. Practicing breathing exercises such as Pranayama, anulom-vilom (Alternate nostril breathing), Kapaalbhati.

2. The yogic postures like Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand), Halasana (Plough pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), Simhasana (Lion pose) helps in strengthening the throat and muscles around it.

3. Practicing sound meditation and visualising blue colour space to counter the blocked chakra.

4. Wearing stones such as Turquoise, Aquamarine and Blue lace agate.

5. Chanting Throat chakra beej mantra 'Ham' while doing meditation.

How to balance and heal Ajna chakra (Third eye chakra)?

A balanced Third eye chakra gives clarity to our inner vision and helps our mind become more powerful. We can see the unseen and can manifest anything we desire with an unblocked Ajna chakra. The following are a few tools to heal and balance the Third eye chakra:

1. Practicing breathing exercises such as Pranayama, anulom-vilom (Alternate nostril breathing).

2. The yogic postures like shirshasana (Headstand), Balasana (Child's pose), Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide legged forward fold

3. Practicing Concentration meditation.

4. Wearing stones such as Lapis Lazuli, amethyst, Dark blue Sapphire.

5. Chanting Heart chakra beej mantra 'om' while doing meditation.

How to balance and heal Sahasrara chakra (Crown chakra)?

Crown chakra is the king of all the other 6 chakras below it. It is the gateway to higher dimensions of consciousness. A balanced Crown chakra awakens the spiritual intelligence and help us to live incomplete alignment with the universe. One can follow the following methods to unblock and open the Sahasrara chakra:

1. Practicing breathing exercises such as Pranayama, anulom-vilom (Alternate nostril breathing).

2. The yogic postures like shirshasana (Headstand), Viparita karani (legs up the wall pose), Padmasana (Lotus pose), Vrakshasana (Tree pose) are the most effective to balance the Crown chakra.

3. Practicing meditation to calm our mind.

4. Wearing stones such as Clear quartz, Moonstone, Amethyst, Fluorite.

5. Chanting Crown chakra beej mantra 'soham' while doing meditation.

Since yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice, yoga poses are not only exercises for the body but also for our mind, emotions, and spirit, making it the perfect practice for balancing our chakras. Follow these suggested methods and tell us about your experiences.

If you liked reading this article and want to explore more about chakras, check this out:

• Overview of 7 chakras: the key energy centers in human body