The 7 Primary Chakras

The primary chakras are energy centers that are situated along our central column or sushumna nadi, beginning with the muladhara chakra at the base of the torso and culminating in the sahasrara chakra at the crown of our head. The relationship between these 7 chakras is an upward flow of energy, and each one correlates to different physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of our bodies. When one chakra is closed it can disrupt the flow of energy between all the chakras.

In November of 2023, I had the opportunity to experience a private chakra attunement session with Shannon Kassoff in which I was educated on the state of all of my chakras and how each one was affecting my bodily, emotional, and psychological health. The session was enlightening and allowed me to understand myself in a much deeper sense. It offered me immense insight into my composition and an explanation, as well as solutions, for my physical ailments, emotional blockages, and mental illnesses.

The muladhara chakra, or root chakra, is located at our tailbone and is referred to as “the foundation of the physical body and the energy body” (Sadhguru). This chakra is associated with stability, groundedness, and our basic survival needs. When this chakra is imbalanced, it can result in greed, hoarding, lethargy, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, and/or reproductive issues. Spiritually, this chakra is vital because a strong foundation is necessary for the health of higher chakras. In my session, I learned that my root chakra was spinning but it leaned to the left. I did not understand who I truly was or feel stable. I was stuck in fight or flight, and suffered heavily from depression and anxiety. I also felt a strong attachment to material possessions because I tied them to emotions and memories. Physically, I struggled terribly with painful digestive issues and I also did not start my menstrual cycle until quite late in my teens. Working with my root chakra has taught me to forgive my parents and heal my inner child in order to unwind conditioning and awaken lightworker healing energy.

The swadisthana chakra, or sacral chakra, is located at our sacrum or pelvis. It can be linked to our creativity, sexual relationships, karma, and emotions. In the physical body it is connected closely to our hips, lower belly, and sexual organs. My sacral chakra was completely closed due to trauma from sexual assaults and persecution in past lifetimes. There were built-up, heavy stored emotions. I recall experiencing cathartic releases multiple times when I would enter hip openers in restorative yoga class. Since I have meditated with my sacral chakra, I have experienced a closer connection and trust with my creativity, intuition, and feelings of safety that were always there buried. 

Next, the manipura chakra, or solar chakra, is located in our mid-spine where the ribs join. This chakra can be associated with our ego, self-identity, intellect, and ambition. Physically, an imbalanced solar chakra can result in anemia, low energy, chronic lower back pain, and/or joint problems. In my chakra attunement, my solar chakra was open but leaning to the right, the masculine side. Since, I have forgiven my past self for making things harder or more stressful than they needed to be, and for agreeing to play it small. I now recognize that I am a limitless being and that there is an abundance of everything we desire on this Earth. I have opened myself up to the infinite possibilities.

The anahata chakra, or heart chakra, is not only associated with the heart but also the lungs, upper back, shoulders, arms, and hands. It is connected to our compassion, empathy, attachment, and kindness. An open heart chakra allows us to live selflessly and contribute to the well-being of others whereas a closed one can result in unhealthy attachments or detachments. This chakra also stores our prana, and pranayama is an excellent way to work on opening this chakra. I have always been an empathetic person; however, I believe that it is because of my asana and pranayama practice that my heart chakra was open in my session with Shannon. Interestingly, the poses associated with this chakra such as backbends and arm balances, as well as the energy in my hands and fingers, have come easily to me in my practice. It has always been my nature to lead with a compassionate, loving heart with others; however, working with my heart chakra has allowed me to extend this same grace to myself as well. Recognizing that I am worthy and deserving of a pleasurable life, and that we are beings of love and light.

The vishuddha chakra, or throat chakra, is located at the center of our throat and is also associated with the ears and mouth. This chakra affects our hearing, communication, and expression. An open throat chakra allows us to communicate clearly, genuinely, and with confidence. According to Arhanta Yoga, this, “dissolves self-doubt and fear of judgment, enabling us to stand in our own power and express ourselves authentically without hesitation.” When this chakra is balanced, it promotes the health of our thyroid, which in turn influences our energy levels and overall well-being. Last November, my throat chakra was completely closed and I could feel the blockage in breathwork classes. I was also beginning to lose my hearing at the time. When I began healing this center, I felt a new sensation around my ears, throat, mouth, eyes, and crown. The best way I could describe it was a burning, hurting sensation. I focused all my energy on healing those parts of myself. Looking back, I can see how riddled I was with self-doubt, hesitation, and fear of judgment over the last several years. Working with this center has allowed me to express myself more authentically, to listen with more clarity, and feel a confidence in doing so. 

The anja chakra, or third eye, is located behind the center of our eyebrows. It is also associated with our hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland. When our third eye chakra is imbalanced, it can result in headaches, vision problems, sinus/ear issues, and sleep disturbances. It can also lead to a lack of clarity, focus, anxiety and depression, a disconnect from our intuition, and/or a lack of imagination. It is “the most prominent center of our consciousness, intuition, and perception.” A balanced third eye chakra allows us to “move beyond worldly desire and distractions.” It represents clarity, understanding, intuition, and spiritual insight. In my session, my third eye was open; however, I believe that the issues I was having with my throat and crown chakra created a disconnect. Creating this connection has allowed me to access the ancient wisdom of my open third eye.

Lastly, the sahasrara chakra, or crown chakra, is situated at the crown of our head where the skull meets the spine. Emotionally, a balanced crown chakra results in spiritual awakening, clarity of mind, and a greater sense of purpose. Physically, this chakra is tied to our endocrine system which regulates mental balance, mood, sleep patterns, and energy. This chakra is associated with the lotus flower, and interestingly (without knowing this at the time), I had begun meditating on a lotus flower around the same time that I began healing my throat and crown chakra. In my session, my crown chakra was completely closed and I had placed an implant there as well, which is an energetic structure that blocked my crown. I believe that my closed throat and crown chakra are closely related and that the implant I placed was there because I would not be ready for this spiritual awakening, clarity, and purpose in my sahasrara until I had opened my channels of expression and communication with my vishuddha.

In the beginning of 2024, I attended Huma Gruaz’s chakra balancing workshop and as I meditated I was able to feel a complete line or pillar of energy running through me signifying the alignment of my 7 chakras. It felt amazing to acknowledge the progress I made so far. I knew that this would be a continual journey and something I want to incorporate both in my practice and in my teaching.

By Spring of 2024, chakra attunements began to come to me naturally. Now, in private reiki healing sessions, I spend time with each chakra and am able to discern its state and receive messages which I relay to my clients with love. Having been through this journey myself, I know first hand how impactful healing our chakras is to our physical and emotional wellbeing. My hope is to educate and guide others in healing their chakras. I am so happy you found me. I am here for all of your questions or thoughts. Namaste.

MY STORY

In 2021, I was lost. Injuries, illness, disease. Burnt out, detached, pretending. Both chasing and delaying happiness.

In 2022, years of anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation had built up and caused me to hit a wall. I was tired of feeling depleted, and I was forced to take some time off to rediscover myself. I set the intention to learn what I am passionate about and what lights me up. Here’s what I learned: I love how I feel when practicing Yoga, experiencing and creating all forms of art, traveling and exploring, listening to music, singing and dancing, learning and reading and writing. 

In 2023, I knew I was meant to teach Yoga. I started to pay attention to the signs and more importantly trust them. I feel grateful to have found the most incredible community and the forms of healing that work for me. Every time my first instinct is always to share them with others. 

In 2024, I finally feel a love for life I’ve never experienced before. My greatest accomplishment is continuously transmuting my worry, doubt, fear, anger, resentment, shame, guilt — all to love. Realizing that true happiness comes from within, that there is no bad or good, only what is and how you react to it. My calling is to help others do the same. This year I have become a certified yoga teacher and reiki practitioner. I’ve learned about our energy centers and channels. I’ve discovered the magic in connection and movement, and the beauty in stillness. I have accepted my role as a shaman, a connection to the spiritual realm. After I processed my trauma with meditation and breathwork, I’ve been able to release my old patterns through therapy. I have become calmer, stronger, more patient, and more present. I am softer and more open to receive the infinite possibilities. I am more willing to bet on myself, trust my Self, believe in my Self. I have expanded my awareness. Maybe most importantly I’ve learned how important it is to be kind to myself, to put myself first, to listen to myself, to use my voice, to value myself as worthy and deserving of a pleasurable life. I am both perfect and a work in progress all at the same time. Our outer reality is a reflection of our inner thoughts, and life is starting to look a lot more beautiful these days. The road is long. I have a lot more to learn yet. And isn’t that exciting.

Everything I do now is in service to our higher good. The reason I decided to share this all is to aid anyone who is on this path in finding me. So if anything resonates with you, know that I am here for you.