When this chakra is in balance, we feel a sense of safety and fulfillment and a feeling of belonging and fitting in.

Sacral Chakra

The second chakra is the Sacral Chakra also known as Svadhistana Chakra. It is located in the lower abdomen, lower back and sex organs.

This chakra relates to our ability to be in touch with our emotions and to being able to identify when we are upset about something and deal with it. Too often, we medicate our free floating feelings of hurt, embarrassment, stress, anger, guilt, shame, low self-worth and overwhelm with a pint of ice cream. 

The Sacral Chakra is involved in how we handle relationships. When this chakra is out of balance, it affects our sexuality, our ability to connect with others and our ability to experience pleasure. Common characteristics of an unbalanced Sacral Chakra are emotional numbness, addiction to sugar, fear of change, boredom and lack of passion and excitement.

Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura Chakra is the seat of our will and the focus of our metabolism and digestion. Willpower and metabolism; isn’t that what weight loss is all about? Energy and intention must be in balance with each other. With good intentions and no energy to put into our intention, our will is weakened. If we don’t pay attention to the food (energy) we put in our bodies, our metabolism suffers. The solar plexus is our power center and is the area of our assertiveness, intuition and inner drive.

Signs that our Third Chakra is out of sync are eating disorders, digestion problems, low energy, low self-esteem and weak willpower. But when our Manipura Chakra is balanced and healthy, we have great self-control, confidence and energy. The word "manipura" means "filled with gems." Bringing the Solar Plexus Chakra back into balance will reveal our inner gems of self-control, confidence and energy. We can more easily align our intentions with our actions.

Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra is located at the center of the chest. This chakra, the Anahata Chakra, is thought to control the heart and lungs.

The Sanskrit word "anahata" means "unhurt". "To open the heart is to treat others (as well as things), with honor and respect and to refrain from causing unnecessary harm. An open heart feels compassion and empathy for both self and others."  The Heart Chakra is thought of as the balancing point between the three lower physical chakras and the three higher spiritual chakras.

When the Heart Chakra is out of balance, you may have feelings of depression, abandonment, isolation, and loneliness.

But when this chakra is in balance, we feel more willing to share and give of ourselves. We enjoy a sense of hope, self-acceptance and health. We also engage in relationships with others in a more positive way.

Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra, known as Vishuddha (pronounced vish-ood-dah), is located in the throat and governs communication, listening, speaking, creativity, self-expression and speaking one’s truth. The Sanskrit word "Vishuddha" means "pure" in the sense of honesty and it relates to "right speech."

Signs that there is deficiency in this, the fifth chakra are thyroid, throat or sinus problems and swearing. 

Notice the negative energy that wells up whenever you use a swear word. The throat chakra will benefit if you can find new words to express displeasure that are less emotionally charged. Better yet, try turning negative thoughts into positive ones. Problems become challenges and road blocks become opportunities.

When your Throat Chakra is out of balance, you aren’t saying what needs to be said. You might find yourself swallowing your feelings rather than voicing them. You feel off balance. This can lead to binge eating as a way to take your mind off your feelings. Creative endeavors such as singing and keeping a journal will help you find your voice and bring balance to this chakra.

Third Eye Chakra

The 6^th chakra is located between and above the eyes where we perceive the third eye to be and in the pituitary gland. This chakra is called Ajna, the overseer. The Third Eye Chakra is related to sight and seeing, both intuitively and physically. It is connected to light, clairvoyance, intuition, intelligence, wisdom, intellect, imagination, telepathy, dreams, thinking clearly and the sixth sense. Focus on what could be rather than what is. The main issue is in trusting your inner guidance and intuition.

The word "ajna" means both to perceive and to command. When this chakra is balanced, we can think with clear perception. With this powerful tool, we can command into being that which we focus our energy upon. Whatever you would like to manifest, or bring into being in your life, you can create by visualizing it and giving it your energy. "Many of us carry negative images – about our bodies, our self-worth or about the future. These negative images also influence manifestation, sometimes quite powerfully. Whatever you focus on has a way of increasing. If you focus on negativity, you draw it toward you. If you focus on your blessings, they will multiply." Balancing this chakra may help you avoid engaging in negative self-talk.

Crown Chakra

The 7^th chakra is the Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara meaning thousand-fold. The Crown Chakra is pictured as a thousand petal lotus. "At the center of the lotus, your individual point of awareness connects with the overarching field of divine intelligence, knowing there is no separation. In the true meaning of the word "yoga" as union, the individual and the divine are at last linked in the common field of consciousness."  The lotus is the symbol of spirituality and purity.

The Sahasrara Chakra is located at the top of the head and in the pineal gland. It is considered to be the home of our spirituality. It contains our enlightenment, self-fulfillment and self-realization. It connects us to the highest state of enlightenment. "When the Crown Chakra is balanced, it opens us to a profound awakening, like the lotus blossom when it opens. It connects us to our innate spiritual nature as well as to divine or cosmic consciousness."

When the Crown Chakra is out of balance, we may experience worry and depression, chronic fatigue, addiction to mind altering drugs, anorexia and obesity. We may also suffer from exhaustion, migraines and musculoskeletal diseases.

Other problems associated with the crown chakra are issues with the sleep/wake cycle, difficulty meditating, obsession with religion, feeling disconnected from your body or others and spiritual discomfort.

When the Sahasrara Chakra is balanced, we experience spiritual connectedness, wisdom, selflessness and open mindedness. We experience bliss and fulfillment.