If you’ve ever felt off-center—whether emotionally, mentally, or even physically—it might be a sign that your energy is out of balance. The chakra system, an ancient concept rooted in yogic philosophy, provides a powerful framework for understanding these imbalances and their connection to your subconscious mind.
Your chakras aren’t just mystical concepts—they represent energy centers in your body that influence everything from your emotions and thoughts to your subconscious programming. Each one is linked to specific beliefs, memories, and life experiences. When a chakra is blocked or overactive, it can affect how you think, feel, and interact with the world.
Let’s dive into what the chakras are, how they relate to your subconscious programming, and how you can begin to balance them for greater mental health and self-awareness.
What Are Chakras?
Chakras are seven main energy centers in the body, running from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Think of them like wheels or vortexes of energy that influence different aspects of your life.
Each chakra corresponds to a specific area of your physical body, as well as emotions, thoughts, and subconscious beliefs. When your chakras are balanced, energy flows freely, and you feel aligned. When they’re blocked or out of balance, it can lead to emotional struggles, mental health issues, or even physical symptoms.
The 7 Chakras and Your Subconscious Programming
Here’s a breakdown of each chakra, what it represents, and how it connects to your subconscious mind:
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
- Location: Base of the spine.
- Color: Red.
- Subconscious Themes: Safety, stability, survival.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Am I safe?”
- “Do I belong?”
- “Can I trust the world?”
When balanced, you feel grounded, secure, and capable of handling life’s challenges. If it’s blocked, you might feel anxious, fearful, or disconnected from your body.
Reprogramming Tip: Focus on affirmations like “I am safe” or practice grounding exercises, such as walking barefoot on the earth.
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
- Location: Below the navel.
- Color: Orange.
- Subconscious Themes: Emotions, creativity, pleasure.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Am I worthy of joy?”
- “Can I express myself?”
- “Is it safe to feel my emotions?”
When balanced, you feel creative, emotionally open, and comfortable in your own skin. When blocked, it can manifest as guilt, shame, or difficulty connecting to joy.
Reprogramming Tip: Explore creative activities or practice Kundalini Yoga kriyas focused on emotional release.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Location: Upper abdomen.
- Color: Yellow.
- Subconscious Themes: Confidence, personal power, self-worth.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Am I enough?”
- “Can I achieve my goals?”
- “Do I have control over my life?”
When balanced, you feel confident, motivated, and in control of your choices. When blocked, you might struggle with self-doubt, low energy, or perfectionism.
Reprogramming Tip: Practice affirmations like “I am strong and capable” and use Breath of Fire to energize and strengthen this chakra.
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Location: Center of the chest.
- Color: Green.
- Subconscious Themes: Love, compassion, connection.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Am I lovable?”
- “Can I trust others?”
- “Is it safe to open my heart?”
When balanced, you feel love for yourself and others, with healthy relationships and empathy. When blocked, you might feel lonely, resentful, or guarded.
Reprogramming Tip: Meditate on gratitude and practice self-love exercises, like placing your hands on your heart and repeating “I am worthy of love.”
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
- Location: Throat.
- Color: Blue.
- Subconscious Themes: Communication, truth, self-expression.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Can I speak my truth?”
- “Do my words matter?”
- “Am I allowed to express myself?”
When balanced, you communicate clearly and authentically. When blocked, it can show up as fear of speaking, dishonesty, or feeling unheard.
Reprogramming Tip: Chant mantras like “Sat Nam” (Truth is my identity) to help clear this chakra and connect with your authentic voice.
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Location: Between the eyebrows.
- Color: Indigo.
- Subconscious Themes: Intuition, clarity, vision.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Can I trust my intuition?”
- “Do I see things clearly?”
- “Am I open to new perspectives?”
When balanced, you feel intuitive, focused, and open to inner wisdom. When blocked, you might experience confusion, doubt, or a narrow perspective.
Reprogramming Tip: Practice meditation or focus on visualizing positive outcomes to strengthen your connection to your intuition.
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
- Location: Top of the head.
- Color: Violet or white.
- Subconscious Themes: Spiritual connection, higher purpose, enlightenment.
- Beliefs It Governs:
- “Am I connected to something greater?”
- “Do I trust the flow of life?”
- “Is there meaning in my experiences?”
When balanced, you feel a sense of peace, purpose, and connection to the universe. When blocked, you might feel disconnected, cynical, or spiritually lost.
Reprogramming Tip: Spend time in silence, meditate on oneness, or practice gratitude to open up this energy center.
Using Kundalini Yoga to Balance Your Chakras
Kundalini Yoga is one of the most effective tools for working with your chakras. Its kriyas, meditations, and mantras are specifically designed to open, balance, and strengthen these energy centers.
A Simple Kundalini Practice to Balance All Chakras
1. Tune In: Start by chanting the mantra “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” three times to connect with your inner wisdom.
2. Chakra Breathing: Visualize each chakra while inhaling deeply and exhaling fully, moving from the Root Chakra to the Crown.
3. Mantra Meditation: Chant “Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung” (a healing mantra) to align all your chakras and raise your energy. You can find your favourite version of this mantra on Spotify/YouTube to chant along to!
4. Close with Gratitude: Place your hands on your heart and silently give thanks for your body and mind.
Final thoughts
Your chakras are like a map of your subconscious programming, offering insight into the beliefs and patterns shaping your life. By tuning into these energy centers and working to balance them, you can release old programming, heal emotional wounds, and step into a version of yourself that feels more aligned and whole.