Chakras are whirling vortexes of energy within our bodies. They are located along a center line, the hara line, that runs along the spine and beyond as seen in the illustration:

Why do I care about chakras?

Chakras are important for many reasons. They are energy centers that regulate how we feel physically and emotionally. When our chakras are healthy and in balance we are in an optimal state that many call "the zone" or "in the flow".

When they are out of balance they can be the starting point of physical illness or pain. They can be the residing place of old, stuck, or sluggish energy that makes us feel like we are dragging or keeping us in an anxious or depressed state.

Working with the chakras keeps our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects in sync. Working with our chakras allows us to access an incredible amount of information about ourselves and our issues, even our past lives.

Why are they different colors?

The colors of each chakra is a representation of the kind of energy that resides there. In reality, chakras change color and do not always have the same color as the energy it is moderating.

For example, the base chakra which is called the first chakra or the root chakra and it is associated with the color red. However, when using your intuition to view the chakra, it may not be red. Depending on the energies or issues that are being processed or lived with at the time, the colors will change.

The color typically associated with each chakra is the color the chakra will emanate when it is in a healthy or optimal state.

What does each chakra do?

The First Chakra is located at the base of the spine. The color associated with this chakra is red. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are related to survival, food, clothing, shelter, the tribe (culture), safety, the body, and physical/Earthy things.

The Second Chakra is located above the First Chakra just below the belly button in the pelvic area. The color associated with this chakra is orange. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are sexuality, creativity and the beginnings of separating from the tribe.

The Third Chakra is located at the solar plexus. The color associated with this chakra is yellow. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are related to personal power, individuality, asserting oneself, having a sense of self, and believing in one's self. It also regulates the energy flow of the other chakras.

The Fourth Chakra is located in the center of the chest at the level of the heart. The color associated with this chakra is green. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are about relationships. Relationship with yourself and others. It is the seat of compassion, empathy, understanding, and togetherness. It is the place from which we heal.

The Fifth Chakra is located at the neck. The color associated with this chakra is royal blue. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are God's will, your personal will, communication, spiritual communion, and access to other dimensions. It governs your ability to speak your truth and say what needs to be said.

The Sixth Chakra is located between the eyebrows in the area referred to as the "third eye". The color associated with this chakra is indigo (a deep purple like blue). The issues or energies governed by this chakra are vision, precognition, inner sight, clairvoyance, intuition, seeing goals and desires, seeing situation clearly, probing & questioning.

The Seventh Chakra is located at the top of the skull. The color associated with this chakra is violet or white. The issues or energies governed by this chakra are spiritual connection, connection with your soul, spiritual energies, divine inspiration and healing, accessing spiritual realms and higher dimensions of one's self.

There are more than seven chakras

In the illustration below, the seven chakras along with the minor chakras are shown.

There are still more chakras even beyond these shown that are located above the head and below the feet. You must take an advanced class to learn about these chakras. There is plenty to learn with the basic seven.

If you would like to read about an extensive exploration of the chakras, I recommend "Anatomy of the Spirit : The Seven Stages of Power and Healing" by Caroline Myss and Barbara Brennan's "Hands of Light : A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field".