The seven chakras in plain words, with their colours and beej mantras

The word chakra means "wheel" in Sanskrit. In yoga and in energy healing, the chakras are centres of energy along the spine, from its base to the crown of the head. Each one is linked with a part of the body, a colour, a sound and an area of life.

You do not need to believe anything complicated to work with them. I find the chakras a simple map: when you feel unsafe, unheard or disconnected, the map shows you where to bring your attention.

The seven chakras and their beej mantras

A beej mantra is a "seed" sound, a single syllable that resonates with a chakra. Here are the seven, from the base upwards.

1. Muladhara (Root chakra). Colour: red. Beej mantra: LAM. Purpose: a sense of safety and grounding.
2. Swadhisthana (Sacral chakra). Colour: orange. Beej mantra: VAM. Purpose: sexuality, creativity and emotions.
3. Manipura (Solar plexus chakra). Colour: yellow. Beej mantra: RAM. Purpose: willpower and self-confidence.
4. Anahata (Heart chakra). Colour: green or pink. Beej mantra: YAM. Purpose: love, kindness and compassion.
5. Vishuddha (Throat chakra). Colour: turquoise blue. Beej mantra: HAM. Purpose: communication and self-expression.
6. Ajna (Third eye chakra). Colour: purple or indigo blue. Beej mantra: OM (AUM). Purpose: wisdom and spiritual awakening.
7. Sahasrara (Crown chakra). Colour: white or light purple. Beej mantra: silence, or AUM. Purpose: divine connection and higher consciousness.

A simple chakra meditation

1. Sit comfortably with your spine upright, and close your eyes.
2. Bring your attention to the base of your spine. Picture a soft red light, and chant LAM slowly a few times.
3. Move up to just below the navel. Picture orange, and chant VAM.
4. Move to the solar plexus. Picture yellow, and chant RAM.
5. Move to the centre of the chest. Picture green or pink, and chant YAM.
6. Move to the throat. Picture turquoise, and chant HAM.
7. Move to the space between the eyebrows. Picture indigo, and chant OM.
8. Finally, rest your attention at the crown of the head. Picture white or soft violet light, and sit in silence.

Let each sound vibrate rather than shouting it. Even ten minutes can leave you feeling more settled.

Activating the throat chakra

The throat chakra is about expressing yourself and valuing your own worth. When it is balanced, it supports good communication: connecting lovingly with your parents and children, speaking up in relationships and at work, and finding your voice in your studies.

The practices I share for it:

• Switch words: "Empress Truth", chanted at least 108 times.
• Breath: a humming sound, or Bhramari pranayama (humming bee breath), every day.
• Mantra: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah", asking for the help of Lord Ganesha, the initiator and protector.
• Planetary help from Mercury (Budh), the planet of speech: "Om Bum Budhaye Namah".

Practise for at least 21 or 43 days continuously for the best results.

Activating the third eye chakra

The third eye is the centre of intuition and inner direction. Working with it helps you channel your life in the right direction. The commands I share for it are:

• "Abundance flows easily to me."
• "Prosperity finds me."
• "My mind opens the path created by my heart and soul."

Repeat them eleven times every morning and every night, with belief in the magic of the universe.

Chakra healing through doodle therapy

Not everyone finds it easy to sit still and meditate. Art can be a gentle way in. Doodle therapy uses free, unplanned drawing in the chakra colours to reconnect with yourself. You do not need to be good at art. Take a sheet of paper and a few coloured pens, choose the colour of the chakra you want to work on, and let your hand move without judging what appears. It is also lovely for inner child healing, because it brings back the playfulness we had as children.

Chakra meditation through painting

This is one of my older videos, a quiet Thursday spent painting the chakras. A little halt in a busy life is necessary. Painting slowly, colour by colour, can become a meditation in itself, and it is a practice I still return to.

What chakra work is not

Chakra meditation and mantras are spiritual practices for calm, focus and self-awareness. They do not replace medical or psychological care. If you have a health concern, a voice or throat problem, or you are struggling emotionally, please see a doctor or a qualified professional as well.

Working with your chakras together

If you would like help bringing your chakras back into balance, I offer Reiki healing sessions, including at a distance. You can read how distance Reiki works, or send me a message first.