Chakras are a core belief of yoga, and have been incorporated into many different new age practices. The chakra system was first developed in India in the middle ages. The word "chakra" is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel.

The major chakras are located along the spinal column of the body and each is traditionally represented by a different colour of the rainbow - starting with red at the bottom up to violet on the crown. Each chakra location represents different emotions and feelings.

Ideally all the chakras should be balanced - open and spinning at a similar rate to each other. Most of us however have some chakras which are overactive and others that are closed down or under active.

First Chakra: Root
Colour: Red
Governs survival instincts, physical functions, sense of groundedness
Signs of imbalance include constipation, obesity, leg or knee problems

Second Chakra: Sacral
Colour: Orange
Governs sexuality, emotion, nurturing instincts, creativity
Signs of imbalance include low-back pain, reproductive issues, bladder or kidney troubles

Third Chakra: Solar Plexus
Colour: Yellow
Governs will, drive, ego, control, freedom, metabolism
Signs of imbalance include ulcers, digestive disorders, liver and gallbladder ailments, diabetes

Fourth Chakra: Heart
Colour: Green
Governs love, compassion, relationships
Signs of imbalance are heart disease, high blood pressure

Fifth Chakra: Throat
Colour: Blue
Governs communication, creativity, self-expression
Signs of imbalance include sore throat, laryngitis, thyroid imbalance, respiratory and/or hearing problems

Sixth Chakra: Brow
Colour: Indigo
Governs intuition, thought, psychic awareness, dreams, visions
Signs of imbalance include headaches, problems with the nervous system

Seventh Chakra: Crown
Colour: Violet
Governs cosmic consciousness, spirituality, wisdom, universal truth
Signs of imbalance include confusion, depression, inability to learn

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