The 7 Chakras — Explained, with a Meditation for Each


The chakras are not metaphors. In the yogic tradition, they are seven energy centres aligned along the spine — wheels of life force that, when balanced, allow the body, the mind, and the breath to move as one.

Each chakra has its own colour, its own element, its own sanskrit name. Each one corresponds to a region of the body and a quality of consciousness. When the energy flows, we feel grounded, present, connected. When it stalls — through stress, illness, or simple inattention — we feel it in the body and the mind both.

Here is a simple guide, with a meditation suggestion for each.

1. Mūlādhāra — Root chakra

Location: base of the spine.
Element: earth.
Qualities: grounding, safety, stability.

Meditation: Sit cross-legged on a mat. Lengthen the spine. Feel the contact between the sit bones and the earth beneath you. Inhale, lift slightly. Exhale, root down. Three to five minutes. Visualise a deep red light pulsing at the base of the spine, connecting you to the earth.

2. Svādhiṣṭhāna — Sacral chakra

Location: just below the navel.
Element: water.
Qualities: creativity, sensuality, emotion.

Meditation: Lie on the back, knees bent. One hand on the chest, one on the belly. Breathe slowly into the belly — let it rise and fall. Visualise a warm orange light flowing in the lower abdomen. The water of the body, moving.

3. Maṇipūra — Solar plexus chakra

Location: solar plexus.
Element: fire.
Qualities: personal power, will, digestion.

Meditation: Sit tall. Eyes closed. Breath even. Bring awareness to the centre of the body, just above the navel. Visualise a bright yellow sun glowing there. Feel its warmth radiating outward. The fire of clarity, the strength of intention.

4. Anāhata — Heart chakra

Location: centre of the chest.
Element: air.
Qualities: love, compassion, connection.

Meditation: Sit comfortably. Hands at the heart. Breathe into the centre of the chest. Visualise a soft green light expanding with each inhale. Silently repeat: "May I be at peace. May all beings be at peace." The opening that touches everyone.

5. Viśuddha — Throat chakra

Location: base of the throat.
Element: ether.
Qualities: expression, communication, truth.

Meditation: Sit tall. Eyes closed. Inhale through the nose. On the exhale, hum a long, soft "mmm" sound. Feel the vibration in the throat, the jaw, the upper chest. Visualise a clear blue light at the throat. Five rounds. The voice that needs no audience to be true.

6. Ājñā — Third eye chakra

Location: between the eyebrows.
Element: light.
Qualities: intuition, insight, inner wisdom.

Meditation: Sit with the spine long. Close the eyes. Gently turn the gaze upward, behind closed lids, toward the space between the eyebrows. Visualise a deep indigo light there. Let thoughts come and go without grasping. The inner eye that sees beyond what the outer eyes show.

7. Sahasrāra — Crown chakra

Location: top of the head.
Element: thought / consciousness itself.
Qualities: spiritual connection, unity, transcendence.

Meditation: Sit in stillness. Crown of the head lifted as if a thread pulls it gently toward the sky. Visualise a violet, then white light blooming at the crown — opening upward, dissolving the boundary between self and everything. Sit as long as feels natural.

A note on practice

The chakras open over time, not by force. A few minutes a day is enough. The body knows what to do — your job is to listen.

Wear something that does not pull at the abdomen — the breath needs to be free, especially in chakra work. Our Sohang pants and the Essence collection are built with that in mind.

Practice with pieces that breathe with you →