Chakras 101: A Gentle Introduction to the Energy Centers of the Body
If you’ve ever felt disconnected, anxious, stuck in survival mode—or just wondered why your body carries tension you can’t quite explain—this post is for you. The chakra system offers a beautiful, ancient way of understanding the connection between your energy, your body, and your emotional world.
This is the first post in a series where we’ll explore each chakra one by one—what it does, how trauma affects it, and how we can support healing. But first, let’s start at the beginning.
What Are Chakras?
The word “chakra” means “wheel” in Sanskrit. Chakras are thought of as spinning energy centers that move life force (also called prana or chi) through the body. There are seven main chakras, each aligned along the spine and connected to specific emotional themes, organs, glands, and physical functions.
While chakras aren’t something you can see under a microscope, you can absolutely feel when one is out of balance. Ever struggled to speak your truth and felt a tight throat? Or felt ungrounded and unsafe in your own skin? These are examples of energetic imbalances that might relate to specific chakras.
Where Did the Chakra System Come From?
The chakra system originated thousands of years ago in India and was written about in early yogic texts known as the Vedas. Over time, both Hindu and Buddhist traditions developed their own understandings of the chakras. In modern times, this wisdom has made its way into Western wellness practices, blending ancient knowledge with somatic healing, psychology, and nervous system work.
Chakras and Religion: Are They Evil?
This is a question I get a lot, especially from those who grew up in Christian or conservative backgrounds (like I did). So let’s talk about it with gentleness and honesty.
Chakras are not evil. They are not demonic. They are part of a spiritual tradition focused on understanding the body and our inner world. The chakra system comes from ancient Eastern traditions focused on understanding the mind-body connection. While it has spiritual roots, it’s not tied to any specific religion, and many people of all faith backgrounds use chakra-based practices simply as tools for self-awareness and healing.
You don’t have to subscribe to any particular belief system to explore this work. It’s not about worship—it’s about noticing what your body and energy are trying to tell you.
The 7 Main Chakras (Quick Overview)
Here’s a simple breakdown of the seven major chakras we’ll dive into throughout this series:
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Base of spine – Safety, grounding, survivalSacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
Below navel – Emotions, pleasure, creativitySolar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Upper abdomen – Confidence, power, identityHeart Chakra (Anahata)
Center of chest – Love, compassion, griefThroat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Throat – Communication, truth, expressionThird Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Between eyebrows – Intuition, inner knowingCrown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Top of head – Connection to spirituality, unity
Each of these chakras connects not only to emotional themes but also to nerves, hormones, and physical functions. When one is out of balance, it often shows up in the body first.
How Science Supports Chakras
Although chakras come from spiritual roots, science is beginning to catch up:
Energy Emissions: Some researchers have found measurable electromagnetic activity at chakra locations, suggesting these centers may be tied to subtle but real biofields in the body.
Endocrine & Nervous System Correlates: Each chakra aligns with a major nerve plexus and endocrine gland—like the solar plexus with the adrenal glands, or the heart chakra with the thymus and cardiac plexus.
Trauma-Informed Healing: Somatic therapy, polyvagal theory, and other body-based approaches show how emotion and trauma are stored in the nervous system—often near or along the same energy lines referenced in chakra work.
In other words, science may be discovering what ancient systems have known all along: your body tells the truth, and your energy matters.
How Trauma Affects the Chakras
This is where things get personal for many of us.
Trauma, especially when it’s ongoing or complex (like childhood abuse or emotional neglect), can block or distort how energy flows in the body. Maybe you’ve spent most of your life stuck in fight-or-flight, disconnected from your own needs, or afraid to take up space.
Chakra imbalances aren’t flaws—they’re survival adaptations. And the beauty of healing is that these energy centers can begin to open and shift when we meet them with awareness, compassion, and support.
What You’ll Get From This Series
Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore each chakra in depth. Every post will include:
Where the chakra is located
What emotions and body systems are tied to it
How trauma may affect it
Signs of imbalance
Gentle rebalancing tips (including sound baths, somatic work, and more)
Whether you’re just beginning or already on your healing journey, this is a space to reconnect with your body and your truth—one energy center at a time.
A Loving Reminder
Chakras are not about being perfect. They’re about tuning in—getting curious, listening inward, and supporting yourself with the tools that feel right for you.
If you ever want one-on-one support in this work, I offer sound healing, somatic sessions, Root Cause Therapy, and Reiki—each designed to help gently bring your energy system back into balance.
Recommended Reading
Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith
The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
Energy Medicine by Donna Eden
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
✨ Ready to reconnect with your energy and body in a safe, supportive space?
Start your healing journey with a sound bath, somatic session, or trauma-informed energy work at Restorative Healing Haven. Whether you're brand new to chakras or already deep in your self-awareness journey, you're welcome here.
💬 Have questions or want help deciding where to start?
Reach out anytime—I’m happy to guide you.
monica@restorativehealinghaven.com | Call/Text: 1-269-767-8920