Open Your Chakras and Restore Inner Balance
Elodie Abadie • 28 juillet 2025
Open Your Chakras and Restore Inner Balance
Chakras lie at the heart of many spiritual traditions, especially in yoga and Ayurvedic medicine.
These invisible energy centers influence our physical health, emotional well-being, and mental clarity.
When our chakras are open and aligned, the vital energy (prana) flows freely, allowing body, heart, and mind to live in harmony.
In this article, discover:
* What chakras truly are
* Where they are located in the body
* How to recognize imbalances
* Which yoga poses, breathing techniques, meditations, and foods help restore balance to each chakra
What Are Chakras?
The word chakra means "wheel" or "disk" in Sanskrit.
Chakras are energy vortexes that spin at specific points in our subtle body. They act as bridges between the physical body and energetic layers, influencing vitality, emotions, thoughts, and spiritual connection.
Although there are hundreds of minor chakras, the yogic tradition focuses on seven main chakras, aligned along the spine from the perineum to the crown of the head.
1. Root Chakra – Muladhara
- Location: Base of the spine, between the anus and genitals
- Color: Red
- Element: Earth
- Core Function: Safety, grounding, survival, connection to the physical world
Signs of Imbalance:
- Constant fear or insecurity
- Chronic fatigue, heavy legs, constipation
- Difficulty staying present
Practices:
- Yoga: Tadasana (Mountain), Virabhadrasana II (Warrior 2), Malasana (Garland)
- Meditation: Visualize red light at the base of the spine, imagine roots growing into the earth
- Mantra: LAM
Beneficial Foods:
- Red foods: beets, strawberries, red apples, tomatoes, cherries
- Root vegetables: carrots, turnips, radishes, sweet potatoes
- Complete plant proteins for structure and stamina
2. Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana
- Location: Lower abdomen, just below the navel
- Color: Orange
- Element: Water
- Core Functions: Emotions, pleasure, sexuality, creativity, relationships
Signs of Imbalance:
- Emotional blockages, guilt, sexual issues
- Co-dependency or emotional eating
- Menstrual pain or pelvic tension
Practices:
- Yoga: Hip openers like Baddha Konasana (Butterfly), Kapotasana (Pigeon), Goddess Pose
- Meditation: Visualize an orange lotus glowing in the pelvic area
- Mantra: VAM
Beneficial Foods:
- Orange fruits and vegetables: mango, orange, carrot, apricot, sweet potato
- Hydrating drinks: coconut water, herbal infusions, fresh juices
3. Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura
- Location: Between the navel and the sternum
- Color: Yellow
- Element: Fire
- Core Functions: Confidence, willpower, personal strength, digestion
Signs of Imbalance:
- Low self-esteem, need for control, repressed anger
- Digestive issues, ulcers, reflux
- Indecisiveness
Practices:
- Yoga: Sun Salutations, Navasana (Boat), seated twists
- Breathing: Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire)
- Meditation: Visualize a golden ball of fire in the center of your torso
- Mantra: RAM
Beneficial Foods:
- Yellow foods: lemons, bananas, corn, pineapple, turmeric
- Whole grains, legumes, sprouted seeds to fuel digestive fire
4. Heart Chakra – Anahata
- Location: Center of the chest
- Color: Green (sometimes pink)
- Element: Air
- Core Functions: Love, compassion, forgiveness, emotional balance
Signs of Imbalance:
- Loneliness, jealousy, heartbreak
- Asthma, chest tightness, shallow breathing
- Difficulty giving or receiving love
Practices:
- Yoga: Chest openers like Ustrasana (Camel), Bhujangasana (Cobra), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge)
- Meditation: Gratitude practice, love-based affirmations
- Mantra: YAM
Beneficial Foods:
- Green foods: spinach, avocado, kiwi, broccoli, mint, parsley
- Calming herbal teas: linden, lemon balm
5. Throat Chakra – Vishuddha
- Location: Throat
- Color: Light blue
- Element: Ether
- Core Functions: Communication, truth, authentic expression
Signs of Imbalance:
- Fear of speaking, weak voice, excessive talking
- Sore throat, thyroid imbalance, neck pain
- Poor listening skills
Practices:
- Yoga: Matsyasana (Fish), Simhasana (Lion), Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
- Sound: Chanting, mantra work, sound healing
- Mantra: HAM
Beneficial Foods:
- Blue/purple foods: blueberries, blackberries, seaweed, spirulina
- Clean water, broths, sage or thyme infusions
6. Third Eye Chakra – Ajna
- Location: Between the eyebrows
- Color: Indigo
- Element: Light
- Core Functions: Intuition, insight, imagination, clarity
Signs of Imbalance:
- Lack of vision or clarity, overthinking
- Migraines, blurry vision, insomnia
- Escape into fantasy, disconnect from reality
Practices:
- Yoga: Balancing postures: Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon), Garudasana (Eagle), gentle inversions
- Meditation: Breathe into the space between your brows
- Mantra: OM
Beneficial Foods:
- Indigo/purple foods: grapes, red cabbage, eggplant, figs, blackcurrant
- Foods rich in antioxidants for brain support
7. Crown Chakra – Sahasrara
- Location: Top of the head
- Color: Violet or white
- Element: Pure consciousness
- Core Functions: Spirituality, connection, wisdom, transcendence
Signs of Imbalance:
- Disconnection from self or others, loss of purpose
- Over-identification with the mind, spiritual bypassing
- Mental fog or excessive rationalism
Practices:
- Yoga: Seated meditation, Padmasana (Lotus), Yoga Nidra
- Spirituality: Stillness, time in nature, inspirational reading
- Mantra: OM or sacred silence
Nutrition:
- No specific food. Crown energy is nourished by purity: light fasting, hydration, rest
- Embrace spiritual nourishment: silence, breath, light, simplicity
Final Thoughts: The Art of Chakra Alignment
Chakra alignment isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a journey of self-awareness.
Balancing your chakras means practicing consistently through:
- Movement (Yoga)
- Breath (Pranayama)
- Mindful eating
- Meditation
- Emotional self-listening
When one chakra heals, it naturally supports the others.
Your body feels lighter, your mind calmer, your heart fuller, and your life more aligned.
Namaste 🪷
What if yoga wasn’t just about postures?
What if, beyond the mat, this ancient practice became a way of inhabiting your life — acting with awareness, breathing with presence, and connecting deeply to yourself and the world around you? Through its eight branches, yoga offers far more than a series of physical exercises.
It’s a complete philosophy of life, a daily art of living, and an inner compass to navigate with balance, authenticity, and serenity. In this article, you’ll rediscover the 8 limbs of yoga — known as Ashtanga Yoga — and learn how each one can transform your life, step by step, breath by breath.
You might think that alignment in yoga means placing your knee perfectly above your ankle, keeping your hips square, and your spine long and straight.
But what if it was so much more than that? In our culture of “doing things right,” alignment is often reduced to a technical cue — a matter of perfect lines and precision.
Yet in yoga, true alignment goes far beyond the body .
It extends into the breath, the energy, the emotions — and the way you connect to yourself. This article invites you to revisit this word we hear everywhere and rediscover its deeper meaning — on your mat and in your life.
What if we practiced yoga to return to simplicity?
Not to perform.
Not to master a thousand postures.
Not to impress.
But to come back to what truly matters: one breath, one presence, one body we truly listen to. Today, yoga is often seen as a performance discipline — associated with the image of the perfect body or the most advanced pose.
Yet, in its essence, yoga is a practice of awareness and unity .
It’s not about doing more, but about being more present. This article invites you to drop the masks, let go of the “shoulds,” and rediscover yoga as a path back to yourself — to slowness, to simplicity, and to truth.
What if your body had messages that your mind can’t put into words?
What if free movement was a doorway to everything you feel deeply but don’t dare to express? The body remembers.
The body speaks.
And sometimes, all it takes is letting it move differently so it can finally set itself free. In this article, let’s explore the emotional intelligence of the body, the blocks that manifest through physical tension, and the power of spontaneous movement to bring back breath, clarity, and inner peace.
What if your yoga mat became more than just a space for postures?
Imagine it as an inner playground, a sacred space where you can move differently, breathe deeply, and express yourself freely. Dancing your yoga is a unique practice that blends free movement, breath awareness, and spontaneous creativity.
It’s a yoga that both grounds and liberates.
A yoga that isn’t limited to “doing it right,” but one that invites you to feel, create, and vibrate. In this article, discover what it means to dance your yoga, the benefits of this practice, and how to integrate it into your daily life.
The fear of failure affects everyone, regardless of age, background, or life path. It often prevents us from taking action , seizing opportunities, or truly believing in ourselves. Combined with the fear of judgment from others, it can become paralyzing if we don’t learn how to understand and transform it. In this article, let’s explore why the fear of failure exists, what the signs are, what failure can teach us, and above all, how to overcome it to regain confidence, serenity, and motivation.
I n yoga practice, every posture (asana) and every breath carries a deeper meaning. But there is one tool that makes your practice even more powerful: setting an intention. More than a simple ritual, an intention acts like an inner compass. It guides your energy, directs your mind, and transforms your yoga session into a true experience of awareness and alignment. 👉 In this article, you’ll discover why setting an intention in yoga is essential , how to formulate it effectively, when to use it, and the benefits it can bring both to your practice and to your daily life.
Intuitive dance is attracting more and more people seeking well-being, creativity, and release. But what exactly is it? As its name suggests, it is a dance guided by intuition rather than an imposed choreography. Here, there are no rules, no codes, no aesthetics to respect. You move freely, in tune with your sensations, emotions, and breath. Intuitive dance is an invitation to reconnect with your body and your deeper self through spontaneous movements, without judgment or performance.
Talking about money is often delicate—especially when it comes to a spiritual and ancient practice like yoga. Many people associate yoga with inner peace, serenity, and the search for meaning, while seeing money as a purely material value opposed to this quest. But the reality is much more subtle: yoga and money are not incompatible. Practicing yoga often requires an investment: studio classes, workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, equipment (mats, props…). This raises an important question: why do we hesitate so much to invest in our well-being, when we spend much more easily on things that don’t necessarily bring lasting value to our lives? In this article, let’s explore the link between yoga and money , and why investing in your practice may be one of the best choices you can make.
I t is often said that we learn best by teaching others what we ourselves have understood.
Teaching, and especially teaching yoga, is a true vocation rooted in sharing. More and more yoga enthusiasts are taking the step to become teachers. But how do you start teaching yoga? What steps should you take, what skills are required, and what qualities are essential to transmit this ancient discipline? In this guide, we’ll explore the key points to becoming an inspiring, competent, and aligned yoga teacher.