The chakras come from ancient Indian traditions. They describe seven energy centres along the spine, each with its own colour and theme. You don't have to believe in energy to find them useful: they're a beautiful map for reflecting on different parts of your life.
1. Root chakra: red
At the base of the spine. Theme: safety, grounding and trust. Practice: walk barefoot on grass for a few minutes. Read more
2. Sacral chakra: orange
In the lower belly. Theme: creativity, pleasure and emotional flow. Practice: dance to a song you love. Read more
3. Solar plexus chakra: yellow
In the upper belly. Theme: confidence and personal power. Practice: write down one thing you did well today. Read more
4. Heart chakra: green
In the centre of the chest. Theme: love, compassion and connection. Practice: put a hand on your heart and take five slow breaths. Read more
5. Throat chakra: blue
At the throat. Theme: expression and truth. Practice: hum or sing for two minutes. Read more
6. Third eye chakra: indigo
Between the eyebrows. Theme: intuition and imagination. Practice: sit in silence for five minutes with your eyes closed. Read more
7. Crown chakra: violet
At the top of the head. Theme: meaning, wonder and connection. Practice: look at the sky for a few minutes and do nothing else. Read more
A note on health
The chakra system is a spiritual tradition, not a medical one. It can be a lovely tool for reflection and self-care, but it doesn't replace a doctor. If you're worried about your health, please talk to a professional.
See your chakra colours
Curious how your own photo looks through the chakra lens? Try our chakra photo reading. Your photo stays on your device, and you get a portrait of your seven chakras with a short, kind reading.