Basic meditation actually brings numerous benefits. Reduced tension, improved focus and sensory perception, inner peace, happiness, empowerment, and much more can be achieved with simple meditative practice.

But for purposes of this article, meditation is a great way for increasing your awareness of the chakra points. By engaging in simple breath observation meditation you will begin to sense your body’s subtle energy system.

Over time, simple meditation will still your mind. As this happens you will naturally begin to sense each of your chakra centers.

Some people feel their chakra points as warm areas, while other people simply know they are there. Exactly how you become aware of your subtle energy will depend on your individual personality and the way you normally perceive the world around you.

And once you become more aware of your chakra system you can begin to focus on specific meditations for each chakra, if you desire. It’s not necessary to ever do this, but many people find it a useful practice for remaining in balance or for addressing specific energetic needs.

You can learn to meditate by visiting our basic meditation tutorial here.

The best way to understand the chakra system is to think of it like a network of energy channels and power centers that exist between the physical and spiritual aspects of human health. The actual chakra points are located throughout the body in correspondence with nerve centers and important parts of the endocrine system.

While not yet accepted by Western medicine, the chakra system is an integral part of acupuncture and other proven studies. Chakra knowledge was, according to ancient Vedic texts, discovered thousands of years ago.

Originally, the chakras were thought of as centers of consciousness. Today, most descriptions refer to chakras as points of “power” or “energy”.

Study of this esoteric system continues to this day, and modern theories include discoveries made as recently as the 20th century. There are many schools of thought surrounding the human chakra system, and specific ideals and functionality vary quite a bit from one method of study to another.

However, unlike many other spiritual studies, discrepancies rarely result in bitter disputes. It is commonly accepted that, because human beings continue to evolve, the chakra system can expand and change across the span of generations.

Because the chakra system is very much driven by the powers of thought and consciousness, participants can enjoy tremendous benefit even from minimal exposure. Chakra knowledge can be integrated into any health regimen, any religious practice, and any spiritual study. You don’t need a special ceremony, the permission of any guru, or a college degree to begin reaping the immense rewards this ancient and beautiful knowledge has to offer.

Most Yoga programs will give you a hands-on introduction to the chakras. Additionally, there are a number of breathing and visualization exercises that will help you become acquainted with the chakra system.

Many ancient forms of spirituality embrace the chakra knowledge at some level. You can even experience the flow of chakra energy through the metaphysical study of semi-precious stones and an examination of crystal healing philosophy.

I recommend you explore various informational resources to learn the specifics of the chakra system, and focus on the content that resonates with your intuition. Check out my complete chakra system or chakra points education portal for further research.

Each major chakra has a color associated with it. The minor chakras may also have colors but I can’t say for sure because I don’t know.

It’s also worth pointing out that traditionalists and modernists have different opinions on the exact colors for the seven major chakras. This is perfectly fine, because true spiritual disciplines recognize the paradox of life:

It is entirely possible for two different realities to occupy the same space and time.

So don’t get hung up on descrepancies you might find while studying the chakra system. Just have fun and empower yourself.

Some healers I have spoken with even say you should let colors come to you intuitively and not worry about any color charts. This too makes a lot of sense.

But for purposes of this article, here is the color system I learned and still use with my chakra meditations:

Base Chakra - Red

Sacral Chakra - Orange

Solar Plexus Chakra - Yellow

Heart Chakra - Green

Throat Chakra - Blue

Third Eye Chakra - Indigo (think of a mixture of blue and purple)

Crown Charka - Purple

Note that different writings and teachers assign different values to each color; i.e. deep red, brilliant yellow, grass green, etc.

But you just need a basic color chart to start working. When you are visualizing your chakras or doing specific breathing/yoga exercises, visualize your body being filled with the appropriately colored energy; some students also imagine their breath is the given color and watch it come in and out with their meditation.

As with any subtle energy channeling, the way you respond to this will be an individual experience. And of course to learn more about the chakras visit our complete chakra system Website.