You ever wake up with the profound sensation that something is out of whack? As if some certain pocket of your energy is depleted, or some facet of your spirit feels malnourished? If you’re struggling with certain woes and unsure of how to empower yourself through them, consider using chakra affirmations to get yourself back in balance.

“Chakras are energy centers in the body that each have different attributes,” says Alicia Armitstead, DC, founder of Healing Arts NYC. Chakras were first described in ancient Vedic texts from India, and are closely associated with yogic practices—which is why that terminology might come up often in vinyasa flow. “And when your chakras are balanced, you can achieve health and happiness,” she says.

That’s why it’s well worth investigating the seven different energy centers in the body, all of which come with potential benefits. The word chakra, in Sanskrit, literally means “wheel of light,” which conjures something that needs to be in motion, needs to be luminous, or both. To that end, each chakra represents a different type of energy—and each is said to vibrate at a different frequency and give off a different color, starting at the pelvis and moving upward to the top of the head.

“If the chakras aren’t aligned or balanced, the energy can’t flow through properly, and imbalances can show up as negative thoughts, emotions, or physical ailments.” —Dr. Alicia Armitstead

The key, Dr. Armitstead says, isn’t necessarily to just focus on one chakra, but rather to get them all aligned. “The chakra energy is thought of coming from whatever higher power you believe in,” she says. “And each center of life force can either be balanced, overstimulated, or under-stimulated.”

When your chakras aren’t balanced, you may experience a variety of emotions. “So the next time you’re upset in any way, that would be a good time to balance your chakras in order to feel better,” Dr. Armitstead says. “If the chakras aren’t aligned or balanced, the energy can’t flow through properly, and imbalances can show up as negative thoughts, emotions, or physical ailments.”

So how do you actually balance your chakras? Color therapy is one way, Dr. Armitstead says. It’s essentially using the color that correlates to the energy center, and letting that heal you. “So if you want to balance the throat chakra, you wear more blue, light a blue candle, or wear a blue necklace,” she says. Different crystals, throat chakra stones, tuning forks, essential oils, or exercises also help open up the chakras.

But perhaps the simplest way to balance chakras is by using affirmations. “Words are energy as well, so thinking a particular thought sends energy to chakras, which can block them, overstimulate them, or balance them,” Dr. Armitstead says.

Below, learn about chakras—including chakra affirmations—to help stay balanced and healthy.

1. Root chakra

Your root chakra is the foundation that everything else builds upon. It relates to our core need to feel grounded, safe, and secure, and it’s red color helps us to stop (think of a traffic light), slow down, and find a sense of shelter.

Color: Red

Where you’ll find it: At the base of the spine or groin

Signs that it’s overactive: Heaviness, sluggishness, resistance to change, overeating, hoarding, material fixation, greediness, workaholic

Signs that it’s underactive: Fear, anxiety, underweight, restlessness, difficulty manifesting

Signs that it’s balanced: Groundedness, physical health, being comfortable in your body, a sense of safety and security, stability, prosperity, ability to be still

Affirmation or mantra: “I am safe.”

2. Sacral chakra

The sacral chakra is the center of creativity, sensitivity, self-expression and sexuality. No wonder you can find it at a pivotal spot in the [ahem] groin. It relates to orange, a color that exudes warmth and excitement.

Color: Orange

Where you’ll find it: Right below the belly button

Signs that it’s overactive: Sexual addictions, obsessive attachments, excessive mood swings, excessively sensitive, poor boundaries

Signs that it’s underactive: Rigidity in your body and behavior, emotional numbness or sensitivity, fear of change, lack of desire or passion, boredom

Signs that it’s balanced: Graceful movements, ability to embrace change, emotional intelligence, creativity, ability to enjoy pleasure and passion

Affirmation or mantra: “I belong to the universal oneness, and I create with love.”

3. Solar plexus chakra

It checks out that the solar plexus chakra is yellow, taking its cue from the light of the sun. It’s the most energy-oriented energy center, speaking to what fuels us and makes us shine.

Color: Yellow

Where you’ll find it: Between your belly button and your solar plexus

Signs that it’s overactive: Controlling, arrogant, ambitious, hyperactive, stubborn

Signs that it’s underactive: Passivity, lack of energy, poor digestion, tendency to be cold, blaming, low self-esteem, poor self-discipline

Signs that it’s balanced: Responsible, reliable, good self-discipline, confident, warm, energetic, playful

Affirmation or mantra: “I am powerful.”

4. Heart chakra

Your heart chakra relates to the love you have for yourself, and the love you have for others. When balanced, you’re left with healthy, happy, and full relationships. And while red or even pink may sound like they suit this energy center, the green is actually emblematic of healing…perfect if you’re nursing a broken heart.

Color: Green

Where you’ll find it: At the chest

Signs that it’s overactive: Codependency, focusing too much on others, poor boundaries, jealousy

Signs that it’s underactive: Antisocial, withdrawn, critical, intolerant, lack of empathy, fear of intimacy

Signs that it’s balanced: Caring, compassionate, empathetic, accepting, loving, peaceful, content

Affirmation or mantra: “I am loved.”

5. Throat chakra

The throat chakra speaks to, well, being able to speak your truth. It’s naturally located in the channel that makes most communication possible, but it also extends to written communication (see: crossed wires when texting). It’s blue, the color of the spirit, but also the color that grants us calm. Both courage and inner stillness are necessary for saying what needs to be said.

Color: Blue

Where you’ll find it: At the throat

Signs that it’s overactive: Talking too much or inappropriately, gossiping, stuttering, excessive loudness

Signs that it’s underactive: Difficulty putting things into words, fear of speaking, speaking with small or weak voice, secretiveness, excessive shyness

Signs that it’s balanced: Resonant, full voice, clear communication, good listener, good sense of timing and rhythm

Affirmation or mantra: “I speak my truth.”

6. Third eye chakra

The third eye chakra is about being of a higher mind; when you open your third eye, you’re giving the vision to peer into radical possibilities. As such, the third eye chakra is purple, a regal and mystical shade that wields next-level power.

Color: Purple

Where you’ll find it: Middle of the forehead

Signs that it’s overactive: Hallucinations, delusions, obsessions, nightmares, intrusive memories, difficulty concentrating, excessive fantasizing

Signs that it’s underactive: Lack of imagination, difficulty visualizing, insensitivity, excessive skepticism, denial, inability to see alternatives

Signs that it’s balanced: Strong intuition, creative imagination, good memory, good dream recall, ability to visualize

Affirmation or mantra: “I am open to and trust the universe.”

7. Crown chakra

Finally, the crown chakra is representative of the highest level of enlightenment. This is where the magic happens, balancing the crown chakra can help you deepen your connection to the universe and unlock whatever you want. It also manifests as deep purple, or occasionally white, both connected to spiritualism.

Color: White/Deep purple

Where you’ll find it: Right over the head

Signs that it’s overactive: Confusion, excessive attachments, over-intellectualization, living “in your head”

Signs that it’s underactive: Spiritual cynicism, a closed mind, learning difficulties, rigid belief systems, apathy

Signs that it’s balanced: Spiritual connection, wisdom and mastery, intelligence, presence, open-mindedness, ability to question

Affirmation or mantra: “I am connecting to spiritual consciousness.” (Fifteen minutes or more of daily meditation will specifically help this chakra, Dr. Armitstead says.)

Originally published on October 16, 2018; updated with additional reporting by Mary Grace Garis.

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