Chakras – What Are They?

If you’ve ever been told your energy feels “off,” or found yourself feeling emotionally stuck for no obvious reason—your chakras might be trying to tell you something.

The word chakra comes from Sanskrit, meaning “wheel” or “disc.” In energy healing traditions, chakras are seen as spinning centres of subtle energy located along the spine. Each one influences different parts of our physical, emotional and energetic wellbeing.

Most systems focus on seven main chakras, each connected to specific themes:

1. Root (Muladhara) – at the base of the spine. Linked to safety, stability and survival.
2. Sacral (Svadhisthana) – lower abdomen. Tied to emotions, creativity and sensuality.
3. Solar Plexus (Manipura) – upper abdomen. Connected to confidence, willpower and self-esteem.
4. Heart (Anahata) – centre of the chest. Governs love, connection and compassion.
5. Throat (Vishuddha) – throat area. Supports communication and self-expression.
6. Third Eye (Ajna) – between the eyebrows. Linked to intuition, clarity and inner vision.
7. Crown (Sahasrara) – top of the head. Connects us to a sense of spiritual unity or higher awareness.

When these energy centres are open and balanced, energy flows freely through the body. You may feel calm, clear, energised and emotionally in tune. But when one or more chakras become blocked or overactive, things can feel… stuck. Emotionally, physically, even mentally.

For example:

• A blocked root chakra might feel like anxiety, financial fear, or restlessness.
• An unbalanced throat chakra can show up as people-pleasing, struggling to speak up, or sore throats for no clear reason.
• When the heart chakra’s overwhelmed, we might close off emotionally—or love too much, without boundaries.

This isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness. Your energy system responds to life. Stress, trauma, heartbreak, even long-term patterns of self-neglect can all affect the chakras.

And that’s where energy healing comes in.

Practices like Reiki healing gently support the body’s own ability to balance itself. Reiki isn’t invasive or dramatic—it’s often deeply relaxing. Clients often describe it as feeling “lighter” afterwards, or emotionally clearer, like something has gently lifted.

In our Reiki Glasgow sessions, we often work intuitively with the chakras—supporting the energy that wants to move, rather than trying to force anything. It’s not about fixing. It’s about listening. And when energy is met with that kind of attention? It often begins to shift all on its own.

Understanding your chakras doesn’t require a degree in esoteric philosophy. It just takes curiosity. Awareness. And the willingness to feel what’s going on inside you.

So if you’ve been feeling heavy, disconnected, or not quite yourself lately—it might not be “all in your head.”

It might be in your energy.

And you know what? That can be supported.

Gently. Naturally. And at your own pace.