Chakras are the focal points for universal energy which flows through us, whether we know it or not. Your chakras have a profound influence on your life whether this effect is good, such as when they are properly aligned for energy flow or whether this effect is for the worse, like when they are blocked ? preventing the flow of energy or are out of alignment.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means energy, and while its roots are Hindu, energy is not partial to a religion. Energy is in fact universal and every single person on this Earth has these energies. The chakra is really the vortex that this energy flows through and manifest physically. The chakras are the channels by which universal energy can flow in and out of our aura.

Making sure that our chakras are aligned and balanced make it possible for us to open our minds and get a better understanding of what our true spiritual nature is. Keep in mind that most people are not balanced and their chakras are not aligned. That is why chakra meditation is so important. To begin chakra meditation it is important you know where the chakras are located and what they do.

Situated in important areas of your body like the heart and the top of the head, the chakras influence the organs which surround them and they also play a part in proper energy flow. The number of chakras in your body is seven.

The first chakra is the Root Chakra and it is located at the base of the spine. This chakra is related to the body and our individual ability to master our body. So your general health, constitution and security are all tied to the Root Chakra. This is also the chakra that helps us realize how we are connected to the world around us. The color for this chakra is red.

Your second chakra is the Navel Chakra which is, as the name suggests, located in the lower abdomen. This chakra represents your drives towards physical love, including sexual pleasure. This chakra also governs your generosity and is where you will feel giving and receiving. This chakra's color is orange.

The third chakra is the Solar Plexus Chakra, located just below our chests near the diaphragm. This chakra represents our will and our ability to change and transform. Our own control over our personal energy is governed by this chakra. This chakra is also the source of self discipline and acts as a check upon the ego. This chakra's color is yellow.

Your fourth chakra is the Heart Chakra, which can be found at the center of your chest. This chakra is representative of your feelings of compassion, love and understanding. Love which goes beyond the physical aspect is part of this chakra. Green is the color of this chakra.

The fifth chakra is the Throat Chakra, sited between the chin and the sternum. This chakra governs communication. The Throat Chakra lets us understand the power of honest speech to convey truth, kindness and wisdom. The color of the Throat chakra is sky blue.

Also known as the third eye, the sixth chakra is called the Brow Chakra and is located in the forehead, between the eyebrows. This chakra is responsible for insight, imagination and intuition. This is the chakra which lets you look inward to examine your own soul. Peace of mind and an experience of the divine is also located here. This chakra's color is indigo.

The final chakra is the Crown Chakra, obviously based on the name it is found at the top of the head. So it should go with out saying then that anything that deals with the mind and spirit is controlled here. It is the Crown Chakra that is tied to our individual journey into understanding our own consciousness and our place in time and space. Anything dealing with the Higher Self is rooted in the Crown Chakra. The color for the Crown Chakra is violet.

Knowing the location and function of each chakra will assist you in chakra meditation. There are meditations which you can use to align all of your chakras and meditations which focus on one chakra at a time.