The root chakra is located at the base of the spine; the color associated with it is red. Is your root chakra out of balance? If your root chakra is low in energy, you will probably feel disconnected from your body and you may well be underweight. You may find it hard to focus and be disciplined and be very disorganized. You’re fearful, anxious, restless, and may have money worries. If you have too much energy in your base chakra, you could be overweight, and have a tendency to hoard and be greedy. Energy levels are low and you often feel sluggish and lazy. You’re scared of change and crave security. How to heal the root chakra: Reconnect with your body. Choose a sport or activity you enjoy. Get some good massage - find a professional aromatherapist. Yoga is excellent as it heals and balances all the chakras. On a psychological level look at your early relationship with your mother: talk to her about it if you can - if it’s painful, talk to a trained therapist or counsellor.

The sacral chakra is located between the lower abdomen and the navel. Its color is orange. Is your sacral chakra out of balance? Too little energy in this chakra may cause rigidity in the body and mind. There can be a fear of change and a denial of pleasure - also poor social skills. You may have a general lack of desire, passion and excitement in life and you may lack interest in sex. When the energy is excessive, you could be addicted to pleasure and sex, and be ruled by excessive emotions, swinging wildly between moods, having endless crises. Emotionally you are over-sensitive and over-dependent on others. How to heal the sacral chakra: Learn to trust and enjoy your senses - listen to new music and sounds; look at nature and at art; taste different foods and drinks. Dance can help to liberate this chakra - so can bodywork. Gently try to get in touch with your emotions (with professional help if necessary) to release any old feelings of hurt, anger and guilt.

The third chakra is found around the solar plexus area. Its color is yellow. Is your solar plexus chakra out of balance? Too little energy in this chakra can result in lack of energy, poor self-discipline and low self-esteem. You could be unreliable and overly passive, easily manipulated and a “victim”, always blaming others. When the energy is excessive, you may be aggressive and domineering, manipulative; maybe even deceitful and controlling. You have to have the last word and are prone to temper tantrums and outbursts. You have driving ambition, are very competitive and arrogant and exceedingly stubborn. How to heal the solar plexus chakra: If you have a deficiency you need grounding and emotional warmth. If you have an excess of this chakra look at meditation and deep relaxation. Abdominal workouts can strengthen that area (planking is great – or try a Pilates class). Martial arts such as Judo or Tai Chi would be excellent. Psychotherapy can help you build up the necessary strength to release or contain anger and strengthen your sense of autonomy.

The fourth chakra is based in the heart and chest. Its color is green. Is your heart chakra out of balance? Too little energy in this chakra can make you antisocial and withdrawn, critical and judgmental of others or yourself. It can cause depression, loneliness and a fear of relationships. If excessive, you may well be demanding and clinging, jealous and dependent, or overly self-sacrificing. How to heal the heart chakra: Breathing exercises will help all those with problems in the heart chakra - join a yoga or qigong class which teaches breathing. Look at your relationships and try to free yourself from suppressed grief and loss (with professional help if necessary). Start to accept yourself - just as you are.

The fifth chakra is located in the throat. Its color is blue. Is your throat chakra out of balance? If you have difficulty putting your feelings into words, if you are scared of speaking out, you may be deficient in this chakra. You could be introverted and shy. When this chakra has excessive energy, you talk too much and can’t listen. You gossip and interrupt and are known for your loud, intrusive voice. How to heal the throat chakra: If deficient, use your voice: singing, chanting, humming. If you have excessive energy, practice the arts of silence and listening, concentrate on what the other person is saying. All problems in this chakra benefit from bodywork or massage to release tension in the neck and shoulders. Write your thoughts and unspoken feelings in a journal; write letters (they don’t have to be sent).

The sixth chakra is based in the forehead. Its color is indigo. Is your brow chakra out of balance? Poor memory, vision and lack of imagination? Could indicate a deficient brow chakra. You find it hard to remember dreams and can’t envisage the future. You may be rigid in your thoughts - there is only one way to do something! If the energy is excessive, you may live too much in your dreams and imagination - you have difficulty concentrating and have frequent nightmares. How to heal the brow chakra: Try painting and drawing - express whatever comes to mind (it doesn’t have to be artistic). See which emotions emerge. Write down and work with your dreams. Try meditation. Guided visualizations can be useful - so can hypnotherapy (but only with a qualified expert).

The seventh chakra is found in the cerebral cortex in the brain. Its color is violet. Is your crown chakra out of balance? If your crown chakra energy is lacking, you may be cynical and tend to ridicule spirituality. Your belief systems are very rigid (in fact you probably aren’t even reading this post!). You could be greedy and materialistic, trying to dominate others. If it’s too excessive, you could be too intellectual, living purely in your head. You may have lost touch with your body and may be excessively spiritual or confused. How to heal the crown chakra: Meditation is key. Be open to new ideas and new information - don’t dismiss things until you’ve tried them. Examine your attitudes to spirituality and religion. If you have an excess of crown chakra energy you need to connect with your body and the earth - try physical exercise, massage, gardening. If you have a deficiency, open yourself to the idea of spirituality, allow yourself to drop your cynicism and have an open mind and heart.