According to ancient Hindu Upanishads and Buddhist tantras, the psycho-spiritual energy centres known as chakras are said to play an important role in our well-being. They can reveal the intersection of physical and mental wellness, and meditation.

If you have one or more ailments, meditating on the chakra they are associated can help you understand what your body is telling you.

The Seven Chakras

Ancient texts claim that our bodies are traversed by millions of energy channels or pathways called nadis. The following seven chakras are where the greatest concentrations of nadis are. In ascending order, they include:

Muladhara or Root: The four-petalled red lotus located at the perineum is linked to basic needs such as food and water, shelter, and security. Chakra blockage can manifest as feelings of abandonment, depression, addiction, constipation, diarrhoea, lower back pain, water retention, and leg or foot problems. Mantra: Lam

Svadhisthana or Sacral: The six-petalled orange lotus below the navel is linked to energy, confidence, and creativity. Blockage manifests as emotional imbalance, dependency, eating disorders, low libido, urinary tract infection, kidney problems, reproductive and sexual issues, and digestive problems. Mantra: Vam

Manipura or Solar Plexus: The 10-petalled yellow lotus chakra at the diaphragm is associated with personal centre, gut feelings, instinct, and personal power. Signs of blockage include Forgetfulness and inattentiveness, fears, insomnia, digestive problems, weak metabolism, obesity, and skin problems. Mantra: Ram

Anahata or Heart: The 12-petalled green lotus at the heart is connected to compassion, empathy, forgiveness, love, relationships, trust, and sense of adventure. Blockage indicators include apathy, mistrust, detachment, despair, pain in the upper back and arms, premature ageing, respiratory problems, and unforgiveness. Mantra: Yam

Visshuddha or Throat: The 16-petalled blue lotus chakra at the throat is linked to self-expression and communication, ability to lead, and sense of freedom. Symptoms include feelings of isolation, anxiety, nose and throat ailments, sinus problems, thyroid problems, tonsillitis, and dental problems. Hyperventilation also could be caused by the excitement of playing slots games in Australia. Mantra: Ham

Ajna or Brow: Popularly known as the ‘third eye’, the two-petalled indigo lotus between the eyebrows is connected to mind, intuition, thoughts, dreams, ideas, and psychic powers. Blockage can manifest as nightmare, headaches, migraines, hallucinations, difficulty learning, problems with eyes or ears, and hair or scalp problems. Mantra: Sham

Sahasrara or Crown: The violet 1000-petalled lotus at the crown of the head is associated with your idea of God, spirituality, consciousness, higher self, optimism, and sense of universal connection. Blockage symptoms include confusion, depression, mental health issues, headaches, light sensitivity. Mantra: Om

How to Meditate

Sit comfortably in a quiet place, close your eyes, and breathe deeply and evenly. Starting at Muladhara/Root at the base of your spine, visualise each of the chakras in turn. You can see them as simply as an orb of coloured light, or as a lotus with the appropriate number of petals.

Intone or repeat the mantra of each, until you see it radiant with energy. Pay attention to any thoughts, feelings, or symbols that arise in your mind at the time. Afterwards, reflect on any insights you had.