The Chakra System originated within the yoga traditions of India, most specifically the Tantric period, circa 500 - 1000 AD. Therefore, yoga is an ideally designed practice to not only train your mind and body, but to access your subtle, energy body via the emotions, perceptions and psyche that are called chakras. Each chakra vibrates at a different speed in a clockwise direction. Chakras are the portals into accessing the power of transformation and integration and the windows to the soul.

Chakras are subtle energetic centers that communicate and translate through our emotions via the organs in the body connecting along the spine.

Clearing of these centres during the chakra cleansing ceremony of our cultural yoga retreats enables us to free up energy that can become blocked because of stress. In the science of yoga chakras are associated with the endocrine system which controls functions of the physio-chemical system of the body. Through yoga practice, mind/breath awareness moves deeper into the subtle realms of mind experience and we become attuned to the many layers of consciousness existing as part of the self.

Chakras do not exist physically they are experiential. They were identified by the ancient seers, rishis through the experience of deep unwavering meditation. Therefore chakras represent seats of psychic or cosmic consciousness. The energy system implied can however be associated with the more subtle physiological endocrine and nervous function of the human body.

Transforming Emotions into Devotion

Clearing of these energy centers via Chakra Yoga, and Crystal Healing

The reason why crystals and gemstones are wonderful and powerful healing tools are because of what science calls its piezoelectric effect. (You can see this effect in the modern quartz watches). Crystals and gemstones respond to the electricity that is coursing through our body, and if the energy is sluggish, the constant electrical vibrations of the stones will help to harmonize, balance, and stimulate these energies.

 1st Chakra (Muladhara) Gemstones:  black tourmaline, garnet, hematite, obsidian, black onyx, dark ruby, smoky quartz, and bloodstone
Black tourmaline - fearful. Feel survival threatened. Negativatity.. Exceedingly powerful for 1st chakra work
Garnet - protective.
Hematite-- depression, pain. Keep people out of your space.
Obsidian- extremely protective. Release from excessive need for possessions.
Ruby- protective of all around you, including family, possessions and good name. 

Signs of 1st Chakra (Base of the spine) Imbalances:
Cannot create security for own self nor take responsibility
Excessively introverted
Many insecurities, low self-esteem, depression
Many tense, life threatening situations where a strong need for survival is called for
Has suffered from abuse or is an abuser of others
Constipation/diarrhoea and haemorrhoids 

 2^nd Chakra (Swadhistana) Gemstones: Amber, Carnelian, Malachite, Peach Aventurine, Sunstone, Tiger Eye, Topaz.
Amber - Intellect and keep marital vows.
Carnelian - Vitality, courage and sexual prowess.
Malachite - Help those who were sexually abused.
Peach Aventurine - Reduce desire for pleasure.
Sunstone - Increase vitality. Remove "hang-ups".
Tiger Eye - Balances male/female energies.
Topaz - Brings intellect into sexual desire 

Signs of 2^nd Chakra (Sacral) Imbalances:
Inability to comfort another or be able to receive comfort and tenderness from another.
Lack of creative urges and fitting in with others
Denial of all pleasure or the opposite reaction of living a very hedonistic (pleasure-seeker) lifestyle.
Over-sexed, or sex addiction.
Denial of sexual impulses, frigidity.
Difficulty with intimacy in general.
Reproductive problems, disease of the gonads, ovaries and uterus 

 3^rd Chakra (Manipura) Gemstones: Yellow Amber, Citrine, Golden Topaz, Yellow Calcite, Yellow Aragonite, Golden Tiger Eye.
Yellow Amber - De-stress and lighten the attitude.
Yellow Aragonite - Stress relief. Improve practicality and dependability.
Yellow Calcite - Clears and activates the Chakra.
Citrine - Happy attitude. Prosperity.
Golden Labradorite - Help get in touch and feel more comfortable with their Will without impressing their will upon others.
Golden Topaz - Brings success in endeavors, especially business.
Golden Tiger Eye - Improves practicality, grounds and balances the male/female energies 

Signs for 3^rd Chakra (navel) Imbalances:
Easily irritated, explosive temper.
Inability to prosper, not matter how hard you try OR prospering at the expense of others.
Difficulty in taking responsibility for actions and consequences.
Alternating between feeling immensely powerful, only to feel like a victim the next moment.
Weak-willed or inflict one's will on everyone around them.
Digestive ills,- ulcers and diabetes. 

 4^th Chakra (Annahata) Gemstones; Pink tourmaline Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Jade, Pink Kunzite, Rhodonite,  
Pink Tourmaline – heals emotional wounds, calming and soothing, radiates kindness.
Green Aventurine – Fortifies individuality Enhances regeneration. Increases enthusiasm Alleviates pain. Brings Good Luck
Rose Quatz – known as the love stone, healer of the heart, encourages ability to self-love and love others
Pink Kunzite - Releases tension, Promotes a peaceful disposition Emits exceptionally tranquil vibrations
Jade – Attracts love. Protection from accidents and misfortune. Assists in self-healing
Rhodonite – known as a "rescue stone". Soothes nervous system. Raises self-worth and helps ward off negativity.
Physical ailments; Circulatory heart and lungs problems 

Signs of 4^th Chakra (heart) Imbalances:
Difficulty in relationships. Dependence on others for your happiness
Feeling intense dislike towards people, Strong aversions towards things and situations
Lack of courage, enthusiasm, feeling empty and not able to share or receive freely from others
Lack of spontaneity, joy or creativity. Feeling old before your time. 

 5^th Chakra (Vishuddhi) Gemstones; Turquoise, Blue Lace Agate, Angelite, Blue Topaz, Blue Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Calcite, Sapphire, Blue Opal, Aquamarine
Turquoise - Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world
Blue Lace Agate - Inspires, improves grace. The eyes..
Angelite - Removes anger. Offers Protection. Useful in telepathic communication with Spirit Guide.\
Blue Topaz - Remove arrogance in speech; help bring communicated wishes to reality.
Blue Kyanite - Calms, stimulates communication. Dream recollection. (Never needs cleansing)
Blue Apatite - Enhance creativity. Hunger suppression.
Blue Chalcedony - Promotes Good Will in speech.
Blue Calcite - Clear and activate the Chakra.
Blue Sapphire - Improve psychic ability and communication.
Blue Opal - Courage to speak the truth. Enhances creativity.
Aquamarine - Brings harmony with truth, calms and sooths. 

Signs of 5^th Chakra (throat) Imbalances:
Trouble talking about your own emotions 
Weight Issues (i.e. repress communication by eating food)
Trouble listening in the form of: dominating conversations and/or having multiple conversations happening at once. Interrupting others conversations to be heard.
Exaggerations and trouble telling the truth. 
Difficulty laughing, when it used to be easy. Sense of humour wavering.
Creativity stifled, unable to create, write, paint, etc.
Trouble finding the right job or vocation. Flitting between jobs.
Wavering morality and integrity but unsure how to stop.
Thyroid, ear (including hearing), nose, neck and dental problems. 

 6^th Chakra (Ajna) Gemstones:Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Sodalite, Sugilite, Purple Fluorite, Dumortierite, Blue Aventurine, Charoite, Tanzanite, Dark Blue Kyanite
Lapis Lazuli - Purifies the heart to make just decisions. Meditation support. 
Amethyst - Connects physical to spiritual and is useful in connections between the 6th & 7th Chakras.
Sodalite - Encourages truthfulness in emotion, self-esteem and trust.
Sugilite - Powerful, but expensive, helps us realize we are all one. Improves wisdom, protects the sensitive. 
Purple Fluorite - Clear negative thoughts that hold us back. Repels evil and brings about higher states.
Dumortierite - Help recall Past Lives, including knowledge and wisdom acquired during previous lives.
Blue Aventurine - Opens Third Eye Chakra.
Charoite - Increasing awareness and insight.
Tanzanite - Bridge to the pureness of true spirituality
Dark Blue Kyanite - Said to align all Chakras and never need cleansing. 

Signs of 6^th (third eye, pituitary) Chakra imbalances:
Living too extremes either high or low. Enforcing your views and having righteous opinions
Intellectual arrogance.
Inability to truly consider anyone's ideas but your own.
Over-emphasis on material goods and wealth.
Creating great ideas, but can't seem to follow through. 
Making promises you can't keep.
Friends and family exasperated because you never follow through. 
Feeling as if you've never had an original idea. 
Blaming others for anything that does not work out to your benefit. In so far as back stabbing friends, and blaming without their knowing.
Denigrating others through malicious gossip.
Disconnection from reality from substance abuse which is used to artificially obtain the bliss associated with this Chakra.
Recurrent nightmares, feeling guilt, and sometimes hypersensitivity to psychic stimuli. 

 7^th Chakra (Sahasara) Gemstones: Amethyst, Charoite, Clear Quartz, Sugilite , White Agate
Amethyst - Connects physical to spiritual and is useful in connections between the 6th & 7th Chakras.
Charoite - Increase awareness and help with surrender.
Clear Quartz - Brings spiritual awareness in a material world.
Sugilite - Wisdom (Extremely powerful).
White agate -This stone can help to settle nervousness, panic attacks and anxiety, as well as settling emotions, anger, tension and stress. White Agate can also be helpful in the treatment of Tourettes Syndrome, Epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. 

Signs of 7^th chakra (crown of head, pineal) Imbalances:
Most of us will never activate this Chakra, few will even activate the 6th much less the 7th, however imbalances may take the form of feeling totally ungrounded, and being one who keeps their “head in clouds” at worst feeling "haunted" or attracting unsavoury spirits. No grip on reality, living in a complete dream world. No sense of conscience or spirituality.

To choose your personal crystal mala visit http://shop.lovelivingyoga.com/collections/crystal-chakra-malas