Chakra means wheel or disc and is an idea in which your body has a force center and all your energy derives from this point. You have certain areas which receive and send energy to the other parts of your body. This is a tradition that was first documented around 1100 BC, but is felt to have been in practice for centuries before that. All of the chakras are located in your spinal area, and from there go to the nerves of your body.

The Chakra system is comprised of different areas in the body, including the organs of elimination, the sexual organs, the navel center, the areas of the heart. The system also includes the throat area, the eyes and the crown of the head. Each one of these areas also has a color associated with it such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet and white.

The first five chakras each have an element of either earth, water, fire, air or ether. The chakras toward the upper part of the body do not have an element associated with them. Every chakra has its own function. For instance, the crown of the head is known for spiritual perfection, the throat - creativity and the heart, empathy.

There are different practices used today which are considered to be part of the chakra system including aromatherapy, sound therapy and acupuncture.