What does it mean if a chakra is blocked or unbalanced?

Diane Malaspina, PhD, a yoga medicine therapeutic specialist, says she prefers to think of chakras as out of balance versus blocked.

“There can be a depletion of energy flow or too much energetic activity in a chakra — each will manifest into different outcomes,” she explained.

When a chakra is low in energy, she said, you’ll have difficulty expressing the particular qualities associated with that chakra.

When a chakra is overactive, Malaspina said, the qualities are a dominant force in the person’s life. This can have both physical and emotional effects.

For example, the first chakra is about security, survival, and the foundation of our life.

If it’s underactive, Malaspina said, it can show up as depression and insecurity. If there’s too much energy, it can show up as fearlessness without precaution or hoarding because you need more to feel secure.