How Chakras Impact Women’s Health – and How to Work With Them

If you’ve ever felt anxious, burned out, or disconnected from yourself, you’ve probably looked for answers in your body – hormone levels, sleep patterns, nutrition, stress. What you may not have considered is that your energy system could be part of the story, as well.

The chakra system is a 2,000-year-old framework from ancient yoga traditions, and offers a fascinating lens for understanding how mind, body, and spirit interact. And in recent years, modern research has started to validate what yogis have known for centuries: our emotions, stress levels, and physical health are deeply connected to the energy flowing through our bodies.

A Brief History of the Chakras

The word chakra comes from Sanskrit, meaning “wheel” or “disk.” References to chakras first appear in the Vedas (dating back over 2,000 years) and are expanded upon in classical yogic texts like the Yoga Upanishads and the Shat Chakra Nirupana.

These early texts describe the chakras as spinning energy centers along the spine, each connected to specific organs, nerves, and emotional patterns. They aren’t physical structures you can see, but subtle points of energy that influence (and are influenced by) everything you do, think, and feel.

Fast-forward to today, and the chakra system has evolved into a global language of holistic health, influencing yoga, meditation, energy healing, and even modern coaching and therapy practices.

The Science Behind the Energy

While science doesn’t measure “chakras” directly, there’s a growing body of research supporting the effects of practices used to balance them – like yoga, breathwork, and meditation.

• Stress and Hormones: Studies show that chronic stress disrupts the endocrine system, which is closely tied to chakra health. For example, a 2015 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women’s reproductive hormones are particularly sensitive to prolonged stress.

• Heart and Loneliness: Research from the University of Chicago revealed that loneliness increases inflammation markers and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease – a perfect illustration of how the “heart center” responds to emotional states.

• Meditation and the Brain: Harvard neuroscientists found that regular meditation can actually change brain structures related to stress regulation, memory, and emotional balance – offering a scientific lens for why practices aimed at balancing the Third Eye and Crown chakras can feel so transformative.

Why This Matters for Women’s Health

For women, the chakra system can be a powerful tool for understanding and supporting the unique interplay between body, mind, and energy. Here’s how some of the main chakras show up in women’s health:

• Root Chakra (Muladhara): Linked to adrenal function and the stress response. Imbalances often show up as anxiety, fatigue, or a constant sense of “not enough.”

• Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Connected to reproductive health and creativity. When blocked, women may notice irregular cycles, low libido, or feelings of disconnection from pleasure and creativity.

• Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Governs digestion and personal power. Imbalances can manifest as digestive issues or a lack of confidence.

• Heart Chakra (Anahata): Emotional health and immune strength. Grief, heartbreak, or isolation can show up physically as inflammation or lowered immunity.

• Throat and Third Eye (Vishuddha and Ajna): Linked to thyroid and pituitary function, which regulate hormones, metabolism, and mood.

Practical Ways to Work With Your Chakras

Even simple, accessible practices can help you start balancing your energy system:

• Root: Walk barefoot on natural ground, practice grounding breathwork.

• Sacral: Dance, paint, or try hip-opening yoga postures.

• Solar Plexus: Build core strength, journal about personal boundaries and goals.

• Heart: Practice gratitude or loving-kindness meditation.

• Throat: Sing in the shower or journal your truth without editing yourself.

• Third Eye: Meditate with focus on the space between your brows.

• Crown: Spend quiet time in nature or explore contemplative prayer or meditation.

For a Deeper Journey: Guided Study

If you’ve ever felt curious to explore your energy on a deeper level – not just to understand it, but to work with it – guided training can be a powerful catalyst for growth.

From November 8 – 15, 2025, Anamaya Resort is hosting a 50-Hour Chakra Alignment Specialist Certification with Colynn Céspedes.

You don’t need to be a yoga teacher to sign up. This immersive program is for:

• • Anyone ready to experience personal transformation and a deeper understanding of themselves
• • Wellness practitioners wanting to integrate subtle energy work into their practice
• • Yoga teachers seeking CEUs and new tools for their students

You’ll spend the week exploring each chakra in depth, blending ancient wisdom with modern insights, and leaving with practical tools to create balance – for yourself and for others.

Because this training is hosted at Anamaya, your journey will be supported by so much more than the curriculum itself. Between sessions, you’ll enjoy:

• Yoga practices to help you embody what you’re learning

• Time for rest and reflection – journaling by the pool, unwinding in a hammock, or soaking in the breathtaking ocean views

• Nourishing, organic meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients to fuel your mind and body

• Spa treatments designed to restore and rejuvenate – from soothing massages to deep-tissue therapies that release stored tension

• A supportive, like-minded community, creating connections that often last long after the week ends

Surrounded by lush jungle and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the setting itself becomes part of your transformation, creating space to learn, release, and return home feeling renewed on every level.

Learn more about the Chakra Certification here.

Your Next Level of Growth: The 200-Hour YTT Experience

For those ready to fully immerse themselves in yoga, Anamaya’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica is more than just a certification… it’s a life-changing experience. These comprehensive trainings integrate chakra study and the energetic principles of yoga throughout the curriculum, offering you tools to transform your practice on and off the mat.

Many of our students don’t join to teach right away, or at all. They come because they’re craving a deeper connection to themselves, their energy, and their purpose. Over three powerful weeks, you’ll build confidence, expand your understanding of yoga philosophy and anatomy, and reconnect with the wisdom of your body.

Surrounded by the lush jungle and breathtaking ocean views of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, you’ll also nourish yourself with organic meals, spa treatments, and time to rest and reflect. When you leave, you’ll carry not only a globally recognized certification, but also a renewed sense of clarity, balance, and possibility.

Explore our upcoming 200-hour YTT dates here.

Your Energy, Your Power

Whether you’re in Costa Rica with us or practicing at home, the chakra system offers a path to deeper self-awareness and alignment. It’s not about perfection – it’s about listening to your body’s subtle messages and creating space for balance, connection, and growth.

This article was written by Kelsey Matheson, co-founder and co-owner of Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica. Kelsey is also a life and business coach who helps wellness entrepreneurs build thriving businesses doing what they love.

Follow for more inspiration, insights, and tips:

• Instagram: @AnamayaResort  @KelseyMatheson

• YouTube: Anamaya Resort Channel

• Podcast:Women Wellness Entrepreneurs

• Facebook: Yoga Lovers Group