An Introduction to the Chakra System

One way of working with our body and mind is the Chakra System. The Chakra System represents different parts of our body and mind. It is a useful guide for helping us to understand and heal ourselves. It's a way for us to take responsibility for our own wellbeing.
Many healing systems work with the Chakra System to bring balance into our body. Yoga, Reiki, colour healing, meditation and many other modalities work with the chakras.
The chakra system provides us with a way of understanding individual challenges as well as ways to heal or change.   Working on the chakras can lead to new ways of thinking and to emotional understanding and expression.   
The chakra system can be used to understand and treat various life challenges.  No matter who you are or what challenges you face, the chakra system can assist in your growth and healing.
When we work with the chakras for healing, we are looking to bring balance into our lives. Balancing chakras happens with yoga, energy healing, crystals, affirmations, meditations, journaling and many other ways. Balancing the chakras may need to be done regularly. Just like we need to wash our body regular to stay clean, our chakras need work to stay balanced.
There are 7 chakras plus the aura. In Kundalini Yoga the aura is seen as the 8th chakra. Here's a description  of the 7 chakras:
Chakra 1: Root Chakra represents our connection with earth and is associated with the colour red. It's located at the base of the spine. Issues linked to the root chakra include survival, trust, prosperity, roots, grounding, health, home, family, appropriate boundaries. It's about our right to be here.
Chakra 2: Sacral Chakra represents water and is associated with the colour orange. It's located in the lower abdomen. Sacral chakra issues include pleasure, sexuality, emotions, movement, desire, need, sensation. Its about our right to feel.
Chakra 3: Solar Plexus Chakra represents our inner fire and is associated with the colour yellow. It's located in the upper abdomen. Solar Plexus issues include Energy, activity, autonomy, individuation, will, self-esteem, proactivity, power. It's about our right to act.
Chakra 4: Heart Chakra represents air and is associated with the colour green. It's located at our heart centre. Issues connected to the heart include Love, balance, self-love, relationship, devotion, reaching out and taking in. It's about our right to love.
Chakra 5: Throat Chakra is associated with the colour blue. It's located at the throat. Issues connected to the throat chakra include Issues: Communication, creativity, listening, finding one’s own voice. Its about our right to speak.
Chakra 6: Third Eye Chakra is associated with the colour indigo or violet. It's located between the eyebrows. Third Eye issues include intuition, imagination, image, visualization, insight, dreams, vision. Its about our right to see.
Chakra 7: Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head. It's colour is white or purple. The Crown Chakra is connected with transcendence, immanence, belief systems, higher power, divinity, union, vision. It's about our right to know.
There's a lot to the Chakra System and this really is a very brief introduction. I highly recommend books by Anodea Judith to help you understand the Chakra System. There are many websites with excellent information on the Chakra System. 
I use the Chakra System as a tool for healing. By seeing it as a tool I can use, I take responsibility for my body and mind. I may not work with it for months, then sometimes I'll come back to it so I can work through something.  Enjoy getting to know this part of yourself!