Wounds To Wisdom
Discover how childhood experiences shape your chakras and energy system through Erik Erikson’s psychology and Anodea Judith’s chakra wisdom. Learn how to heal past wounds and step into your power with yoga, Ayurveda, and mindfulness.
If you know me at all, you know I love the chakra system, and I can nerd out forever over how what happens to us as we grow up shapes who we are now. I’ve definitely used a lot of this wisdom to figure out myself and to understand the people in my life. And, as always, this information is here to help me approach myself and others with grace, not judgment.
We all carry pieces of our past with us—some light, some heavy. The moments that shaped us in childhood don’t just stay in the past; they live in our bodies, our thoughts, and our energy. Some of those experiences gave us confidence, love, and security. Others left wounds that still whisper (or sometimes shout) into our daily lives—affecting how we trust, love, speak up, or even feel safe in the world.
But here’s the empowering part: those wounds don’t have to define us forever. With awareness and intentional healing, we can turn them into wisdom.
Have You Heard of Erik Erikson & Anodea Judith?
Erik Erikson was a developmental psychologist who mapped out how humans grow in eight stages—each one presenting a core challenge that shapes our emotional, mental, and social well-being. His work is a foundation in psychology because it helps explain why we develop certain behaviors, fears, and patterns based on our early experiences.
Anodea Judith is a chakra expert who wrote Eastern Body, Western Mind, where she bridges yogic energy systems with Western psychology. She sees the chakras as developmental stages—just like Erikson’s model—showing how our energy centers evolve based on life experiences.
Now, Erikson never talked about chakras. But when I look at his stages, I can’t help but see the parallels between them and the chakra system. So, let’s go through each stage and see how these systems intertwine, giving us a holistic way to understand ourselves and heal.
1. Root Chakra & Trust vs. Mistrust
(Foundation, Safety, Security)
The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is all about safety, stability, and trust in the world—which aligns exactly with Erikson’s first stage, Trust vs. Mistrust.
As infants, we are completely dependent on caregivers to meet our basic needs. If we receive consistent love, food, and comfort, we develop trust—not just in others, but in life itself. If we experience neglect, chaos, or trauma, we develop mistrust, feeling that the world isn’t safe or predictable.
Signs of a Root Chakra Wound:
Feeling anxious, fearful, or ungrounded
Struggles with money, home stability, or feeling secure
Chronic stress, hypervigilance, or difficulty trusting others
Healing the Root Chakra:
Grounding practices: Walking barefoot, spending time in nature
Affirmations: I am safe. I am supported. I trust life.
Inner child work: Reassuring yourself that safety is possible
2. Sacral Chakra & Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
(Creativity, Emotions, Pleasure)
The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) governs creativity, emotions, and pleasure, aligning with Erikson’s stage of Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt.
As toddlers, we explore independence—choosing what we like, asserting our “no,” and experimenting with self-expression. If we’re encouraged, we develop confidence in our choices. But if we are over-controlled, criticized, or shamed, we may grow up doubting our worth, creativity, or ability to experience joy.
Signs of a Sacral Chakra Wound:
Guilt around pleasure, creativity, or emotions
People-pleasing tendencies or repressing desires
Feeling numb or disconnected from joy
Healing the Sacral Chakra:
Creative expression: Dance, paint, journal, explore joy freely
Self-compassion: Let go of guilt around pleasure & self-care
Affirmations: I deserve joy. I embrace my creativity.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra & Initiative vs. Guilt
(Confidence, Personal Power, Boundaries)
The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) governs self-worth, personal power, and decision-making—lining up perfectly with Erikson’s Initiative vs. Guilt stage.
At this stage, kids take initiative, exploring the world with curiosity. If they are encouraged, they grow into confident and self-motivated adults. If they are shamed or made to feel guilty for asserting themselves, they may struggle with self-doubt and fear of making mistakes.
Signs of a Solar Plexus Chakra Wound:
Low self-confidence or fear of failure
Over-apologizing or avoiding decision-making
Feeling powerless or stuck in life
Healing the Solar Plexus Chakra:
Empowerment practices: Strength-based movement, setting small goals
Affirmations: I trust myself. I take action with confidence.
Setting boundaries: Learning to say “no” without guilt
4. Heart Chakra & Industry vs. Inferiority
(Love, Acceptance, Connection)
The Heart Chakra (Anahata) is about love, connection, and self-worth, aligning with Erikson’s Industry vs. Inferiority stage.
At this stage, children learn competence through school, friendships, and skills. If they are supported, they develop self-worth and belonging. If they are criticized or feel inadequate, they may struggle with feeling unworthy or disconnected.
Signs of a Heart Chakra Wound:
Struggling with self-love or self-acceptance
Fear of vulnerability or rejection
Attracting unhealthy relationships or avoiding connection
Healing the Heart Chakra:
Heart-opening yoga & breathwork
Self-love practices: Journaling, mirror work, acts of kindness
Affirmations: I am worthy of love. I give and receive love freely.
5. Throat Chakra & Identity vs. Role Confusion
(Expression, Truth, Authenticity)
The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) governs self-expression and authenticity, which aligns with Erikson’s Identity vs. Role Confusion stage.
As teenagers, we explore who we really are. If we are allowed to express ourselves, we develop a strong, authentic voice. If we are silenced, judged, or forced into roles, we may struggle with self-doubt and fear of speaking up.
Healing the Throat Chakra:
Journaling & self-expression practices
Affirmations: My voice matters. I express myself freely.
6. Third Eye Chakra & Intimacy vs. Isolation
(Intuition, Inner Wisdom, Vision for Life)
The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) is all about intuition, clarity, and deep connection, which aligns beautifully with Erikson’s Intimacy vs. Isolation stage.
This phase of life is when we start forming meaningful relationships—romantic, platonic, and even with ourselves. It’s also a time when we start trusting our inner wisdom and vision for the future.
If we grew up with a strong sense of who we are, we’re more likely to trust ourselves, follow our intuition, and build healthy relationships. But if we experienced betrayal, emotional wounds, or struggled to trust ourselves, we may fear intimacy, avoid deep connections, or second-guess our decisions constantly.
Signs of a Third Eye Chakra Wound:
Struggling to make decisions or trust intuition
Feeling disconnected from purpose or lacking direction
Fear of deep emotional intimacy or vulnerability
Healing the Third Eye Chakra:
Meditation & visualization: Strengthening inner wisdom through stillness
Journaling & dream work: Exploring subconscious thoughts & intuitive nudges
Affirmations: I trust my intuition. I see my path clearly.
7. Crown Chakra & Generativity vs. Stagnation & Integrity vs. Despair
(Spiritual Connection, Higher Purpose, Wisdom)
The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) represents spiritual connection, higher consciousness, and divine purpose, aligning with Erikson’s final two stages—Generativity vs. Stagnation (midlife) and Integrity vs. Despair (late life).
In midlife, we start reflecting on our legacy—our impact, purpose, and the ways we contribute to the world. If we feel connected to our higher purpose, we develop generativity—a sense of fulfillment through work, community, or creativity. But if we feel disconnected, we may experience stagnation, lack of inspiration, or a midlife crisis.
Later in life, we reflect on our entire journey. If we feel at peace with our choices, we experience wisdom and integrity. If not, we may struggle with regret or despair over lost time and unfulfilled dreams.
Signs of a Crown Chakra Wound:
Feeling spiritually disconnected or questioning life’s meaning
Fear of aging, regret, or feeling like life has “passed by”
Struggling to surrender or trust in the flow of life
Healing the Crown Chakra:
Spending time in nature: Reconnecting to the greater cycles of life
Meditation & prayer: Deepening your relationship with divine energy
Affirmations: I am connected. My life is meaningful. I trust in the divine flow.
It’s Never Just One Thing…
When I first started exploring Erikson’s developmental stages and the chakra system, I wasn’t looking for a perfect match between the two. Erikson never talked about chakras, and Anodea Judith wasn’t writing psychology textbooks—but the parallels are undeniable.
Both systems describe how we grow, heal, and transform over time. And most importantly, both systems remind us that healing is never just about one thing.
Some of us are doing deep third eye work right now, learning to trust our intuition after years of doubting ourselves. Others are working on our throat chakra, finding our voice and stepping into our truth. Some of us are still healing root chakra wounds, learning how to feel safe, supported, and grounded in a world that may not have always given us stability.
Wherever you are in your journey, there’s no right or wrong place to be. Healing is a process, not a straight line. Some wounds are obvious, others are hidden. Some patterns show up in every part of our lives, while others surface only in relationships, work, or self-talk.
This is all just one tool—one way to understand myself, my loved ones, and the students and clients I work with. And honestly, that’s what I love about it. It’s not about boxing anyone in or labeling experiences—it’s about seeing where we are, where we’ve been, and where we can go next.
In our 1:1 Ayurveda sessions, we don’t just focus on the science of Ayurveda—we look at the whole picture. Wisdom like this, along with yoga philosophy, asana, pranayama, and energy work, helps us understand how the body, mind, and spirit are all connected. Sometimes, it’s not just about digestion or daily routines—it’s about how past experiences are stored in the body, how energy moves (or doesn’t move), and how breath can shift emotions. Whether we’re working with doshas, chakras, or nervous system regulation, these practices help clients realign, release, and return to balance—because true healing isn’t just physical, it’s energetic, emotional, and deeply personal.