How the Chakras Explain Your Child’s Current Tantrum by Brett Larkin

When your child starts entering their tantrum era, you’ll probably start scouring parenting books for a solution. But your answer is hiding in the least likely place: ancient yogic wisdom.

Did you know that the chakras are energy centers in the subtle body? In Sanskrit, “chakra” means wheel or circle, and they govern your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Each chakra develops over time, starting in the mother’s womb. As your child hits developmental milestones, like walking and talking, their chakras are slowly developing too. Understanding this ancient energy system might just give you a little more insight into their behavior. 

Let’s take a look at the developmental stages of the chakras and how they relate to dealing with tantrums:

Stage 1: The Root Chakra (womb to 12 months)
From the time your baby is in the womb, their root chakra is under development. Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra is your baby’s foundation for security and physical comfort. In this stage of development, you’re helping your baby to build a foundation of security and physical identity. When your baby cries, it can mean a handful of things, all related to survival: hunger, discomfort from a full diaper, or wanting to be soothed. 

Stage 2: The Sacral Chakra (6 months to age 2)
Starting at six months to age two, your child starts to really develop their own personality as the sacral chakra develops. Tantrums arise when something they like is taken away, like a favorite toy, a pacifier, or the classic: it’s time for bed. Even though it can be frustrating, tantrums at this stage are really a form of self-expression and personality development - one of the ways your child is telling you what they do and don’t like.

Stage 3: The Solar Plexus (age 2-3)
When your child is turning two or three, they’re likely having tantrums because their solar plexus, the third chakra, is turning on. At the beginning of development, infants don’t realize they’re separate from you. But as they enter their toddler years, they’re doing everything they can to separate themselves and assert their will. Your child is stepping into their autonomy and personal power for the first time, which you’ve probably noticed when your little one suddenly has a meltdown over wanting a BLUE cup, not the orange one! Offering a choice can often help avert a tantrum. And when it doesn’t, you can ride the emotional wave with them, helping them return to a calmer state.

Ultimately, it’s so important for you to know YOUR OWN energy while trying to help your child manage theirs. Want to know even more about the chakras? I have so many chakra resources on my blog. Ancient yogic wisdom offers us a lifeline for navigating the stress of modern life, from tantrums to deadlines to overwhelm. It’s possible to garner the tools to help you navigate all of these stages. Learn to Live Your Yoga with my new book Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, And Breathwork To Channel Joy Amidst The Chaos

Brett Larkin is the founder of Uplifted Yoga® and the author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Her Online Yoga Teacher Trainings have set the standard for quality online certification since 2015 and matriculated thousands of yoga teachers. Brett’s award-winning YouTube channel with over half a million subscribers and Uplifted Yoga Podcast empower you to actively design your life using yoga’s ancient wisdom. Yoga enthusiasts love her courses on Kundalini Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and the Uplifted Yoga® Academy. Learn more at BrettLarkin.com and on social media at @larkinyogatv.