Chakra is an ancient word that means wheel in Sanskrit. There are seven Chakras roughly along the center of the body that govern our responses on many levels to the energy around us. The three chakras found in the lower part of the body (root, sacral and solar plexus) govern our basic survival needs. The four chakras that are in the upper body (heart, throat, third eye and crown) govern our mental processes. Vishuddha, or the throat chakra, governs the areas of communication and self expression.