CHAKRAS

“Wheels”

According to the ancient yogis, there are 72,000 “Nadis” or energy channels within the human physical body. These are the same as the “chi” lines in Thai Chi and the “meridians” in Chinese medicine. These energy channels are a part of the “subtle” body. The channels cross at various places through out the body. There are 7 main places along the spine where the nadis cross. These main energy centers are called Chakras, or literally “wheels”- “Wheels of Energy”; Wheels of Light.”

Chakras are the centers of vital energy in the body that are responsible for balancing all levels of being-physical, psychological, and spiritual. Thus the Mind, Body, Breath connection that we often hear about. This is what makes yoga different from a regular exercise program.

The Chakras regulate the flow of subtle energy within the body.

Each Chakra resonates at a different frequency, a different refraction of Infinite Light. Red has a slower vibration, bends the least and is associated with the Root Chakra-the 1st and closest to the Earth. Violet is refracted the most, vibrates at the highest frequency and therefore corresponds to the Crown Chakra, the highest Chakra.

Yoga postures evolved as a means for opening and balancing the Chakras.

Auras are considered the visible expressions of the Chakras.

Yogis believe the chakras hold the fullest potential of each and every person and are the key to health.

 

MULADHARA CHAKRA

“Root Support”

The 1st Chakra, or root chakra is the foundation of our system. It relates to the Earth, our feeling of being grounded and our sense of security. It is the building block of all the other chakras-built from the bottom or “foundation” up. The root chakra controls how you deal with family, money, basic needs, and survival.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: the perineum, at the base of the spine between the coccyx, pubic bone and sitting bone

ELEMENT: Earth COLOR: Red SENSE: Smell FORCE: Gravity
AREAS OF THE BODY: Bones; Feet; Legs; Elimination system; Immune system
MUDRA: Earth BANDHA: Mula MANTRA: “I am safe.”

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT BALANCE THE ROOT CHAKRA:

Mountain pose Bridge pose Sun Salutations Hero pose Hindi Squat

Seated Forward Fold Cobblers pose Child pose Chair pose Cow Face pose

Staff pose Boat pose Wind Release Pose Splits Swan Pose

 

SVADHISTHANA CHAKRA

“Water Chakra”

The 2nd Chakra, or water chakra literally means “one’s own dwelling place”. It is regarded as the basis of all human existence. Without water, nothing could exist. This chakra brings movement to the other elements and mixes them together to create life. It is about fluidity, the flow of life and dealing with change. Like the ebb and flow of the tides, this chakra holds tremendous power that if harnessed and channeled correctly can help one overcome the patterns of the unconscious mind and find great fulfillment in life.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: the sacral spine, approximately 4 fingers below the navel
ELEMENT: Water COLOR: Orange SENSE: Touch FORCE: Magnetism
AREAS OF THE BODY: Hips, inner thighs, bladder, kidneys, sexual organs,

MUDRA: Apana MANTRA: “I flow with the rhythm of life.”

WHEN UNBALANCED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Never having enough; tries to buy happiness Trying to “keep up with the Jones” Shallow Relationships Shame of sexuality/body or exhibitionism Health issues: frigidity, impotence low back pain, urinary problems Feelings: possessiveness, seek satisfaction through senses, food, material possessions, status, craves stimulation; inadequacy

WHEN BALANCED/NOT BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Creativity Empathy for others Able to have genuine intimacy Able to “Go with the Flow” Able to have passion for life Able to truly enjoy Able to share knowledge Able to give generously

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT BALANCE THE WATER CHAKRA:

Hip openers Fish pose Short flows

Wide leg forward folds Supine Cobblers pose Chair pose

Reverse Table Cobra Warrior II

Cat pose Scales pose Bow pose

 

MANIPURA CHAKRA

“Navel Center”

The 3rd Chakra, literally means “city of the jewel”. Fire is the element and with it comes choice, action, vitality and will. This chakra has been compared to the power of the sun as it warms, moves and activates us. Because of the intensity of the pranic energy contained in this chakra, it also refers to “tapas”, the fire in the belly that brings forth transformation. With the right balance, this chakra gives you your “glow, burns your ego and illuminates your mind. Without it, you would have no life, no energy.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: the solar plexus; just above the naval
ELEMENT: Fire COLOR: Yellow SENSE: Sight FORCE: Combustion
AREAS OF THE BODY: stomach, liver, small intestine, middle spine
MUDRA: Naga BANDHA: Uddiana MANTRA: “I stand in my personal power.”

 

WHEN UNBALANCED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Too little: insecure, oversensitivity, need external validation, fear rejection, dogmatic conformity, allow people to walk over you /or take advantage, can become introverted and/or depressed Too much: controlling, think you are always right, self centered, everything is me,me,me greedy, power hungry, blind to own faults Health issues: diabetes, hepatitis, ulcers indigestion, more digestion in general

WHEN BALANCED/NOT BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Sense of self worth: Practical Control over actions Have will power Can handle crises, generate action Develop strength through courage/ able to stand in own truth Have transformative power

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT BALANCE THE NAVEL CHAKRA:

Twists Lateral bends Back bends

Triangle Warrior poses Downward Dog

Seated Forward Fold Plank Camel

Pyramid Wheel Bow pose

 

ANAHATA CKAKRA

“Heart Center”

The 4th Chakra is the halfway point between the 3 lower chakras and the 3 higher chakras, balancing the physical plane-Mother Earth with the spiritual plane-Father Sky. It literally means “unstuck sound” and is where we begin to tune into the subtle sound of the pulse of life. It is associated with the element of air and relates to our emotional thoughts, ideas and inspirations. Balancing the Anahata chakra allows us to release our emotional pain through unconditional love. The ancient Yogis believed that your “jiva atman” –personal spirit(soul)- resides in the heart chakra. It is where we begin to move beyond our material self to the divine self, connecting ourselves to the universe. As the heart center expands our seed of inner peace and harmony is able to open and grow.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: center of the chest
ELEMENT: Air COLOR: Green SENSE: Touch FORCE: Equilibrium
AREAS OF THE BODY: heart, lungs, shoulders, arms
MUDRA: Lotus @ heart BANDHA: Maha MANTRA: “I open my heart to------.”

 

WHEN UNBALANCED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Too little: loneliness, jealousy, bitterness inability to forgive, pessimism, alienation, attachment, passive aggression, inability to love, judgmental, lack empathy Too much: emotional flamboyance, overly dramatic, smothering behavior Health issues: asthma, heart problems, circulatory system, respiratory system

WHEN BALANCED/NOT BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Unconditional love Harmony with nature Positive neutrality Harmonious relationships Nonjudgmental of self or others Compassionate Peaceful

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT BALANCE THE HEART CHAKRA:

Heart openers Lateral bends Back bends

Triangle Crescent Warrior Downward Dog

Dolphin Upward Plank Camel

Chest expansion Wheel Bow pose

 

VISHUDDHA CHAKRA

“Throat Chakra”

Where, the first 3 chakras represent the lower earth plane and the 4th is where we balance the lower and higher planes, the 5th Chakra is where we begin to focus on the higher(spiritual) plane. Moving to rhythm, the vibration of sound, communication through writing and speaking are all functions of the Vishuddha Chakra. Literally “deep or extreme purification”, this chakra brings together the “Jiva,” individual consciousness with the “Atman,” universal consciousness, allowing us to tap into our creativity and intention to bring about an underlying vibrational harmony to our entire being. It is like the brain of all the chakras as it controls all of the elements and allows them to work in unison. When the Anahata (Heart) Chakra, is balanced, the Vishuddha Chakra automatically communicates from the higher plane and unconditional love unfolds.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: throat
ELEMENT: Space COLOR: Blue SENSE: Sound FORCE: Vibration
AREAS OF THE BODY: throat, mouth, neck, shoulders
MUDRA: Shunya(Heaven) BANDHA: Jalandhara MANTRA: “I speak and follow my truth.”

 

WHEN UNBALANCED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Too little: have difficulty finding the right words; fear of speaking; secretive; shy; can’t find your own voice; are overshadowed by other’s truths; unable to reach full potential Too much: loud; talk too much; aggressive; lie without lying-; gossip; very critical; unable to listen Health issues: ear, nose, throat problems; stiff neck; TMJ-teeth grinding, jaw problems; thyroid problems

WHEN BALANCED/NOT BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Being in tune with surroundings Coinciding principle working Communications are clear Able to speak own truth Can see yourself clearly & able to listen to and follow the Universe Live in harmony Hearing what has not been said

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT BALANCE THE THROAT CHAKRA:

Neck Postures Forward bends Back bends Shoulder Stand

Shoulder Postures Yoga Mudra Reverse Table Fish

Chanting/singing Upward Plank Camel Downward Dog

Chest expansion Bridge/Wheel Plow Rabbit

 

AJNA CHAKRA

“The Third Eye”

The Ajna Chakra is the highest of the psychic centers in man. Ajna literally means “command” and oversees all of the elements and the chakras. Where the Vishuddha Chakra is the music that brings the elements and chakras together facilitating the making of beautiful music; Ajna is the conductor of the orchestra. Ajna is the window of the soul and when open, psychic abilities are said to unfold. It is considered the seat of intuition, where wisdom and knowledge unfold. Reference to the Ajna chakra can be found in many different religious texts (including the Bible) and cultures; even Plato wrote of the “eye of the soul that can be awakened by the correct means.” When the mind is still (Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodah), and the lower Chakras balanced, Ajna Chakra opens to communicate with the higher plane to bring inspiration, creativity, clarity of thought and healing.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: center of forehead between eye brows
ELEMENT: Space/light COLOR: Indigo SENSE: Intuition FORCE: Psychic
AREAS OF THE BODY: eye, head, sinuses, the senses
MUDRA: Hakini Mudra BANDHA: Maha MANTRA: “I see.” “I follow the path of truth.”

 

WHEN CLOSED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Overactive: inability to look within and see ourselves as we are; confusion as to what is real; difficulty concentrating; headaches; hallucinations; nightmares Lacking: poor memory; lack of clarity about life-where we are going; unable to find our true path; can’t see alternatives; skeptical; inability to focus Health issues: sense related(eye or ear problems); sinuses, headaches

WHEN OPEN/NOT BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Clear perception Reliable intuition Able to feel underlying vibration Able to follow own truth Able to see your path Have gift of insight

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT OPEN THE AJNA CHAKRA:

Balances Eye Movements Child Head to Knee

Inversions Yoga Mudra Seated Wide Leg Fold Fish

Chanting/singing Tree Standing Fold Downward Dog

Gate Bridge Plow Rabbit

Shoulder Stand Hand Stand Sunbird Runners Lunge

 

SAHASRARA CHAKRA

“The Crown”

Considered the 7th Chakra, Sahasrara literally means “one thousand” and is often depicted as a 1000 petal lotus flower in full bloom at the crown of the head. As the lotus flower is a symbol of enlightenment to the Yogi’s, Sahasrara is all about Knowing. Sahasrara is not like the other chakras as it is everything and nothing all at once. It isn’t really opened or balanced; one could say more like “reached”-it just is. Any way we define it would actually be incorrect because we would then limit it and Sahasrara is that which cannot be limited. It is said to be infinite, but even that would be incorrect because that would be categorizing it. Sahasrara is form without form. The experience, the experienced and the experiencer; the seeing, the seer and the seen are all one in the same. The lower chakras are the switches and the Sahasrara is the power. It vibrates to the sound of silence-the sound before sound. It is pure Bilss.

PHYSICAL LOCATION: top of head; projecting up from the anterior fontenelle
ELEMENT: beyond elements-thought COLOR: Crystal light/violet SENSE: Divine FORCE: Consciousness
AREAS OF THE BODY: brain; nervous system
MUDRA: Lotus BANDHA: All MANTRA: “I know.” “I accept.”

 

WHEN CLOSED/ BLOCKED CAN MANIFEST IN: Closed mindedness Live in head Several emotional difficulties Spiritual elitism/extremism Abuse of “lower” life forms

WHEN “REACHED” CAN MANIFEST IN: Open mindedness Acceptance of all Inner wisdom-where you just know At peace with oneself Bliss/Samadhi/Nirvana

ASANA EXAMPLES THAT ALLOW ONE TO REACH SAHASRARA:

Meditation

Inversions

Lotus

Handstand

Headstand

All of the lower chakras must be balanced in order to reach Sahasrara

 

REFERENCES:

ASHTANGA YOGA PRIMER — BABA HARI DASS

CHAKRA YOGA—ALAN FINGER

GUIDING YOGA’S LIGHT — NANCY GERSTIEN

HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA — SWAMI MUKTIBODHANANDA

THE KUNDALINI YOGA EXPERIENCE — GURU DHARAM S. KHALSA & DARRYL O’KEEFFE

MUDRAS, YOGA IN YOUR HANDS — GERTRUD HIRSCHI

NAMASTE YOGA WORKSHOP — KATE POTTER

YOGA AND KRIYA — SWAMI SATYANANDA SARASWATI

YOGA BEYOND BELIEF — GANGA WHITE

YOGA TEACHERS’ TOOLBOX — JOSEPH & LILIAN LEPAGE

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