Chakras

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “wheel, disc or any circular form of arrangement.” Perhaps this is why many ancient texts picture the chakras as lotus blossoms, each flower a circular display of many petals. In yogic terms, chakra refers to a spinning, energetic wheel of life force that emanates from a vortex of the body. While many minor chakras can be identified, there are seven major chakras that align with the major nerve ganglia that branch forward of the spinal column, as well as, correspond to specific glands and organs. At a more subtle level, these chakras align with the three main vertical energy channels at the locations where the the left channel (ida) and the right channel (pingala) intersect within the center of the sushumna, the central energy channel that runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.

Each chakra receives, assimilates and expresses a certain aspect of life force energy, or prana. We want to bring our chakra energy into a state of balance so that prana flows unobstructed from the root of the spine, through the sushumna, to the crown of the head. Balancing our chakra energy aids us in our quest toward Self-realization, as where there is a free flow of energy there is opportunity for healing, growth and transcendence. We can influence our chakras by using yoga techniques, such as, asana, pranayama, meditation, visualization and mantra.

Chakras are not physical objects that you can see and examine. Nonetheless, they are real. Like thoughts, feelings and ideas, their existence has a powerful effect on us physically, mentally and spiritually. The chakras manifest themselves in our daily life- influencing how we behave, the shape of our physical bodies, our states of consciousness and the way we think, feel and act in life situations.

The lower three chakras are located closer to the earth and are associated with the more physical and social aspects of our lives survival, sexuality, and power. The upper three chakras represent the more mental realms- communication, intuition and cognition. The middle chakra is the fourth chakra, anahata, which is located at the heart center. This is where our physical and mental energies merge, where our soul and spirit unite and where our true Self resides.

While each chakra has its own unique energy, issues and characteristics associated with it, the chakras work together as a whole system creating a rainbow bridge between matter and consciousness. Each chakra is just as important as the other and when one chakra is out of balance, it creates excesses and deficiencies in other parts of the system. Therefore, strengths and weaknesses in one area must always be considered in terms of the whole chakra energy system.

Resources

Caroline Myss

Mykal Aubry Video on Yogamates

Wikipedia

Crystal Links

Sacred Centers

Chakra Test

 

The 7 Chakras

1st chakra: Muladhara

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Meaning: “root support”
Area of the body: Base of the spine at the perineum between the genitals and the anus.
Relates to: feet, legs, ankles, hips, knees, anus

Basic Issues: Grounding, Survival, Finances, Family, Physical Health, Trust, Safety, Security, Stability, The Right to be Here
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Fear, Instability, Mistrust, Insecurity, Monotony, Hoarding, Materialism, Greed, Sciatica, Constipation, Anorexia, Obesity, Addictions to food, gambling, shopping, work
Element: Earth
Sense: Smell
Color: Red
Bija seed sound: Lam

2nd chakra: Svadhisthana

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Meaning: “sweetness” or “self-sustaining”
Area of the body: 2 inches above the pelvic floor, low belly just above pubic bone
Relates to: sacrum, ovaries or testes, bladder, kidneys, circulatory system
Basic Issues: Creation, Relationship, Play, Pleasure, Sexuality, Fluidity, The Right to Feel

Characteristics When Out of Balance: Guilt, Inhibition, Repressed sexual energy, Excessive sexual preoccupation, Infertility, Poor boundaries, Obsessive attachments, Addictions to alcohol, sex, heroin
Element: Water
Sense: Taste
Color: Orange
Bija seed sound: Vam

3rd chakra: Manipura

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Meaning: “lustrous gem” or “the place of many gems”
Area of the body: navel, solar plexus
Relates to: lumbar spine, large and small intestines, liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, digestive system
Basic Issues: Power, Will, Self-esteem, Self-image, Digestion, Adaptability, Ability to grow, Vitality, Purpose, The Right to Act
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Shame, Low self-esteem, Depression, Passivity, Fear, Difficulty accepting change, Inability to adapt, Dominating, Bullying, Blaming, Aggressive, Scattered, Digestive problems, Diabetes, Addictions to amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, work

Element: Fire
Sense: Sight
Color: Yellow
Bija seed sound: Ram

4th chakra: Anahata

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Meaning: “unstruck” or “that which cannot be destroyed”
Area of the body: Base of sternum, heart area
Relates to: thoracic spine, heart, lungs, spleen, arms and hands
Basic Issues: Love, Devotion, Ability to connect with others, Opennesss, Compassion, Balance, Self-acceptance, Self-confidence, To be in good relationship, Place where dharma resides, The Right to Love and to be Loved
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Grief, Emotional outbursts, Insecurity, Nervousness, Anxiety, Anger, Impatience, Fanaticism, Overly Critical, Withdrawn, Inability to have deep relationships, Inability to express emotion, Codependency, Poor boundaries, Posessive, Jealous, Addictions to tobacco, sugar, marijuana
Element: Air

Sense: Touch
Color: Green
Bija seed sound: Yam

5th chakra: Vishuddha

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Meaning: “extraordinarily pure”
Area of the body: In the throat at the level of the Adam’s apple
Relates to: cervical spine, thymus and thyroid glands, throat, voice
Basic Issues: Communication, Ability to speak clearly and appropriately, Resonance, The Right to Speak and Hear the Truth
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Lies, Fear or hesitation in communication, Repressed communication, Excessive talking, Inability to listen, Stuttering, Hasty or inappropriate speech, Addictions to opiates, marijuana
Element: Space or Sound
Sense: Hearing

Color: Bright blue
Bija seed sound: Ham

6th chakra: Ajna

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Meaning: “to perceive” or “all-knowing”
Area of the body: the brow area above the nose and between the eyes

Relates to: brain, eyes, ears, pituitary gland
Basic Issues: Intuition, Imagination, Discernment, Ability to see from a deeper place within us our “third eye”, Wisdom, Insight, Dreams, Vision, Color, Clairvoyance, The Right to See
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Illusion, Headaches, Nightmares, Hallucinations, Delusions, Difficulty concentrating, Poor memory, Denial, Addictions to hallucinogens, marijuana
Element: Light
Sense: Thought
Color: Indigo

Bija seed sound: Am

7th chakra: Sahasrara

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Meaning: “thousand spoked” or “thousand petaled”
Area of the body: top of the head or 2″ above, cerebral cortex
Relates to: pineal gland

Basic Issues: Awareness, Knowledge, Beliefs, Consciousness, Spirituality, Bliss, Understanding, Transcendence, Truth, Reality, The Right to Know
Characteristics When Out of Balance: Attachment, Confusion, Overly intellectual, Spiritual addiction or skepticism
Element: Thought
Sense: Intelligence, also called the seventh sense
Color: Violet
Bija seed sound: Om

Resources
Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith
Yoga for Transformation by Gary Kraftsow
Chakras: Energy Centers for Transformation by Harish Johari

This page was written and composed by Lori Gaspar

More…

An ancient Kashmiri scroll describes 12 chakras…

Adhara	base wheel	anus	4 petals
Svadhisthana	wheel of the Self	penis	6 petals
Kundalini	kundalini wheel	womb	petals not listed
Manipura	wheel of the jeweled city	navel	10 petals
Manas	mind wheel	center of navel	8 petals
Anahata	wheel of the unstruck sound	heart	12 petals
Vishuddha	pure wheel	throat	16 petals
Balavata	powerful wheel	nose	3 petals
Ajna	command wheel	brow middle	2 petals
Purna Giri Pitha	full mountain base wheel	forehead	22 petals
Sahasra Dala	thousand petals wheel	crown	1000 petals
Brahamara	bee wheel	above the crown	petals not listed