The Chakras🔗

Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel. They are also called psychic centers. These chakras are metaphysical representations; they belong to the auric body and not the physical body. Kirlian photography has enabled us to capture these chakras and prove their existence on the metaphysical plane.

Kirlian photography has shown that when a person is locked with a particular negative emotion, the chakra associated with that emotion shrinks to the size of a coin. But when the same person experiences positive emotions, the chakra expands to the size of a cartwheel! Our energy flow in these chakras becomes blocked by our negative emotions and we are totally unaware of it.

The openness and flow of energy through the chakras affects and is affected by our emotional balance and state of health. Disease is only an imbalance in any one of these chakras. If we keep these chakras in a healthy state, we can see a transformation happening in us at the mental and physical levels.

Chakras are storehouses of pranic energy located in the sushumna nadi which runs within the spinal column. Each chakra is associated with a nearby endocrine gland and nerve plexus in the physical body. They energize the entire body and affect the functioning and health of the associated gland and body system.

• swadhisthana chakra energizes the urinary system
• manipura chakra energizes the digestive system
• anahata chakra energizes the respiratory and cardiovascular systems
• vishuddhi chakra energizes the ears, eyes, nose and throat
• ajna chakra energizes the brain.

Every chakra corresponds to a specific aspect of human behavior and development. The lower chakras are associated with fundamental emotions and needs; the energy there vibrates at a lower frequency and is of a denser nature. The finer energies of the upper chakras corresponds to our higher mental and spiritual aspirations. Chakras vibrates at different levels relative to the awareness of the individual.

Chakras can be awakened by physical or mental stimulation, leading to a change in the level of consciousness. Each chakra has a point on the front of the body which if focussed on, lead to stimulation and awakening of that center.

Each chakra is associated with an element. The element becomes finer energetically as one moves up the sushumna nadi. The element for muladhara is earth and for vishuddhi is ether or space. Each chakra emits light of certain frequencies which have been seen in meditation, hence chakras have been associated with petals of lotus flowers of different colors and number of petals. The lotus lives in the mud, grows up through the water to reach the air and the sun. It is like man's journey from low states of awareness through the chakras to higher states of awareness.

There are seven major chakras in the sushumna nadi. The aim of Hatha Yoga is to awaken the kundalini shakti energy (cosmic energy) dormant in the root center and bring it up to unite with the pure consciousness, Shiva energy at the crown of the head. See diagram below.

Chakras

Muladhara chakra – Root center

It is located at the base of the spine and associated with the sacral plexus. Also known as the root chakra. It is the seat of the dormant powerful kundalini energy.

Focus location: at the chakra. In the male, it is in the perineum between the scrotum and the anus. In the female, it is at the posterior rim of the cervix, where the vagina joins the uterus.

Positive Attributes: Vitality, Vigour, Growth

Blocked/Locked by: fantasy, greed. It flowers when you drop your fantasies and welcome reality.

Associated gland: Adrenals

Associated with: Annamaya kosha and unconscious mind

Element: Earth Deity: Ganesha Bija mantra : Lam

Swadhisthana chakra – Spleen center

It is situated at the base of the spine at the tail bone. Seat of the collective unconscious and deep rooted instincts.

Focus location: At the level of pubic bone on the front of the body

Attributes: Security, pleasure seeking

Blocked/Locked by: Fear, especially fear of death. Made to flower by facing fear; by facing death itself.

Associated Gland: Testes in men; Ovaries in women

Element: Water

Deity: Subramanya

Bija mantra (seed sound): Vam

Manipura chakra - Navel / digestive center, storehouse of prana

In Sanskrit, manipura means 'The City of Jewels'. It is situated in the spinal canal directly behind the navel. It is the center of vitality, controls our energy balance and seat of digestive fire.

Focus location: Navel Attributes: self-confidence, clarity Blocked/locked by: Constant worrying and negative thoughts. Associated Gland: Adrenals Element: Fire

Deity: Surya

Bija mantra: Ram

Anahata chakra - Heart center, seat of divine love

In Sanskrit, anahata means 'unstruck'. It is the center of the unbroken sound, the cosmic sound experienced only in the highest state of meditation. It is found in the spinal column behind the heart

Focus location: Level of the heart behind breastbone

Attributes: Love, harmony, compassion, kindness

Blocked / locked by: Attention need. When you seek attention and love from outside. It flowers when your express selfless love without expecting anything in return.

Associated gland: Thymus

Element: Air

Deity: Venkateshwar

Bija mantra: Yam

Vishuddhi chakra – Throat center

The purification center. It harmonizes opposites. It is situated in the spinal cord behind the throat area. Vishuddhi means 'beyond purity and impurity

Blocked/Locked by: comparison and jealousy. It flowers when we exhibit our individuality and express our capability, uniqueness and creativity fully without worrying about others.

Associated Gland: Thyroid and parathyroid

Element: Ether or space

Deity: Devi Anandeshwari

Bija mantra: Ham

Ajna Chakra - Third eye, center of intuition, cosmic browsing center, command center

Also called guru or command chakra. The ida, pingala and sushumna merge here and become one to rise up to sahasrara.

Focus Location: Eyebrow center or bhrumadhya.

Attributes: clarity and wisdom

Blocked/Locked by: seriousness and ego. Flowers by innocence, simplicity, and by shedding all forms of ego.

Associated Gland: Pineal gland

Element : ether or subtle mind

Deity: Anandeshwara

Bija mantra: Om

Sahasrara chakra – seat of supreme consciousness

Sahasrara means 'thousand pedalled'. It is the seat of pure awareness, the highest point in human evolution. When the kundalini reaches here, the yogi becomes realized. A great awakening is experienced.

Focus Location: Bindu.

Attributes: no quality or color. It is pure light

Blocked/Locked by: Discontentment and the attitude of taking life for granted. Can be made to flower by overflowing gratitude and contentment!

Associated Gland: Pituitary

Element: no element, no thought

Deity: Dakshinamoorthi

Bija mantra: none