The Seven Chakras – What you need to know about the energy centers in our body
The Sanskrit word “chakra” can be translated as “wheel” and refers to an energy point in the body. You can imagine them as spinning wheels or discs of energy. They are junction points where the different nadis (energy channels) meet and represent a connection between our physical and astral (energy) body. The main seven chakras run along the spine located at the major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving all the way up to the top of the skull. They correspond to nerve ganglia branching out from the spinal column, glands, body functions, as well as states of consciousness, developmental stages of life, archetypal elements, colors and sounds.
The chakras are a complex and ancient energy system and were first mentioned in the Vedas. For our wellbeing it is important that the chakras stay open and are aligned. But, the way we live our lives nowadays often results in energy blockages and can lead to physical and mental disturbances and diseases.
Pranayama and Yoga postures are particularly effective in rebalancing and stimulating chakras. Yoga practice benefits the chakras because the asanas help in freeing up prana.
The Chakras and the Nadis
Prana, our life force flows through the body in subtle energy channels or pathways known as nadis. These nadis are like roads within the body’s energy highway system. Where two or more roads cross, energy junctions form. These are the chakras. The seven major crossing points are the seven major chakras, while less busy intersections form minor chakras. According to the yogic scriptures there are more than 72000 and about 114 chakras in the human body. When your energy highway is free from traffic jams, prana can travel freely. Practicing certain meditations and yoga asanas is believed to help clear any blockages so that prana can flow freely. When we practice yoga, we are seeking to clear these pathways so our energy can flow more freely. Each pose is designed to help open the energy channels and pranayama helps us to direct and increase the vital force of the 72,000 nadis in your body.
In our Yoga trainings in Bali we teach you how to incorporate the knowledge about the seven chakras in your practice and teachings. In our advanced 300 hours Yoga teacher training course you will learn how to plan Yoga classes around the seven chakras and how to use different asanas and breathing techniques to rebalance each chakra.
A quick exercise on how to experience the effects of the nadis in the physical body
There is a simple exercise you can do to experience the effect of the nadis in your physical body. For this
- Place each thumb face up about a ½ inch under each nostril
- Exhale a few times with a little more force than is natural
- Notice how your breath feels a little stronger on one side
- Repeat this process throughout the day – you will probably notice that your “stronger” side changes every couple of hours
This change in the “stronger” side you are experiencing is completely normal and reveals the change in the predominance of the left (ida) or right (pingala) nadi. Depending on your activity and the time of the day either the moon energy (ida) or sun energy (pingala) is more active.
The only time the breath flows evenly through both nostrils is during meditation, or when your body and mind are fully aligned. Then prana increases in the central channel – the sushumna. At this time, both sides of the brain are said to be completely balanced, which may help restore balance in all spheres of life. Yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) are helpful in dissolving energy blockages in the nadis and bringing life force into the sushumna.
The main seven chakras
Starting from the base of the spine, the first three major chakras deal with the external reality: how secure and stable is your life? How do you fit into your community? How you express your individuality?
Muladhara Chakra – The Root Chakra
- This chakra is related to instinct, survival and security.
- It is located at the base of the spine, at the very bottom of the tailbone.
- The root chakra is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and corresponds to the color red.
- It governs stability and a sense of security.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Muladhara Chakra is ‘Lam’.
- The corresponding element is earth. It helps us to recognize our strong connection to the earth and keeps us rooted and grounded.
- A few asanas to balance the first chakra: Tadasana, Vriksasana and Virabhadrasana II
Svadhistana Chakra – The Sacral Chakra
- This chakra is related to sexuality, creativity, emotions and self-worth
- It is located in the sacrum, about two inches below the navel
- The sacral chakra is symbolized by a lotus with six petals and corresponds to the color orange.
- The key issues of this chakra are relationships, as well as creativity and enthusiasm.
- Here we move beyond a focus on survival and begin to focus on our work.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Svadhistana Chakra is ‘Vam’.
- The corresponding element is water. It gives us the immense power of fluidity and adaptability.
- A few asanas to balance the second chakra: Majariasana (cat pose), Balasana and Trikonasana
Manipura Chakra – The Solarplexus Chakra
- This chakra is related to the digestive system.
- It is located just above the navel in the solar plexus region.
- The solarplexus chakra is symbolized by a lotus with ten petals and corresponds to the color yellow
- It empowers you with the energy you need to function efficiently and governs personal power.
- When in balance, it gives you a solid sense of self.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Manipura Chakra is ‘Ram’.
- The corresponding element is fire. It activates the light of consciousness and motivates us to work toward success.
- A few asanas to balance the third chakra: Virasana, Navasana and BhujpidasanaThe three middle chakras deal with internal reality. They determine your self-perception, and how you express yourself and relate to others.
Anahata Chakra – The Heart Chakra
- This chakra is located in the heart region.
- It governs the energy of unconditional love and compassion, enabling you to express love, or blocking its expression.
- The heart chakra is symbolized by a lotus with twelve petals and corresponds to the color green.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Anahata Chakra is ‘Yam’.
- The corresponding element is air. It helps us to expand our love and kindness.
- A few asanas to balance the fourth chakra: Bhujangasana, Setu bandhasana and Salabhasana
Vishuddha Charka – The Throat Chakra
- This chakra is located in the base of our throat
- It deals with communication and allows you to take in information and express yourself with clarity and confidence.
- The throat chakra is symbolized by a lotus with sixteen petals and corresponds to the color blue.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Ham’.
- The corresponding element is space. Space opens the possibility to expand perspective and symbolizes the energy of seeking and speaking the truth.
- A few asanas to balance the fifth chakra: Ustrasana, Halasana and Matsyasana
Ajna Chakra – The Third Eye Chakra
- This chakra is located between the eyebrows, at the third eye.
- It is related to your wisdom and intuition.
- Your mind’s eye sees your dreams and directs you to them.
- The third eye chakra is symbolized by a lotus with two petals and corresponds to the color indigo.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Om’.
- The corresponding element is the mind and it is associated as seat of our intuition or our sixth sense.
- A few asanas to balance the sixth chakra: Inversions and meditative poses
The seventh Charka represents our connection to the Divine.
Sahasra Chakra – The Crown Chakra
- This chakra is located at the crown of the head and is our connection to our spirituality.
- It is your highest chakra and deals with ultimate reality and infinite potential.
- The crown chakra is symbolized by a lotus with and infinite number of petals and corresponds to the color violet or white.
- The beej mantra (seed mantra) to purify and stimulate the Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Aum’.
- It is beyond the elements and symbolizes the infinite.
- A few asanas to balance the seventh chakra: Sirsasana, Matsyasana and Meditation
When all chakras are open, turning and glowing, there are no blockages in the physical, mental and spiritual areas. We feel energetic, stable and centered. There are several ways and approaches to balance the chakras and if you would like to learn more about it come and join us for our 300 hour Yoga teacher training in Bali or 300 hour Yoga teacher training in Germany. In this advanced Yoga course, you will get detailed information about the seven chakras. You will learn to use different meditation techniques, chanting of beej mantras and asanas for each chakra to unfold its potential.
