“Sky
above, earth below, peace within.” - Unknown
According
to the yogic system, within the physical body is a subtler body, which forms
the subtle network through which “prana” or life force energy flows. This
network is comprised of 72,000 “nadis” or meridians. Meridians are energy paths
through which energy flows. There are one hundred and fourteen important
junction points where these meridians meet. These are referred to as chakras,
which mean wheel in Sanskrit. Therefore chakras are concentrated centers of
energy or wheels of life. Out of these one hundred and fourteen chakras, seven
are held as the main chakra points. The degree of Chakra and Meridian activity
in a person’s body is dependent on the person’s physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual health. If a chakra is blocked, it hampers the flow of energy through
the meridians. Each chakra is associated with different body parts, emotions,
and resonates with one of seven universal principles, which are survival,
creativity, personality, love, expression, insight, and thought. Each chakra
also relates to a certain color, a certain element, a certain seed sound,
specific minerals, food, herbs etc. The seven main chakras, which align the
spine, start from the base of the spine and go on through to the crown of the
head. To visualize a chakra in the body, imagine a swirling wheel of energy
where matter and consciousness meet.
The
first chakra (root) is located at the base of the spine and the seventh chakra
(crown) is located on the top of your head. The other five chakras, namely, sacral,
solar plexus, heart, throat, and third eye, are aligned in sequence along your
spine, neck, and skull. Their function is to vitalize the physical body by
feeding in positive energy and clearing negative energy by interaction with our
body’s endocrine and lymphatic systems. Chakras are the interface between our
physical, mental and emotional dimensions.
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1.
The first chakra, the Root Chakra, is associated with our basic animal
instincts of survival and self-preservation.
Color:
Red
Element:
earth
Location: base
of spine, perineum
Associated
body parts: coccyx, anus, large intestine, adrenal glands, back,
legs, feet, bones
Basic
issues: safety, survival, shelter, nourishment, self-esteem, trust,
boundaries, physical health
2. The
second chakra, the Sacral Chakra, is the focal point of our emotions,
sexuality, and creativity.
Color:
orange
Element:
water
Location:
lower abdomen, lower back, and sexual
organs
Associated
body parts: hips, lower back, sexual organs, bladder, kidneys, stomach,
bodily fluids (tears, urine, blood, menstrual fluids)
Basic
issues: pleasure, sexuality, sensuality, emotions, intimacy, warmth,
creativity, confidence
3. The
third chakra, the Solar Plexus Chakra, is associated with identity and
self-esteem.
Color:
yellow
Element:
fire
Location:
abdomen
Associated
body parts: stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, adrenal glands
Basic
issues: ego, self-esteem, vitality, forcefulness, perception, insight,
will, discipline
4. The
fourth chakra, the Heart Chakra, is located at the center of chest.
Color:
green
Element:
air
Location:
center of the chest
Associated
body parts: heart, lungs, diaphragm, chest, thymus, circulatory system,
shoulders, arms, hands
Basic
issues: love, compassion, kindness, relationships, self-acceptance,
forgiveness, hope, sympathy, empathy
5. The
fifth chakra, the Throat Chakra, is associated with sound and has to do with
creative self-expression, speech and communication.
Color:
turquoise
Element:
ether
Location:
throat, neck
Associated
body parts: throat, neck, ears, jaw, mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, thyroid
gland
Basic
issues: communication, creativity, expression, humility, manifesting
ideas
6.
The sixth chakra, the Third Eye Chakra, is associated with sight and seeing,
both intuitively and physically.
Color:
indigo
Element:
light
Location:
between and above the eyes
Associated
body parts: eyes, brain, pituitary and pineal glands, lymphatic and
endocrine systems
Basic
issues: clairvoyance, telepathy, wisdom, connection to the higher self,
imagination, dreams, ideas, reasoning
7.
The seventh chakra, the Crown Chakra, is known as the “thousand-petaled lotus”,
the symbol of purity and spirituality.
Color:
white or violet
Element:
energy
Location:
top of the head
Associated
body parts: center of the head, brain
Basic
issues: wisdom, intuitive knowing, spiritual development,
humanitarianism, selflessness, connection to the Divine, universal higher
consciousness
The
chakras absorb energy generated from our thoughts, feelings and outside
environment and relay this to our body. Our body is affected by the quality of
the energy that passes through the chakras. For instance, if we have
negative feelings, we will be filtering negative energy through our chakras and
into our body. Over time this can manifest as physical illness.
Chakras are like the power stations of our body, bringing it to life, and keeping it healthy. Hence, balancing
the energy flow in our chakras is valuable for maintaining optimal physical,
emotional and mental health.
