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Concept of Chakras
What are Chakras?
Chakras are the energy centres of the body. They are located in the astral body, along the spine, starting at its base and running upwards to the crown of the head. The astral body is the energy body residing inside our physical body. Each physical body part has a corresponding celestial body part. The astral body cannot be seen or touched. This is also a reason why we cannot see the chakras.
The chakras radiate a specific colour and energy. Each one coincides with a gland in the physical body. Since each chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of our being, it is believed that their blockage or malfunction can lead to physical, psychological, and emotional disorders. The conscious awareness and balancing of these energy centres, on the other hand, is believed to lead to well-being and good health.
The above ties into the purpose of yoga. Yoga seeks to stimulate and balance these chakras or energy centres in the body through asana practice.
How many Chakras are there in the body?
Mostly, we hear about the ‘seven chakras’ but, there are many chakras in the human body. A specific vibration, color, symbol and sound are associated with all 7 chakras. Depending on whether these energy centers are healthy or blocked, you may experience different attributes of your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The 7 main chakras as they appear in the body are:
1. Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
2. Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
3. Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
4. Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
5. Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
6. Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
7. Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
What are Chakras?
Chakras are the energy centres of the body. They are located in the astral body, along the spine, starting at its base and running upwards to the crown of the head. The astral body is the energy body residing inside our physical body. Each physical body part has a corresponding celestial body part. The astral body cannot be seen or touched. This is also a reason why we cannot see the chakras.
The chakras radiate a specific colour and energy. Each one coincides with a gland in the physical body. Since each chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of our being, it is believed that their blockage or malfunction can lead to physical, psychological, and emotional disorders. The conscious awareness and balancing of these energy centres, on the other hand, is believed to lead to well-being and good health.
The above ties into the purpose of yoga. Yoga seeks to stimulate and balance these chakras or energy centres in the body through asana practice.
How many Chakras are there in the body?
Mostly, we hear about the ‘seven chakras’ but, there are many chakras in the human body. A specific vibration, color, symbol and sound are associated with all 7 chakras. Depending on whether these energy centers are healthy or blocked, you may experience different attributes of your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The 7 main chakras as they appear in the body are:
1. Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
2. Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
3. Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
4. Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
5. Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
6. Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
7. Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
Symbol: The Root Chakra symbol consists of a 4-petalled lotus flower, a square, and a downward-facing triangle. Where the 4-petalled lotus symbolizes the four areas of consciousness:
Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (consciousness), and Ahamkara (ego).
The square: The square represents foundational life energy, rigidity, and stability. The number four repeats again here as a four-corner symbol, representing foundational life energy.
The Inverted triangle: The yantra within the lotus flower has a downward pointing arrow, also seen as an inverted triangle. Each of the three points has a meaning relating to consciousness, experience, and the three divinities. It represents the elemental symbol for earth, projecting grounding energy.
Colour: Red | Element: Earth
Location: The Root Chakra also known as the Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It is characterized by the emotions of survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Root Chakra: When this chakra is out of balance, a person starts feeling unstable, ungrounded, lacks ambition, lacks purpose, fearful, insecure and frustrated.
Signs of a balanced Root Chakra: However, when the Root Chakra is balanced, these are replaced by more positive emotions, and you feel stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent, and strong.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Muladhara Chakra is ‘Lam’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
The Muladhara or root chakra controls and energizes the muscular and skeletal systems. It also energizes and strengthens the whole physical body.
a) the muscular and skeletal systems
b) the spine
c) production and quality of blood
d) the adrenal glands
e) the tissues of the body and the internal organs
f) growth rate of cells
g) growth rate of children
h) general vitality
i) body heat
j) also affects the heart and the sex organs.
It’s like the root of a tree, if the root is weak then the tree is weak.
MALFUNCTIONING OF ROOT CHAKRA may manifest as arthritis, rheumatism , spinal problems,blood ailments, allergy, slow healing of wounds, broken bones, growth problems, cancer and leukaemia, low vitality, heart diseases, brain ailments and sexual ailments
Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
Symbol: The symbol for the Svadhishthana Chakra or Sacral Chakra is made up of multiple circles, a crescent moon, and six lotus flower petals.
The circles and crescent moon represent the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, while;
The 6 petals portray the 6 negative aspects of our nature that we need to overcome to open this chakra which are anger, jealousy, cruelty, hatred, pride, and other negative emotions and qualities.
Colour: Orange | Element: Water
Location: The Svadhishthana Chakra, more commonly known as the Sacral Chakra, is located in the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. Its attributes include the basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-worth.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Sacral Chakra: When the Sacral Chakra is imbalanced, a person may feel emotionally explosive and irritable, sense a lack of energy and creativity, feel manipulative, or obsessed with sexual thoughts.
Signs of a balanced Sacral Chakra: When balanced, it makes one feel more vibrant, happy, positive, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Svadhishthana Chakra is ‘Vam’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
This chakra controls and energizes the sex organs, the bladder and the urethra. It also affects the legs, throat and head.
Malfunctioning of this chakra may result in:-
a) urinary problems
b) impotency
c) sterility
d) enlarged prostate gland
e) other sexual ailments.
Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
Symbol: The Solar Plexus Chakra symbol consists of a downward-pointing triangle within a ten-petalled lotus flower.
The solar plexus chakra, Manipura, is associated with the sun and the element of fire. The fire element represents energy, power and determination.
Ten-Petalled Lotus: The ten petals of the solar plexus chakra represent the ten pranas that exist in each of us. The ten pranas are basically energy currents and vibrations. We have five pranas and five upa pranas.
The inverted triangle: The inverted triangle symbolizes the energy of the lower three chakras concentrating and spinning upwards towards the higher chakras.
Colour: Yellow | Element: Fire
Location: It is located at the solar plexus, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is characterized by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra: An imbalance of the Solar Plexus Chakra can manifest physically as digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes. On an emotional level, one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism.
Signs of a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra: By balancing this chakra, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focused.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Manipura Chakra is ‘Ram’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
Solar plexus and navel chakra control and energizes the diaphragm, pancreas, liver, stomach, large and small intestines, and appendix (gastrointestinal system).
A malfunction of solar and navel chakra may manifest as:
Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
Symbol: In the Heart Chakra symbol, two triangles intersect to form a yantra which represents the balance of upward and downward forces.
12 petals symbolizing the twelve divine qualities associated with the heart; love, bliss, harmony, understanding, compassion, forgiveness, peace, clarity, empathy, purity, compassion, and forgiveness.
Colour: Green | Element: Air
Location: As the name implies, the Anahata Chakra is located in the heart region. This chakra is the seat of balance, and it is characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, trust, and passion.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Heart Chakra: When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness.
Signs of a balanced Heart Chakra: By harmonizing this energy centre, a person begins to feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Anahata Chakra is ‘Yam’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
This chakra energizes and controls the physical heart, thymus gland, circulatory systems and lungs.
MALFUNCTIONING OF THIS CHAKRA may manifest as heart and circulatory ailments, and lung problems such as asthma, tuberculosis and others.
Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
Symbol: The symbol of the Throat Chakra consists of a 16-petalled lotus flower surrounding an inverted triangle which holds a circle within. This represents spiritual growth and the purification of the body, mind, and spirit.
Sixteen-petalled lotus: The sixteen petals relate to the sixteen vowels of Sanskrit. The vowels are light and easy, supporting the airy quality of speaking and communicating.
The Inverted Triangle: The inverted triangle represents a channel to our consciousness and soul body, a direct expression of our higher self.
The Circle: The throat chakra is symbolized by a circle resting within a triangle, which represents the full moon. This symbolizes a purified mind.
Colour: Blue | Element: Space
Location: The Visuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Throat Chakra: A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts.
Signs of a balanced Throat Chakra: When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Ham’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
This chakra controls and energizes the throat, larynx, trachea, thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, lymphatic system, Mouth, salivary glands and oesophagus.
MALFUNCTIONING of this chakra may manifest as throat-related ailments such as goitre, sore throat, loss of voice etc.
Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
Symbol: The Third Eye Chakra symbol consists of an inverted triangle resting in a circle between two lotus petals. The two petals and the downward-facing pyramid both signify wisdom, emphasizing the Third Eye Chakra’s role in our journey to spiritual awareness.
Two-Petalled Lotus: The two petals of the third eye chakra symbolize a sense of duality between the Self and God.
The Inverted Triangle: The inverted triangle represents your connection to the divine and true enlightenment.
Colour: Indigo | Element: None
Location: The Ajna Chakra (pronounced as ‘Agya Chakra’) is located between the eyebrows. Also known as the Third Eye Chakra, it is often used as a focal point during asana practice to develop more concentration and awareness. It is said that meditating upon this chakra destroys the karma of past lives and brings liberation and intuitive knowledge. Its attributes are intelligence, intuition, insight, and self-knowledge.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Third Eye Chakra: When imbalanced, it may make you feel non-assertive and afraid of success, or on the contrary, it can make you more egotistical. An imbalance can manifest as physical problems like headaches, blurry vision, and eye strain.
Signs of a balanced Third Eye Chakra: When this chakra is active and balanced, a person feels more vibrant and confident, both spiritually and emotionally. In the absence of the fear of death, one becomes his own master and remains free of all attachment to material things.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Ajna Chakra is ‘Om’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
This chakra controls and energizes the pituitary gland, the endocrine glands and the brain, eyes and nose to a certain extent.
Malfunctioning of this chakra may manifest as diseases related to endocrine glands etc.
Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
Symbol: The Crown Chakra symbol is depicted as a ring of a thousand lotus petals surrounding an inverted triangle.
The crown chakra, chakra Sahasrara, is associated with space or nothingness. These qualities represent self-transcendence, oneness, and the merging with the infinite source of creation.
Thousand-petalled lotus: This represents our connection to the divine and unity with the universe. The lotus flower symbolizes prosperity.
The circle: The circle has a universal representation of infinite and cyclical nature – it is endless, just like the nature of energy. It is seen as a full moon and relates to our unity with ourselves and others.
Colour: Violet White | Element: None
Location: The Sahastrara or Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. The seventh chakra is the centre of spirituality, enlightenment, and dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness.
Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Crown Chakra: When it gets imbalanced, one might suffer from a constant sense of frustration, melancholy and destructive feelings.
Signs of a balanced Crown Chakra: A balanced Crown Chakra promotes spiritual understanding, inner peace and a clear perspective on the world.
Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Sahastrara Chakra is ‘Aum’.
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS: –
This chakra controls and energizes the pineal gland, the brain and the entire body.
Malfunctioning of this chakra may manifest as diseases of the pineal gland and the brain, which may manifest as physical or psychological illnesses.
