SEVEN CHAKRAS
The body has seven main energy centers which in the English language could be called vortexes. The Hindus call these energy vortexes 'chakras' and are powerful energy fields invisible to the eye, but quite real nonetheless'. These seven energy vortexes govern the seven ductless glands in the body's endocrine system and the endocrine glands in turn regulating all of the body's functions including the process of ageing.
Mūla = Root, Origin, Essence
Ādhāra = Basis, Foundation
About the Root Chakra:
This chakra forms our foundation. Located at the base of the spine it represents the earth element and is therefore related to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. In order to honestly reveal our feelings, we must first feel safe. When we are grounded, our roots go deeper, providing us more physical and emotional stability. The stronger we are in our foundation the more confidence we have to reach for our greatest visions. The root chakra feeds and gives strength to the power of manifestation.
Location: Base of the spine.
Element: Earth.
Sense: Smell.
Svā = Self
Adhishthāna = seat, residence, established
The sacral chakra is the center of creativity, sexuality, "sweetness," and general feeling.
About Sacral Chakra:
When this chakra is functioning properly, you feel calm, peaceful and do not have any unbalanced emotions. You are creative and happy with yourself.
The second chakra influences connectedness and balance in our relationships, as well as our ability to be nurturing towards others. This impacts how we share energy with others as well as maintain energy for ourselves so we don’t become deficient and give too much away. It affects our ability to experience others physically, emotionally, and energetically. When healthy we have strong charisma, confidence, and feel interpersonal empowerment. We have conscious boundaries in all ways so we don’t lose ourselves in relationships.
Location: Lower abdomen (between belly button and pubic bone), two inches above the pelvic floor, low belly just above pubic bone.
Element: Water.
Sense: Taste.
Mani = pearl, jewel
Pūra = place, city
The solar plexus is the center of power, pride, and self-worth.
About Solar Plexus Chakra:
This chakra influences how you show up in the world and your sense of pride and self-worth. When balanced you recognize and support your needs, values, emotions, and intentions as your own best advocate. The third chakra influences ones ability to participate fully and engage in life, and to take action. Just make sure it’s what you really value otherwise you may become a workaholic.
If this chakra isn’t working properly you may you feel as though the world is against you and everything is out of your control.
Location: Navel is located at the solar plexus (between belly button and bottom of rib cage).
Element: Ether.
Sense: Sight.
Anāhata = unhurt, unstruck
About the Heart Chakra:
The Anahata (heart) chakra, represents unconditional love, forgiveness, and compassion. The heart chakra influences your right to love and be loved, in other words, your ability to connect with oneself and other people.
This chakra promotes balance and integration as it is the middle of the seven with, three lower chakras (root, sacral, solar plexus) and three upper chakras (throat, third eye, crown). A healthy heart chakra is demonstrated by maintaining healthy boundaries.
Anahata chakra helps us to see the world through the eyes of our heart. We see through a prism of love and aren’t afraid to express our emotions.
Location: at the heart (center of the chest)/ base of sternum
Element: Air.
Sense: Touch.
Visha = impurity, poison
Shuddhi = purification
About Throat Chakra:
How often has it happened that you heard the answer from yourself, whether from mind, heart or body, but then quickly forgot it as you ignored the message? The fifth chakra is designed to help remove the mental clutter and tap into your true desires and do something about the wisdom you receive. In other words, to strengthen your ability to find balance between your mind and your heart in order to express yourself more honestly and openly. The fifth chakra is the bridge between the intuition of sixth chakra and self-acceptance of the fourth chakra.
This chakra is also responsible for healthy communication: Both mindful speaking and healthy listening. If blocked we may hold back what we really want to say. If there is excess then we could talk too much. A balanced throat chakra helps us to listen with total attention to our experience. Instead of just reacting to what others are telling us, truly tapping into our own wisdom and seeking only the truth about what’s really going on. From that place we can more wisely make sound decisions.
Think of the throat chakra as a conversation you’re having from you to you and you to everyone else, and you to universal mind.
Location: In the throat at the level of the Adam's apple
Element: Fire.
Sense: Hearing.
Ājnā = Command, Knowledge, Wisdom
About Ajna Chakra
How do I see myself? We learn from yoga that our world is created from the inside out. We communicate with ourselves first and this is echoed back to us.
The truth is that you create your reality.
This focused energy is often associated with meditation.
Through self-reflection you can learn to harness the power of your mind into a story that serves your intention. The more you stay with it then the easier it is to tap into your ability to manifest. The word manifest simply means to realise your potential.
This chakra helps us sustain balanced effort towards spiritual growth and personal development. It helps us maintain an effortless effort and accept support from those around us. Together we can believe in the best of other’s potential so they may live their best lives in alignment with their dharma.
Location: The brow area above the nose and between the eyes
Element: Light.
Sense: Thought.
About Crown Chakra:
The seventh chakra is depicted as a fully blooming, thousand-petaled lotus flower at the crown of your head. The roots of this lotus flower are connected to the Earth and its petals stem out from the crown and flow back down through the chakras as a stream of higher wisdom and awareness. This chakra is about understanding our true purpose and connecting it with pure consciousness.
It is here that we begin to expand awareness, pay attention without assigning thoughts, feelings or expectations, and find deeper meaning in all our experiences. If this chakra is blocked we are unhappy but don’t really understand why, even if we have “everything.”
When balanced this chakra will open the door to a stronger understanding and intuitive knowledge of your inner spirit. As a result you will experience the universal connection within all beings and strengthen your spirit through its infinite JOY. Joy is our birthright!
Location: Top of the head, or two inches above the cerebral cortex
Element: Consciousness.
Sense: Intelligence, also called the seventh sense.