The 7 Chakras in Yoga
Chakras
ღ What is a Chakra?
Chakras, by definition, are energy centers within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to to the immune system and emotions. Seven chakras are positioned throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency, color, and governs specific functions that help make you, well, human.
ღ Meaning
The Sanskrit word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body and you can imagine them like wheels of free-flowing positive energy.
ღ Minor and major Chakras
We have major and minor chakras in our energetic body systems. When a chakra is not functioning properly or if it is blocked, illness is more prone to occur. Our wellbeing on all levels can affect and is affected by the chakras. If we are feeling depressed, then we may not be taking in the maximum amount of energy for our needs. If we do not nourish our bodies with the proper food and nutrients, then we may take in less energy than more. If we “block” feelings such as anger, etc., or do not speak our truth, we may be unconsciously impeding our healthy energy flow.
Most of us have energetic blocks and imbalances as well as energy-sabotaging habits that prevent us from accessing our full vitality, which leads us to feel exhausted, scattered, dull… even ill.
These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. Each of the seven main chakras contains bundles of nerves and major organs as well as our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Since everything is moving, it’s essential that our seven main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If there is a blockage, energy flows are restricted. Think of something as simple as your bathtub drain. If you allow too much hair to go into the drain, the bathtub will back up with water, stagnate and eventually bacteria and mold will grow. So is too with our bodies and the chakras. A bathtub is simple; it’s physical so the fix is easy.
Keeping a chakra open is a bit more of a challenge, but not so difficult when you have awareness. Since mind, body, soul, and spirit are intimately connected, awareness of an imbalance in one area through chakra meditation will help bring the others back into balance. Take for example, a wife, who has recently lost her husband. She develops acute bronchitis, which remains in the chest, and then gets chest pains each time she coughs. The whole heart chakra is affected in this case. If she realizes the connection between the loss and the bronchitis, healing will occur much faster if she honors the grieving process and treats that as well as the physical ailment.
ღ The 7 Chakras
When exploring the chakras, it’s best to start at the beginning. Below is a list of each chakra, starting with the base of the spine and moving up. Given is the chakra name, location, color, and function. The 7 chakras are divided in 3 categories:
ღ Chakras of Matters
The first three chakras, starting at the base of the spine are chakras of matter. They are more physical in nature.
ღ The Fourth Chakra. The Connection Between Matter and Spirit
Located at the heart center, the fourth chakra, anahata is at the middle of the seven and unites the lower chakras of matter and the upper chakras of spirit. The fourth is also spiritual but serves as a bridge between our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The heart chakra is our source of love and connection. When we work through our physical chakras, or the first three, we can open the spiritual chakras more fully.
ღ Chakras of Spirit
The last three chakras, located at the top of the spine up to the top of the haed are chakras of spirit. They are more spiritual.
ღ ROOT Chakra - Muladhara
The Muladhara is the chakra of stability, security, and our basic needs; it represents our foundation. It encompasses the first three vertebrae, the bladder, and the colon. When this chakra is open, we feel safe and fearless. When it’s blocked, we feel threatened, as if we’re standing on unstable ground.
It’s message is, “I exist”. Live your life proudly.
✨Asana to activate the Root Chakra
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
Garland Pose (Malasana)
Head to Knee Forward Bend (Janu Sirsasana)
ღ SACRAL Chakra - Swadhisthana
The Swadhisthana is the most fun out of the seven—it’s responsible for our sexual and creative energies. It helps inform how we relate to our emotions and the emotions of others. When your sacral chakra is aligned, you will likely feel great: You’re friendly, passionate, and successfully fulfilled while also eliciting feelings of wellness, abundance, pleasure, and joy. Those with a blocked sacral chakra could feel a lack of control in their lives.
This chakra says, “I desire”. Live your passion
✨Asana to activate the Sacral Chakra
Triangle (Trikonasana)
Pigeon (Eka Pada Pakotasana)
Cow face (Gomukhasana)
Camel (Ustrasana)
ღ SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra - Manipura
With its Sanskrit name, Manipura, meaning “lustrous gem,” the third chakra is said to be your source of individual power, ruling over self-esteem. speaks to your ability to be confident and in control of your life. Think back to the last time you had butterflies or felt a pit in the stomach. When it’s blocked, you can suffer from low self-esteem, have difficulty making decisions, and may have anger or control issues.
The message of the third chakra is “I control”. Go forth and control your own destiny and happiness
✨Asana to activate the Solar Plexus Chakra
Revolved Triangle (Palivrtta trikonasana)
Warrior III (Virabhadrasana C)
Warrior I (Virabhadrasana A)
Bow (Dhanurasana)
ღ HEART Chakra - Anahata
The Anahata is the bridge between the chakras of matters and the chakras of spirit. As its name implies, is all about the love. It’s believed that when your heart chakra is aligned and balanced, love and compassion are flowing freely. When it’s blocked, it gives way to grief, anger, jealousy, fear of betrayal, and hatred toward yourself and others—especially in the form of holding a grudge against something or someone.
Anahata says, “I love”. Let your heart energy flow freely in and out.
✨Asana to activate the Heart Chakra
Lord of the Dance (Natarajasana)
Yoga Basics Standing Backbend Pose (Anuvittasana)
Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Cobra (Bhujangasana)
ღ THROAT Chakra - Vishuddha
The Vishuddha, the throat chakra rules all communication. It’s the first of the three chakras of spirit. When this chakra is in check, you’re able to fully listen as well as speak and express yourself clearly. When it’s blocked, it gives you trouble speaking your truth, you find it hard to pay attention and stay focused, or fear judgment from others—which can further hinder your ability to keep it real.
The message of the throat chakra is “I express”. Do not suppress your own beautiful voice.
✨Asana to activate the Throat Chakra
Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana)
Plow Pose (Halasana)
Camel (Ustrasana)
Bridge Pose (Bandhasana)
ღ THIRD EYE Chakra - Ajna
The Ajna chakra governs our intuition and is also said to be responsible for all things between you and the outside world, serving as a bridge between the two. It allows you to cut through any illusions and drama to see the clear picture. When you fully open your crown chakra you’re able to access a higher consciousness. When it’s blocked, you will have trouble accessing your intuition, trusting your inner voice, recalling important facts, or learning new skills. And if your lower chakras are unbalanced, your third eye will likely be as well, which may cause you to act more judgmental, dismissive, and introverted.
This chakra, located between the eyebrows, says, “I am the witness”.
✨Asana to activate the Third Eye Chakra
Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)
Child Pose (Balasana)
ღ CROWN Chakra - Sahasrara
Known in Sanskrit as Sahasrara, the crown is the center of enlightenment and our spiritual connection to our higher selves, others, and ultimately, the divine. When aligned, the realizations that occur within you are said to be along the lines of pure awareness consciousness. A crown-chakra blockage may create feelings of isolation or emotional distress—basically feeling disconnected from everyone and everything.
Cosmic consciousness and peace are the frequency at this chakra. “I am that I am”.
✨Asana to activate the Crown Chakra
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
Head stand (Sirsasana)
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Lotus Pose (Padmasana)
ღ Best book to learn more about the 7 Chakras
There are other books on the topic of chakras. Whether you’re new to chakra cleansing or you’ve been doing it for years, there are many excellent chakra books you’ll definitely want to check out. Here are a selection of book we recommand available on Amazon.
ღ Chakra Healing: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Healing Techniques that Balance the Chakras
Chakra Healing is a truly exceptional read. It goes into great detail on the different methods for healing, and it covers everything from mantras to gemstones.
ღ Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System (Llewellyn's New Age Series)
Chakra Healing is a truly exceptional read. It goes into great detail on the different methods for healing, and it covers everything from mantras to gemstones.
ღ Llewellyn's Complete Book of Chakras: Your Definitive Source of Energy Center Knowledge for Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Evolution
The Book of Chakras explores the nature of these energy sources, explains where they dwell in each of us, and instructs on how to use them. The author identifies seven energy centers in the human body. The Root Chakra, located in the lower torso, anchors us in life.
ღ Chakras: A Complete Guide to Chakra Healing:Balance Chakras, Improve your Health and Feel Great
The chakras have long been seen as the most important centers of energy and power in the human body. When the chakras are fully functional, the body can stay healthy and at peace. Naturally, there are many outside forces that can hurt our bodies and keep the chakras from being open. The chakras must be open and flowing if the body and mind are to be healthy and happy.
ღ How to balance your Chakras
Chakra balancing is based on the ancient Indian belief in a series of seven chakras, or energy centers. Chakra balancing is believed to promote health by maximizing the flow of energy in the body, much as a tune-up enables a car to operate at peak efficiency.
ღ Balance
Balancing chakras, or learning how to how to unblock chakras, can be approached in a wide range of ways. We’ll look at some of the most commonly used and the most powerful. You can use them in conjunction, or you can pick one or two that best suit your needs.
- Meditation for chakra healing
- Chakra balancing affirmations
- Chakra yoga
- Change your diet
- Chakra healing Reiki
- Breathe deeply
- Spend time in nature
ღ Retreat to balance your Chakras
You will find many retreats that focus on chakras to help bring your life back into harmony and balance. You will start to feel more confident, energised and peaceful. We listed 3 retreats that will for sure help you get back on track in destinations where you will safe safe from the Covid-19 virus.
Virtual Yoga Retreat
$212
ღ Self-Paced Lockdown Online Chakra Yoga Retreat
Join Sarah for a 7-day yoga retreat in the comfort of your own home. You will be diving deep into breathwork, movement, meditation, inner inquiry, and the seven major chakras. Each day, through a carefully curated set of practices, you will explore and experience the chakras. One chakra each day. Chakras are a beautiful framework to find overall health, wellness, and balance in all areas of your life.
Transformative Yoga Mexico
$2100
ღ 8 Day Yoga Retreat, beachside in Akumal, Quintana Roo
Emily Dalsfoist and Colin Hogan have rented a breathtaking private villa on the beach in Akumal, Mexico (about 20 minutes out of Tulum). You will be doing yoga twice daily, eating delicious local cuisine prepared by your personal chef, exploring Akumal and surrounding areas, sitting by the ocean, protecting baby sea turtles as they hatch and make their way out to the ocean (if timing aligns with mother nature’s). Other optional outings include a visit to Mayan ruins and/or the breathtaking Cenotes!
Beyond Yoga Retreat
$999
ღ 8 Day Luxury Yoga Retreat in Puerto Vallarta
If you need an escape from your daily routine to unplug and truly relax, Beyond Yoga Retreat has the perfect getaway for you. Come to our Puerto Vallarta paradise and stay in a luxury villa engulfed in jungle overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Practice yoga al fresco with views of the mountains and the bay. Indulge in gourmet, healthy meals, and join others in included activities like hiking and snorkeling.
Soothing Meditation
$863
ღ 7 Day Holistic Yoga, Hiking Retreat in McLeod Bay, Whangarei Heads
Surrounded by one of New Zealand’s best examples of natural beauty, you will learn yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices that promote a calm mind, a strong and relaxed body, and happiness. This retreat is designed to help deepen your practice with an emphasis on traditional yoga joining all five bodies for a holistic experience that can be enjoyed by beginners or more experienced yogis.