CHAKRAS brief overview

SADHAKA SHANTI YOGA

Chakras - simple

Chakras are the centres of the subtle, vital energy in the Sushumna Nadi* and are storage places for energy forces or centres of consciousness. Each chakra is a centre of subtle awareness and has a specific feeling, tone, bliss or joy. There are many Chakras situated throughout the body, the seven principle Chakras correspond to the seven astral or mental planes. The locations and correspondence of these chakras are as follows:

1. Muladhara: located at the base of the spine, root chakra. Survival issues (money & food), materialism, security, family, grounding. Colour: Red. Affirmation: “I am”

2. Swadhisthana: located in the lower abdomen, pelvis, sacral chakra. Abundance, creativity, pleasure, money, sexuality. Colour: Orange. Affirmation “I feel”

3. Manipura: located just above the naval, solar plexus chakra. Power centre, self worth, self confidence, self esteem, manifestation. Colour: Yellow. Affirmation: “I do”

4. Anahata: located in the centre of the chest, heart chakra. Love centre, compassion, joy, inner peace, hope, forgiveness. Colour: Green. Affirmation: I love”

5. Vishudhi: located in the throat, throat chakra. Communication, self expression of feelings, speaking the truth, holding secrets, inner voice. Colour: Blue. Affirmation: “I speak”

6. Ajna: located in the forehead at the centre of the eyebrows, the third eye chakra. Wisdom, visualisation, imagination, intuition, decision making. Colour: Indigo. Affirmation “I see”

7. Sahasrara: located at the top of the head, crown chakra. Inner and outer beauty, spiritual centre, enlightenment, unity, absolute wisdom. Colour: Light Violet. Affirmation: “ I understand”

*Nadi – in addition to the 7 chakras of the subtle body, the Tantra's describe subtle channels known as Nadia through which life force (Prana) move. Nadi means “stream”according to the scriptures there are 14 principle Nadis of which IDA, PINGALA, SUSHUMNA are the most important. A major focus of Hatha Yoga is balancing the Nadis to allow free flow of Prana (life force energy) the key ways of balancing the Nadis in Yoga is through Pranayama.

IDA: is the left channel, it is white, feminine, cold, represents the moon and is associated with the river Ganges (Ganga). Originating in Muladhara and finishing at the left nostril.

PINGALA: is the right channel, it is red, masculine, hot, represents the sun and is associated with the river Yamuna. Originating in Muladhara and finishing at the right nostril.

SUSHUMNA: is the primary central channel, it is associated with the river Saraswati. Within the Sushumna Nadi there are 3 more subtle channels (Vajra, Chitrini, Brahma) through which Kundalini moves upward from Muladhara chakra to Sahasrara chakra directly up the spinal cord through each of the chakras. In Yoga and Ayurveda it is believed that keeping the Nadis in balance and free of blockages Prana is increased, increasing physical and mental health.