The chakra system – an introductory guide

What are chakras?

Deriving from the Sanskrit word meaning wheel, chakras can be defined as energy centres of the light or spiritual body, to be located along the spine. The chakras are not physically tangible, as they exist at a frequency that is not manifested into matter through our body.

As they are energetic expressions of emotional and psychological states of being, when unbalanced there can be a physical expression in the form of diseases or conditions.

When the chakras are activated, the prana (energy) can flow through the spiritual channel of the body. By practicing the yoga poses associated with each chakras, the student can release any blockages and balance their energy, resulting in a calmer, happier and healthier state of being.

What is the function of chakras?

Chakras serve a regulatory purpose in our body, ensuring that our physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological health is in good state. When a chakra is not balanced, there are specific emotional, mental and physical patterns that can be spotted and worked on.

What are the characteristics of the 7 chakras?

1. Root chakra – muladhara

Colour - Red

Location –

base of the spine

Emotional association –

security, safety, belonging, worthiness, stability, survival

Physical association –

adrenal gland ; bowel problems, lower limb discomfort

Unbalanced –

anxiety, not meeting basic needs, unworthiness, lack mentality, Insecurity, disconnection, ungrounded, fearful, bad boundary setting, addiction, addiction, fear of change, paranoia, fatigue

Balanced –

setting good boundaries, physical ease and safety, confidence, balanced, independence

Yoga poses –

cat and cow pose (Majiarasana Bitilasana), cow faced pose (gomukasana), tree pose (vrkatasana)

2. Sacral chakra – Svadhishthana

Colour –

orange

Location –

below the bellybutton

Emotional association –

relationships with others

Physical association –

sexual organs, reproductive issues, urinary/reproductive malfunction, joint problems, appendicitis

Unbalanced –

suppressing creativity and sexuality, bored, self-denial, fear of change, uninspired, social anxiety, weak libido, addictions to pleasure, manipulation, self- worth, co-dependency

Balanced –

balanced expression of creativity and sexuality, expressing with passion, healthy bonds with others, self- respect, satisfaction, flexibility, compassion, motivation

Yoga poses –

snake pose (sarpasana), pigeon pose (kapotasana), revolved head to knee pose (parivrtta janusirsasana)

3. Solar plexus chakra - manipura

Colour –

yellow

Location –

navel

Emotional association –

expression of creativity, balance between masculinity and femininity, manifestation of desires, putting ideas into action,

Physical association –

pancreas, digestive issues, stomach ulcers, acid reflux, heart burn, anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, fatigue, retention of toxins

Unbalanced –

low confidence, depression, easily influenced, needy, indecisiveness, perfectionism, passive attitude, overly dominating, narcissism, controlling, arrogance, competition, hyperactivity

Balanced –

confidence, present, healthy digestion, assertive, decisive, adaptability

Yoga poses –

bow pose (dhanurasana), triangle pose (trikonasana), crow pose (bakasana)

4. Heart chakra – anahata

Colour –

green

Location –

heart

Emotional association –

Love, trust, compassion, harmony, empathy, kindness

Physical association –

Lung problems, heart, shoulders, breast, asthma, pneumonia

Unbalanced –

Loneliness, resentment, lack of empathy and self-love, seclusion, disassociation, overly emotional, jealousy,

Balanced –

Loving, forgiving, harmonious, kind, emotionally connected and balanced, giving and receiving, acceptance

Yoga poses –

Cobra pose (bhujangasana), camel pose (ustrasana), crescent lunge pose (anjaneyasana)

5. Throat chakra – vishuddha

Colour - blue

Location –

Throat

Emotional association –

inspiration, communicating well, faith, self-expression, truthfulness, authenticity

Physical association –

thyroid gland, cavities, tension in shoulders and neck, headaches,

Unbalanced – shyness, over articulation, over analytical expression, insecurity, introversion, loud, dominating in conversations, untruthfulness, gossip, stuttering, compulsive, manipulation

Balanced –

Expressive, balance, listening and speaking equally, truthful, social ease

Yoga poses –

half bridge pose (setu bhandasana), supported shoulder stand (salamba sarvangasana), plow pose (halasana)

6. Third eye chakra – ajna

Colour –

Violet, indigo

Location –

Between the eyebrows

Emotional association –

Concentration, awareness, perception, intuition, analysis,

Physical association –

pituitary, pineal gland, hormonal imbalances, memory issues, learning difficulties, depression, insomnia, headaches

Unbalanced –

Lack of focus, judgemental, indecisiveness, delusional, dismissive, negative attitude, bad self-image, illusion, easily deceived, lack of common sense, obsessiveness

Balanced –

Harmony in the physical and physical world

Yoga poses –

Child’s pose (balasana)

7. Crown chakra – sahastrara

Colour –

White, gold

Location –

Top of the head

Emotional association –

Attachment to the world, belief system, enlightenment wisdom

Physical association –

Pineal, pituitary, muscular and skeletal, mental disorders, migraines, coordination, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia

Unbalanced –

Lack of purpose, unethical, loss of self-identity, materialism, spiritual disconnection, denial of energetic world, frustration, melancholy, disassociation with self and world, unaccepting, over obsession with spiritual world, self-entitlement

Balanced –

Feeling connected and equal to all, acceptance, awareness, ethical behaviour, foresight, seeing connection among things, seeing the big picture, being present in the moment

Yoga poses –

Head stand

References

Dale, C. (2016). Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Chakras: Your Definitive Source of Energy Center Knowledge for Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Evolution (Llewellyn’s Complete Book Series, 7) (Book 8 ed.). Llewellyn Publications.

Pyramid tatva nepal. (2021, May 30). Chakras – A Detailed Guide [ 7 Chakras with Characteristics and Ways to Balance your Chakra ]. https://www.pyramidtatvanepal.com/blog/item/791-chakras-detailed-guide

The Gem Goddess. (2020, February 17). Chakras 101 - Everything You Need To Know [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAvxW1ziLM&t=2511s

Yoga, A. (2021, August 3). Guide to 7 Chakras. Arhanta Yoga Ashram. https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/7-chakras-introduction-energy-centers-effect/

L.I.T.T.L.E.P.A.W. (2019). [Stockillustratie ID:1177170869].

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