Chakras. What are they exactly? You’ve heard your yoga teacher talk about grounding to balance your root chakra, stoking the fire of your solar plexus, or sending the breath up the spine to open the thousand-petaled lotus. Thousand-petaled lotus? Grounding what?? My solar plexus is on fire???
Chakra means “wheel” in Sanskrit and the chakras are a complex system of energy centers or “wheels” located along the spine that govern various energies of the body and are associated with elements, colors, glands, organs, and functions in the body. They influence our emotional, mental, energetic and spirit bodies as well. There are seven chakras in the body and here I will introduce the first four.*
*based on the Hindu chakra system. It is important to note that this is not to be considered a comprehensive writing. There is a wide variety of energetic anatomy systems and much more information about these systems than can be included in an introductory blog post.
Muladhara Chakra
Let us begin with the root chakra. Its Sanskrit name is Muladhara chakra, it is located at the base of the spine and its yantra (symbol) is a four-petaled red lotus. It governs primordial urges, in particular those important to survival or in modern terms, security. Muladhara chakra is associated with the element of earth, the color red, the adrenal glands (located just above the kidneys), the bones, and the sense of smell. The sense of smell is our most primordial of senses and is very important to survival. For instance, our sense of smell is heightened when, as women, we are pregnant or when we, as humans, are ill. The adrenals excrete adrenalin and cortisol, hormones that govern our body’s response to acute threats and long-term stresses, respectively. A healthy diet that stabilizes blood sugar and energy levels by balancing protein, carbs and healthy fats, and moderating stimulants like caffeine, are important to maintain healthy adrenal function, and thereby contribute to balancing the Muladhara chakra.
We engage Muladhara energy in our yoga practice through seated and standing postures, focusing on the parts of the body that root down and serve as a foundation for the poses. We embody this by grounding down through the feet to lengthen the spine upward. There is much “4” energy associated with Muladhara – the foundation of our yoga poses is like the foundation of a house and the four corners of the feet serve as a foundation for our standing poses. There is the square shape of sukhasana (easy seat) which is our basic seated posture or being on “all fours,” hands and knees, also a foundational posture. Brahma, the creator and ruling god of Muladhara chakra, is traditionally shown with four heads, four faces, and four arms, and is able to see and rule in all directions. His consort, Dakini, ruling goddess of the root chakra, is the doorkeeper to the physical realm and has four hands in which she holds a symbol of life and death.
Svadhisthana Chakra
Next up, is the sacral chakra, Svadhisthana chakra. Svadhisthana is located in the lower abdomen, below the navel and above the pubic bone, at the site of the reproductive organs. Its yantra is a six-petaled orange lotus with a crescent moon. Svadhisthana governs creativity and is associated with the water element, the color orange, the reproductive organs and the sense of taste. The emphasis on the organs of reproduction, and specifically the womb-space in women, is why the sacral chakra represents creativity. Birth, not just applicable to children, also refers to birthing projects, life shifts and new ventures. Svadhisthana is the dwelling place of the self and with its watery element is the energetic force that influences our relationship with the self and personal creativity. The sense of taste is a complex receiver of flavor chemistry and can serve as a creative outlet on its own. Those who enjoy cooking, baking, drawing, painting, dancing and other forms of creativity are in full expression of the sacral chakra.
In our yoga practice we activate Svadhisthana chakra through hip opening postures and flowing movement. By loosening deep restrictions in the hips, much like removing debris from a river, we prepare the wheel for movement. Flowing through postures emulates the flow of water and coupled with intentional alignment, can be an embodiment of a river flowing gracefully, encouraged and supported by its banks. Meditating on this chakra, its color, or a vision of water can be used as a tool to spark creativity.
Manipura Chakra
Manipura chakra is the third energy wheel and is located at the solar plexus in the space directly around the navel center, between the navel and the base of the sternum. Its yantra is a ten-petaled golden yellow lotus with a downward facing triangle. Manipura governs personal power and is associated with the element of fire, the color yellow, the digestive and immune systems, and the sense of sight and insight (hence the “gut feeling”). As the fire of digestion is fueled to “burn” our food, it transmutes it into vital life force. In addition to physical digestion, this also refers to digesting the emotions and assimilating thoughts. Manipura chakra holds the key to our life’s purpose. Bringing this center into balance helps us identify our dharma and life path – rather than continuing to relive our karmic patterns.
We engage energetically with Manipura chakra through abdominal-focused poses, twists, and pranayama (breathing practice), specifically those techniques that require a pumping action of the abdomen. Activating this center allows us to breathe more deeply thus stoking Manipura’s fire. When our solar plexus chakra is bright and full, we live in authenticity.
Anahata Chakra
Finally we come to the heart chakra, Anahata. Its location is in the center of the chest and its yantra is a twelve-petaled green lotus with two triangles superimposed over one another, one pointing up the other down. The two triangles portray the complete union of male and female energies. Anahata is devoted to love, compassion and relationship, and is associated with the air element, the color green (or pink), the cardiac and respiratory systems, and the sense of touch. Hugging is a physical expression of heart energy, as is healing touch.
Anahata chakra is special in that it is the very middle chakra, and is where the physical (earth) and metaphysical (heaven) meet. The chakras below the heart are associated with dense, earthly elements. Once we come to the heart, we are in air – vast, light and expansive – and from there our energy rises to the upper chakras where we move out of the earthly elements all together. The heart is the meeting place in between.
We engage with Anahata in our yoga practice though chest opening, back bending asana, and postures that create length in the front body. Opening the heart and chest allows us physically to sit and stand taller, with more support for the spine and more space for the breath. Energetically, it allows us to access deeper love, greater compassion and more joy.
I encourage you to explore these energy centers for yourself and see how doing even the gentlest yoga practice with an emphasis on the chakras can have a powerful impact on your body, mind, and Spirit. We will cover the upper chakras and the main energy channels of the body next month.
May you enjoy the energetic rainbow within!
In Light,
Michelle
Very interesting read. Miss you but glad you are continuing to engage in your passion. Looking forward to a long overdue massage at Casa azure.
Miss you, too, Bill!! Stay healthy & safe. I’ll see you soon 💜💜