What are Chakras?
“…We’re going to start off our practice today getting grounded in Muladhara, and we’ll gradually flow through each chakra one by one”, the yoga teacher proclaims to the class of yogis. As a first-time student, I sat on the yoga mat gently smiling back at the yoga teacher as if I knew what the hell,she was talking about but feeling dumbfounded and confused at the command. “What the heck is a Muladhara”? “What is a charka”? “Oh my gosh Is this witchcraft? because if so, I’m out!” …
I’ve been practicing yoga now for two years, and it is through yoga that I first learned about chakras. Although I am forever on a journey of acquiring knowledge about different spiritual concepts such as chakras, what I have learned so far about them has completely change the trajectory of my life and has given me a new way of knowing, understanding, and working through my mind, body, and spirit. I believe therefore it would be of disservice to offer tea blends that promote the health of the chakras, without sharing the beautiful and sacred knowledge of what charkas are and how beneficial it can be to one’s everyday life.
So What Exactly Is A Chakra?
To put it very simply, chakras are focal points for meditation and energy centers with the human body. They are structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye or medical technologies such as an x-ray. This is because they are located in the astral body along the spine, starting at the base of the spine and running upwards towards the crown of the head. The astral body is between the soul and the physical body. Each physical body part has a corresponding astral body part. Each chakra coincides with nerve bundles, organs, or glands in the particular area they are located. Not only do they affect the physical functionality of that region, but also an individual’s emotional and spiritual state. The purpose of chakras is to maintain the free flow of energy in our bodies which explains why the Sanskrit word translate to “wheel” or “cycle”.
How Many Chakras Are In The Body?
There are more than 72,000 energetic channels in the body called nadis. Similar to veins carrying blood through the body, nadis are pathways carrying vital life force energy known as prana, throughout the entire body. In Hinduism there are more than 114 chakras in body; 7 majors chakras 21 minor chakras, and 86 micro chakras. The head, throat, navel, base of spine is among the main areas of the major chakras. However, minor chakras are located in places like our hands, legs, tongue, knees, elbows, shoulders, eyes, and ears. All chakras are not active all the time and depending on whether these centers are healthy or blocked, one main experience different attributes of your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The Seven Major Chakras
Like mentioned before, although are many chakras within the human body, there are 7 major ones are the more widely known. Below is a simple overview of each other the seven chakras.
The Root Chakra- Muladhara
Associated Color- Red
Element- Earth
Mantra-LAM
Affirmation: “I AM”
The location of the root chakra is at the base of the spine, between the anus and genitals. It is usually associated with the emotions of survival, stability, self-sufficiency. The root is linked to one’s ability to dig in and feel firmly rooted in your life. It is where everything begins and is the starting place in which true health, wellbeing, and empowerment grows. When this chakra is out of balanced, a person may start feeling instable and ungrounded. One may lack purpose and ambition and can feelings of fear, insecurity, and frustration. One the flip side however, when the root chakra is balanced, one feels positively towards life. One feels stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent, and strong.
The Sacral Chakra- Svadhisthana
Associated Color- Orange
Element- Water
Mantra- RAM
Affirmation: “I FEEL”
The location of the sacral chakra is below the naval, where the perineum is. It is said to be associated with the sex organs and the kidneys. It is also associated with the water element and is portrayed as a vibrant orange color. The sacral is the energy center responsible for feeling, emotion, pleasure, sensuality, intimacy, and connection. It is the energy that allows one to feel as well as let go, move on, change, and transform. When this center is blocked one may feel low libido, fear of intimacy, lack of creativity, or isolated. When it is overactive, one may experience a fixation on sex, feel over-emotional or manipulative. On the other hand, when this chakra is balanced, one feels healthy passion and libido, creative, optimistic, and open to possibilities.
The Solar Plexus Chakra- Manipura
Associated Color- Yellow
Element- Fire
Mantra-
Affirmation- “I DO/ACT”
The location of the solar plexus falls within the upper abdomen region, between the ribs and the belly button. It is part of the sympathetic nervous system. The energy of this chakra allows one to transform inactivity into action and movement. It allows one to move forward in life. The challenge of this chakra is use your personal power in a balanced manner. Because this is the center associated with self-esteem, everytime you judge yourself you weaken your willpower. When your solar plexus is blocked, one feels low self-esteem, powerless, or inferior. On the flip side, when it is overactive one may feel power hungry, critical, or rest in perfectionism. When this chakra is balanced, one can feel confident, in control, personal power, drive, and have a good self-image.
The Heart Chakra- Anahata
Associated Color- Green
Element- Air
Mantra-
Affirmation- “I LOVE”
The location of the heart chakra is between your lungs in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone. The energy of this center is to move love through your life. It is the center of your deep bonds with others and where your sense of compassion and care comes in. It is the chakra responsible for integrating and unifying. It is also the healing center. The heart allows one to feel apart of something larger than us, and it allows us to recognize and feel the sacred fundamental truth that we are interconnected with all that exist. One knows that their heart chakra is open when you inspire kindness and compassion in others because you’re living your life with loving kindness and compassion.
The Throat Chakra- Visuddha
Associated Color- Blue
Element- Akasha
Mantra- HAM
Affirmation- “I SPEAK”
The throat chakra is located in the center of the neck, at the height of the thyroid gland. The throat chakra is linked to the mouth, jaws, tongue, pharynx, palate, shoulders, and neck. It plays an essential role in communication, expression, and speaking your inner truth. This chakra is about accepting your originality and expressing your authentic voice. It allows you to seek knowledge that is true, that’s beyond limitations. It also allows you to listen deeply to another. A person with an open throat chakra is a good listener and allows another person to be heard. When this chakra is blocked, one can’t seem to speak out or express themselves, feels misunderstood, secretive and is not a good listener. When this chakra is overactive, one is loud, overtly opinionated, critical, gossipy, yells or talks over others.
The Third Eye Chakra- Ajna
Associated Color- Indigo
Element- Light (All of the elements combined)
Mantra- OM
Affirmation- “I SEE”
The third chakra is the sixth chakra and is located in the center of your head, parallel to the middle of your eyebrows. This chakra is linked to perception awareness as well as spiritual connection and communication. While our regular eyes see the physical world as it is, the third eye allows one to see deeper to a truer world. You are able to not only see what is going on, but also understand what it means. The Third eye allows us to have access to inner guidance and truth that comes from our inner being. The illusion of separation between self and spirit dissolves when the third eye connection is cultivated. When the third eye is blocked, one expresses poor judgement, lack of focus, poor imagination, and isn’t able to see beyond the physical. When the third eye is overactive, one experiences nightmares, delusion, hallucinations, and oppression.
The Crown Chakra – Sahasrara
Associated Color – Violet or White
Element- There is no element or thought.
Mantra-
Affirmation- “I KNOW”
The crown chakra is the seventh of the chakras and is located at the top of the head, or slightly above, like a crown radiating upward. This chakra is linked to all the other chakras therefore affects all the organs, the brain, and the nervous system. This chakra is representative of enlightenment and the connection to one’s life’s purpose and spirituality. The is no intellectual at this center, but a knowing that there is a deeper meaning in life. It is beyond the limits of the ego and the center of transcending the ego. It is the knowing that all creation is interconnected at a fundamental level. It is also the meeting point between finite (the body and ego) and the infinite (the soul and universe). It is the place where time and timelessness intersect and where death and eternal life meet. When this chakra is blocked, one may feel depressed, have learning difficulties, faithless, brain fog, or angry at God. When this chakra is overactive, one may experience being dogmatic, judgmental, ungrounded, or spiritually addicted. When this chakra is balanced, one feels strong in their faith, universal love, aware, wise, understanding, and intelligent.
What Is The Origin Of chakras?
With its roots beginning in Hinduism and Buddhism, the word chakra first emerged within ancient Indian text called Vedas between 1500 and 500 BC not as psychic energy centers but as chakravartinor the king who “turns the wheel of his empire” all directions from a center; representing his influence and power. There is some mention of chakras as psychic centers of consciousness in the Yoga Upanishads (circa 600 B.C. and later in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (circa 200 B.C.) however the chakra system and Kundalini yoga arose within Tantric tradition during the second half of the first common era. Over time however, the concept of chakras evolved due to the influence of early 20thcentury European spiritualist and occultists. Englishman such as Arthur Avalon translated his understanding of the Indian text Sat-Cakra-Nirupana written by Indian pundit in 1577, the Padaka-Pancaka written in the 10th century, and the Gorakshashatakam also written in the 10th century. His translation in his book “The Serpent Power” as well as Christopher Hills book “Nuclear Evolution” which introduced rainbow colors to the chakras and are what forms the basis of our modern day understanding of today’s chakra system.
Conclusion
By understanding what the chakras are, one can take steps in becoming more proactive about balancing and maintain energetic harmony within their energy fields. One can effectively release blocked energies and create vitality in each energy center that promote physical nurturement and emotional well-being. It’s a wonderful way to take care of the mind, body, and soul.