In the midst of the great web of energies which make up this universe, each human being is a complex organism capable of interacting and communicating across the levels of energy in the world. The vortex of enery that we are has sub-vortices, energy centers that cross through and interconnect the levels of existence. Those centers can be thought of in a very earthy way - like a wheel. Chakra means "wheel". The chakras are energy centers, or energy vortices. Understanding them can help us to understand the way energy is processed by a human being. The first three chakras are known as the Lower Triangle, the 5th, 6th and 7th chakra are known as the Upper Triangle. The fourth Chakra, the Heart Chakra is the point of balance between them. Opening and balancing the chakras opens the senses, and integrates them into a responsive network that can relate to the larger source field of energy.
First Chakra, Root Chakra, Muladhara (Mul = Root):
Location: Base of the spine between.
Sense: Smell
Element: Earth
Food: Protein
The first chakra is the realm of habits and automatic behavior, instinctual patterns for survival which is unconscious. It is about foundations, fears, self-acceptance, security and survival.
Physically it is associated with elimination, anus and large intestines, but also your feet, immune system and legs.
It is associated with the sense of smell. When you hold all the toxins in you begin to reek. When it functions well you radiate a sweet smell. The exact composition of that smell will vary according to the functioning of the overall frequency of your consciousness, due to the mix of glandular activity that accompanies the chakras involved. This is the basis of aromatherapy.
The first chakra has strength in its functions of elimination, setting foundations and reducing complex things to common elements. In its best use, this gives purity, security and universality. You are grounded, centered, secure, loyal and stable.
Shadow: Fear, insecurity, life feels like a burden, feeling of not belonging. This can manifest as addictions, constipation, diarrhea, perversions.
Yoga Exercises: Sat Kriya, Crow Pose, Chair Pose, Body drops, Frog Pose, Mulbhandh (Root lock), front stretches, lying on stomach, feet kicking buttocks.
Second Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Swadhistana:
Location: The sexual organs
Sense: Taste. Without passions, life has no taste.
Element: Water
Food: Water
The second chakra is fundamentally about creativity. It is about desire and passion, duality and polarities, movement and change.
Physically it is associated with the sexual organs, reproductive glands, kidneys and bladder.
A well-functioning second chakra paints the world with passions, motivations, and opinions. It prepares the way for compassion. It combines creativity and passion.
Positive, relaxed attitude to sexual functions, able to have genuine, responsible relationships and patience.
Shadow: Rigid emotions, frigidity, guilt, no boundaries. Irresponsible, shallow relationships. Shame of body, sex addictions. Physical problems with reproductive organs or kidneys.
Yoga Exersises: Frog pose, crobra pose, butterfly pose, Sat Kriya, Cat-Cow, Maha Mudra, pelvic lifts.
Third Chakra, Navel Point, Manipura:
Location: Area of the navel point (2 finger widths below belly button), solar plexus.
Sense: Sight
Element: Fire
Food: Carbohydrates & Starches
The third chakra is the center energy, of will power. The will of the spiritual warrior. It is about control and coordination, action and balance. It is associated with the area around the Navel Point and fed by the fire from the solar plexus.
Physically it is associated with the solar plexus, liver, gall bladder, spleen, digestive organs, pancreas and adrenals.
When balanced the fire element represents the willingness to initiate. The person is at the center of personal power and commitment, self-esteem, identity and judgement. This is where the strength for inner balance, inspiration and good health is developed.
Shadow: If the third chakra energy is insufficient and a person has not enough energy to accomplish a task, the person has to compensate through stimulants like drugs and food.
Anger, greed, shame, despair. Seeing obstacles everywhere. Not enough strength and spontaneity, conforming in order to be recognized. Refuting ones own wishes and emotions.
Physically this can manifest as problems with digestion, liver, gall bladder and the pancreas.
Yoga Exercises: Breath of fire, stretch pose, Sat Kriya, peacock pose, bow pose, fish pose, diaphragm lock, all exercises which train the abdominal muscles.
Fourth Chakra, Heart Chakra, Anahata:
Location: The middle of the chest on the breast bone at the level of the nipples.
Sense: Touch
Element: Air
Food: Vegetables, Greens
It represents the opening of feelings, compassion and love. It is the balance point of the lower triangle and upper triangle. The balance between the lower three chakras, the energy flows of the Earth and the upper three chakras the energy flows of the Heavens. This is where we move from “me” (lower three chakras) to “we”.
Physically it is associated with you heart, lungs and thymus gland.
Shadow: If it is unbalanced it can lead to grief, attachment and easily being hurt. You can develop a dependency on love and affection from others and a fear of rejection. It can manifest as a helper syndrome or heartlessness. Physically it can lead to asthma, heart problems, lung problems and blood pressure problems.
Yoga exercises: All pranayama, Ego Eradicator, Yoga Mudra, bear grip, baby pose, all arm exercises, spinal twists.
Fifth Chakra, Throat Chakra, Vishuddha:
Location: throat
Sense: sound, listening
Element: Ether
Food: Fruit
With the first chakra of the upper triangle we are entering the into the miraculous and mysterious, ruled by the element of ether which is the condition of space and time that allows something to exist. It is the beginning of the process of manifestation. It is the projective power of the word.
It is the center for truth, hearing and speaking the truth, language, knowledge and the ability to communicate effectively. It is about being authentic, healthy self-expression and interactions, inspiring, teaching and embodying God’s Will. It is a doorway as only by mastering the Word and the skill to initiate actions that come from the soul, one can truly open the doorway to the higher realms of the triangle.
Physically it is associated with your trachea, throat, cervical vertebrae, thyroid and para-thyroid.
Shadow: Weakness in expressive and descriptive abilities, shyness, voice problems, insecurity and fear of other people’s opinions and judgments. Physically this can manifest as throat problems, neck problems and thyroid problems.
Yoga exercises: All Chanting, shoulder stand, cobra pose, plow pose, camel pose, cat-cow, neck rolls, neck lock, nose to knees.
Sixth Chakra, Third Eye, Ajna:
Location: Between the eyebrows
Element: The 6th, 7th and 8th chakra go beyond the elements. We’ve gone through all the transformations of our ordinary experience that are coded by earth, water, fire, air and ether.
Food: Fasting
Ajna means “to command”. This is where you reach the integrity and integration of the personality. It is about Intuition, wisdom and identity. The union of opposites. It is the center of intuition, clairvoyance, visualization, concentration and determination. It connects you to your power of projection and understanding of your purpose.
Physically it is associated with your brain, pituitary gland, pineal gland (third eye), thalamus and hypothalamus.
It allows the mastery over the flow of the mind.
Shadow: If unbalanced it can manifest as depression, confusion, rejection of spirituality and over-intellectualizing.
Yoga exercises: All exercises where the forehead rests on the floor, meditating on the Third Eye, Long chant, Kirtan Kriya, archer pose, whistle breaths, yoga mudra.
Seventh Chakra, Crown Chakra, The Tenth Gate, Sahasrara
Location: Top of the head
Food: Fasting
The crown chakra is about humility and vastness. It is the seat of the soul, the connection to the highest self, to enlightenment, unity, elevation and your relationship to the Unknown. Absolute bliss.
Physically it is associated with the brain and pineal gland.
Shadow: if unbalanced it can lead to the feeling of being separated from existence and abundance. Fear of death and grief.
Yoga exercises: All meditation, ego eradicator, Mahabandha, Sat Kriya, concentrating on the tip of the nose.
Eighth Chakra, The Aura:
Location: your electromagnetic field
Color: White
The aura is about radiance. The aura combines the effects of all the chakras and constitutes their total projection. It projects and protects. It fills the room with your presence. It interweaves you with the entire universe.
Shadow: a weak aura can manifest as shyness and being withdrawn. It can make you vulnerable emotionally, mentally and physically (getting sick easily).
Yoga exercises: All meditation, triangle pose (down dog), ego eradicator, archer pose, all arm exercises.
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