If you’ve ever been a part of a yoga session or even a meditation group you must have heard or wondered about what are Chakras? How do they impact your health? or even what is the enlightenment of the Chakras?
The topic is such a fascinating one that the more you get to know about it the more curious you feel. It is during this time that a lot of questions pop up in one’s mind, and today we will discuss them.
What is a Chakra?
Chakra when translated in Sanskrit it means ‘Wheel’. They are the points in our bodies that connect us to the spiritual realm. Also, known as energy centers, these Chakras are located from the base of the spine to the top of the head, radiating each of their colors, energies, and vibrations.
Fact: The original meaning of the word chakra as “wheel” refers to the chariot wheels of the rulers, called cakravartins.
Ayurveda and Chakras
In Ayurveda, chakras have been there around for thousands of years. Ayurveda says that when a person uplifts these chakras the illnesses faced by the person can be healed. It also mentions that the chakras heal the area or the things affecting the body with the energy that flows through these chakras.
Even though they may not be visible to the human naked eye they can be sensed with our intuition. In Ayurveda, there are almost 114 Chakras in our bodies but we usually hear only about the 7 chakras because these are the essential ones. They contribute to our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
The Seven Chakras
As mentioned before the Chakras play a very important role as they hold the energy of the whole body also known as prana. Hence maintaining a balance is very important.
Further, these chakras are divided into three parts:
- The Chakras of Matter
- The Chakra of Connection Between Matter and Spirit
- The Chakras of Spirit
We’ll talk about both how to balance them and the types in this part.
The Chakras of Matter
- Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra)
In Sanskrit ‘mul’ means root and ‘adhara’ means support which itself justifies the placement of the chakra which is at the base of the spine. This Chakra looks like a down-faced red lotus. It is known to attribute to emotions like survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency. Indigestion, reproductive problems, and weight gain are caused when it is out of balance.
Balancing the Root Chakra
Yoga Postures: Tree Pose (Vrkshasana) and Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Dandelion root, Ginger, Clove, Damiana, Angelica, Cinnamon, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, and Garlic.
- Swadhishthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)
When translated from Sanskrit ‘swa’ means self and ‘adhishthana’ means established and when put together it simply translates to ‘where your being is established’. This Chakra is located in the lower abdomen, 2 inches below the navel.
It is orange in color and appears like a lotus with 6 petals. It is responsible for creativity, self-worth, and sexuality. If imbalanced, it can lead to emotional instability, sexual rigidity, and negative emotions, including fear, hatred, anger, and guilt.
Balancing the Sacral Chakra
Yoga Postures: Crow Pose (Kakasana) or standing poses like Triangle Pose (Trikonasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Calendula, Damiana, Ginger, Licorice, Mint, Cinnamon, Saffron, Cardamon, Bay leaf.
- Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)
In Sanskrit, it means ‘city of jewels’. This Chakra is located navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is yellow and symbolized by a downward pointing triangle with ten petals. It is responsible for emotions such as ego, anger, and aggression. If imbalanced, it can lead to digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes.
Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra
Yoga Postures: Classical Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), Classical Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Marshmallow, Rosemary, Chamomile, Fennel, Lemon Balm.
The Chakra of Connection Between Matter and Spirit
- Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra)
In Sanskrit, it means “unstruck,” “unhurt” or “unbeaten. This Chakra is located in the heart region. It is green in color and symbolized by a circular flower with twelve green petals. It is responsible for emotions such as love, attachment, compassion, trust, and passion. If imbalanced, it can lead to emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness.
Balancing the Heart Chakra
Yoga Postures: Half Bridge Pose (Ardha Setubandhasana), and Fish Pose (Matsyasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Hawthorn berry, Lavender, Rooibos, Hibiscus, Orange.
The Chakras of Spirit
- Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra)
In Sanskrit, it means ‘purifying the body from harmful substances.’ This Chakra is located in the throat region. It is blue and symbolized as a silver crescent within a white circle, with 16 light or pale blue or turquoise petals. It is responsible for inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well. If imbalanced, it can lead to timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts.
Balancing the Throat Chakra
Yoga Postures: Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) and Plough Pose (Halasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Sage, Chamomile, Red clover blossom.
- Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)
In Sanskrit, it means ‘beyond wisdom.’ This Chakra is located between the eyebrows. It is indigo in color and symbolized as a lotus with two petals. It is responsible for intelligence, intuition, insight, and self-knowledge. If imbalanced, it can lead to headaches, blurry vision, and eye strain.
Balancing the Third Eye Chakra
Yoga Postures: Headstand (Shirshasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Passionflower, Sage.
- Sahastrara Chakra (Crown Chakra)
In Sanskrit, it means ‘thousand’ or ‘infinite’.This Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It is white or violet and symbolized as a lotus with one thousand multi-colored petals. It is responsible for the inward flow of wisdom and bringing the gift of cosmic consciousness. If imbalanced, it can lead to frustration and detrimental feelings.
Balancing the Crown Chakra
Yoga Postures: Headstand (Shirshasana).
Consumption of Ayurvedic herbs: Sage, Lavender, Gotu kola, Rosemary, Violets.
While reading this blog you might have realized that someday you were feeling the exact emotions that were shown in a chakras disbalance and how it had affected your day. However, it can be unbelievable considering one can’t even see these chakras but when they are balanced they can have such a great effect on our bodies helping to improve and enhance our lives.
And we hope that this blog will help you to understand the chakra system a bit better and will help you to balance your Chakras too.
