The practice of yoga is not asanas; it is a system that joins the human body with the soul. One cannot expect to learn yoga solely by practising asanas. Yoga in its factual form is the most appropriate combination of the vital energies of all segments of the human body. A concept in yoga that incorporates chakras is the integration of physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. Chakras are not physical segments, but they are the energy centres within our body that affect almost all parts of the human body. It helps in regulating the flow of energy or balancing it properly for effective working. Chakras is the Sanskrit word that implies wheel or spin.
These energy centres of the body help in proper healing, self-transformation, and profound awareness. Every chakra in our body has a certain place, function, and impact. These are the key factors of yogic energy that bring harmony to the body and emotions, along with mental clarity. Chakras are very essential to beginners as they are to advanced practitioners, as they bring transformation, consciousness, and healing. It also helps in bringing alignment and intention.
The learning of chakras is a path of self-discovery that leads to the discovery of radiant energy and the power sources within yourself. This vlog helps you understand chakras in a profound way and their role in balancing our mind, body, and soul. The chakras in the body are of seven types with their symbol, sound, qualities, and colour. These are:
Root Chakras or Muladhara
Location: Tailbone (Spinal Base)
Colour: Red
Element: Earth
Sound: Lam
This Chakra helps in governing security, basic needs, and survival. This chakra symbolises the foundation of our body. It depicts the body root, the sense of security. This chakra helps in governing the adrenal glands, bones, legs, and feet. Balancing this chakra is useful in providing trust, stability, and safety. On the other hand, if imbalances occur in these chakras, these feelings get disturbed. Various yoga poses for Muladhara Chakra are squats, Mountain Pose (Tadasana), and Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I).
Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana
Location: lower abdomen, just below the navel area
Colour: Orange
Element: Water
Sound: Vam
This chakra helps in controlling emotions, sexuality, pleasure, and creativity. The Sacral Chakra is known to be the epicentre of emotional expression and creative energies, thus having a greater impact on joy, sensuality, and relationships. By balancing this chakra, you can create emotional fluidity, healthy relationships, and passion. Also, the imbalance in this chakra can have a negative effect on these emotions. Yoga poses for balancing Svadhisthana chakras are Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) and Hip-opening flows.
Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura
Location: Near the naval area, but on the upper abdomen
Colour: Yellow
Element: Fire
Sound: Ram
This chakra helps in maintaining the digestive system, willpower, confidence, and power inside you. It helps in governing our inner fire, identity, and metabolism. Moreover, it is useful for giving us the power and confidence to face challenges and take action accordingly. The imbalance in this chakra leads to various digestive issues, anger, and low self-esteem. Various yoga poses for balancing the Manipura chakra are Plank, Boat Pose (Navasana), and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana).
Heart Chakra or Anahata
Location: centre of the chest
Colour: Green or Pink
Element: Air
Sound: Yam
This chakra governs empathy, feelings of forgiveness, compassion, and love. It regulates love, connection, and healing, the balance of which is useful for your emotional health. However, the imbalance leads to grief, jealousy, and an emotional vacuum. Various yoga poses for the heart chakra areCamel Pose (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana), and Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana).
Throat Chakra or Vishuddha
Location: the throat of a person
Colour: Blue
Element: Space
Sound: Ham
This chakra helps in maintaining the feeling of self-expression, truth, and communication. It so governs the vocal cords, thyroid, and throat, thus representing authenticity, truth, and voice. Balancing this chakra helps you to listen profoundly and speak clearly, whereas imbalance leads to communication issues, speaking fear, and sore throats. Yoga poses for balancing Vishuddha are Lion’s Breath, Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), and Plough Pose (Halasana).
Third Eye Chakra or Ajna
Location: middle of the eyebrows or the third eye area
Colour: Indigo
Element: Light
Sound: Om
It helps in creating wisdom, inner vision, and intuition. This is the chakra from which one can bring spiritual awareness and insights. The third eye chakra governs the pineal gland, brain, and eye, the balancing of which can enhance focus, clarity, and imagination. However, the imbalance results in intuition disconnection, confusion, or even a headache. Yoga poses for balancing the Ajna chakra are Child’s Pose (Balasana), Trataka (candle gazing), and Easy Pose (Sukhasana) with meditation.
Crown Chakra or Sahasrara
Location: top of the head
Colour: Violet or White
Element: Cosmic Energy
Sound: Om or silence
This chakra is located at the top of the head. The colour is violet or white, the element is cosmic energy, and the sound is om or silence. This chakra plays an important role in enlightenment, bliss, and spiritual connection. It indicates divine connection and consciousness and represents a source of the energy of the universe. By balancing this chakra, one can attain peace, a seat of enlightenment, wisdom, unity, and harmony. The imbalance creates the feeling of materialism and disconnection from spirituality. Yoga practices for balancing Sahasrara chakra are meditation, Silence, Om chanting, and Headstand (for advanced practitioners).
How Chakras Relate to Yoga Practice
Yoga comes with the goal of bringing alignment and balance to the chakras, or the centre of energy. Various practices of yoga, such as Yoga asanas, meditation, mantra chanting, and pranayama, help in balancing, providing energy, and opening the Chakras. In yoga, emphasis is given to creating a complete and sequencing flow of energy that starts from the root and moves towards the crown. For example, Backbends balance the heart chakra, hip openers balance the sacral chakra, and balancing poses enhance the root chakra.
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Balancing Chakras with Awareness and Lifestyle
Yoga is the best way to balance chakras, but it is not the only way. You can create a balance by living a mindful life, self-awareness, and love. Apart from yoga, chakras can be balanced through:
Mantras and sound healing
Aromatherapy
Crystals and gemstones
Colour therapy
Diet Control
