I have been practicing yoga for over 2 years now and yet I still cannot point out all the various chakras. I am so ashamed… There is a yoga teacher who commented that if you don’t know your chakras, you are not practicing yoga. Oopsy…
Seems like work has taken over most of my life. I realized that I need to do some homework – so I decided to do some research and further reading on the chakras.
What Is A Chakra?
Based on readings online, Chakras are derived from Sanskrit, which literally means “wheel” or circle and it is used to express the “subtle energy” within the human body. It is not visible by human eye but can be felt instead. (some people with healing abilities can even feel if your chakras are in alignment.) It seems like in the original Sanskrit literature, there are only 5 chakras listed but in the more recent times, there are 2 more added to the list.
7 Primary Chakras
1. Sahasrara or Crown ( Top of the head )
This chakra is connected to our consciousness, our nervous system. This is usually symbolised by a drawing of a lotus with a thousand petals. In kundalini yoga, the state of samadhi is reached when you can raise your energy up to this point… it’s the enlightenment or connection to the highest being.
2. Ajna or 3rd Eye ( Forehead )
This chakra is located at the forehead slightly above and between the eyes. In the Chinese culture, some people believed that this is the 3rd eye which when “opened” in some individuals, they can see the spirits. This is also commonly known as the mind’s eye.
3. Vishuddha or Throat
vishuddha
The thyroid gland and thymus gland in the human endocrine system is located at this chakra.
4. Anahata or Heart
This chakra is associated with the heart. Naturally, it is often associated with love, compassion, devotion, charity etc.
5. Manipura or Solar Plexis
manipura
This is the place sitting at the upper abdomen, near the navel region where all prana or energy comes from.
6. Swadhistana or Sacral
This chakra is near to the lower abdomen.
7. Muladhara or Root/Base
This chakra is located at the base of the spine.
The yoga pose to stimulate them all at once? According to Iyengar, try Chakra Bandhasana!
