What are Chakras?
In Sanskrit, Chakra means "wheel". There are seven Chakras in our body located at strategic locations and work as energy centers for our body.
The chakra system originated between 1500 and 500 BC, in India.
The chakra system was not generally recognized by the eastern part of the world until new age authors began to write about the subject, bringing the ancient text into a new age light.
The 7 Chakras are:
- Root,
- Sacral,
- Solar,
- Heart,
- Throat,
- Third eye,
- and crown.
1. The Root Chakra (or Kundalini Chakra or Muladhara) is the first Chakra.
It is the most physical of all of the chakras. Any activity that puts you in tune with your own body will strengthen this chakra.
Activities such as yoga, martial arts, walking and sports all contribute in a positive way to this chakra.
Everyday activities also contribute to this chakra, such as scrubbing floors, running a vacuum, raking leaves, essentially anything physical.
Who Can Benefit From The Root Chakra?
That is very simple, everyone. The name “root chakra” is fairly self-explanatory; it implies grounding oneself to the ground.
There is validity in the sayings, “standing on firm ground” and “getting on your feet again”.
The term “swept off your feet” seems pretty harmless, but think about it and what that would actually mean.
You would be losing ground, no longer firmly planted, and if your feet are swept from under you, then one would assume you have fallen.
A strong root chakra will make you feel more secure and give you the confidence that your feet are indeed firmly planted on the ground.
The root chakra is the essential feeling of being secure and on solid ground and contributes to such factors as financial security and solid emotional state of mind.
The root chakra point on your body is located at the base of the spine, in the tailbone area.
1. Root Chakra
Location: Base of the spine
Endocrine Gland: Adrenals
Purpose: Controls physical energies
Color: Red
How to strengthen the Root Chakra: Eat a balanced diet, drink more water, do regular aerobic exercise.
2. The Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana Chakra) Is the Second Chakra
It contributes to a good emotional state of well-being and can create an overall happiness and enthusiasm for life.
If the sacral chakra is out of balance it can seem as though everyone is out of touch, and at a distance even when within touching range.
The sacral chakra is the center of the sexual senses and can cause insecurity and create the appearance of being needy when not in the proper alignment.
The sacral chakra is located in your lower abdomen, approximately 2 inches below your navel.
I'm sure the saying “dance like no one is watching” sounds familiar, and it could improve the well-being of the sacral chakra.
Dance alone, or with friends, and move hips freely, this is a great form of exercise for the entire body, and especially the sacral.
2. Sacral Chakra
Location: Abdomen
Endocrine Gland: Gonads
Purpose: Controls emotions, creativity and senses
Color: Orange
How to strengthen the Sacral Chakra: Eat low-glycemic foods, practice yoga, do swimming
3. The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra or Navel Chakra)
It is the 3rd chakra and is the center of self-esteem, self-discipline, and will power.
If the solar plexus chakra is out of balance it can create sudden outbursts and uncontrolled rages.
Think of the phrase, “take deep breaths”, obviously this originates from within the solar plexus.
When the solar plexus chakra is in perfect balance, there is peace, harmony, and most of all control.
Most people do not breathe deep enough, and learning to change that habit will be helpful to all the body to relax and actually let it go.
If you are unsure how deep you are breathing, there are small plastic devices available that you breathe normally into and observe the rise and fall of the indicated.
So, relax, take deep breaths, and start to practice chakra.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra
Location: Solar or gastric plexus
Endocrine Gland: Pancreas
Purpose: Controls personal power, self esteem and mental activities
Color: Yellow
How to strengthen the Solar Plexus Chakra: Consume more healthy fat (omega-3s), eat small meals throughout the day, do regular exercise
4. The Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) is The 4th Chakra
When the heart chakra is in balance it is as if the heart is open.
The heart chakra located in the area of the heart and is responsible for love, good feelings, and also controls the lungs and lymphatic system.
When the heart chakra is in balance, the good things, such as love and happiness around are free to enter.
4. Heart Chakra
Location: In the heart region between the breasts.
Endocrine Gland: Heart
Purpose: Promoting love and relationships
Color: Gold, pink, green
How to strengthen the Heart Chakra: Do walking, eat low fat diet, control your lipid levels.
5. The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra) Is the 5th Chakra and Is Located In the Area of the Throat
It holds the responsibility of being the voice for the entire body.
The term “speak your mind” insinuates one should say what they think and feel.
When the throat chakra is in a healthy balance, the voice can be spoken, heard, and appreciated.
When out of balance it may create a sense of being unheard and unnoticed.
5. Throat Chakra
Location: Throat
Endocrine Gland: Thyroid
Purpose: For good expression and communication
Color: Blue
How to strengthen the Throat Chakra: Eat healthy, listen to soft and calming music, exercise daily
6. The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) Is the 6th Chakra
The 3rd eye chakra may be referred to as the most mystical of all of the chakras.
Located in the area of the third eye, or the center of the forehead, this chakra is responsible for intuition, first impressions and seeing what is beyond the obvious directly in the path ahead.
Most know the saying, “have to see it to believe it”, this chakra would prefer the saying to be “have to believe it to see it”.
6. Third Eye Chakra
Location: Forehead
Endocrine Gland: Pituitary
Purpose: Clear vision and perception
Color: Purple
How to strengthen the Third Eye Chakra: Imagine how do you want to look like and act accordingly, consume red meat over fish
7. The 7th Chakra Is the Crown Chakra(Sahasrara Chakra), Which Is Located In the Crown Area of the Head
“An open mind” represents this chakra.
Imagine sitting and quietly allowing the crown of the head to open up to the world around it.
Listening to music or taking a walk to consume the natural soundings into the mind can create balance in the crown chakra.
7. Crown Chakra
Location: Top of head
Endocrine Gland: Pineal
Purpose: Linked to spirituality
Color: White
How to strengthen the Crown Chakra: Do meditation and exercise regularly
There are 7 actual chakras, although additional extensions may play off of these seven.
The actual 7 chakras cover the entire body, head to toe, explaining why in fact there are 7 actual chakras.
Chakras are essentially energy hubs. The human body is a complex energy form itself and consists of channels, which send vital energy throughout the entire body.
The root chakra would be considered the base of the chakras just as a tree cannot survive without healthy roots, it is Imperative that the root chakra is healthy and solid.
All 7 chakras need to be recognized and nurtured to reach their full potential. These 7 healthy and well-balanced chakras make for a healthy and happy body.
During the last century, the idea of the chakras and subtle energy has fascinated the western world more than any other form of yoga teachings.
The chakra of the body runs along the spine and comes from the feet, the root chakra, to the top of the head, the crown chakra.
The overall health of the body is fully connected to each person's chakra, it is all about being in balance. When a chakra is practiced it should help to allow acceptance of the body, soul, and mind as it is.
There is some mention regarding chakras as being somewhat like the physical center of the brain. Most of the eastern world today would refer to the chakras as yoga.
The ultimate goal of yoga is to rise above nature and experience pure consciousness. This allows the body to free itself of thought and to solely meditate.
The definition of the word yoga is Union, or yoke, indicating the reality of consciousness must regenerate within mature to achieve a higher synthesis.
If you are ready to practice charms techniques, start simple.
Remember that it is mainly about getting in touch with the mind, body, and soul.
- Choose a quiet area, no distractions.
- Allow the body to rest on the pelvis and let your weight distribute equally. Eyes closed, mind open and feet on the ground.
- Take a few deep breaths and relax. With one thought send a root from the sole of each foot into the ground.
- Continuing to take slow, deep breaths, now send your energy from the spine into the ground.
- If there are negative thoughts and feelings, allow them to go through the feet, the root chakra, and into the ground, and earth.
- Keep in mind the earth can handle anything, it will not crumble, or collapse, and can easily absorb the negative energy.
There are several ways to begin practicing the art of chakra.
A person that is an avid chakra expert and practices regularly will be in complete control of their mind, body, soul, and spirit.
They not only breathe deeper, taking in positive energy and elements, they can actually think on a deeper level, being in touch with all surroundings.