The Seven Chakras

‘Chakra’ means a wheel. The seven chakras described below are wheels radiating energy, located at vital centres along the spine. They pick up cosmic vibrations and distribute them throughout the body in the nadis. The chakra’s are connected through an energetic channel that runs in a vertical line through the midline of the body which is called sushumna. The two separate channels which regulate the yin- and yang- energy, ida and pingala, circle around the chakras in the shape of an eight. These channels are a part of of thousands of others psychic channels called nadi’s. Ida and pingala respectively represent the moon- and sun-aspect, the female and male in ourselves, the inner gods Shiva and Shakti.

ROO

T CHAKRA - MULADHARA

The root chakra is situated around the base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It symbolises our sense of safety, stability and survival. The downward power of this chakra is directed towards the earth with its grounding and stabilising character. Through grounding we can let go of upsetting emotions and channel and release them to achieve stability with which we can better regulate our sensitivity. A firm vitality symbolises the yin element of the root chakra. Yin and yang are the example of how one power balances the other and vice versa. The mutual attraction of these polarities cause movement. As we move up along the chakras we will recognise the balance of the yin and yang between all of the wheels.

Practising full yogic breathing can help connecting with the root chakra. But also a grounding meditation, resting and sleeping stimulate this calm chakra.

SACRAL CHAKRA - SVADHISTHANA

Change is what characterises the sacral chakra. The simplicity of the root chakra moves into duality, the solid becomes fluid and the stillness becomes movement. The solid earth transforms into water and teaches us to be fluid. This chakra is seen as the centre of sexuality, emotions, impulses, movement and creativity. It is linked to the moon, which pulses in a dualistic rhythmical way towards and away from the oceans. ‘Svad’ means sweet relating to the sweetness of pleasure and taste to which this chakra is linked.

To stimulate the second chakra most of the movements are related to the hips and the lower abdomen, which is where it sits. For the whole body an exercise could be to give a loving touch and attention, which could be a massage, a warm bath, a shower, basically anything related to water. 

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA - MANIPURA

Fire transforms matter into heat and light. It changes the immobile earth and the constantly moving water into action, energy and power. The energy in the root and the sacral chakra moves downwards. But the energy in the solar plexus chakra moves up, destroys forms and gives energy to a new dimension. Fire has a radiating, active, yang character. It allows us to break through old patterns so we can focus on what we actually love, what inspires us and what challenges us. As our sense of self gains a new depth the challenge at this level is overcoming the resistance of both silence and movement, of earth and water, of the root chakra and the sacral chakra. The solar plexus chakra regulates the digestive system and thus, is responsible for the regulation of the energy derived from food throughout the whole body. 

One of the first things you can do to stimulate this chakra is breaking out of your regular patterns, wake up early if you’re usually late, sit still if you’re always out exercising, switch it up. It is all about overcoming the resistance that comes with it. You can also use the breath of fire, a fast diaphragm breathing, meant to release toxins from the body and activate Kundalini. In fact anything that makes the energy move faster through the body is good for the solar plexus chakra.

HEART CHAKRA - ANAHATA

The heart chakra is a yin chakra which challenges us to replace our actions for acceptance. It is the centre of love, the love we feel at the level of this chakra is different than the more sexual and passionate love of the sacral chakra. At this chakra love is rather a state of being in which one is able to find love in anything she or he encounters. Its element air is connected to love, simplicity, touch and softness. If we look at the elements of the chakras we see that water sinks to the bottom, earth keeps its form, fire moves up and needs fuel to burn, but air spreads. As the air of this chakra spreads, it spreads its love and acceptance. 

The realisation of the heart chakra is the joyful acceptance of the perfection of the here and now which prepares us to be open and receive. We need al our chakras to be able to develop and maintain love, we have to be ready to feel, to communicate, to preserve our autonomy and power, to keep distance and to understand. But most importantly we need to relax and allow things to happen.

To stimulate the heart chakra and its element air, you can practise various breathing techniques. The full yogic breath, the breath of fire, the alternate nostril breath all suffice. In a yoga practice you can work on heart openers such as anahatasana, urdhva dhanurasana, or simply lying down with a pillow or block underneath the upper back. 

THROAT CHAKRA - VISHUDDHA

The centre of sound, vibration and self expression. Where through dynamic creativity old ideas are transformed into new ones. At the level of this chakra we let go of the calm yin stage of balance that we developed and get into a yang state full of joyful and creative self-expression. 

A way to stimulate the throat chakra is by remaining silent for a while to listen better to the mind, connect to the higher consciousness and get to a point where you are able to communicate better. Sometimes the neck gets tight because the throat chakra is blocked, to release this tightness and get the energy moving you could simply roll your head and stretch neck. In your yoga practice you can integrate poses as a shoulder stand, plough pose or fish pose. 

THIRD EYE CHAKRA - AJNA

The essence of the third eye chakra is to accept the darkness as much as the light in order to perceive all the visual information without any judgement. ‘Ajna’ means to perceive in Hindu but also to control. If we develop our ability to observe we will become better at giving direction in our life because we are able to project our visualisations. Representing the intellectual body it increases our understanding. Now more intellectually alert the speech becomes distinct, clear and fluent. 

In our meditation we can focus on the third eye which is situated right between our eyebrows to stimulate this chakra. Doing visualisations can be an effective practice as well, the more we visualise our dreams the more specific they become and after developing this skill slowly you will start realising your visualisations.

CROWN CHAKRA - SAHASRARA

Located at the top of the head it is considered to be the chakra of consciousness. If we want to develop our consciousness we need to know where our attention is going. When we become aware of our attention we can expand or concentrate it. Becoming one with the infinite as is done at this level requires a regular practice of meditation. Meditation is the key to self-realisation at a spiritual and physical level. 

To stimulate this chakra you can integrate a head stand into your yoga practice. Following your thoughts and picking one after which you ask yourself where it came from and which thoughts came before that can get you to the core of your thoughts. It relate to something that happened to you years ago which is still bothering you somehow. Discover how much of what happened to you determines your thought patterns today. 

Sources: Judith, A. 1999. Wheels of Life: A User’s Guide to the Chakra System. Llewellyn Publications,U.S. Iyengar, B.K.S. 2013. Light On Pranayama. Thorsons, London.