The Chakra System is an ancient body map that details seven primary energy centers that work to balance your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual power. It originated with ancient Indian holy men and seers, or rishis, who studied unseen energies found in humans. According to David Pond, yoga teacher and author of "Chakras for Beginners: A Guide to Balancing Your Chakra Energies," the chakras are wheels of energy positioned from the sacrum to the tip of the head.
Definition
Chakra comes from the ancient Indian language called Sanskrit. Chakra translates to mean "wheel" or "turning" and these energy centers are compared to a force that moves through all life, including your body, according to "A Handook for Chakra Healing." The seven principal chakras are: Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, and Crown Chakra.
Chakra Associations
Each chakra is positioned along the spine from the tailbone to the crown of the head and is associated with central themes or mental functions, says Kalashatra Govinda, author of "A Handbook of Chakra Healing." The Root chakra is located at the base of the tailbone and its psychological functions are survival, stability and security. The Sacral chakra is located in the pelvis area and its psychological functions are pleasure, freedom and emotions. The Solar Plexus chakra is located near the navel and its psychological functions are willpower, self-confidence and personal power. The Heart chakra is located at the heart center and its psychological functions match its name; love, compassion and openness. The Throat chakra is located at the throat and its psychological functions are communication, self-expression and creativity. The Third Eye chakra is located at the forehead center and its psychological functions are intuition, perception and realization. The Crown chakra is located at the crown of the head and its psychological functions are connection to spirituality, awareness and knowledge.
Chakra Glands
The chakras correspond with the endocrine gland system and the meaning of each chakra is closely linked to the function of its matching gland, according to Pond. The Root Chakra's associated glands are the adrenals, which are responsible for your "fight, flight or freeze" trigger. The sacral chakra's associated glands are the gonads, the reproduction gland. The Solar Plexus' associated gland is the pancreas, the gland responsible for digestion. The Heart Chakra's associated gland is the thymus, the gland that produces cells for the immune system. The Throat Chakra's associated gland is the thyroid, the gland that controls metabolism. The Third Eye chakra's associated gland is the pituitary, the major endocrine gland that controls growth and healthy development. The Crown chakra's associated gland is the pineal, the gland that controls mood
Chakra Work
Classical yoga poses relate to the chakras and are one of the techniques used in Chakra work, says Govinda. Certain yoga poses work to stimulate the specific gland area associated with each chakra, and in doing so, activate the chakra and work to relieve energy blockages. According to Govinda, Chakra yoga combines traditional yoga poses with spiritual development and the benefits include: "strengthened immune and circulate systems, healthier organs, inner peace and tranquility, and spiritual clarity."
Example Yoga Poses
Each of the seven chakras have correlating yoga poses. For example, a deep squat, a yoga pose where your feet are the width of your yoga mat with your toes turned out at a 45 degree angle and you been your knees as your squat your pelvis in between your knees, is a posture associated with the Root chakra because the body weight is moving toward the sacrum. Another example is Lion Pose, the yoga pose that corresponds to the throat chakra. You kneel with your knees together and sit your hips back onto your feet. Straighten your arms and bring your hands to the top of your knees. Elongate your spine as your inhale through your nose. Exhale through your mouth and let your tongue extend out and down toward your chin while making the sound of a lion, 'ha'. Close your mouth and repeat the pose two times. Lion Pose cleanses your throat chakra while toning your throat muscles.
References
- "Chakras for Beginners: A Guide to Balancing Your Chakra Energies"; David Pond; 2009
- "A Handbook of Chakra Healing"; Kalashatra Govinda; 2002
- Endocrine Web: An Overview of the Adrenal Glands
- Dictionary: gonad
Member Comments