What are 7chakrasin the human body? Howimportant are they for us? There are sevenchakrasor energy centers in the human body through which our vital energy orprana shaktiflows. Sometimes, these energy channels get blocked and this leads to illness and disturbances in the body’s natural processes. It is important to understand what eachchakrarepresents and what we can do to keep this energy flowing freely. This is possible when thechakrasare balanced.
How yoga helps to balance 7 chakras in the body
When achakrai.e. wheel of energy is stuck, movement can help release theprana(energy). Yoga postures are a great way to release stale or stuck energy from the body because they invite fresh, vital energy back in through poses and the breath.
The practice of yoga ultimately leads us to a state of union, which is possible when we create a state in our body where energy can flow freely from the base of the spine (the Root Chakra), through and beyond the top of the head (the Crown Chakra). When energy can flow freely through us like this, we can achieve a state of union withcosmic energy, which flows through all living things. When each chakra is unblocked, it spins like a wheel, hence the word ‘chakra’ meaning ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit.
Since yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice,yoga posesare not only exercises for your body but also your mind, emotions, and spirit, making it the perfect practice for balancing yourchakras.
The 7 chakras in the human body
Let’s explore the seven chakras in our body, how they affect the body, what imbalance does to our personality and organs, and how to set it right by balancing the chakras with yoga asanas or poses.
- Muladhara Chakra
- Swadishthana Chakra
- Manipura Chakra
- Anahata Chakra
- Vishuddhi Chakra
- Ajna Chakra
- Sahasrara Chakra
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Starting 13th August 2024
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1. Muladhara Chakra
Element:Earth
Color:Red
Mantra:LAM
Location:Base of the spine between the anus and genitals
How it affects the body:TheMuladhara Chakrainfluences the health of the bones, teeth, nails, anus, prostate, adrenals, kidneys, lower digestive functions, excretory functions, and sexual activity.
Imbalance in thechakraleads to tiredness, poor sleep,lower back pain, sciatica, constipation, depression, immune-related disorders, obesity, and eating disorders.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| ungrounded fear | a feeling of being grounded and centered |
| anger | sense of commitment and independence |
| low self-esteem | energy and vitality |
| insecurity | strength and stillness |
| obsession with comfort | ability to digest food well |
| possessiveness |
Poses that balance Muladhara chakra:Grounding-into-feet poses like
o Tadasana (The Mountain Pose)
o Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose)
o Veerabhadrasana (Warrior Pose)
o Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend)
o Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
2. Swadishthana Chakra
Element:Water
Color:Orange
Mantra:VAM
Location:Situated at the base of the pubis between the genitals and the sacral nerve plexus
How it affects the body:TheSwadishthana Chakradeals with the individual’s emotional identity, creativity, desire, pleasure and self-gratification, procreation, and personal relationships.
It governs the sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine, and autoimmune system.
An unbalancedSwadishthana Chakraleads to lower back pain,sciatica, decreased libido, pelvic pain, urinary problems, poor digestion, low resistance to infection and viruses, tiredness, hormonal imbalances, and menstrual problems.
| The behavioral impact of imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| irritability | a feeling of compassion and friendliness |
| shyness | intuitiveness |
| guilt | vitality |
| tendency to blame | sense of belonging |
| sexual obsession | good sense of humor |
| lack of creativity |
Poses that balance Swadishthana chakra: Hip opening poses like
o Standing Wide Forward Bend
o Sitting Wide Forward Bend
o Bound Angle Pose
3. Manipura Chakra
Element:Fire
Color:Yellow
Mantra:RAM
Location:At the level of the umbilicus corresponding to the gastric or solar plexus
How it affects the body:Manipura Chakradeals with a sense of belonging, mental understanding of emotions, and defines self-esteem in an individual.
It governs the effective functioning of the upper abdomen, gallbladder, liver, middle spine, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, and the stomach.
An unbalancedManipura Chakramay lead to diabetes, pancreatitis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, colon diseases, stomach ulcers, intestinal tumors, anorexia/bulimia, or low blood pressure.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| lack of self-esteem | energetic and confident nature |
| timidness | intelligence |
| sense of depression | high productivity |
| fear of rejection | improved focus |
| inability to make decisions | good digestion |
| judgmental and angry nature | |
| hostility |
Postures that balance Manipura chakra:Heat-building poses like
o Sun Salutation Pose
o Veerabhadrasana (Warrior Pose)
o Backbends likeBow Pose
o Twists likeSitting Half-spinal Twist
o Abdominal-strengthening poses likeBoat Pose
4. Anahata Chakra
Element:Air
Colors:Green or pink
Mantra:YAM
Location:On the cardiac plexus in the region of the heart
How it affects the body:Anahata Chakraaffects a person’s social identity and influences traits like trust, forgiveness, unconditional love, wisdom, compassion, and issues of the soul.
It deals with the functioning of the heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, thymus gland, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, hands.
An imbalance can cause issues related to the thoracic spine, upper back and shoulder problems, asthma, heart conditions, shallow breathing, and lung diseases.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| difficulty with love | the feeling of completeness and wholeness |
| lack of hope, compassion, and confidence | compassion |
| feeling of despair | empathy |
| mood variations | friendliness |
| optimism | |
| increased motivation | |
| outgoing nature |
Postures that balance Anahata chakra:Chest-openers like
o Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
o Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
o Matsyasana (Fish pose)
o Nadi Shodhan Pranayama(Alternate Nostril Breathing)
5. Vishuddhi Chakra
Element:Sound or Ether
Color:Blue
Mantra:HAM
Location:On the level of the throat, the nerve plexus of the pharynx region
How it affects the body:Vishuddhi Chakradeals with personality traits like communication, creativity, faith, truthfulness, self-awareness, and expression.
It governs the throat, the thyroid, and parathyroid gland, trachea, cervical vertebrae, vocal cords, neck and shoulders, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth, and gums.
An unbalancedVishuddhi Chakracauses thyroid dysfunctions, sore throat, stiff neck, mouth ulcers, gum or tooth problems, laryngitis, and hearing problems.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| shaken faith | Increased creativity and expressiveness |
| indecisiveness | effective communication skills |
| weak will-power | contentedness |
| lack of expressiveness | good listening abilities |
| lack of creativity | |
| proneness to addictions |
Postures that balance Vishuddhi chakra:
o Matsyasana (Fish pose)
o Marjariasana (Cat Stretch)
o Neck stretches likeBalasanaand SupportedShoulder Stand
o Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
o Halasana (Plow Pose)
6. Ajna Chakra
Element:Light
Colors:Indigo
Mantra:AUM or OM
Location:Between the eyebrows (third eye)
How it affects the body:Ajna Chakradeals with self-awareness, wisdom, intellect, clairvoyance, implementation of ideas, detachment, insight, understanding, and intuitive reasoning.
It governs the functions of the brain, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary gland, pineal glands, and the neurological system. Any imbalance could lead to headaches, nightmares, eyestrain, learning disabilities, panic, depression, blindness, deafness, seizures, or spinal dysfunctions.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| poor judgment | clear thinking |
| confusion | healthy imagination |
| fear of truth | strong intuition power |
| indiscipline | good concentration |
| concentration issues | improved focus |
| proneness to addictions |
Postures that balance Ajna chakra:
o Shishuasana (Child Pose)
o Meditation
o Eye exerciseslike palming the eyes and rotational viewing
7. Sahasrara Chakra
Element:Conscience
Colors:Violet or White
Mantra:Silence
Location:Crown of the head
How it affects the body:Sahasrara Chakrainfluences intuitive knowledge, connection to spirituality, integration of mind-body-spirit, and conscious awareness.
It governs the center of the head and midline above the ears, brain, nervous system, and the pineal gland.
An imbalance in theSahasrara Chakracauses chronic exhaustion and sensitivity to light and sound.
| The behavioral impact of the imbalance: | Traits of a balancedchakra: |
| lack of purpose | a feeling of oneness with the universe |
| identity crisis | open-mindedness |
| disbelief in any spiritual practices, or devotion | intelligence |
| lack of inspiration | thoughtfulness |
| sense of fear | receptivity to thoughts and ideas |
| materialistic nature | an overall harmonious personality |
Postures that balance Sahasrara chakra:
o Balancing poses likeTree Posethat bring awareness to the body
oYoga Mudra
Imbalance is a part of life, however, regular practice of yoga asanas will help you balance your chakras, enabling you to live a fulfilled, contented, and happy life in the pink of health!
You can watch a video on the purification of chakras by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
FAQs on seven chakras and what they do
The seven chakras are – Muladhara Chakra, Swadishthan Chakra, Manipura Chakra, Anahata Chakra, Vishuddhi Chakra, Ajna Chakra, Sahasrara Chakra. Balance of each of these chakras induce unique benefits.
Practice Hari Om meditation, a20-minute guided meditationfor balancing chakras. For a specific chkara, use the tables in this article to know which of your chakras are blocked. Then practice the specific yoga poses that can help you unblock the chakra. Also tend to the problem which is causing a block in the chakra: Take relevant medical professional help.
Whenever a person is extremely focused, and if they are doing their task with utmost dedication and concentration, then their third eye activates, specifically for that aspect of their life. It also works in reverse. If a person is meditating or doing other practices to activate their third eye, they are seen to experience increased focus and concentration in the tasks that they are dedicated to.
Check the symptoms of imbalance in this article and see which chakra is out of balance.
When you are extremely focused, your third eye is automatically activated.
Yoga helps unblock chakras and nadi, subtle energy centers and channels.
- Chakras
- Meditation
