CHAKRAS
by Victoria Andrews
The energy that pulses through our chakras is always rising and returning.
What are they? What do they represent?
How can we connect with them?
The word “chakra” (hard ch) originated from the Sanskrit “ċakra”, meaning wheel or circle. These points of “turning” energy were felt at sites of connection with the body on a deeper level.
Our understanding of these ancient energies has evolved to include more scientific origins for their placements.
As our attitude shifts towards the acceptance of the working human body functioning as more of a complete whole, we can begin to understand the energetic balancing effect that each chakra has on contributing to the health of our entire system.
The Root Chakra - Muladhara मूलाधारा
Represented by our Kidney (adrenals) & Bladder meridians, this energy is rooted in the myofascial pathways associated with the Water element: that which nourishes and sustains our foundation.
Our Water element includes blood (Kidneys), and urine (Bladder), as well as the nervous system along the entire back-body channel. The paired pathways of Kidney (Yin) & Bladder (Yang) mirror for us the importance of remaining grounded and steady.
We can call on this support during postures where we are balancing on one leg, or working with an awareness of our feet; the Kidney meridians begin in the soles of the feet, and support the entire inner leg channel up to the collarbones. The Bladder sinew (fascia) starts in the inner corners of the eyes, and spreads up over the crown of the head and down to the base of the skull before traveling down the entire back-body, including the backs of the legs (hamstrings) and the achilles tendons. It ends in the little toes.
In TCM, the Water element corresponds with the Winter season. When the weather cools, we prioritize a focus on our body’s inner landscape, nurturing our own delicate roots. Just as nature is reflecting for us the importance of rest and hibernation, we can redirect our awareness to focus more on foundational asanas that help build our Yin and support this inner wellspring of energy.
Key Asanas:
Halasana - Plow, Malasana - Lotus Squat, Uttanasana - Forward Fold, Janushirasana & Dandayama Janushirasana - Head-to-Knee & Standing Head-to-Knee*
*Many of the Asanas in the traditional Hot Yoga sequence were developed to harness and balance an awareness of these myofascial organ pathways
The Sacral Chakra - Svadhisthana स्वाधिष्ठान
Svadhisthana: “ones own dwelling place”. The energy of this chakra corresponds with our sense of self and being in the World: what we engage and interact with to determine who we will become. It is also connected to sustenance of life: what we read, how we eat, the ways in which we nourish and support ourselves…
The element associated with Svadhisthana is Earth - the most centering of all the qualities. The chapter is Late Summer, the time just before the seasons change. The organs paired with this chakra are Stomach and Spleen - our digestive system. These pathways travel down the front-body (Stomach Yang) and rise up from the inner arches of the feet to the side ribs (Spleen Yin).
The energy of lifting ourselves up to stand tall through an awareness of our center is an essence that is cultivated through the integrity of our Spleen Qi, and the strength of this chakra.
Our Spleen is the organ actively involved in helping our Kidneys build our blood. This energy is akin to the treasurer keeping track of the precious gold to be forged into a crown fit for the Heart. There is an archetype for each of the Yin organs, as they all work together to support the healthy functioning of the kingdom:
Our Kidneys are Zhi - our will to survive. Our Spleen is Yi - our intellect/discrimination as it nourishes and sustains life. Our Liver is Hun - the creative force and drive that allows for growth and upward/outward expansion. Our Heart is Shen - the ultimate source of wisdom and truth, and our Lungs are Po - the soul said to pass with us in our final breath, when our spirit is ready to depart.
Our Sacral Chakra is paired with our Throat Chakra in the Physical Axis of the body. We effectively transform ourselves through what we eat, and how we breathe… Food and Prana.
Key Asanas: Dandayama Dhanurasana (Standing Bow), Hanumanasana (Front-Back Splits), Ustrasana (Camel), Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)
The Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura मणिपूर
The term “Solar Plexus” is derived from the appearance of the bundle of nerves that “radiates” from the celiac plexus.
In the Meridian system, the energy that courses through the entire myofascial network of pathways begins in the Solar Plexus. It is at this site where our breath (Prana) connects with Samana Vayu - the spiral of energy within the navel - to balance Apana Vayu: the downward and outward motion of energy.
Vedic philosophy describes Prana flowing through the “nadis” or channels. The Eastern Meridian System follows a similar thread of thought; energy palpates along these lines (which we now can map as fascia), in an extra-cellular matrix carrying our nerves, blood vessels, and providing a passage for lymph to flow. Our diaphragm acts as the “pump” to move our breath (Prana), allowing for the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the entire body.
The element of the Manipura chakra is Wood - the sense of upward growth and expansion, helping us establish ourselves in the World. This element corresponds with the seasonal cycle of Spring, the spirit of rejuvenation, and the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.
Our Liver is the organ involved in cleansing and preparing our body for a lighter time of year. It is our largest organ, located on the right side of our body. It rules over our entire myofascial network by regulating the smooth flow of blood. As our diaphragm attaches to our Liver, it is very important to emphasize exhalation, working constructively with our breath to release any blockages related to the constriction of our diaphragm by our Liver.
In the asanas, we practice engaging Prana by harnessing bandhas - energy locks - as a way to further support our body’s foundation. The main bandha associated with Manipura is “Uddiyana bandha”. Focusing our attention on an exhale and contracting this bandha builds a more powerful asana practice. Uddiyana bandha is very useful in arm-balancing and inverted poses; we concentrate our power in our center, lifting up to make our legs and feet feel light.
The Heart Chakra - Anahata अनाहत
Our Heart chakra is the point of balance between our upper and lower chakras. There are 7 chakras in total. Our three lower and three upper chakras are paired: Root - Crown, Sacral - Throat, and Solar Plexus - Third Eye. Our Heart chakra has no pair. Instead, it is the duty of our heart to connect with a source that is itself… When we relinquish the dualistic view of life, we begin to rise into a state of untethered and boundless joy, serenity, and contentment.
The name Anahata is defined as the “unstruck” sound: “a sound produced without touching two parts”. This chakra is depicted as a lotus with twelve petals, corresponding with the Sanskrit syllables for the vrittis- twelve divine qualities of the heart. When we live a heart-centered way of life, we approach situations with our truest source of wisdom. This is the spirit known as “Shen” 神.
Heart energy is “Yin within Yang”, a receptive energy nestled inside the most outwardly-expansive time of year. The season of our heart is the Summertime, and the element is fire. Transformation. It can be very powerful to center our energy in our heart while we practice asana or meditation.
Have you ever noticed how the best inspiration is always illuminated by the heart? We touch our hearts to convey understanding, we connect with one another and begin to notice that we are all a collective part of existence within a shared reality. The power of Anahata is in beginning to look inside of ourselves for the answers, and realizing that true and permanent bliss is not found from anything outside of ourselves. It is always within.
Deep backward-bending and arm-balancing are the main ways to explore our heart’s energy in asana practice. The meridians of this chakra include not only our Heart (Yin) connective tissue, but also the paired Small Intestine (Yang) pathway, Pericardium (Yin), and Triple Burner/Sanjiao pathways (Yang). These lines act as support for our heart on all sides, and connect our fingers and wrists from our inner and outer arms to our shoulder blades.
The Throat Chakra - Vishuddha विशुद्ध
The Vishuddha chakra is the upper octave of the Svadhistana chakra, encompassing the other half of the Physical Axis of the body. It relates to the element of Metal, the season of the Fall, and our Lung and Large Intestine meridians.
In seasonal transformation, our Throat Chakra is represented by the emotions of sadness, grief, and “letting go”. The Lungs connect us with our exhale, whereas our Kidney essence - drawing up from our roots - represents our inhalation. The Vishuddha is the area dealing with the energy of purification- our Lungs purify the air that we breathe, and our Large Intestine eliminates solid wastes from our body. Jalandhara Bandha - the neck lock - is a great way to connect with the sensation of concentrating energy at the base of the throat.
It can be very transformative to lengthen the Lung and Large Intestine meridians before practicing Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). The Lung (Yin) fascia begins in the lungs before stretching down into the thumbs. Our Large Intestine (Yang) pathway begins in the index fingers and travels up the top of each arm and side of the neck before crossing over the upper lip into the opposite nostril. The stretch of our lung tissue helps connect us with our brachial plexus- the collection of nerves serving our shoulders, forearms, chest, arms, and hands- as well as opening our thoracic lymph pathways through our neck and shoulders.
Postures such as Dhanurasana - Bow Pose - greatly affect our Lung tissue. In any prone posture, imagine relying on the lift of the lungs expanding into the chest to go higher into the posture. It can help to bring a greater sense of awareness to the role our arm muscle and this fascia plays in going deeper. Squeezing the arms as we lengthen them (imagine engaging the strong back-body and backs of the arms more than the fronts of the legs) can help us lift our chest and legs higher. It should feel like an equal effort to pull against the feet/ankles and lift the toes up towards the ceiling.
The Third-Eye Chakra - Ajna आज्ञा
Ajna represents the meeting of the Ida & Pingala, Yin & Yang, Moon & Sun.
The pairing of our Third Eye - Ajna - chakra with our Manipura chakra represents our ability to receive insights and inspiration, and constructively channel that energy through our unique creative drive and sense of expression.
Ajna chakra is located behind the center of the eyebrows. Keeping an inward gaze at this placement helps us meditate on the two separate sides of our body- Yin & Yang. We can also practice a mudra with our tongue placed on the roof of our mouth to experience the central balancing effects of the left & right | lunar & solar sides of our body. A great way to remember which is which is that our Heart (a Yin organ) sits more closely to the left- left is Yin.
Some Yogic scholars and masters regard Ajna chakra with a correlation to our Pineal gland, which was, according to 17th-century philosopher and scientist Descartes, “the principal seat of the soul and the place in which all thoughts are formed”.
Sometimes, while meditating, we will notice an indigo apparition that is known as “the blue dot”, or “the blue pearl” phenomenon, which may be a way for us to experience the true source and nature of the Self… What are your thoughts? Where does inspiration come from, anyway? The sky, the stars… We are all a part of it.
Key Asanas: Sukhasana (Seated Meditation/Easy Seat with gaze directed at the Third Eye), Balasana (Child’s Pose with forehead on the floor or a block), Prasarita Padottonasana (Wide-Legged Forward Fold with forehead on the floor)
The Crown Chakra - Sahasrara सहस्रार
The Thousand-Petaled Lotus, our Crown Chakra - Sahasrara - is the most subtle of all the chakras. Originating at the crown of our head, it is most easily accessed and stimulated through the practice of Śirsasana (headstand).
Said to illuminate us to the true nature of all of reality, the Yogi who attains the state of Samadhi through connection with the Crown chakra has allowed consciousness to rise up through all of the chakras and permeate the top of the head.
The Shushumna, the great central channel located deep in the body between Ida & Pingala Nadis, corresponds with the Governing Vessel (GV), one of the Extraordinary Meridians. Governing Vessel 20, an acu-point on the top of the head, falls along this channel, where the sagittal suture forms upon the closure of our posterior fontanelle. It is at this point that we balance on our head for Śirsasana.
To locate this point, place your thumbs on the upper cartilage of your ears, and bring your index fingers up over the top of your head. Where your two fingers meet is the place where you want to find balance. To work your way into the fullest expression of this pose, begin with the assistance of a wall, or work on strengthening foundational support through your forearms to cultivate a deeper sense of rooted awareness. Maintain a focused Dristi (gaze).
Our Root-Crown chakra pairing emphasizes the idea of “as above, so below”. With Sahasrara chakra, we are dealing with very subtle energies that are closely related to the nervous system and spine. The foundational integrity of a healthy and regulated nervous system allows us to begin to sense and experience the more subtle energetics that flow through all of life… It can be as simple as allowing more space for the practice of sensory focus & withdrawal (Dharana/Dhyana) to allow for felt experiences on our mat to move us towards something more meaningful. It is within these bliss-filled moments that we discover and awaken to our divine interconnection with the entire Universe.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
and Eternity in an hour.
- William Blake
It is important to remember that one chakra or “the upper chakras” are not the ultimate goal to obtain. It is a misconception that if you stay in your “lower chakras”, then you will never develop as a human being. People spend all their life trying to relinquish the root chakra or something when we think like that.
Energy is always rising and returning through all of the chakras over the course of each day, each season, and even within an asana practice… The metaphor of the chakras is really more about finding harmony and balance.
Our body is always aligning with seasonal cycles of transformation. When we practice with a deeper sense of awareness and connection to our chakras, we are naturally invited to explore the true meaning of Yoga.
