Chakras

Samy Bee
Apr 6, 2021
7 min read

Chakra, in Sanskrit, means "wheel" or "wheel spiral", and refers to the seven significant energy areas in the human body. Sanskrit is a classical language of South Asia. It is not commonly spoken today, but there are still some regions that use the language.

There are seven main chakras:

• Crown - White or Violet

• Third Eye - Indigo

• Throat - Blue

• Heart - Green

• Solar Plexus - Yellow

• Sacral - Orange

• Root - Red

Chakras are believed to be spirals of energy that run along the spine to the crown of the head and affect the entire body such as nerves, organs, emotions, physical well-being, and our energies. Each chakra refers to a specific place, organ, and nerves in the body and has its own colour relating to a specific area of the body. Colours associated with the chakra was conceived in the 1970's. The idea was that if we can see the colours of the rainbow, then associating those colours with the energies of our bodies makes it more visual. Chakras, or energies, may become blocked or unfocused, which may cause physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. There are known ways to help keep these chakras and energies clear and balanced, such as yoga and meditation.

Let's begin by looking at each chakra:

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara - Sanskrit) is located at the crown of the head. It is said to hold power over the body and connect with intuition energy. Connecting with brain glands, this body of energy controls how we associate an understanding and connection with spiritual energies. The brain contains three glands: Pituitary, Hypothalamus, and Pineal. A gland is an organ that produces and releases important substances for the body to function properly. There are two types of glands: Endocrine and Adrenal. Endocrine glands create and use hormones to monitor the body to ensure it is functioning properly by communicating with other endocrine glands. Adrenal glands produce hormones and send them into the bloodstream to keep your body functioning properly.

• The pituitary gland creates hormones based on information on what the body is telling it.

• The hypothalamus gland tells your pituitary gland what to do based on information it collects from the body.

• The pineal gland creates a chemical called Melatonin, which tells your body when to sleep.

So, now we know what glands are, how many are in the brain, and what they do for us. Pretty important, right? Understanding the functions of the brain will help you understand why the crown chakra is so important to keep those energies clear and open. Properly functioning glands affect your entire body and mind. Having healthy glands will help you get a better nights sleep, balance your hormones (which affect EVERYTHING in your beautiful body), and help you process food better. Healthy glands = a healthy you! So how does this relate to the chakra? The better you feel, the easier it is to focus on subtle energies in and around you. Being able to hear the universe's signs allow us to better understand our life's purpose. Understanding our life's purpose will help guide us through life and all of its challenges, as well as helping you fulfill your purpose. Whether you believe in having a life purpose, or your not sure what it is yet, it's still helpful to have that intuition and guidance throughout life.

Yoga pose: Savasana

Savasana is a resting and relaxation pose. It helps to clear your mind, slow your breath, and to simply just "be", allowing ourselves to focus internally on how and what we are feeling. Lay on a comfortable object such as a yoga mat or bed. Legs stretched out, arms by your sides, palms facing up for receiving energies that may serve us. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth. I like to breath in and out of my mouth, so just do what feels most relaxing to you. Quiet your mind and keep your mind clear. Lay here as long as you feel. When you are ready, bring your mind back to your surroundings. Begin to wiggle your fingers and toes. Slowly blink your eyes open and allow the energies you just invited into your body to serve you for the rest of the day or evening, or as long as they stay within you!

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Located between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra opens our mind to allow us to manifest and dream of all our potential, possibilities, and most importantly, connects us to our intuition. Focusing on this chakra opens our psychic abilities. It is important to stay open with our mind to allow sensitivity to our guides and ultimate purpose or goals. Creativity and imagination is important for experiencing the fullness of life. It allows us to be our own unique selves and do what serves us best.

Yoga pose: Attention Pose with hands at third eye center

To stand at attention pose, stand with both feet hips width apart or together. Straighten your back and gaze forward. Place your palms together into "prayer" and bring them to your forehead and focus on your third eye with your eyes closed, and your mind open.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddhi)

This chakra is located at the throat area on your neck and focuses on your truth and what you hear. Communicating truthfully and calmly is essential for having a balanced and happy life. By carefully choosing your words and how you speak them, you will be more in line with your true self and bring you to your higher self. Hearing and truly listening to nature and what other humans have to say will allow you to expand your knowledge and help you strengthen your mind. Having a strong mind means having a strong spirit, and a strong spirit will lift you up and enrich your life!

Exercise: Neck Stretching

Begin by sitting or standing in a comfortable position, posture tall and upright. Gently tilt your head to the right and very gently place your right hand on your neck to allow for a soft stretch. Hold for 20 seconds. Slowly release your hand and repeat on the opposite side, with tilting your head to the left and using your left hand to provide an additional stretch to lengthen your neck muscles. Remember to only go as far as you are comfortable with. This is meant to be more of a subtle stretch as opposed to deep. Never should you feel any sort of discomfort or pain.

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Location is where you guessed - the heart! Representing and symbolizing love, peace, and compassion. This chakra is connected to two glands: Thymus and Lymph. The thymus gland is responsible for producing a white blood cell called T-lymphocyte. These blood cells are responsible for keeping you healthy by fighting off free radicals and other harmful molecules. Lymph nodes are located all throughout your body and produce a collection of harmful substances in the body. Your heart is located in the center of all the chakras, so it's important to keep your heart open and healthy to allow for positive energy flow!

Yoga pose: Upward Facing Dog

On a yoga mat, begin on your belly with your hands beneath your shoulders. Press your mat into the tops of your feet as you lift your legs off the mat. Reach your chest up and gaze with your eyes up to the sky or ceiling.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Anahata)

The solar plexus chakra is located in the abdomen area between the belly button and the breastbone. The main focus of the solar plexus chakra is all about self-confidence and feeling powerful. The energy inside of this area is very important as it reflects our entire mood. Our moods can affect not only our spiritual and emotional health, but our physical health too. Your inner fire and power is released through this chakra. Adrenal glands are linked to this chakra, which we dove into earlier.

Yoga pose: Warrior On a yoga mat, standing, have one leg extended out in front of you, bent about 90° or where you feel comfortable, toes facing the front. The other leg behind you, straight with a small bend in the knee, toes facing parallel to the back of your mat. Arms extend in opposite directions, fingers straight. Gaze over your front fingertips. Be sure to repeat on the other side! Breathe.

Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)

Location: Intestine area. Sexual health is the main energy of this area. Sensuality is also a main focus here, keeping you aware of your feminism or masculinity. Whether we have a partner or not, it is important to love ourselves. You should never feel guilty for taking care of you. You are your own best friend and you will spend the most amount of time with only one person - you! So make sure she or he knows how special they are to you!

Yoga pose: Pigeon Pose

Great for opening up your hips! In a plank position, bend your right leg towards your nose and place your ankle on the mat close to your left wrist. Breathe. If you want, sink a little lower. Maybe place your head on the mat, whatever feels best! Repeat on the other side.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Located at the base of the spine. It is known as the root chakra as it grounds all of the rest of the chakras. Physical body and your spiritual roots are the core focus of this chakra. Feeling grounded is an important aspect of our human maturity. When we feel grounded, we have a strong sense of who we are spiritually. We begin to understand our life's purpose. We have a strong connection with ourselves. Some also say we use this chakra to connect to our own survival instincts. Modern survival may include our focus on food, water, a place to use the washroom, and a warm place to rest. We may take these things for granted so it's important to open up to this energy and show gratitude.

Yoga pose: Mountain Pose - Strengthens your knees, ankles, and thighs

Stand with your big toes slightly touching. Posture is tall. Your gaze is forward. Head is high. Maybe you want to challenge yourself and take it to the next level and close your eyes. This will give your body a new sense of balance.

Health Benefits

To keep a healthy mind, body, and spirit, it is important to incorporate at least one exercise per day into your routine. Try one of the following, and feel free to mix these up to allow you to experience a wide range of health benefits:

• Reiki

• Yoga

• Meditation

• Breathing Exercises

When we combine the benefits of each chakra, we gain the following:

• Focus

• Intuition

• Positivity

• Radiate love

• Connected

• Self-care

• Grounded