Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning spinning wheel. These are a system of seven energy centers
located along the spine. Each chakra
corresponds to an area of the body, a set of behavioral characteristics and
stages of spiritual growth. Practicing
yoga and focusing your energies during different postures can help you to align
your chakras and get all the wheels spinning in the same direction and
speed. Understanding how to fine tune
and control your chakras through yoga and meditation can help bring balance and
peace to your mind, body and spirit.
There are seven chakras, each associated
with a different part of the body along the spine from the perineum to the
crown of your head. Each chakra is
associated with a particular body location, a color, a central
emotional/behavioral issue, as well as many other personal aspects including
identity, goals, rights, etc.
The seven chakras are: Muladhara- base of the spine; Svadhisthana-
abdomen, genitals, lower back/hip; Manipura- solar plexus; Anahata- heart area;
Visshudha- throat; Ajna- brow; Sahasrara- top of head, cerebral cortex.
Through the movements and postures of yoga,
you can learn to focus your concentration and energy to and from the various
chakras in your body. This can allow you
to compensate for areas that may be out of synch with the rest of your body or
not active at all. By balancing the
energy among all seven of the chakras, balance can be achieved. This spiritual energy is known as Kundalini
energy. In its dormant state, it can be
visualized as a coiled up snake resting at the base of your spine, the
Muladhara chakra. Since the chakras act
as valves or pumps regulating the flow of energy through your system,
controlled and purposeful movements such as yoga can be extremely beneficial in
realigning your chakras in a way that can cause great benefits to you in your
physical and emotional wellbeing.
