The word Chakra means “wheel” or “vortex” which can be a useful visualization of the seven energy centers along the spine. Below is a brief introduction:
1. Muladhara Chakra: “The root”- base of the spine, coccyx
Physical aspects: spinal column, coccyx, rectum, legs, bones, feet, and immune system
Mental / emotional aspects: physical family, group safety and security, ability to provide for life’s necessities, ability to stand up for oneself, feeling at home, social and familial law and order, fears of physical survival, abandonment by a group, loss of order
2. Swadhistana Chakra: “One’s own dwelling place” – sacrum, lower vertebrae
Physical aspects: reproductive organs, large intestine, sacrum and lower vertebrae, pelvis,
appendix, bladder, hips
Mental / emotional aspects: relationships with others, pleasure, unconscious mind, storage of samskaras, blame and guilt, money and sex, power and control, creativity, ethics and honor in relationships, personal power
3. Manipura Chakra: “City of the shining jewel” – lumbar spine
Physical aspects: solar plexus, abdomen, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gall bladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, lumbar spine
Mental / emotional aspects: gut instinct, gut feelings, butterflies in our stomach, changing our appearance to reflect internal changes. maintaining principles without compromising spiritual energy, trust, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect, self-discipline, care of oneself or others, responsibility for making decisions, personal honor, ability to generate action, ability to handle a crisis, fight or flight reaction.
4. Anahata Chakra: “The un-struck chord / unbeaten sound” – thoracic spine
Physical aspect: heart and circulatory system, ribs, breasts, thymus gland, lungs, shoulders, arms, hands, diaphragm
Mental / emotional aspects: center of unconditional love / higher love, compassion, love and hatred, resentment and bitterness, grief and anger, forgiveness and compassion, loneliness and commitment, hope and trust. Releasing emotional wounds and being able to truly forgive, purity, devotion to god, the space where purity resides, the ability to heal oneself and others.
5: Vishuddhi Chakra = “To purify” – cervical spine
Physical aspect: throat, thyroid, trachea, cervical spine, mouth, teeth, gums, esophagus, parathyroid, hypothalamus
Mental / emotional aspects: choice and strength of will, personal expression, following one’s dreams, using personal power to create, capacity to make decisions, addiction, judgment, criticism, right speech, speaking truth, faith and knowledge, learning the power of choice, the authority of divine will, acting out of faith rather than fear, head and heart in union, detachment from the fruit of ones actions
6: Ajna Chakra = “To command” – the third eye center, mind’s eye
Physical aspects: brain, nervous system, eyes, ears, nose, pineal gland, pituitary gland
Mental / emotional aspects: developing witness consciousness, inner guru, intuition, self evaluation, truth, discipline, emotional intelligence, mind / body connection, openness to the ideas of others, intellectual abilities, ability to learn from experience, receiving inspiration, developing an impersonal mind, stilling one’s fear driven voices, having a sense of Self so strong it is not influenced by the external, getting perception from mind into the body
7: Sahasrara Chakra = “Thousand-petal lotus” - above the crown of the head
Physical aspects: muscular system, skeletal system, skin
Mental / emotional aspects: Sahasrara is symbolic of the power of the spirit and living in the present moment. It is the center for awakening higher awareness / consciousness, our connection to divinity, prayer, meditation, samadhi (super mental awareness) / enlightenment, our ability to trust life, our expression of values, ethics, courage, humanitarianism, selflessness, the ability to see the larger picture, faith & inspiration, spirituality & devotion, and heaven (above the head), bringing spirituality into daily life, living your yoga, developing a personal relationship with the higher self. It can also represent a “dark night of the soul,” a spiritual crisis, dramatic shifts, loss of identity, and abandonment.
