Chakras

According to the traditions of yoga, a person possesses not only a physical, material shell. There also exists the concept of a "subtle body," as one of the important, though invisible, parts of human nature.

The system of chakras represents a combination of centers of concentration of energy that flows through the channels in the subtle body. This whole system influences our physical, spiritual, and emotional condition every day. The balanced work of the energy centers maintains in a person strength, spirit, and joy of life, while imbalance leads to apathy, a feeling of loneliness, and causes health problems.

In this article, we will examine the system and functions of the seven energy centers, as well as establish the influence of the harmonious flow of energy in the body on the health and well-being of a person.

Schematically, chakras on the projection of the human body are depicted in the form of circles of various colors located along the spinal column fr om the crown to the coccyx; in primary sources, they are described as lotuses with a different number of petals and other attributes. This arrangement is accurate, since it is precisely here that the main energy channel Sushumna-nadi passes. Each chakra is located in its own specific place, has its own definite meaning, color, and influence on one or another aspect of a person's life. The count of chakras begins from the bottom upward — from the first, root, to the highest, crown.

1. Muladhara (root chakra). Responsible for basic sensations and needs: safety, stability, connection with the lineage.
   • Color: red.
   • Location: at the base of the spine, in the coccyx, between the genitals and the anus.
   • Blockage of this center is caused by feelings of anger, rage, distrust of life, and the like. All this leads to the fact that a person constantly feels lonely, lost, as if "torn away from the earth."
   • Harmony in this chakra responds in us as trust in the world, material stability, safety, and confidence.
   
   
2. Svadhisthana (sacral chakra). More than other centers, it is connected with the sexual and reproductive functionality of a person. The main motivation is the attainment of sensual pleasures. It is also responsible for emotions, sociability, communicative abilities.
   • Color: orange.
   • Location: the sacral region, pelvis, bladder, genitals.
   • Blockage of the work of this center is caused by fear, traumatic sexual experience. A person cannot express either their creative abilities or healthy sexual desire. There appears self-pity, disappointment, dissatisfaction.
   • Harmonious work of Svadhisthana opens possibilities for self-expression. It is responsible for healthy and strong relationships with a partner.
   
   
3. Manipura (solar plexus chakra). Correlates with our personality, self-esteem, will, activity, leadership qualities.
   • Color: yellow.
   • Location: the middle part of the spine, the navel area.
   • Blockage of Manipura occurs because of pronounced or hidden greed, the desire to control and influence everything, the thirst for power.
   • Balanced work of the chakra is manifested in the form of enthusiasm, altruism, self-giving; it gives a sense of integrity, a healthy awareness of oneself and one's value. It helps to find balance between the spiritual and material sides of life.
   
   
4. Anahata (heart chakra). Responsible for the feeling of love, compassion, manifestations of kindness, friendliness, generosity. Helps to establish connection with oneself and with those around.
   • Color: green.
   • Location: at the level of the heart, the chest.
   • Blockage in this energy center is indicated by the manifestation of jealousy, shame, thirst for possession, as well as the state of the impossibility of loving and accepting love. A person believes that they do not deserve love, does not perceive themselves and other people as they are. Or, on the contrary, becomes excessively attached to people who do not reciprocate.
   • Harmonious work of Anahata endows with the ability to experience real, deep feelings of joy, gratitude, appreciation, to feel the lightness of being.
   
   
5. Vishuddha (throat chakra). Connected mainly with voice, the expression of one's own opinion, compassion, creation.
   • Color: light blue.
   • Location: the throat, thyroid gland.
   • Blockage of this energy center is caused by the suppression of creative abilities, the achievement of goals at any cost, the state of struggle for the sake of struggle, as well as criticism, falsehood, and foul language.
   • Harmony of the throat chakra gives strong will to live, the ability to achieve goals, the skill to speak and to be silent when appropriate, pure and inspiring speech.
   
   
6. Ajna (third eye chakra). Connected with the sixth sense, intuition; it is the center of wisdom and illumination.
   • Color: blue.
   • Location: the area between the eyebrows.
   • Imbalance in the sixth chakra is manifested in a person's complete denial of the spiritual aspects of their personality, distrust of themselves and their feelings, or inability in general to recognize them.
   • Balance of the third eye chakra helps to reveal one's intellectual abilities, to obtain full control over feelings. A person acknowledges their intuition, becomes more aware and far-sighted.
   
   
7. Sahasrara (crown chakra). Connects a person with divinity and the higher aspects of the true "I."
   • Color: silver-white, violet, golden.
   • Location: the crown of the head.
   • To this chakra, energy approaches only through Sushumna; therefore, a person does not experience any sensations, duality, but feels a state of deep calm.
   • When the consciousness and energy of a person reach Sahasrara, this allows them to experience the feeling of the unity of all that exists, to sense that everything in the world is interconnected. In this center, a person experiences the state of samadhi.
   
   

Along the spinal column, conditionally, two energy flows pass — ascending and descending. The flow directed upward, from the root chakra to the crown, is the flow of liberation (from material dependencies, illusions, and the like). The flow directed downward, from the Sahasrara chakra to the Muladhara chakra, is the birth of new ideas under divine guidance and their embodiment in material form. For a harmonious and meaningful life for the good of all living beings, it is important that both flows be open and free.

Although each energy center carries a definite meaning and is responsible for specific functions, they should not be viewed as separate mechanisms. On the contrary, the work of the chakras is interconnected and interdependent.

Imbalance in one center will inevitably lead to problems in another, therefore, when becoming acquainted with the symptoms of blockage, a person may note for themselves a whole set of manifestations from different areas.

If you doubt and do not know wh ere to start work, pay attention to what troubles you most acutely. For example, in the manifestation of chronic health problems, an important stage will be the change of your daily behavior (habits), the manifestation of awareness and attention to the signals of your own body. Turn to an experienced physician or yoga teacher for recommendations on introducing correct principles of nutrition and yoga practice into your daily life. In the absence of contraindications, a specialist will be able to sel ect exercises fr om yoga that will affect a specific energy center, harmonizing its work.

Work with chakras allows not only to improve health and general well-being, but also to harmonize other spheres of life: spiritual development, profession, connection with others and with oneself. This occurs because the physical, energetic, and mental in the multifaceted structure of a person are closely connected with one another.

Each energy center carries its own functional purpose, has distinctive characteristics and methods for harmonizing its work, therefore it is important to understand that the management of energy requires a comprehensive approach.

From ancient sources have come down to us unique practices that help to prolong youth, improve physical and psychological well-being, and advance on the spiritual path. Among them are yoga, meditation, pranayama, aromatherapy, and others. They concern, among other things, the work with chakras. You can learn more about methods of harmonizing chakras in the materials of the website.

We wish you success and prosperity!