A Beginner's Guide: The 7 Chakras

The word "chakra" comes from Sanskrit and means spinning wheel. It refers to a system of seven energy centers situated along the spine.

Uncovering the Power Within: Understanding the Basics of the seven Chakras.

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 specific part of the body along the spine, from the perineum to the crown of the head. Each chakra is connected to a particular body region, a color, a central emotional or behavioral theme, and different personal aspects like identity, goals, and rights.

The 7 Chakra: The Rainbow Within

The seven chakras are:

-      Root: Muladhara- base of the spine

-      Sacral: Svadhisthana- abdomen, genitals, lower back/hip

-      Solar Plexus: Manipura- solar plexus

-      Heart: Anahata- heart area

-      Throat: Vishuddha- throat

-      Third Eye: Ajna- brow

-      Crown: 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 sync 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.

Balancing the Power Within

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 Root 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.

Final note: Discover your energy, align and harmonize your seven chakras, and experience the transformation within!