Our Chakras

For the past month, my BFF Yoga class has been self-examining their chakras. We have completed 4 of the 7 thus far and are enjoying the journey. So, what does this mean to you?

According to www.colourtherapyhealing.com, "a Chakra is like a spiral of energy, each one relating to the others. Chakra (pronounced sha-kra) is the Sanskrit word for ' wheel '. If you can imagine the main chakras / energy centres as a set of cogs/wheels, they are rather like the workings of a clock or an engine; each cog /wheel needs to move smoothly and at a similar speed for the clock / engine to work properly. Thus good health and well being is achieved by a balance of all these energies (or the smooth running of the cogs/wheels)."

Each chakra has a color and symbol assigned to it that co-relates to the rainbow. (For a great, in-depth detailed look, visit the ever-fabulous Wikipedia for more information than you can absorb in one sitting!) But, in a nut shell, it's important as yoga participants to have a basic understanding of what chakra means.

Muladhara: The Base Chakra (red)
Rrelated to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This chakra is located in the region between the genitals and the anus.
Key issues involve sexuality, lust and obsession.

Svadisthana: The Sacral Chakra (orange)
Considered to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle. Svadisthana is also considered to be related to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals.
The key issues involving Svadisthana are relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure.

Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow)
Related to the metabolic and digestive systems.
Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex.

Anahata: The Heart Chakra (green)
Related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine system.
Key issues involving Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well being.

Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra (blue)
Relating to communication and growth through expression.
It governs such issues as self-expression and communication'

Ajna: The Brow Chakra (indigo)
(also known as 3rd Eye) Linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning.
Key issues involve balancing the higher & lower selves and trusting inner guidance.

Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra (violet)
Considered to be the chakra of pure consciousness.
Involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body.

Thanks, Wikipedia, for the assistance! Namaste, Emily