Chakras are the energy centers in the body responsible for balancing all levels of psychological, physical and spiritual being. The word Chakra is a Sanskrit word literally meaning “wheel”. It is a wheel like spinning vortex that interpenetrates the physical body. There are about 72,000 nadis or energy channels in the body according to ancient scriptures. These channels cross at various places in the body, there are seven main regions along the spine where these nadis cross, these regions or energy centers are called Chakras. The Chakras regulate the flow of subtle energy in the body. The Chakras are associated with colour, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects. It is believed that the lower three Chakras are related to our basic needs-those of survival, procreation and will while the upper four relates to our psychological makeup-defining love, compassion, communication, and knowledge, and connection with the spiritual realms. Each Chakra resonates at a different frequency, a different refraction of light. The Muladhara Chakra, the lowest Chakra, resonates at a lower frequency and is associated with red colour, while the Sahasrara Chakra, the highest Chakra, resonates at the highest frequency and is associated with violet colour. The lower chakras are responsible for grosser states of awareness, while the higher chakras are responsible for higher intelligence and subtler states of awareness. The seven chakras are: 1. Muladhara Chakra, 2. Svadhisthana Chakra, 3. Manipura Chakra, 4. Anahata Chakra, 5. Vishuddha Chakra, 6. Ajna Chakra, 7. Sahasrara Chakra.
- Muladhara Chakra: Muladhara literally means “foundation”. The Muladhara Chakra is the building blocks of all other chakras. It is located at the base of the spine. It represents the element Earth. The color is red. It relates to our survival instincts, our feeling of being grounded and connection with our bodies and the physical plane.
- Svadhisthana Chakra: Svadhisthana literally means “abode of the self”. Svadhisthana Chakra is located at the sacral spine. It represents the element water. The colour is orange. It relates to sensuality, feelings, sensation, desire.
- Manipura Chakra: Manipura literally means “city of the jewel”. Manipura Chakra is located at the solar plexus. It represents the element fire. The colour is yellow. It relates to power, authority, energy, inner strength, will, anger.
- Anahata Chakra: Anahata literally means “unstruck sound”. Anahata Chakra is located at the center of the chest. It represents the element air. The colour is green. It relates to love compassion, connection, forgiveness, trust, peace, balance.
- Vishuddha Chakra: Vishuddha literally means “deep or extreme purification”. Vishuddha Chakra is located at the throat. It represents the element space. The colour is blue. It relates to communication, creativity, speech, sound, self expression.
- Ajna Chakra: Ajna literally means “command”. Ajna Chakra is located at the center of forehead between the eye brows. It is the highest psychic center in man. It represents the element space/light. The colour is indigo. It relates to intuition, clairvoyance, imagination, sixth sense, awareness.
- Sahasrara Chakra: Sahasrara literally means “one thousand”. Sahasrara Chakra is located at the top of the head. It is beyond elements-thought. The colour is white/violet. It relates to enlightenment, transcendence, spiritual understanding, love, peace, grace.