The chakra system originated in India over 4000 years ago and was brought to the west in 1920’s by Arthur Avalon. While once esoteric, the chakra system is now a common term used from yoga studios to TV shows. While there are various teachings around the chakras, I will be describing the most widely known and taught system in the West with 7 main chakras. Let’s explore the chakras system as a whole.
What are the Chakras?
Chakra (cakra) translates to “wheel” or “disk”. The chakras are energy centers in our subtle body that run along the sushumna nadi from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head. They continuously receive, interpret, store and transmit energy throughout the system. Each chakra governs a different aspects of yourself which we will explore below. While we can intellectually break down and explore each one on its own, it is important to remember that the chakras are always working as a system. In this post, we will explore the chakras, their governing forces and some issues that can arise when these chakras are blocked.
Chakra 1: Muladhara or Root Chakra
This chakra is sits at the base of the spine. It governs our sense of safety, security and our connection to the physical world and our physical body. Issues around our connection to our body, trust, safety, finances, home, health and family can arise when this chakra is blocked.
Chakra 2: Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra
This chakra can be tricky to locate with visualization at first as it resides at the sacrum. This is the chakra that governs our sexuality, likes and dislikes and our emotions. Issues can arise around sexuality, guilt, needs, emotions, desire, pleasure, change and black and white thinking.
Chakra 3: Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra
This chakra is located behind the naval and is our source of will, power, energy and autonomy. Issues can arise around digestion, empowerment, self-esteem, energy levels, individuation, autonomy, and shame.
Chakra 4:: Anahata or Heart Chakra
This chakra resides at the center of the sternum and is our center of compassion, love and relationships. Thus, issues can arise around compassion, love and relationships as well as intimacy, giving and receiving and grief.
Chakra 5: Vishuddha or Throat Chakra
This chakra spins at the throat and governs our communication, self expression and creativity. Issues that can arise include self-expression, communication, speaking your truth, communicating your needs and creativity.
Chakra 6: Ajna or Third Eye Chakra
This chakra is located in the midbrain and governs our sense of intuition. It is enables us to imagine, dream and visualize. Issues that can arise include nightmares, memory issues, inability to visualize and disconnection from one’s intuition.
Chakra 7: Sahasrara or Crown Chakra
This chakra resides at the crown of the head. It governs our consciousness and is where we connect with universal intelligence or source and governs our thoughts and belief systems. Issues that may arise in this chakra are intellectualization, cynicism around spirituality and spiritual “addiction”.
This is merely scratching the surface at the complexity and elegance of the chakra system. I will go more in depth with every chakra in future posts. If you are interested in delving in deeper, I invite you to join the wait list to be notified when enrollment opens for my upcoming Chakra course to help deepen ones understanding of the chakra system and how to utilize it to as a tool to help heal your relationship with food and your body. You can learn more about the course here.