Understanding Chakras for Beginners, by Aliyah Christi
Chakras are fundamental to yoga, and gaining an understanding of what
they are can deepen one’s appreciation for the practice. The term yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuji, which
literally means “to yoke” or union. The connection it’s referring to is that of
the mind and body, or surrendering one’s physical self and the present
environment. In line with this, chakra also comes from Sanskrit roots, literally translating to “wheel.”
You can think of chakra as “wheels” of energy that run throughout your body.
There are seven main chakras that run in our
bodies. They act as pathways that promote harmony between our body, mind, and
spirit. This is why it’s important to understand what each one represents, and
the asanas (yoga poses) we can do to keep them open.
Muladhara, the Root
The Root Chakra is located at the base of our
spine, and it represents the “foundation” of our entire being – similar to
knowing our true identities. Balancing poses, such the tree pose, helps us
focus on all areas of your life, particularly the ones where we feel
“off-balanced”. Balancing is a gentle reminder that we can bring calm
focus and clarity to every situation.
Svadhisthana, the Sacral
The Sacral Chakra has great influence on our
emotions, and is responsible for our ability to accept others and welcome new
experiences. It’s located in our lower abdomen, about two inches below the
navel. The best yoga poses to cultivate the Svadhisthana are ones that are more
fluid, or “go
with the flow”. Some examples include low lunges, the Warrior pose,
Reverse Warrior, and many more. Freestyling can also help get us in touch with
our emotions and desires – sifting through troubling feelings and understanding
what they truly mean.
Manipura, the Pilot
Have you ever experienced your stomach
“dropping” when you remember something unpleasant from the past? According to Chakra Lessons, that’s Manipura at work. This chakra, located
in our upper abdomen, speaks about our ability to be in control of our life.
Core work, such as the boat pose or anything that creates heat and fire in your
abdomen, will boost our feelings of “power” – allowing us to feel more
confident about our decisions.
Anahata, the Heart
Anahata is associated with love, compassion, and
forgiveness on all levels. “Heart openers” such as the dancer’s pose and
crescent lunge can influence our ability to give and receive love – both from
others and ourselves. You can see it in the way it puts emphasis on open-facing
poses, which may signify your openness to love.
Vishuddha, the Voice
This chakra is located at the center of the
neck, and represents our ability to communicate and say what’s on our mind.
Regular poses that open the throat, like upward-facing dog and neck circles, may
help you express yourself more openly. You can also add chants to your routine
to symbolize the release of feelings.
Ajna, the Third-Eye
The Third-Eye, located at the center of our
forehead, speaks of our ability to see the big picture. It is often connected
with things like intuition, conscience, and inner awareness. Using yoga as a
time of reflection and mindful thinking helps cultivate the Ajna, so it has
more to do with intention than it is with physical poses.
Sahasrara, the Crown
Sahasrara, the highest chakra, located at the
crown of our head, is the source of enlightenment and connection to our higher
selves. This stage is less physical and more spiritual. This is why meditation,
rather than asana, is considered the best way to stimulate this chakra. Focus
on breathing and how the body moves with each breath. According to a study conducted by the University of Waterloo, just 10
minutes of serious, mindful meditation a day can prevent our minds from
wandering, which can help us reach a higher plane of consciousness.
Balancing and aligning your chakras may be what
you need to overcome life’s struggles. Once you are able to determine which
parts of yourself need balancing, you can use your chakra knowledge to do so,
and bring some harmony back into your life.
Written by Aliyah Christi
Exclusive for thestudio108.com