Chakras: 

The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit, meaning "wheel" or "disk."  These moderators of subtle energy are traditionally depicted as lotus flowers, each resonating at different frequencies, corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.  Although the human energy system is said to have many chakras, and new ones are being discovered all the time, the traditional Hindu system names seven major ones.  These are positioned with the stems of each lotus flower metaphysically embedded into the spinal column, or sushumna, from the coccyx to the crown of the head.   The chakra system has developed into a rich, valuable explanation of the holistic nature of the humankind.  It outlines how we must attend not just to certain physical dysfunction that may occur but emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs as well. Each of the seven chakras deal with different parts of this bigger picture and directs us to those areas where we might be functioning out of balance.

The journey upward through the chakras is spoken of in terms of "Kundalini rising."  Kundalini is the serpent goddess, often depicted as coiled three  and a half times around the Root Chakra.  According to the Hindu tradition, when awakened Kundalini pierces each chakra in turn as she travels toward the crown. Once she has arrived at her destination the subject is said to have achieved enlightenment.

The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit, meaning "wheel" or "disk."  These moderators of subtle energy are traditionally depicted as lotus flowers, each resonating at different frequencies, corresponding to the colors of the rainbow.  Although the human energy system is said to have many chakras, and new ones are being discovered all the time, the traditional Hindu system names seven major ones.  These are positioned with the stems of each lotus flower metaphysically embedded into the spinal column, or sushumna, from the coccyx to the crown of the head.   The chakra system has developed into a rich, valuable explanation of the holistic nature of the humankind.  It outlines how we must attend not just to certain physical dysfunction that may occur but emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs as well. Each of the seven chakras deal with different parts of this bigger picture and directs us to those areas where we might be functioning out of balance.

In the same way that our physical body's central nervous system consists of the spinal cord leading to the brain, the energetic equivalent - the sushumna - is a vertical column within which the seven chakras are located.  Where the function of the spinal cord is to relay impulses to and from the brain and other parts of the body, the sushumna channels energy from the Universal Life Force to and front eh Crown and Root Chakras.  Each chakra is rooted into the sushumna at the front of the body, while the stems open out from the back.  

The journey upward through the chakras is spoken of in terms of "Kundalini rising."  Kundalini is the serpent goddess, often depicted as coiled three  and a half times around the Root Chakra.  According to the Hindu tradition, when awakened Kundalini pierces each chakra in turn as she travels toward the crown. Once she has arrived at her destination the subject is said to have achieved enlightenment.

 

Chakra & Location	Sanskrit Name	Main Issue	Ruling  Planet	Associated Sense
Root (1st) between anus & genitals	Muladhara	Survivial/ Physical Needs	Earth  Saturn	Smell
Sacral (2nd) Lower abdomen between navel and genitals	Svadhisthana	Emotional balance/ Sexuality/ Passion	Water Pluto	Taste
Solar Plexus (3rd) Between navel and base of sternum	Manipura	Person power and self will	Fire Mars & Sun	Sight
Heart (4th) Center of chest	Anahata	Love & Relationships	Air Venus	Touch
Throat (5th) Centrally at base of neck	Vishuddha	Communication & Self expression	Ether Mercury	Sound & Hearing
Third Eye (6th) Above & between eyebrows	Ajna	Intuition & Wisdom	Light/Telepathic energy Neptune & Jupiter	Sixth Sense
Crown (7th) Tope of head	Sahasrara	Spirituality	Thought or cosmic energy Uranus	Beyond Self

Information composed from The Book of Chakra Healing by Liz Simpson.

Erin Abrams is a certified yoga teacher in many different traditions and teaches Anusara style yoga and Yoga for Kids.  Erin is also the creator of www.yogafamily.com.