The Chakras – Decoded
Often in our Shri Yoga classes or workshops you may have heard your teachers talk about the chakras or energy centers. These wheels of energy can be utilized as a tool for optimizing both our physical and emotional wellness. Chakra means wheel or disk in Sanskrit and refers to the energy centers that run the length of your spine from the base of your pelvis to the crown of your head. Each chakras has their own symbol, color, area of the body and even elements that it affects and controls. To function at their best, your chakras need to stay open, or balanced. If they get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra. Let’s see how we can decode these systems to help support our overall wellness, one energy center at a time.
First Chakra (Muladhara)
|
Element |
Earth |
|
Color |
Dark Red like clay dirt |
|
Physical Connection |
Lower body legs and feet |
|
Effect |
Self-Preservation, family, tribe |
|
In Balance |
Healthy Prosperity security and dynamic presence |
Second Chakra (Svadhistana)
|
Element |
Water |
|
Color |
Deep, rich orange like the sunset |
|
Physical Connection |
Hips, pelvis, low back |
|
Effect |
Emotions, Relationships with others |
|
In Balance |
We feel fulfilled, creatively empowered and are able to accept change. |
Third Chakra (Manipura)
|
Element |
Fire |
|
Color |
Bright yellow like the sun |
|
Physical Connection |
Solar plexus, abdomen, center. |
|
Effect |
Personal will, autonomy and our metabolism |
|
In Balance |
We feel energized, effective and standing in our personal power. |
Fourth Chakra (Anahata)
|
Element |
Air |
|
Color |
Green like new, spring grass |
|
Physical Connection |
Heart and chest |
|
Effect |
Love, compassion and forgiveness |
|
In Balance |
We are able to love deeply, feel compassion and have a deep sense of peace and centeredness. |
Fifth Chakra (Vishuddha)
|
Element |
Space |
|
Color |
Bright Blue, the color of the tropical ocean |
|
Physical Connection |
The area of the throat and voice |
|
Effect |
Our ability to communicate effectively and speak our own truth |
|
In Balance |
We are able to experience the world through vibration, sound and language. |
Sixth Chakra (Ajna)
|
Element |
Light |
|
Color |
Indigo |
|
Physical Connection |
The eyes located in between our eye brows |
|
Effect |
This is connected to the act of seeing both physically and intuitively. |
|
In Balance |
We clearly see and perceive external and internal situations |
Seventh Chakra (Sahasrara)
|
Element |
None – Beyond the elements |
|
Color |
Violet |
|
Physical Connection |
The top of the head and brain |
|
Effect |
This center integrates all six chakras below it and invites in a higher vibration to all |
|
In Balance |
This energy center brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding and spiritual connection. |
Now that we have broken down each energy center into its parts, what do we do next? How do we put this information into practice? We use the tools of yoga movement, breath, sound and meditation to first access then balance these energies within us.
Join Shauna at Shri Yoga for a Journey Through the Chakras.
Wednesday, May 11th from 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM