Kundalini Yoga
In sanskrit ‘chakra’ means ‘wheel or circle’. In yogic context, it refers to a ‘vertex’ or ‘whirlpool’. Chakras are the vortices of pranic energy at specific areas in the body which controls the circulation of prana in the entire human structure. Chakras are beyond human perception because they belong to the sukshma sharira.
The chakras are both real and symbolic, they represent centre of prana within the pranic body of human. Each chakra is associated with pranic energy at specific frequency levels and subtlety. They represent progressively higher states of awareness.
TYPES OF CHAKRAS
a) Mooladhara Chakra – ‘The root chakra’
It is associated with the reproductive and excretory glands. It is located at the base of the spine, seat of kundalini shakti. Its colour is red and is symbolised as a lotus flower having four petals. The element of chakra is earth. It is responsible for the fight and flight response when survival is under threat.
b) Swadhishthana Chakra – ‘The sacral chakra’
It is located just below the naval region with the reproductive organs. It is represented in orange coloured lotus flower having six petals. The element of this chakra is water. If the sacral chakra is working well, one will feel confident and emotionally balanced. If this chakra is overactive, one tends ti be the emotional all the time. It governs the reproductive organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine. Cleansing of this chakra is possible by getting rid of low self-esteem, fear and desires.
c) Manipura Chakra – ‘The solar plexus’
In sanskrit ‘mani’ means ‘jewel’ and ‘pura’ means ‘place’. Manipura chakra has been so named because of its radiant lustre which makes it look like a jewel. This chakra is a center of dynamism, dominance and self- absorption. It is depicted by a yellow coloured ten petals lotus flower with an inverted triangle which represents fire. It governs the spleen, large intestine and stomach. This chakra
symbolises peace when the consciousness rises above this chakra, one is said to get free from stress and tension.
d) Annahata Chakra – ‘The heart chakra’
The term ‘annahata’ means ‘unstuck’. This chakra is said to be located at the centre of the heart, where the unstuck vibration of eternal nada or sound can be sensed. It is represented by a green coloured lotus flower of twelve petals located in the centre of the chest. It is the seat of emotions and feelings, unconditional love, compassion, selflessness and devotion.
Love manifests in the heart giving rise to the feelings of universal brotherhood and tolerance. Biologically, this chakra is related to heart, blood, lungs, circulatory and endocrine system. The imbalanced working of annahata chakra leads to the love related problems. The imbalance create agitation in the thymus glands. Asthma and disorders of the heart are believed to result if the chakra is under-active. If this chakra is overactive, one tends to suffocate another with love.
e) Vishuddhi Chakra – ‘The throat chakra’
The sanskrit word ‘shuddhi’ means ‘pure’ and ‘Vi’ is used as a prefix to enhance this quality. The centre of pure consciousness and creativity. It symbolises by sky blue lotus with sixteen petals. When the consciousness dwells in this chakra, one develops right understanding and discrimination as a result, one does not experience dualities in life. One accepts everything, both the good and the bad, able to have pure relationships with others but with detachment.
On the physical level, this chakra is associated with thyroid gland. It controls metabolism, activity of vocal cords, pharynx and oesophagus. If the chakra is under-active, one suffers from cold, cough and thyroid problems and will lack communication skills. If it is overactive, one becomes extra talkative. Meditation, bhramri pranayama and bhujangasana can be done to maintain balance.
f) Ajna Chakra – ‘The brow chakra’
This highly important chakra is known by various names as the third eye. Or jnamachaksu – the eye of wisdom as triveni or the confluence of the three rivers. This chakra is also given as the eye of Shiva. This chakra is denoted by a lotus flower having two petals. It is the gate which opens up the way of our consciousness to ascend to its final destination which is the seventh chakra.
On physical level, ajna is apparently related to pituitary gland and the small brain which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via hypothalamus. It is the seat of wisdom and intuition. If it is under-active, one will
experience negative thoughts, fatigue and incur more of the bad karmas. If this chakra is overactive, one tends up living in the world of fantasy and may even suffer from hallucination.
g) Bindu or Mans Chakra
This chakra is situated in the hypothalamus. The function of this chakra is the manufacturing of necessary cerebrum fluids and salts, etc. associated with the consciousness with relation to emotions, thoughts and culture. We can call this place as the mana from where all thoughts and moods emerge.
h) Sahasrara Chakra – ‘The crown chakra’
The most sacred chakra of all is the sahasrara chakra meaning ‘one thousand’. It has been named so it is depicted by a brilliant violent coloured lotus flower comprising a thousand petals. It is the centre at which self-realisations happens. When the kundalini is awakened, it ascends upto the sahasrara chakra through the various chakra. Kundalini merges with its source and attains supreme bliss. This chakra is related to the denial gland, a sensitive gland producing the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and wakefulness. When it functions properly, one’s thinking power and intelligence improves. This gland is large in childhood but shrinks by puberty.