Journey Through the Chakras

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

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Second Chakra (Svadhistana) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Third Chakra (Manipura) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Fourth Chakra (Anahata) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Fifth Chakra (Vishuddha) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Sixth Chakra (Ajna) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Seventh Chakra (Sahasrara) 

Element

Color

Physical Connection

Effect

In Balance

Earth

Dark Red like clay dirt

Lower body legs and feet

Self-Preservation, family, tribe

Healthy Prosperity security and dynamic presence

Water

Deep, rich orange like the sunset

Hips, pelvis, low back 

Emotions, Relationships with others

We feel fulfilled, creatively empowered and are able to accept change

Fire

Bright yellow like the sun

Solar plexus, abdomen, center

Personal will, autonomy and our metabolism

We feel energized, effective and standing in our personal power

Air

Green like new, spring grass

Heart and chest

Love, compassion and forgiveness

We are able to love deeply, feel compassion and have a deep sense of peace and centeredness

Space

Bright Blue, the color of the tropical ocean

The area of the throat and voice

Our ability to communicate effectively and speak our own truth

We are able to experience the world through vibration, sound and language

Light

Indigo

The eyes located in between our eye brows

This is connected to the act of seeing both physically and intuitively

We clearly see and perceive external and internal situations

None – Beyond the elements

Violet

The top of the head and brain

This center integrates all six chakras below it and invites in a higher vibration to all

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.