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.