Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “wheel” and it symbolizes spinning of prana or the energy in different parts of your body. Energy chakras are extremely crucial in maintaining physical, mental, as well as emotional well being. In a human body, there are seven energy chakras responsible for different bodily functions.
Chakras are believed to be the spiritual key for self-awakening and profound harmony. The main seven focal points in your body are placed at different areas in your body and have specific methods to activate and balance them.
While practicing yoga, it is important to focus on activating your chakras in order to have a well balanced and harmonic life. If there is any kind of blockage in the functioning of these chakras, it can lead to various physical as well as mental difficulties. So, in order to foster vitality and ensure optimal energy flow, practice yoga asanas that activate your energy chakras. This guide will help you to get deep insights about the seven energy chakras and how they impact the overall wellness of your body.
Seven Chakras
Source: Healthline
Your body is said to be made of seven focal points that are also called energy chakras. These focal points are responsible for offering subtle energy throughout your body. These points start from your pelvic area and run through your spine to the crown of your head.
When these seven chakras are blocked you will feel emotional distress, spiritual disconnection, and physical discomfort. By practicing yoga on a regular basis along with chanting mantras, you can activate the seven chakras and enhance your spiritual well being.
Let us understand the seven chakras below-
Muladhara- Root Chakra
Location- Tailbone
Color- Red
Element- Earth
Sense- Red
Mantra- LAM
Related body parts- Feet, Legs, Bladder, Nose, and Lower back
Function- When muladhara is balanced, you feel more confident, stable, emotionally strong, and energetic.
Svadhisthana- Sacral Chakra
Location- Lower Abdomen
Color- Orange
Element- Water
Sense- Taste
Mantra- VAM
Related body parts- Reproductive organs, Pelvis and hips, Tongue, Gallbladder, Adrenal Glands.
Function- Reproductive health is on track and you are able to focus on things that make you happy.
Manipura- Solar Plexus Chakra
Location- Upper Abdomen
Color- Yellow
Element- Fire
Sense- Sight
Mantra- RAM
Related body parts- Stomach, Liver, Mid back, Intestine, Digestion, Eyes
Function- Removes self-doubt, helps you take control of every situation, improves digestive health, and deals with fear as well as anger.
Anahata- Heart Chakra
Location- Center of the chest
Color- Green
Element- Air
Sense- Touch
Mantra- YAM
Related body parts- Heart, Nerves, Blood, Lungs, Hands
Function- Compassion and kindness towards others.
Vishuddha- Throat Chakra
Location- throat
Color- Blue
Element- Space (Ether)
Sense- Speech and Hearing
Mantra- HAM
Related body parts- Throat, Ears, Vocal Chords, Upper Lungs, Mouth
Function- Center of self-expression and enables constructive communication.
Ajna– Third Eye Chakra
Location- Between the eyebrows
Color- Indigo
Sense- Intuition
Mantra- OM or AUM
Related body parts- Lower brain, Sensory organs of the head, Pineal Gland
Function- Helps you find wisdom, intuition, and physic energy. Third eye is linked with concentration and imagination.
Sahasrara- Crown Chakra
Location- Crown of the head
Color- Violet or White
Mantra- OM or AH
Related body parts- Upper Brain and beyond
Function- It represents your connection with the higher consciousness. It is an energy chakra where everything gets united and connects the entire universe to your inner world.
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Methods to Activate each Chakra
Every chakra is associated with different parts of your body and need to be activated by performing different asanas.
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Blockage Signs: Financial struggles, anxiety, and several insecurities
Methods of activating chakra:
- Perform some grounding activities like walking barefoot on the grass and spend time in nature.
- Practice yoga asanas like the Warrior pose and Mountain pose
- Say some affirmations such as “I am safe and secure.”
- Make sure to consume red-coloured food like tomatoes and beetroot and use red gemstones like Garnet and Red Jasper.
Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
Signs of Blockage: No creativity or extremely emotionally unstable.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Practice yoga asanas that are hip-opening such as Butterfly pose and Cobra pose.
- Incorporate some dancing and painting activities to boost creativity.
- Practice affirmations such as “I embrace my creativity and passion.”
- Make sure to include orange-colored foods like carrots and oranges in your diet and use gemstones such as Amber and Carnelian.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Blockage Signs: Low self-esteem, digestive issues.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Practice yoga asanas that strengthen your core like Boat pose and Plank.
- Focus on practicing pranayama such as Kapalbhati and Bhastrika.
- Say affirmations like “I am strong and confident.”
- Make sure your diet is rich in yellow-colored foods like bananas and corn. Use gemstones like Tiger’s eye and Citrine.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
Blockage Signs: Difficulty in relationships, holding grudges.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Yoga poses like Camel pose and Cobra pose are heart-opening and extremely important to activate this chakra.
- Incorporate a sense of gratitude and kindness
- Repeat affirmations like “I give and receive love freely.”
- Include green foods like spinach, avocados in your diet and use gemstones like Jade and Rose Quartz.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Blockage Signs: Fear of speaking, sore throat issues.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Practice mantra chanting and humming on a regular basis, especially the OM mantra. This will help in activating the throat chakra effectively.
- Involve in activities such as singing, self expression practices, and journaling in order to channelize your thoughts and express them freely.
- Daily affirmations like “I speak my truth with confidence” will help you achieve a better mental and emotional state.
- Consume blue coloured food like blueberries and blackberries. Ensure adding gemstones like Aquamarine and Lapis Lazuli in your life for positivity.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Blockage signs: Lack of clarity, overthinking.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Regular practice of meditation and visualization techniques will activate this chakra easily.
- Practicing yoga poses that are eye-focused, such as Child’s pose and Forward fold are also essential.
- Say daily affirmations such as “I trust my intuition.”
- Eat food items that are indigo coloured, like grapes and eggplant. Also, use gemstones like Sapphire and Amethyst for better results.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Blockage signs: Feeling disconnected, lack of purpose.
Methods of activating chakra:
- Deep meditation and other mindful activities can be practiced daily for activating the crown chakra.
- Practice to spend time in a quiet space with silence and solitude.
- Say daily affirmations such as “I am connected to the universe” for opening this focal point.
- Include white or purple coloured food items in your diet such as cauliflower and figs. You can also use gemstones like Selenite and Clear Quartz.
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Additional Techniques for Chakra Activation
In addition to the individual chakra opening methods, there are some other techniques that can elevate the energy flow and balance in your body.
- Pranayama- Synchronized breathing techniques such as Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika, and Kapalbhati regulates the energy flow in your entire body, ultimately helping you activate the seven chakras.
- Mantra Chanting- Mantra chanting helps in calming your mind and aligning the energy centers that activate the chakras. Sound vibrations of mantras like LAM, Vam, or OM resonate with the Root chakra, Sacral chakra, and Third Eye chakra respectively.
- Reiki and Energy Healing- In this practice, the external energy is channelized and aligned to cleanse the chakras as well as balance your internal energy. The energy healing and reiki are practiced under the guidance of an expert instructor.
- Mudras and Hand Gestures- Gyan mudra, Anjali mudra, can direct energy and activate all the chakras. The hand movements stimulate the seven chakras and promote vitality in your body.
- Aromatherapy and Essential Oils- Aromatherapy compliments the yogic practices for chakra activation and establishes internal balance. Some essential oils such as sandalwood, jasmine, and frankincense balances the root chakra, sacral chakra, and crown chakra respectively.
Conclusion
Consistently practicing yoga asanas and other techniques will activate the energy chakras and nurture your mind, body, and soul completely. You will foster emotional resilience, physical endurance, and mental clarity when these seven chakras are activated. Whether it is daily asana practices, therapies, ayurveda, daily affirmations, or healing activities, you need to have consistency in order to lead a well-balanced and healthy life with a steady flow of energy.
Balanced chakras have more than just physical benefits and help in heightening self-awareness, as well as enlightenment. It is a spiritual practice that will transform your life completely. So, you should embrace these methods and stay open to uncovering your true self.
