The Seven Chakra System of Hatha Yoga

By Dr. R K S Rathore, Ph. D

There are seven main energy centers of yogic subtle body called Chakras, situated at fixed places parallel to our spine. Each chakra has certain qualities and association. Just as the state of our physical health depends on our habits, so does the state of our chakra balance. If we are regular yoga practicener our chakras are generally get balanced and the flow of cosmic energy through these chakras is smooth. Since the imbalance in the chakras is caused by emotional stress, you can evaluate the state of your chakras by symptoms reflected by the individual chakra for its balance or imbalance. There are yoga postures that help us get these chakras in balance. Each chakra has its shape, color, element, Beejakshar, Beej-mantra and decoration with petals. Let us describe these chakras one by one from base of spine to the top of our head.

 

Mooladhara chakra (Root Chakra): Located at the base of our spine in the coccyle region it is rectangular in shape and red in color. Its element is earth, beejakshara- LAM, Beejmantra- OUM BHU and decorated with four petals. Someone with good balance will be healthy, grounded, centered and strong. Its imbalance may reflect greed, carelessness, hyperactivity, obesity etc. The yoga posture that helps to open and balance it is SETUBANDHASANA (Bridge pose). After attaining the posture of Setubandhasana, concentrate on Mooladhara keeping in mind its shape, color, element and chant Beejakshara- LAM repeatedly without uttering any voice. For better results repeat this asana 2 to 3 times.

Svadhisthana Chakra (Sexual chakra): Located at the base of genital organ in the sacrum region, its shape is like crescent moon (Dwatiya-ka-chand) and orange in color. Its element is water, beejakshara- VAM, beejmantra- OUM BHUA and decorated with six petals. Someone with good balance of this chakra will be sexually well-adjusted and able to use creativity constructively. Symptoms of its imbalance are sexual addiction or promiscuity, sexual repression and infertility etc. The yoga posture that helps to open and balance this chakra is BHUJANGASANA (Cobra pose). Attain the final posture of Bhujangasana pressing your thighs on the ground and both arms bent from the elbows, gaze towards the sky and concentrate on Svadhisthana chakra remembering its shape, color, element and chant beejakshara –VAM like that of Mooladhara chakra.

When Svadhisthana chakra is activated the sadhaka (Yogi) becomes free from disease and acquires vibrant health. Feeling no fatigue, he becomes friendly and compassionate.

 

Manipura Chakra (Solar plexus): Located at the lumber region of spine, its shape is like a triangle and yellow in color. Its element is fire, beejakshar- RAM and beejamantra- OUM SWAH and decorated with 10 petals. Someone with good balance will be productive, cooperative, flexible, focused, empowered, successful and well-adjusted. Symptoms of imbalance are related with arrogance, indifference, complacency, passivity, disempowerment, indigestion etc.

DHANURASANA (Bow pose) is recommended to open and balance Manipura chakra.

Anahat Chakra (Heart chakra): Located in the thoracic region of spine corresponding the heart, its shape has two triangles juxtaposed and green color. Its element is air, beejakshara- YAM, beejamantra- OUM MAHA and decorated with 12 petals.

Someone with good balance of this chakra will be loving, warm, affectionate, accepting and tolerant. Symptoms of imbalance are distrusting, reserved, uncompassionate, self-centered, weak immune system etc.

USHTRASANA (Camel pose) is recommended to open and balance this chakra.

 

Vishudha chakra (throat chakra): Vishudha means purification. It is located at the area of throat (cervical region), its shape is like a circle, blue color, element is ether, beejakshara- HAM, beejamantra- OUM JANAH and decorated with 16 petals.

Someone with good balance of this chakra will be expressive, eloquent, a great communicator and a good listener. Symptoms of imbalance are lack of confidence, inability to speak up, talking too much and not listening well, being argumentative with either overactive or underactive thyroid, asthmatic etc.

MATSYASANA (Fish pose) is recommended to open and balance this chakra.

Ajyan chakra (Third eye chakra): Ajyan means to command, this chakra is located at the junction of eyebrows where Hindus put “Tilak” before praying in the temples or doing meditation. This chakra governs our intellect. Its shape is round like full moon, color indigo, element- light, beejakshara- OUM, beejamantra- OUM TAPAH and decorated with 2 petals only.

Someone with good balance of this chakra will be intelligent, thoughtful, clear headed and with good memory. Symptoms of imbalance are ‘Matibhrum’ (hallucinations), acting without thinking, illogical, forgetfulness etc.

SEATED YOGA MUDRA is recommended to open and balance this chakra.

 

Sahasrara chakra (Crown chakra): Located at top of the head this chakra has a dot like shape, color violet or white, beyond all elements encompassing all beejakshara, beejamantra- OUM SATYAM and decorated with thousands of petals.

Someone with good balance of this chakra will be enjoying complete bliss, love life but not dread death and have a deep sense of connection to the Divine. Symptoms of imbalance are lack of spiritual beliefs, ungrounded, out of touch with reality etc.

HEADSTANDASANA for those who are capable of doing it, otherwise variation of SEATED YOGAMUDRA is recommended to open and balance this chakra.

If you discover that you have too much energy flowing through some chakras, it is better to simply focus on developing the higher qualities of the underdeveloped chakras.

OUM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTIHI

Dr. R K S Rathore, Ph. D., Ex- Principal, Govt. College, Port Blair is now working as Hon. Secretary in an NGO for Life Style Modifications and imparting lessons on Yoga at Ramlila Park, Jaipur House, Agra and 10, Govind nagar, Shahganj, Agra- 282 010 (India).