Kundalini Yoga Seven Chakra System Overview
The Seven Chakras of Kundalini Yoga
What exactly are Chakras? How do they function? How can they be worked on? This article will look to answer these and other key questions regarding them, as well as give an overview of each of the Chakras that make up the Kundalini Seven Chakra System. Although, books can easily be written on this topic this document will concentrate on providing the most important aspects of this profound science.
Charkas are the center piece of the Yogic Energetic model of man. Chakra, which literally means wheel, is best thought of as a Multi-Dimensional Energy Vortex. By multi-dimensional I mean that a Chakra bridges across the many dimensions that make up a human being. According to Yoga there are 4 bodies that constitute a complete human being. These are the physical body, psychic or astral body, the mental body and finally the causal body. Chakras reside in the astral body, and serve as transformers to move energy between these various bodies.
The astral body can be thought of an etheric double of the physical body. Through it runs a vast complex of channels (nadis) that carry the energy of life (prana, chi or life-force). The quality and quantity of prana flowing through the nadis determines the health of the Chakras with reside there. The Chakras, as we mentioned are energy vortexes. They are opened and balanced by this flow of prana. The Chakras lie along the spine from the base to the top of the head and there are seven main Chakras. Each of these Chakras govern the physical region where they are situated and also, are responsible for certain emotional and personality traits. As they are properly activated and energized by the correct flow of prana, the corresponding physical regions are rejuvenated and emotions of a higher quality are embraced.
The seven Chakras and their main areas of influence, both physical and emotional are given below. The format is Chakra Name: Location: Primary Physical Influence: Primary Emotional/Personality Influences.
1. Mooladhara (Root) Chakra: Perineum: Excretory Systems: Physical Security & Fear
2. Swadhisthana (Sex) Chakra: Base of the Spine: Sexual Systems: Self-Expression & Creativity
3. Manipura (Naval) Chakra: Solar Plexus: Digestive Systems: Willpower & Anger
4. Anahata (Heart) Chakra: Center of the Chest: Circulatory and Respiratory Systems: Love
5. Vishuddhi (Throat) Chakra: Throat: Auditory and Speech Systems: Communication
6. Ajna (3rd Eye): Center of head, directly in line with center of forehead: Eyes & Perception: Intuition
7. Sahasrara (Crown): Top of Head: Brain and Nervous System: Bliss
Now that we know what Chakras are and what they do, lets see how we can work on them. The key to opening and balancing Chakras is by purifying the Nadis of blockages and increasing the flow of Prana. This is best done through the use of Yoga and Pranayama. Yoga, specifically Kundalini or Kriya Yoga, and Pranayama are the essentially the science of Chakra Activation. They are designed to systematically dissolve the debris that collects and blocks the flow of energy through the nadis. When the flow increases, the Chakras are opened and, over time, become optimally balanced. This leads to higher levels of awareness and consciousness — which is to say that it leads to a human being achieving their highest potential.
well, I must say that I love your site Anmol..!!
However I am also making a site in kundalini and seven chakras, please can u have a look??
n tell me how is it?? thanks :-)
Hi Michellesmith,
I have replied to your email.
Best,
Anmol
Dear Anmol,
I have come back to this site after a long time. I want some advise from you with the following problems I face:
1. Teeth chattering — This starts off when I am in deep slumber & mostly at night and it has been diagonised as stress (something which is to happen later on & I perceive it earlier due to which the teeth start chattering).As a result cavities develop between the teeth or tooth & I have to go to a dentist, get the cleaning done & fix a cap on them to avoid further problems. The dentist when asked does not have a solution to this problem & I have consulted with top doctors who first had prescribed some medication but to no effect. Later on it was said that it was totally due to stress.
2. Tremors in both hands — It is more in the left hand & less in the right hand. For this also I have consulted top neurologists as my father was suffering from Parkinson & mom was disturbed with these tremors. When I hold a cup & saucer filled with tea, they start clattering & I have to settle them immediately lest it falls. This activity also was dtected as stress prone like the one above. A hand writing test was taken to see whether I too had any effects of Parkinson but there were none & my handwriting is appreciated by my friends. Hence I was advised by the doctors whom I had consulted to remain as cool as possible & try to keep tensions at bay. At my workplace I arrange to keep myself tension free but some problems at home off late have made me stressful for which I am trying to get solutions on my own. I was also advised by dosc to take a Hyper tension tablet of lesser dose but as I know the ill effects of allopathy, I did not continue with medication.
Since I am interested in spirituaity & keep going on these sites often and I also know that if I meditate I can reduce my stress levels. But my laziness chops in & I do not regularly meditate which I know is wrong. But is there some way alongwith meditation to bring down my problems.
Awaiting for your reply.
Please also mark the reply to my e-mail if possible coz I will have to search for the answer you may have posted to my querries on your site.
I have read somewhere that practising Tai chi also helps in maintaining health.
Hi Navid,
Yes Astral Travel is possible. I believe the book by John Mumford (A Chakra and Kundalini Workbook) gives some techniques for doing that.
Best,
Anmol
Hi Anmol,
I found the matter different bodies very interesting. Is it possible to travel to astral or casual or mental bodies?
Yours,
Navid