The Seven Chakras

"Yoga is a holistic system of self transformation that approaches well-being through balancing the vital energies in the body, which harmonize all aspects of your life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. "
Deva Parnell

There are many energy channels in the body, but here we focus on the seven main ones. These are located along the spine starting at the base, and running upwards to the crown of the head. The chakras are described as "whirling disks of light", and each Chakra radiates a specific color, and energy.

As each Chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and body issues, conscious awareness, and balancing of these energy centers lead to well being.

The sound 'Om' was discovered by the ancient yogis to be the vibrational sound of the universe. By chanting this sound, you can connect with this vibration, and feel connected to the oneness of the universe.

A Chakra is an invisible (to the normal human eye), center of spinning energy. Through the chakras we are able to receive and transmit social, sexual, and spiritual energy.

Each chakra gives off one of the seven colors of the rainbow. When all the chakras are open, and a person is vibrant, and healthy, all the colors of the rainbow appear in the electromagnetic energy that surrounds the body, which is that person's aura.

Each of the chakras resonate with a certain color, sound, and frequency. As we understand this, it is easier to see how color, sound, and frequency can have a therapeutic effect. They can help to stimulate, and balance the activity of the chakras.

The chakras should be thought of as dynamos. Dynamic centers through which the energy is distributed. This energy is distributed from the chakras as it comes into the body, as well as when it goes out of the body.

There is a capacity for the transmission as well as the reception. The chakras are the centers that make the aura brighter, and brighter, or dimmer, and dimmer, depending upon their activity. People who have inner vision can actually see, or feel the chakras.

The pranic network which comprises the pranic body is fueled by the psychic centres, or chakras. These are very subtle, and high-powered vortices of energy which receive the cosmic prana, and act as transformers to step down, or reduce the voltage so that it can be used by the different organs, and parts of the body.

As well as providing the Prana for specific areas, and functions of the body, they can also be used as trigger-points for awakening the higher faculties, and dimensions of consciousness.

The different systems of yoga, especially Hatha, and Kriya Yoga, systematically purify, rebalance, and awaken the chakras individually, and also as a whole.

When the chakras are properly prepared by such practices, the pranic level is naturally higher, and more stable. Therefore, there will be little difficulty in awakening, and experiencing the transmission of prana.

Of the three dimensions of chakras, Mooladhara is the lowest chakra in the human body, and sahasrara is the highest. However, this is not the whole picture. There are three sets of chakras. The lower set of chakras belong to the instinctive, or animal body, and exist below mooladhara.

They are known as atal, vital, sutal, rasatal, dharatal, mahatal, and patal. Animals also have chakras, and in the instinctive frame of consciousness, these are the seven chakras which are activated.

As human beings, we have transcended these seven lower forms of chakras, and in our personality we deal with mooladhara, swadhisthana, manipura, anahata, vishuddhi, ajna, bindu, and sahasrara.

When we cease to be human beings, and transcend our individuality , then the third set of chakras begins to function within us. This third set is represented by the lokas, or dimensions of existence.

They are known as bhu loka, bhuvar loka, swaiia laka, maha loka, janaha taka, tapaha laka and satya laka. These are the seven higher dimensions, or planes of consciousness.

Through the practice of prana vidya we can awaken the physiological, or human set of chakras. After they are awakened, and we are able to raise the kundalini energy from mooladhara to sahasrara, then the awareness of, and play within the higher planes of existence begins.

*There are also powerful energy centers in the palm of each hand, and on the sole of each foot.

We hope you have found, or are considering bringing Hatha Yoga into your life. We look forward to seeing you at one of our yoga classes, or workshops, held regularly when we are home in Largo, Florida from November-May. Or, on our next Yoga Bound Travel Adventure with special Yoga in Bali Retreats and Yoga in Thailand Retreats.