Chakras
"At the inner core of each one of us spin 7 wheel-like energy centers called chakras. Swirling intersections of vital life forces, each reflects and aspect of consciousness essential to our lives." Anodea Judith
A chakra is a center of activity that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy. The word chakra literally translates as wheel or disk and refers to a spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching forward from the spinal column. There are six of these wheels stacked in a column of energy that spans from the base of the spine to the middle of the forehead. And the seventh which is beyond the physical region. It is the six major chakras that correlate with basic states of consciousness...
Chakra are commonly described, as above, as energy centers in the spine located at major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull. Chakras are considered to be a point or nexus of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy of the human body.
The following primary chakras are commonly described:
- Muladhara (Sanskrit: मूलाधार, Mūlādhāra) lower body
- Swadhisthana (Sanskrit: स्वाधिष्ठान, Svādhiṣṭhāna) reproductive parts
- Manipura (Sanskrit: मणिपूर, Maṇipūra) navel
- Anahata (Sanskrit: अनाहत, Anāhata) heart
- Vishuddha (Sanskrit: विशुद्ध, Viśuddha) throat
- Ajna (Sanskrit: आज्ञा, Ājñā) eyebrow or forehead
- Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, Sahasrāra) top of head
Chakras in the head from lowest to highest are: golata, talu/talana/lalana, ajna, talata/lalata, manas, soma, sahasrara (and sri inside it.)
The concept of Chakra are often treated in different ways, depending on the cultural context. In Chinese medicine, traditional chakra locations correspond to acupuncture points. In some Eastern thought, chakras are considered to be gradations of consciousness and reflect states of the soul--these systems rely less on proof than on experience (under the assumption that 'proving' the existence of chakras is asking to 'prove' the existence of the thought process). A mystic may deal with chakra as a model for their internal and external experience, and when talking about 'energy centers', may be talking about subtle forces which connect to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person.
Though not "physical" the chakras are alway present and directly related to our endocrine and neverous systems. With a consistent yoga practice- life force starts to awaken your subtle/energetic body. As we practice this month, some of us will notice some "chakra" areas are not open to the free flow of life and we will all learn various asanas to enliven and unblock those areas on a physical and physiological level.
