Why Chakras Are Important
If you’ve ever attended a yoga class and heard the word “chakra,” you may have looked to your neighbors for some kind of definition. Mastering chakras is a powerful tool for meditation and yoga practices.
Here’s how understanding these principles can help you- physically and spiritually.
Chakras Defined
The word chakra is Sanskrit, and it translates to “wheel” or “disk.” That might trigger some recognition for yogis, who hear the term when referring to the wheels of energy in the body.
Chakras are used to measure alignment, physically and spiritually, particularly when referring to aligning the base of the spine, all the way up to the crown of the head.
The purpose of visualizing a chakra is to delve into the place where your spirituality and overall consciousness meet the physical activity you are conducting.
In essence, it’s what brings the whole practice together, and it releases emotional, physical and spiritual energy, called Prana.
Seven Main Chakras
There are seven main chakras that must be opened and aligned to release this energy.
Root chakra symbolizes the feeling of being grounded, which can reduce anxiety and stress, while putting a stop to catastrophic thinking. It is located in the base of spine, near your tailbone.
The sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen, two inches or so below the navel. This chakra represents the connection to new experiences and acceptance of change.
The solar plexus chakra boosts confidence and the feeling of being in control of our lives. It is located in the upper abdomen.
The heart chakra is pretty self-explanatory, located just above the heart and representing the ability to love.
The throat chakra symbolizes the ability to communicate, and is, of course, located in the throat.
The third-eye chakra rests on the forehead between the eyes, and enables us to see the big picture, rather than small, stressful details.
The final chakra is the crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head. It is the highest point on the body since it represents the ability to fully connect spiritually.
How to Use Chakras
You may notice that each chakra is located in a sensitive place, full of nerves and important organs.
A chakra is a physical basis for spiritual energy that flows through each part of the body. When you align chakras through yoga and meditation, you are keeping them open and fluid.
This is symbolic as well as physically beneficial. Monitoring the balance of your chakras involves mindfulness and enhanced awareness. It’s certainly not easy to maintain an open chakra, especially for beginners, but continuous practice will get you there.
Once you are able to identify chakras that are out of balance, you will be able to control your body physically and perform emotional and spiritual maintenance.
The practice of identifying and balancing chakras may seem daunting at first, but it is highly rewarding to feel the sense of peace and alignment that comes with regular yoga and meditative practice. So go forth and embrace this concept at your next session!
Sri Eswaran
