Chakra : The Anatomy of Personal Evolution

Chakra

Yoga and The Anatomy of Personal Evolution

IntroductionA chakra is a plexus of Pranic energy in the body that expresses our

individual consciousness and energy in particular ways distinctive of our individuality. We are familiar with expressions such as a ‘gut feeling,’ an ‘open heart,’ ‘fire in the belly’ and so on, all of which are colloquial expressions of the energy of the chakras.

Our expressions also reflect our recognition that these energies can be ‘open’ – expansive, expressive, inclusive – or ‘closed’ – tight, narrow, self-absorbed. Our maturity and evolution as individuals and as spiritual beings depends upon how much these energies are ‘opened’ as we progress through life, bringing us into higher levels of harmony with the generous, inclusive and expansive energy of the universe, the creative Shakti.

Doug Keller, Refining The Breath

7 Sahasrara + CrownTop of the Head

6 Ajna + Brow + ThoughtForehead Center

5 Vishuddha + ThroatMid-Throat

4 Anahata + Heart Chest Center

3 Manipura + Solar PlexusUpper Stomach

2 Svadhisthana + Spleen2 – 3 inches below stomach

1 Muladhara + PerineumBase of the Spine

Mental - Emotional Strengths /Blocks of Each Chakra

Crown ChakraCompassion, at-oneness, seeing self in others,

harmonious, peaceful, non-attachment, love, nonreactive; Spirit: Love

Brow ChakraOverview, Visualizing, Clarity, Psychic / Subtle awareness

of self in others; Spirit: ServiceThroat Chakra

Open, clear communication; Creative; Speaking up; Releasing; Breathing life-force, Spirit: Healing

Heart Chakra Harmony, trust, loving, gentle w/ self and others. Give

and receive w/o condition. Flexible w/ loss; Spirit: Balance

Mental Energy Will/power/control over self vs. others, beliefs, details,

constructive vs. critical. Spirit: Thought ClarityEmotional Energy

Emotionally open to new people, ideas & growth. Needs: Boundaries, Trust, Comfort, Intimacy, attachment.

Spirit: Begin / EndPhysical Energy

Physical & Financial Needs: Safety, Sexuality. Action Center. Spirit: Grounded-ness

Physical

Areas

and Glands

Crown Chakra Pineal Gland; Hair, Top of Head, CNS (Nerve

System)Brow Chakra

Pituitary and Hypothalamus; eyes, Autonomic Nerve SystemThroat Chakra

Thyroid, parathyroid, neck ears, atlas Respiratory System; Colds, sinus allergies

Heart Chakra Thymus, Heart, Breathing Allergies, Lungs, Blood Pressure, Lymph, Immunity System

Solar Plexus Chakra Pancreas, Stomach, Liver, Small Intestine,

Blood Sugar, DigestionSpleen Chakra

Blood Sugar; Spleen, Ovaries, Urinary Tract, Uterus; Kidney, Adrenals

Base Root ChakraLower Sex / Reproductive System, Tailbone,

Legs, Feet.

MULADHARACHAKRA

1st Energy Center – “Action, Speed Chakra”

Anatomy: Perineum, Base of the spine

Color: RedElement: EarthSymbol: Square / CubePolarity: ( — )Sound: “LAM”Instrument: DrumSense: SmellSense Reception: External Visual

MovementFood: Proteins, Beans, Nuts

Open and Clear:Physically strong. Healthy sex drive. Grounded wellbeing.

Closed or Clouded:Base emotions such as anger, resentment, jealousness. Sex w/ personal pleasure as focus. Ungrounded.

SVADDHISANA

CHAKRA

2nd Energy Center – “Feeling and Empathy”

Anatomy: Spleen 2 -3 inches below navel

Color: OrangeElement: WaterSymbol: Circle or spherePolarity: ( + )Sound: “VAM” Instrument: String instrumentsSense: Taste Sense reception: Feelings,

Kinesthetic Food: Water, Juice, TEA

Healthy, Open, ClearEmotionally energetic, passionate and warm. Caring with out need for attachment.

Unhealthy, closed or cloudedEmotions such as fear, anxiety manifest as attachment addictions and distrust.

MANIPURA CHAKRA

3rd Energy Center - “Thought, Logic” Chakra

Color - YellowAnatomy - Solar Plexus (upper

stomach)Element - FireSymbol - Pyramid or Triangle Polarity - ( — )Instrument - “RAM” (horn / reed) Sense - Sight Receptive Mode - Auditory/digital

(hands on)Food - Complex Carbohydrates,

Grains

Healthy & OpenCalm, Clear, confident, flexible

Unhealthy & ClosedExcessive worry, obsessive actions, easily irritated and often complaining

ANAHATA CHAKRA

• 4th Energy Center – “Care and Compassion” Chakra

• Anatomy - Heart (center of chest)• Color - Green• Element - Air • Polarity - ( + )• Symbol - Cross• Note - “YAM” (flute or wind)• Sense - Touch• Reception - Internal Visual• Food - Dark, Leafy, Green

Vegetables

Healthy & OpenCalm, trusting, loving, centered, giving, capable of giving and receiving

Unhealthy & ClosedDistrust, closed, guarded, unable to give or receive. Possible resentment.

VISHUDDHACHAKRA

• 5th Energy Center – “Communicate, Create Chakra”

• Anatomy: Mid-Throat, Nose, Mouth, Sinus

• Color: Blue• Element: Aether• Symbol: Cup / Chalice• Note: “HAM”• Instrument: Voice• Sense: Hearing• Sense Reception: Audio w/

minor Visual• Food: Raw Fruit (Blue or Black)

Healthy and OpenClear and capable communication, assertive, creative verbally

Unhealthy and ClosedLacks ability to express. Guarded. Hesitant to express emotions. Frustrated easily

AJNACHAKRA

• 6th Energy Center – “Overview, Community” Chakra

• Anatomy: 3rd Eye• Element: Thought• Symbol: Star of David• Polarity ( + )• Note: “OM”• Instrument: Creative

Vibration, Spanda*• Sense: Intuition• Sense Reception: Overview• Food: Breath, Air, Chlorophyll

Healthy & OpenMental clarity and insightful. Manifesting intention and desires comes easily

Unhealthy & ClosedDisharmony. Mental fluctuations. Difficult meditating. Muted intuitively. Lacking in Compassion

SAHASRARACHAKRA

• 7th Energy Center - “Inner Knowledge, Service” Chakra

• Color: Violet• Anatomy: Crown• Element: Light• Symbol: Lotus• Note: Silence• Instrument: none• Sense: Oneness• Sense Reception:

Knowingness• Food: Sunshine, Juice, Fasting

Healthy & OpenInner knowingness, serenity, enjoys selfless service.

Unhealthy & ClosedLacks larger perspective. Lacks Intuition. Unable to care or be compassionate.