Chakra means “wheel”. Chakras are energy centers, or energy vortices. They exist as dynamic energies and they can helps us to understand the way energy is processed by a human being within the vast and complex interplay of a multi-leveled existence. In studying Kundalini Yoga, we focus on the eight major chakras.

Seven of the chakras correspond to areas of the endocrine system or to nerve plexes in the physical body and the eight corresponds to the aura or magnetic field of the body.

FIRST CHAKRA

Muladhara - Security & Survival - Earth

Foundations, habit, self-acceptance

LOCATION: The end of the spine between the anus and the sexual organs.

ORGAN/GLAND: Organs of elimination

COLOR: Red

QUALITIES: Grounded, centered, secure, loyal, stable. Healthy functions of elimination.

SHADOW: Fear, insecurity. Life feels like a burden; feeling of not really belonging on Earth or in one’s culture or family. Weak constitution, elimination problems, reduce physical and mental resistance, sexual perversions.

YOGA EXERCISES: Crow Pose, Chair Pose, Body drops, Frog Pose, Mulbhandh, Front Stretches, Lying on the stomach, feet kicking buttocks.

SECOND CHAKRA

Svadisthana - Creativity - Water

To feel, to desire, to create

LOCATION: The sexual organs

ORGAN/GLAND: Sexual organs, reproductive glands, kidneys, bladder

COLOR: Orange

QUALITIES: Positive, relaxed attitude to sexual functions; patience; responsible relationships.

SHADOW: Rigid emotions, frigidity, guilt, no boundaries, irresponsible relationships. Problems with reproductive organs, or kidneys.

YOGA EXERCISES: Frog Pose, Cobra Pose, Butterfly, Sat Kriya, Cat-Cow, Maha Mudra, Pelvic Lifts.

THIRD CHAKRA

Manipura - Action & Balance - Fire

The will of the spiritual warrior

LOCATION: The area of the navel point, solar plexus

ORGAN/GLAND: Navel plexus, liver, gall bladder, spleen, digestive organs, pancreas, adrenals.

COLOR: Yellow

QUALITIES: The cener of personal power and commitment. Self-esteem, identity, judgment. This is where the strength for inner balance, inspiration and good health is developed.

SHADOW: Anger; greed, shame, despair. Obstacles everywhere. Not enough strength and spontaneity. Conforming in order to be recognized. Refuting ones own wishes and emotions. Problems with digestion, the liver, the gallbladder and the pancreas.

YOGA EXERCISES: Stretch Pose, Sat Kriya, Peacock Pose, Bow Pose, Fish Pose, Diaphragm Lock, Breath of Fire; all the exercises which train the abdominal muscles.

FOURTH CHAKRA

Anahata - Love & Compassion - Air

Love and awakening. Fom “we to we”

LOCATION: The middle of the chest on the breast bone at the level of the nipples.

ORGAN/GLAND: Heart, lungs, thymus gland.

COLOR: Green

QUALITIES: Compassion; Kindness; forgiveness; service; love. Recognizing and understanding these qualities in others. Sacred transformation. Awakening to spiritual awareness.

SHADOW: Grief. Attachment. Closed to surroundings. Easy hurt. Dependent on love and affection from others. Fear of rejection. Helper syndrome. Heartlessness. Heart problems; lung problems; blood pressure problems.

YOGA EXERCISES: Ego Eradicator, Yoga Mudra, Bear Grip, Baby Pose. All arm exercises and exercises which twist the upper torso. All Pranayam.

FIFTH CHAKRA

Vishuddha - Projective power of the word - Ether

Hearing and speaking the Truth. The Teacher.

LOCATION: The throat.

ORGAN/GLAND: Trachea, throat, cervical vertebrae, thyroid.

COLOR: Light blue.

QUALITIES: The center for truth, language, knowledge and the ability to communicate effectively.Authenticity. Healthy self-expression and interactions. Inspiring, teaching. Embodying God’s Will.

SHADOW: Lethargy, weakness in expressive and descriptive abilities, shyness, voice problems, insecurity, fear of other people’s opinions and judgments. Troat problems, neck problems, thyroid problems.

YOGA EXERCISE: All chanting. Shoulder Stand, Cobra Pose, Plw Pose, Camel Pose, Cat-cow. Neck Rolls, Neck Lock, nose to knees.

SIXTH CHAKRA

Ajna - Intuition, Wisdom & Identity

The union of opposites.

LOCATION: Between the eyebrows

ORGAN/GLAND: Brain; pituitary gland

COLOR: Indigo

QUALITIES: Center of intuition, clairvoyance; visualizing; fantasizing; concentration and determination. Self-initiation. Power of projection. Understanding your purpose.

SHADOW: Confusion, depression. Rejection of spirituality. Over-intellectualizing.

YOGA EXERCISES: Meditation on the Third Eye, Long Chant, Kirtan Kriya. Archer Pose, Whistle Breaths. Yoga Mudra. All exercises where the forehead rests on the floor.

SEVENTH CHAKRA

Sahasrara - Humility & Vastness

Transcendence. The Tenth Gate

LOCATION:Crown of the head.

ORGAN/GLAND: Brain; pineal gland.

COLOR: Violet

QUALITIES: The seat of the soul. Connection to the Highest Self Enlightenment. Unity. Elevation. relationship to the Unknown.

SHADOW: Grief. The felling of being separated from existence, and from abundance. Fear of death.

YOGA EXERCISES: Ego Eradicator, Mahabandha, sat Kriya. Concentrating on the tip of the nose. All meditation.

EIGHTH CHAKRA

The Aura - Radiance

LOCATION: The electromagnetic field

COLOR: White

QUALITIES: The aura combines the effects of all the chakras, and constitutes their total projection. The aura projects and protects.

SHADOW: Shy, withdrawn, vulnerable.

YOGA EXERCISES: Triangle pose, Ego Eradicator, Archer Pose. All arm exercises. All meditation.