According to yoga philosophy, there’s more to the human body than matter. Each of us also has an energy body, a subtle field of life force or prana, which moves through an intricate network of channels or nadis that surround and infiltrate the physical body. This energy body or pranamaya kosha interacts closely with the physical body, reflecting and creating a state of bodily health with an unobstructed flow of subtle energy.

Where the physical body has higher levels of electrochemical activity, the energy body has more channels, larger channels and more intersections between them. These intersections are called chakras. There are plenty of chakras throughout the energy body, but the most significant ones are found near the midline of the physical body, by the spinal cord and brain. These major chakras correspond to the major nervous plexuses, and to the endocrine glands. They are seven in number, and each has its own distinct characteristics.

In studying the characteristics of the major chakras, one begins to see a few things. Firstly, they provide a fully realized model of the human psyche. From our most basic survival instinct in muladhara, the root chakra, to our capacity for transpersonal realization in sahasrara, the crown, they cover the full spectrum of what it means to be human. This psychological model, like any other, can be used to better understand ourselves. Secondly, by taking an upward journey through the chakras, one can readily chart the path of individual and collective evolution. Following this path does not mean leaving the lower levels behind in order to reach the higher. It means allowing one’s energy to flow through all the chakras, thereby expressing the full range of one’s humanity – including one’s intellect, creativity, love, power, and sexuality to name a few.

This full human expression is an ideal situation. However, often one chakra or another is ‘blocked’ and does not allow a free flow of energy. Through various forms of energetic therapy, including sound healing and Reiki, these blocked chakras can be encouraged to open. Since the energy body is constantly interacting with both the physical body and the mind, physical and mental healing can result from energetic work. Likewise, physical or mental therapy can heal or open up the chakras.

The charts below are an introduction to the seven major chakras, as they manifest in their symbolic, physical, and psychological aspects.

The Chakras - Physical

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Elements Thought Light Ether/Sound Air Fire Water Earth

Location Top and center of head Between the eyes Between inner collabones Center of chest Above navel Just below navel Perineum

Spinal Regions Above Nose Below Eyes Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacrum Coccyx

Endocrine glands Pineal Pituitary Thyroid or Parathyroid Thymus Pancreas Testes/Ovaries Adrenal

Nervous plexuses Cerebral cortex Cavernous Laryngeal Cardiac Solar Sacral Coccygeal

Body parts Brain, cerebellum, skull Face, nose, eyes, sinuses, cerebellum, pituitary gland Lungs, vocal cords, bronchials, throat, jaw, neck, thyroid, voice, nape of neck Heart, upper back, rib cage, chest, skin, circulatory system, lower lungs, abdominal cavity Abdomen, lower back, stomach, spleen, liver, digestive system, gall bladder, autonomic nervous system Reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, pelvic area, sperm, all liquids and fluids of the body Bones, teeth, nails, legs, arms, intestine, anus, prostate, blood, cell structure

Gemstones Amethyst, Crystal, Topaz, Alexandrite, Sapphire Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Open, Indigo Sapphire Aquamarine, Turquoise, Chalcedon Emerald, Green Jade, Rose Quartz Amber, Tiger's Eye, Citrine, Yellow Topaz, Agate Moon Stone, Carnelian, Tourmaline Agate, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Smoky Quartz

Oils Frankincense, Olibanum, Oakmoss, Lotus Basil, Jasmine, Rosemary, Patchouli Lavender, Sandalwood, Neroli, Sage Geranium, Bergamot, Rose, Clary, Sage Chamomile, Lemon, Thyme Sandalwood, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang Cedar, Clove, Cypress, Marjoram, Myrrh

Planets Saturn, Neptune Mercury, Venus, Uranus Mars, Venus, Uranus Sun, Venus, Saturn Sun, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury Mars, Saturn

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The Chakras - Symbolic

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Name Sahasrara Ajna Visuddha Anahata Manipura Swadisthana Muladhara

Meaning of Name Thousandfold Command Purity Unbeaten Lustrous Gem Sweetness Root Support

# of Petals 1000 96 16 12 10 6 4

Colour White Purple, "Cloud" Blue Green, Gray Yellow, Red, Purple Orange, White Red, Yellow

Mantras Soham (सो ऽहम्) Aum (ॐ) Ham (हं) Yam (यं) Ram (रं) Vam (वं) Lam (लं)

Musical Notes B (Ni) A (Dha) G (Pa) F (Ma) E (Ga) D (Re) C (Sa)

Zodiac Signs Capricorn, Pisces Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces Gemini, Taurus, Aquarius Leo, Libra Leo, Sagittarius, Virgo Cancer, Libra, Scorpio Aries, Mars, Taurus, Scorpio, Capricorn

Direction of Spin B (Ni) A (Dha) G (Pa) F (Ma) E (Ga) D (Re) C (Sa)

Direction of spin CW (Male) CCW (Female) CCW (Male) CW (Female) CW (Male) CCW (Female) CCW (Male) CW (Female) CW (Male) CCW (Female) CCW (Male) CW (Female) CW (Male) CCW (Female)

Sense Beyond senses Intuition Hearing Touch Sight Taste Smell

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The Chakras - Psychological

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Principle Pure being Knowing of being Expression of being Loving beyond the self Formation of being Reproduction of being Physical Entity

Purpose Here the human being connects with the universe. This chakra enables the recognition of being. Deals with all related to sound, both physical and metaphysical. The ability to love without fear and self-consciousness. This is where the personality is formed. Feeling and being are integrated here. Center for sexual energy, creativity and pure emotions. Links the individual with the physical world.

Benefit of Therapy Cosmic aspect - no self limitations Understanding, harmony Brings harmony to speech and voice Brings peace and understanding Eases aggression, pacifies Stimulates desire, rejuvenates Calms, dissolves tension

Orientation or goal Self-knowledge Self-reflection Self-expression Self-acceptance Self-definition Self-gratification Self-preservation

Identity Universal Archetypical Creative Social Egoic Emotional Physical

Principle Spiritual wisdom Intuition and imagination Self-expression Compassion Shaping of being Reproduction of being Physical entity

Description (after Kailash Yoga) This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It refers to the element "thought". It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss. This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye. It represents the element "light". It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture." This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. It represents the element "ether". Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language. This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It represents the element "air". It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, and have a deep sense of peace. This chakra is known as the power chakra and is located in the solar plexus. It represents the element "fire". It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element "water", and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change. Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element "earth", and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.

Healthy Chakra (after Kailash Yoga) The Crown chakra is about wisdom and being one with the world. When this chakra is open, you are unprejudiced and quite aware of the world and yourself. The Third Eye chakra is about insight and visualization. When it is open, you have a good intuition. You may tend to fantasize. The Throat chakra is about self-expression and talking. When it is open, you have no problems expressing yourself, and you might be doing so as an artist. The Heart chakra is about love, kindness and affection. When it is open, you are compassionate and friendly, and you work at harmonious relationships. The Navel chakra is about asserting yourself in a group. When it is open, you feel in control and you have sufficient self esteem. The Sacral chakra is about feeling and sexuality. When it is open, your feelings flow freely, and are expressed without being over-emotional. You are open to intimacy and you can be passionate and lively. You have no problems dealing with your sexuality. The Root chakra is about being physically there and feeling at home in situations. If it is open, you feel grounded, stable and secure. You don't unnecessarily distrust people. You feel present in the here and now and connected to your physical body. You feel you have sufficient territory.

Underactive Chakra (after Kailash Yoga) If it is under-active, you're not very aware of spirituality. You're probably quite rigid in your thinking. If it is under-active, you're not very good at thinking for yourself, and you may tend to rely on authorities. You may be rigid in your thinking, relying on beliefs too much. You might even get confused easily. When this chakra is under-active, you tend not to speak much, and you probably are introverted and shy. Not speaking the truth may block this chakra. When your Heart chakra is under-active, you are cold and distant. When the Navel chakra is under-active, you tend to be passive and indecisive. You're probably timid and don't get what you want. If you tend to be stiff and unemotional or have a "poker face," the Sacral chakra is under-active. You're not very open to people. If you tend to be fearful or nervous, your Root chakra is probably under-active. You'd easily feel unwelcome.

Overactive Chakra (after Kailash Yoga) If this chakra is over-active, you are probably intellectualizing things too much. You may be addicted to spirituality and are probably ignoring your bodily needs. If this chakra is over-active, you may live in a world of fantasy too much. In excessive cases hallucinations are possible. If this chakra is over-active, you tend to speak too much, usually to domineer and keep people at a distance. You're a bad listener if this is the case. If this chakra is over-active, you are suffocating people with your love and your love probably has quite selfish reasons. If this chakra is over-active, you are domineering and probably even aggressive. If this chakra is over-active, you tend to be emotional all the time. You'll feel emotionally attached to people and you can be very sexual. If this chakra is over-active, you may be very materialistic and greedy. You're probably obsessed with being secure and resist change.