When all the nadis and chakras which are full of impurities are purified, then the yogi is able to retain prana – Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Chapter 2 – Verse 5.
In the process of awakening kundalini, the nadis or energy channels need to be cleared. Also, the quality and quantity of prana has to be increased and stored. Prana is accumulated in particular centers along the spinal column. These centers are located in the subtle body and correspond to the nerve plexuses in the physical body. In the subtle body, they are known as chakras. Chakra means ‘a circling motion or wheel’ and are swirling masses of energy.
In deep meditation, the yogis have seen these chakras and they described them as lotus flowers. Though the chakras are situated in the subtle body, their influence extends to the gross and causal bodies. Each chakra vibrates at a particular rate and velocity. The chakras at the lowest point of energy circuit operate on a lower frequency and are said to create grosser states of awareness. Chakras at the top of the circuit operate on a high frequency and are responsible for subtler states of awareness and higher intelligence.
Mooladhara Chakra
It is the lowest chakra, within the perineal floor in the male body and the cervix in the female body. It is a 4-petalled red lotus and influences the excretory and reproductive organs, reproductive glands and hormonal secretions. It is directly connected to the nose and sense of smell and with our animal instincts. At mooladhara, human evolution begins and kundalini emerges.
Swadhisthana Chakra
It is two finger widths above mooladhara and closely associated with it. It is a 6-petalled vermilion lotus. It is connected to the sacral plexus, urinary and reproductive organs and glands. Swadhisthana is associated with the tongue and the sense of taste. Its influence on the deeper personality arouses a selfish sense of ego.
Manipura Chakra
It is located in the spinal column right behind the belly button. Manipura is a 10-petalled yellow lotus and is associated with the solar plexus. It influences the digestive process and the assimilation of food and prana. It is also connected to the eyes and sight. At the level of manipura, the consciousness is still bound by the grosser levels of existence and sensualities, ambition and greed.
Anahata Chakra
It is behind the chest bone is the heart and behind the heart in the spinal column is the heart chakra or anahata, with 12 blue petals. It is connected to the cardiac plexus, heart, respiration and thymus gland and is responsible for emotions of love and hate, compassion and cruelty, etc. Anahata is also connected to the sense of touch and the hands.
Vishuddhi Chakra
It is located in the spinal column right behind the throat pit with 16 purple petals. It is associated with the cervical plexus and thyroid gland and it maintains purity in the body and mind. Vishuddhi is connected to the throat, ears and sense of audition and speech. It arouses acceptance of the adversities of life, mental balance and sensitivity to the needs of others.
Ajna Chakra
It is located at the top of the spinal column, at the medulla oblongata and has 2 silvery grey or clear petals. It is the command center. It operates in conjunction with the reticular activating system, medulla oblongata and the pineal gland. Ajna chakra is the 3rd eye through which the whole subtle world can be perceived.
Sahasrara Chakra
When kundalini shakti passes beyond ajna, duality and ego cease to exist. It reaches the highest center, sahasrara, the 1000-petalled lotus. It is situated at the crown of the head and is associated with the pituitary gland. When this chakra is fully activated by kundalini, it is the highest experience of human evolution.
Bindu Visarga
It literally means the ‘oozing point of the nectar drop’. It is said that at this particular point, a tiny amount of fluid forms, like a tiny drop. This nectar has the capacity to enlighten the individual consciousness. The location of this point is back top of the head where some Hindus keep a small tuft of hair. The symbol of this point is a crescent moon.
Benefits of Chakra Awareness
Many asanas have a particularly powerful and beneficial effect on one or more nerve plexuses and endocrine glands in the body. If one directs concentration to specific chakra points while performing asanas, the beneficial effects will be increased. Each chakra is a switch which turns on or opens up patterns of behavior, thought or emotional reactions which may have been unconscious in our everyday life. They relate to specific areas of the brain, and in most people, these psychic centres lie dormant and inactive. Concentration on the chakras while performing yogic practices stimulates the flow of energy through the chakras and helps to activate them. This in turn awakens the dormant areas in the brain and the corresponding faculties in the psychic and mental bodies, allowing one to experience planes of consciousness which are normally inaccessible.
