The word chakra means “wheel” in Sanskrit. Chakras are the body’s subtle energy vortices. They have been identified in many ancient cultures. There are seven primary chakras or energy centers including the root, navel, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. These energy centers are the source of all power, all energy, and all activity; the physical, mental, and emotional health of an individual depends on the harmonious working of the chakras. Each of these chakras has a color associated with it. Starting with the root chakra and going to the crown, these colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine. This is the center for survival and also the seat of the Kundalini, the magic serpent power that lies coiled in repose until it is uncoiled through spiritual growth. The root chakra controls the reproductive system. Its color is red and its primal element is earth. It faces downward toward the feet, and any disturbance in its functioning may sometimes cause a sense of insecurity or ungroundedness in a person.
The second chakra is located in the gonads area below the navel. Its color is orange. It controls the kidneys, the bladder, the pelvic area, and the small intestine. Any problem in these organs is a clear indication of malfunctioning in this center. Its prime element is water.
The third chakra is located in the solar plexus above the navel. It controls the liver, the spleen, the stomach, and the large intestine. Its primal element is fire, and its harmonious working is essential in maintaining good health. It is this chakra that gives strength and courage to an individual and prepares him/her to deal with challenges. Its color is yellow.
The fourth chakra is located a little to the right of the heart area. With three centers below and three centers above, it is the turning point of spiritual awakening. It is the center of love and selflessness, and cooperation and humility. The opening of this chakra allows a person’s consciousness to undergo subtle changes and to experience a new awareness. Its color is green, and it controls the heart and the entire circulatory system.
The fifth chakra is located in the throat area. It controls the thyroid gland, the parathyroid, and the lungs. Its color is blue, and its basic element is ether. It is the center for communication; thus its awakening enables an individual to become more articulate, discriminating, and selective.
The sixth chakra is located between the eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose. It is the center responsible for awakening the third eye (insight). It is also the catalyst for developing clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and thought projection. Its color is indigo. It controls practically all the lower area of the brain, the pituitary, the hypothalamus, the eyes, the ears, and the entire nervous system. Its spiritual awakening creates certain physical changes in patterns of the myriad tiny cells in the brain. This allows an individual to obtain unusual control over breathing, heartbeat, and metabolic rate while in meditation.
The seventh chakra is located at the top of the pineal gland and controls the upper region of the brain. It is known as the crown chakra and its color is violet. It is the center where the physical consciousness of an individual merges with the Divine. Its activation allows a person’s thinking to no longer be bound by time and space.
All seven chakras are interdependent and develop gradually after years of yoga and meditation practices. It is not possible to bypass one chakra to develop the chakra above it first. Thus it is important to follow the effective path of a step-by-step activation of these centers as it occurs when following one’s spiritual practices. A person has to be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to contain the powerful energy generated by activation of the chakras.
Each chakra nourishes a specific endocrine gland, which energizes different body structures. The crown chakra nourishes the pineal. The third-eye chakra nourishes the pituitary. The throat chakra nourishes the thyroid gland. The heart chakra nourishes the thymus gland. The solar plexus nourishes the pancreas. The sacral chakra nourishes the gonads. Lastly, the root chakra nourishes the adrenal glands.
Please remember that the activation of a chakra cannot be fully accomplished without first working on what you need to learn on the level of the particular chakra. In other words, once the function of the chakra has been accepted as a lesson in everyday life, the quality of the chakra can be integrated.
Due to the multiple functions of the chakra system, it is critically important that a balanced energy flow be maintained to each chakra. If homeostasis cannot be sustained, the chakras may be deficient or develop excessive energy. Both can affect a person’s well-being and health.