CHAKRAS CHAKRAS Module 7

Module seven CHAKRAS CHAKRAS Module 7

Module 07 Learning Objectives

1. Provide students with a historical understanding of the development and use of the chakra system.

2. Provide an understanding of chakras in yoga.

3. Provide an understanding of the role of health and wellbeing with regards to the chakra system.

4. Provide examples of balanced and unbalanced chakras and suggested practices for re-balancing.

5. Provide a brief summary of the Yoga Introduction

‘Chakra’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘wheel’. The individual chakras are part of a greater network of subtle energies. Information about them is found mainly in the Upanishads, where four texts in particular describe their locations, and provide symbolic descriptions of each chakra. . In the 10th century, the Guru Gorakhnath wrote another famous text, The Goraksha Satakam. He was believed to be a saint and he set out practical knowledge for the benefit of his disciples. This text provided new information concerning the powers that accompany the awakening of the chakras, and established the connection between chakra awakening, and the practice of meditation.

The most detailed and comprehensive study of the chakras is contained in the sixth chapter of the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana, in the major work of Sri-tattva-Chintamani, composed by Purnananda Swami. Written in the 16th century, it contained descriptions and illustrations of the chakras.

Copyright Santosha Yoga Institute v3 All Rights Reserved 2015 4 As mentioned, the chakras are part of a greater network of subtle energies, and we are unable to isolate them without violating holistic principles. Our physical make-up is well researched through the many body-based Western sciences. But our personal, subtle makeup can only be explored through quite different means of involvement, rather than through clinical detachment, and a holistic frame of reference.

However, the physical and non-physical aspects of the human being are two aspects of the same whole. They cannot be separated, and we cannot study one without reference to the other. We are unable to study the subtle energetic anatomy without seeing its relationship to physical anatomy. In the same way, we are unable to study the physical anatomy without including knowledge of subtle anatomy.

bove: Chakra locations in the body, associated name, colour and associated Aareas in one’s life (source: dreamstime.com) Each chakra corresponds to certain physical systems and their related organs. There is a direct relationship between the condition of the chakra and the corresponding physical organs, because a chakra can be over-vitalised, under- vitalised, in a state of balance or open or blocked. Dysfunction of the reproductive system, for example, will usually manifest itself with obvious physical systems, such as disrupted menstruation.

Copyright Santosha Yoga Institute v3 All Rights Reserved 2015 6 The physical systems will be mirrored by dysfunction of the related energy network and the chakra itself. Therefore, creating change to restore the related energy system to a state of balance will create change at the physical level. The chakras function as transmitters of energy from one level to another, distributing pranic energy to the physical body. This is done, in part, through the glands, which regulate different systems within the body. Each of the chakras is also related to a major gland.

Chakras and Glands

1. Muladhara Chakra – Adrenals 2. Svadhisthana Chakra – Ovaries in women; Testes in men 3. Manipura Chakra – Pancreas 4. Anahata Chakra – Thymus 5. Vishuddhi Chakra – Thyroid and Parathyroid 6. Ajna Chakra – Pituitary gland, and sometimes the Pineal gland 7. Sahasrara Chakra – Pineal gland

The number of chakras varies between yogic traditions. Most traditions give a number between six and nine, but the number most frequently given is seven. These include the six chakras of awakening, and the crown chakra at the top of the head.

he Chakras are constantly rotating and vibrating. When one or more chakras Tare blocked, it can result in disrupted energy flow through them and this is not harmonious resulting in an imbalance in the body and mind.

As previously discussed, each Chakra relates to certain organs and glands but there are also physical and mental associations with each chakra. These attributes can be manifested in either positive ways when the energy is balanced, or negatively when it is either lacking energy or has too much energy.

Muladhara Related to survival.

• Underactive- self destructive, fear, anxiety and passivity • Overactive- hoarding, paranoia, hypochondria, overeating and greediness • Balanced- physical health, security, comfort, prosperity and the ability to be still

Svadhisthana Creative powers

• Underactive- emotional repression, boredom and rigidity • Overactive- mood swings, obsession, sexual addiction and inability to set appropriate boundaries • Balanced- graceful movements, nurturing, passion and feelings of pleasure

• Underactive- eating disorders, low self-esteem, tendency to blame others, passivity and lack of power • Overactive- perfectionism, hatred towards others, arrogance and stubbornness • Balanced- clear communications with oneself and others, creative living and a good sense of timing

Anahata Heart

• Underactive- inability to forgive, loneliness and a lack of empathy • Overactive- jealousy, co-dependency and martyrdom • Balanced- caring, compassion, peacefulness, contentment and an ability to accept

Visuddha Purifying

• Underactive- fear of public speaking and an inability to share one’s truth • Overactive- talking too much, gossiping, stuttering, loudness and an inability to keep confidences • Balanced- good communicator and good listener and lives creatively

Ajna Seeing

• Underactive- lack of imagination, skepticism and inability to visualise • Overactive- headaches, hallucinations, nightmares and difficulty concentrating • Balanced- strong intuition, imagination, good memory, insight and a guiding vision for life

• Underactive- depression, boredom, apathy, spiritual cynicism or a closed mind • Overactive- over intellectualisation, intellectual or spiritual arrogance or confusion • Balanced- spiritual connection, wisdom, intelligence, presence and open- mindedness

To maintain optimum health and vitality mentally, physically and spiritually it is important to have balanced chakras. Ambika Wauters, author of The Book of Chakras: Discover the Hidden Forces Within You’, writes that the chakras are ‘conductors for energy to move through all layers of the aura. Their health and energy are maintained through a grounded lifestyle and positive and loving thoughts toward the self and the surrounding world’.

here are many ways we can balance our chakras. We can use yoga asana, Tmeditation, visualisation, affirmations and even the foods we eat can help to balance the chakras. Following are just a few techniques you can use:

Muladhara Comfortable seated position, Salabhasana, Janu Sirsasana, Virasana. Stamping or jumping the feet to stimulate energy and eating less and lighter foods to reduce excess energy.

Affirmation: ‘I am courageous and responsible for the direction of my life’.

Affirmation: ‘I will look to a philosophy that increases the do’s and decreases the don'ts.’

Manipura plank, Navasana, virabhadrasana, twists and abdominal work. To increase fire, eat hot spicy foods, to reduce fire limit spicy foods and caffeine.

Affirmation: ‘If I wish for my consciousness to grow, I must feed it, rest it, exercise it.’

Anahata Matsyasana, Back Arches, Balasana, Nadi Shodhana.

Affirmation: ‘Anything that is truly mine can never be taken from me.’

Vishuddha Sarvangasana, neck rolls, Trikonasana, Vrksasana, Matsyasana, setu bandhasana, mantra, chanting and listening to music. Gargling with salt water.

Affirmation: ‘Self-expression makes for self- preservation.’

Ajna Eye exercises, Siddhasana, meditating upon a colour.

Affirmation: ‘The moon shines by the light of the sun.’

Affirmation: ‘An optimistic atmosphere is like sunshine in the winter months.’

Journal Entry 13

Write a summary (based on web research) of Gopi Krishna’s text, or write a one-paragraph Bio of Krishna.

The Kundalini Experience The divine power, Kundalini shines, Like the stem of a young lotus, Like a snake, coiled round upon herself, She holds her tail in her mouth And lies resting half asleep, At the base of the body.

- Yoga Kundalini Upanishad (1.82)

Copyright Santosha Yoga Institute v3 All Rights Reserved 2015 15 he network of spinal energies is a vital part of the subtle anatomy of humans. TThe chakras are strung upon the inner column of sushumna like jewels on a necklace. It is this central column which unifies the separated chakras into a whole. It is therefore, possible for high levels of energy to rise up from the base muladhara chakra and through the spinal nadi,

and thereby dramatically affect all chakras simultaneously. This particular force is latent, but it can be stimulated by work, which awakens the chakras individually.

The Kundalini force is like a coiled spring. In fact, Kundalini is most often depicted in a coiled form as a sleeping serpent, and Kundalini Shakti can rise and retreat again many times before completing the journey to the top chakra.

The experience of awakening Kundalini takes many forms depending upon the consciousness of the practitioner. It can be frightening, bewildering, dramatic and disturbing. It is hardly ever gentle, given that the full Kundalini experience brings reconstruction to the total being. It can be likened to living a second birth with all the accompanying birth trauma and therefore it should only be practiced under the guidance of an experience teacher.

Gopi Krishna’s experience of Kundalini was traumatic and devastating, and at times he came close to death. At other times, he felt that he was losing his sanity. His autobiography, Kundalini, The Evolutionary Energy in Man is compelling, and reveals a great deal about the individual chakras. Having taken up yoga in his quest for truth, he said that, ‘I longed to attain the condition of consciousness said to be the ultimate goal of Yoga, which carries the embodied spirit to a region of unspeakable glory and bliss.’

After many difficult years he attained his goal, experiencing both glory and bliss. His work is probably the fullest contemporary account of Kundalini rising. He concluded with, ‘I am irresistibly led to the conclusion that the human organism is evolving in the direction indicated by mystics, prophets and men of genius, by the action of this wonderful mechanism located at the base of the spine.’

1. Match each chakra with its’ associated organ and/or location in the body. Note that some chakras are usually responsible for several organs. Write the sanskrit name for each chakra too.

Chakras: Crown Chakra, Base Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra , Sacral Chakra, Brow Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra

Organs and/or locations in body:

Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, Spleen, Small Intestine, Thyroid and Parathyroid glands, Ovaries/testes (gland), Heart and Arms, Large Intestine, Rectum, Thymus, Entire Human Being, Reproductive system- Ovaries & Testes, Bladder, Kidneys, The Pituitary Gland, Brain, Pancreas, Adrenals, Lungs and heart, Pineal gland

2. Write a one-paragraph answer for each of the following questions.

a) How has the Kundalini Awakening been described by yogic experts? b) Describe the relationship between the chakras and the glands. c) Why is it said that chakras govern certain parts of the body? d) Briefly describe some historic milestones in the development of chakras.

Copyright Santosha Yoga Institute v3 All Rights Reserved 2015 17 3. Chakras are not formally acknowledged by western medicine. In your view, how would western medicine be changed and/ or bettered by an understanding of the chakras?

How would you inform a doctor about ways to incorporate the chakras into their medical practice? Respond in a short essay (3-4 paragraphs).