What are chakras and what is chakra yoga?
Yoga isn't just about exercises that help strengthen and tone the body and relax after a long and stressful day. Performing asanas, the physical aspect, is just the beginning of the practice. The poses allow you to clear your mind of negative thoughts and tap into the energy centers circulating throughout the body. These centers are responsible for achieving harmony and peace. Chakra yoga is a subtle, invisible dimension, the achievement of which is incredibly demanding. Discover what this philosophy is all about.
What are chakras and chakra yoga?
A subtle dimension of yoga practice speaks of the existence of seven chakras, which run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. These are centers of prana energy and intersect the nadi energy channels. Each chakra is assigned a color and fulfills a specific role in the body. Individual yoga exercises activate these centers, enabling one to achieve balance in both the physical and spiritual realms.
Learn about the 7 chakras
There are seven chakras along the spine.
Base, Root Chakra
The first, fundamental one is the crystal-red Muladhara. It is responsible for connection with the Earth—all that is mundane and material. It serves as a root that supports the functioning of the entire body, self-acceptance, and self-confidence. It is also associated with fertility. By tapping into this source of energy, you will also gain the will to survive. It is responsible for the sense of smell, and its element is earth.
Sacral chakra
The sacral chakra (svadhisthana) is located below the navel. It has a vibrant orange color and is associated with pleasure. It is responsible for attraction, easier connection with the opposite sex, and the feeling of intimacy. Its element is water, and its sense is taste.
Solar plexus chakra
The third chakra—the solar plexus chakra—is intensely yellow and is considered the energy center of the entire body. It is responsible for negative emotions such as selfishness, greed, jealousy, anger, anxiety, and hatred, and its element is fire. Proper functioning of this chakra allows one to tame negative feelings and gain mental strength. It is responsible for the sense of smell.
Heart chakra
The heart chakra is responsible for positive feelings like love and compassion, as well as sensitivity to beauty. Anahata is an intense green and is located in the center of the sternum. Its element is air, and its sense is touch. It is worth strengthening, as a weakened chakra will make you more vulnerable.
Throat chakra
Visuddha is the throat chakra. It has an intense blue color and is responsible for the sense of hearing. It allows us to communicate with others and express our thoughts without lying to others or ourselves. It forms the connection between the lower and upper chakras, and thus between body and spirit. Its element is space.
Third eye chakra
The third eye chakra, Ajna, is navy blue. Located between the eyebrows, it is responsible for the ability to see, both literally and metaphorically. It facilitates wisdom and intuition, as well as abstract thinking. Its element is the sixth sense.
Crown Chakra
At the very top of the head is the sahasrara, or crown chakra. Through it, one can experience complete harmony. It is also responsible for spinning the other chakras at higher frequencies and perceiving reality in a spiritual way. Its sense is ether, and its element is cosmic energy.
Kundalini Yoga and the Chakras – How Do They Connect?
Kundalini yoga is a specific form of yoga practice closely linked to the concept of chakras. The goal of Kundalini yoga is to awaken the kundalini energy, which, according to tradition, is located at the base of the spine, in the area of the first chakra (muladhara). Through special exercises, meditations, and breathing techniques, the practitioner aims to raise this energy through the subsequent chakras, all the way to the crown chakra (sahasrara). During this journey, the kundalini energy purifies and activates each chakra, leading to profound spiritual and energetic transformation. Regular practice of Kundalini yoga can help balance all seven chakras, bringing harmony to body, mind, and spirit.
Yoga - asanas that strengthen the chakras
Unblocking individual chakras takes time and work. Regular practice will help you achieve complete harmony. A yoga mat is essential for practicing yoga poses.
The JOYINME store offers an accessory made of biodegradable and recyclable rubber. This product provides cushioning and safety during each stage of your practice. To avoid distractions, it's also worth wearing comfortable clothing that won't restrict your movement. High-waisted, stretchy yoga leggings and a fitted top or t-shirt made of organic cotton are excellent choices.
When to start practicing chakra yoga?
If you notice disturbing symptoms of chakra malfunction, yoga is the best remedy. Exercises can improve the flow of energy throughout the body, especially at points that cause discomfort.
Exercises to unblock the chakras
To unblock the first chakra, perform Mountain Pose, or Tadasana, or Warrior I Pose, or Virabadrasana 1. Janu sirsasana and Paschimottanasana will help with Svadhisthana. The solar plexus chakra will be unblocked by Shasankasana or Svastikasana, which are cross-legged sitting positions. Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and Fish Pose (Matsyasana) will restore the positive emotions that the heart chakra regulates. Visuddha will be unblocked with Halasana and Salamba sarvangasana, and Matsyasana will be helpful for Ajna. Reaching the crown chakra requires performing the headstand (Shirshasana), which is intended for more advanced yogis. Beginners can perform a variation of this pose by standing on their heads against a wall, with their toes resting on the ground.
Benefits of Chakra Yoga
See for yourself how much benefit yoga can bring you. For depression , stress, and improved well-being, there's nothing more effective than practicing asanas, preferably under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Put on comfortable clothes and step onto the mat. Begin your yoga adventure and unblock your chakras.
