When you think about yoga speak, the 7 Chakras is probably the first thing you need to know before everything else. If you’re a regular or just starting out on your yoga journey, they are 7 most important points you will need to know about. They’ll help you to focus your practice and broaden your mind’s perspective of your body.
To begin, the word Chakra comes from the Buddhist philosophy that refers to each of 7 centres of spiritual power in the human body. This basically means the 7 pockets of bodily power through which energy flows. If your body was a journey, the Chakras would be the pit stops.
During each yoga session, different phases will include the focus of each of the Chakras. This will allow you to balance your energy by honing in on the one that needs most cleansing and focus.
Here’s pretty much everything you need to know about each of the 7 Chakras so you can become more aware of your own glorious energy flow.
Crown Chakra
The Sahasrara or Crown Chakra is at the very top of your head. The highest point of your being and your gateway to full spiritual connection. It is responsible for your feelings of beauty; both internal and external and is the place to reach full enlightenment. It is also where overthinking and anxiety can manifest.
When cleansing your Crown Chakra energy, wonderful things happen. Your mind opens, your thoughts develop and you will feel deep connection. It’s a centre for trust, inspiration and happiness.
Third Eye/ The Brow Chakra
Right in the centre of your brows is your Third Eye Chakra. It’s the manifestation of your inner thoughts, known as the All-Seeing Intuition. Child pose or downward dog brings blood and energy to the Third Eye Chakra because often, it is underused. In a world of technology and internet, natural intuition is not at the forefront so giving attention back to it will balance your mind.
Throat Chakra
Communication is key, right? The Throat Chakra is all to do with vocal energy and our communication ability. In relationships, real life scenarios and being open, the Throat Chakra is the most important. Self-expression and feelings are manifested in this chakra and the plow pose of fish pose is a good way to centre. Thinking before you speak is the way to balance your throat, rather than saying anything that comes to mind to make sure your voice is heard.
Heart Chakra
The centre of your body is in your heart. Up to your throat and out to your breastbone, this chakra is balanced when you feel self-love as well as love for others in equal amounts. A lot of yoga focuses on opening up the chest and submitting yourself to the vulnerability of openness.
Solar Plexus Chakra
When you have a gut feeling, it’s coming from your Solar Plexus. It is responsible for your identity, self-esteem and confidence. A blocking of your Solar Plexus Chakra will cause you to doubt yourself and feel weak so a strong plank pose during yoga will focus your energy to your power house chakra. When you feel powerful in yourself or feel particularly decisive, this is a balance in your Solar Plexus.
Sacral Chakra
Below your belly button is your Sacral Chakra. It’s the seat of your creativity and it’s where you will feel playful and sexy. Desire and reproduction sits in your Sacral Chakra but and imbalance here causes addiction and restlessness. Willing overactive energy away from the Sacral Chakra and towards the heart will help to balance your creativity and desire.
Root Chakra
The very grounding of your being is found in your Root Chakra. When you’re going through moments of change or uncertainty, your Root Chakra will always bring you back to centre. It connects your human energy to the energy of the earth, exactly like the root of a plant. It reminds us that we are part of a bigger universe and provides natural security for wandering minds.
