The word chakra literally means ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit. In yogic terms chakras refer to energy centers, often depicted as wheels or flowers, which receive and transmit energy enabling the body to function. There are seven chakras in your body, corresponding to locations on the body running from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Chakras are associated with our physical, mental and emotional health. Each has an associated colour and gland.

When your chakras are balanced you function at your best. When there is imbalance you feel sick, sluggish, and simply ‘out of whack.’

1st – red– Root or Base Chakra (Muladhara)
Located at the base of the spine here resides our life force. The lessons learned from this chakra are about survival and potential. This chakra corresponds with the adrenal gland responsible for dealing with stress.

2nd – orange– Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
Located in the lower abdomen this chakra connects to sensing and feeling energy. Sexuality, creativity, procreation, need for approval, and self-acceptance are governed by this chakra. This chakra corresponds with the gonads or reproductive organs.

3rd – yellow– Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
 Located above the navel this is the location of our mental energy and personal power. When you get a ‘gut’ feeling it is coming from your 3rd chakra. This is the location of your sense of humour, curiosity, and will-power. This chakra corresponds with the pancreas which controls digestion and produces insulin.

4th – green– Heart Center (Anahata)
 Located in the center of the chest, the heart center contains emotional energy. Here is the expression of love and compassion, peace and renewal. This chakra corresponds with the thymus gland which produces white blood cells and combats disease.

5th – blue– Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Located in the throat and providing the right and ability to express oneself, this communication centre helps us to understand, develop creativity, and face truth and fear. This chakra corresponds with the thyroid gland which regulates metabolism.

6th – indigo– Brow or Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Located in the forehead, between the eyes, the Third Eye refers to intuition. Here we learn wisdom, develop our memory, and trust in personal insights. This chakra corresponds with the pituitary gland which is considered the master gland as it stimulates all the other endocrine glands.

7th – violet – Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Located at the top of the head, the crown chakra is the location of inspiration and spiritual energy. Developing a personal connection to the universe stimulates this area. This chakra corresponds with the pineal gland which produces melatonin responsible for sleep-wake patterns and seasonal functions.

Here is a brief Chakra balancing video. Simply sit back, relax, and focus on the colours and the related body regions that are mentioned as they come into view. Remember to breath.

For lots more information about chakras visit ChakraEnergy.com. I especially like their chakra chart.

Today its the anniversary of the birth of Yogi Bhajan (1929-2004), the man who brought Kundalini Yoga to the western world. Since my physician recently inquired about Kundalini Yoga, I thought this would be an appropriate day to share a little about this style of yoga.

Who was Yogi Bhajan?

Yogi Bhajan

Born Harbhajan Singh Pur, and later know as Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji or Yogi Bhujan, he grew up in Punjab (now Pakistan) until the violent separation of India in 1947, when his family fled to New Delhi as refugees. He practiced yoga from an early age, being declared an expert at the age of sixteen. Emigrating to Canada in 1968, he soon moved to California, where in 1969 he founded the 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy Organization) on the belief that every individual deserves the right to be happy, healthy and holy. He was one of few yogis who followed the Sikh gurus and throughout his life fought for Sikh rights and unity. Upon his death Yoga Journal commented “In time, he became an influential figure in modern yoga, attracting a large and devoted following; today there are more than 4,000 Kundalini Yoga teachers at 300 centers in 35 countries.”

What is Kundalini?

Kundalini is a Sanskrit word that means coil and refers to the life energy (prana) within us all. It is often represented as a sleeping serpent at the base of the spine. The goal is to awaken this sleeping serpent and allow the life energy to flow up the spine through the subtle central channel. When Kundalini is awakened it will release the knots, cleanse, and open the chakras, increasing energy, providing vitality, and ultimately spiritual enlightenment.

How we we awaken Kundalini?

Kundalini yoga involves numerous asanas done in series (kriya) combined with breathing techniques which intensify the effects of the poses to purify and cleanse the energy channels. Kundalini can be physcially demanding, yet the practise also involves a spiritual side. Here is a great beginners kundalini video The Morning WakeUp Set.

Where to go for more information?

There are a number of great resources if you are interested in learning more. Please visit Anmol Mehta’s blog for free Kundalini yoga poses and exercises. Also the Kriya yoga site provides information on the more spiritual aspects of the practice.

Kundalini can be very energizing and a lot of fun. Best of luck as you explore this yoga style. Send me some feedback regarding your experiences with Kundalini yoga.