A traditional part of yoga practice, the Chakras can be introduced into the junior classes. A good way to do this is through the use of the colours and mantras, or focus on the centres during meditation. Chakras refer to various energy centers in your body that correspond to specific nerve bundles and internal organs. The seven major chakras run from the base of your spine to the top of your head. If these energy centers get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra.

1. MULADHARA

(Mula = root adhara = support)

Element: earth

Sense: smell

Mantra: LAM

Location: base of the spine between anus and genitals

Deals With: physical identity, survival, stability, instinctual nature, ambition, and self-sufficiency

Physical Dysfunctions: tiredness, poor sleep, lower back pain, sciatica, waste elimination problems like constipation, depression, immune related disorders, obesity and eating disorders

Psychological and Emotional Issues: ungrounded, afraid, rage and anger, self esteem, survival, security, obsessed with comfort, alienated, possessive

Balanced Chakra: feeling grounded, centered, committed and independent, having energy and vitality, strength and stillness, able to digest foods well

Postures that Balance Chakra: Grounding into feet poses like Mountain Pose(Tadasana), Side-Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana), Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

2. SVADHISHTHANA

(sva = vital; adishthana = seat)

Element: water

Sense: taste

Mantra: VAM

Location: situated at the base of the pubis between the genitals and the sacral nerve plexus

Deals With: emotional identity, creativity, desire, pleasure and self-gratification, procreation, and personal relationships

Governs: sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine, auto immune system

Physical Dysfunctions: lower back pain, sciatica, decreased libido, pelvic pain, urinary problems, poor digestion, low resistance to infection and viruses, tiredness, hormonal imbalances, menstrual problems

Psychological and Emotional Issues: irritability, shyness, guilt, blame, sexual obsession, power, money, control, lack of creativity, morality

Balanced Chakra: feeling compassionate, friendly, intuitive, vital, sexual, satisfied, prosperous, having a sense of belonging and humor

Postures that Balance Chakra: Hip opening poses like Standing Wide Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Sitting Wide Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), Supine Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

3. MANIPURA

(mani = brilliant as a gem)

Element: fire

Sense: sight

Mantra: RAM

Location: situated at the level of the umbilicus corresponding to the gastric or solar plexus

Deals With: sense of belonging, mental understanding of emotions, defines self-esteem, personal power, stamina, thought, will, success, ego

Governs: upper abdomen, gallbladder, liver, middle spine, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach

Physical Dysfunctions: diabetes, pancreatitis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, colon diseases, stomach ulcers, intestinal tumors, anorexia/bulimia, low blood pressure

Psychological and Emotional Issues: lack of self-esteem, timid, depression, issues with self image and fear of rejection, inability to make decisions, judgmental, perfectionism, anger, rage, hostility

Balanced Chakra: energetic, confident, intelligent, decisive, productive, good digestion, mental focus

Postures that Balance Chakra: Heat building poses like Sun Salutation (Suryanamaskar) and Warrior (Virabhadrasana), backbends like Bow (Dhanurasana), twists like Half Twist (Ardha Matsyendhrasana), and abdominal strengtheners like Boat Pose (Navasana)

4. ANAHATA

(unbeaten)

Element: air

Sense: touch

Mantra: YAM

Location: situated on the cardiac plexus in the region of the heart

Deals With: social identity, trust, forgiveness, unconditional love, wisdom, stability, mental patience, compassion, emotional empowerment, issues of the soul

Governs: heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, thymus gland, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, hands

Physical Dysfunctions: thoracic spine, upper back and shoulder problems, asthma, heart conditions, shallow breathing, lung disease like pneumonia

Psychological and Emotional Issues: difficulty with love, lack of hope, compassion, confidence, despair, moody, envy, fear, jealousy, anger, anxiety

Balanced Chakra: feeling of completeness and wholeness, compassionate, empathic, friendly, optimistic, motivated, nurturing, outgoing

Postures that Balance Chakra: Chest openers like Camel (Ustrasana), Cobra(Bhujangasana), Fish (Matsyasana). Also Pranayama (breathing exercises) like Deep Breathing, Kapalabati, Alternate Nostril Breathing (Analoma Veloma)

5. VISHUDDHA

(purification)

Element: sound or ether

Sense: hearing

Mantra: HAM

Location: situated on the level of the throat, the nerve plexus of the pharynx region

Deals With: Communication, creativity, learning to take responsibility for one’s own needs, confession, faith, truthfulness, self-knowledge, intuition, synthesis, expression

Governs: throat, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, trachea, cervical vertebrae, vocal cords, neck, shoulder, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth, gums

Physical Dysfunctions: thyroid dysfunctions, sore throat, stiff neck, mouth ulcers, swollen glands, gum or tooth problems, teeth grinding, scoliosis, laryngitis, hearing problems

Psychological and Emotional Issues: faith, decision making, will, personal expression, creativity, criticism, addiction

Balanced Chakra: Creative and expressive, constructive communication, contentment, centered, conscious listening, positive self expression

Postures that Balance Chakra: Fish (Matysasana), Lion and neck stretches and shoulder openers like Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana), Camel (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) and Plow Pose (Halasana)

 

6. AJNA

(center of command)

Element: light

Sense: extra sensory perception

Mantra: AUM or OM

Location: situated Between The Eyebrows (Third Eye)

Deals With: self-knowledge, wisdom, intellect, clairvoyance, action of ideas, detachment, insight, understanding, intuitive reasoning, visualization

Governs: brain, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary gland, pineal glands, neurological system

Physical Dysfunctions: headaches, nightmares, eyestrain, learning disabilities, panic, depression, blindness, deafness, seizures, spinal dysfunctions

Psychological and Emotional Issues: judgment, evaluation, concept of reality, confusion, fear of truth, discipline, lack of concentration

Balanced Chakra: ability to think reality into existence, imagination, intuition, concentration and focus

Postures that Balance Chakra: Meditation/guided visualization/sense withdrawal(Pratyahara) and Seated Yoga Mudra, Child’s Pose (Balasana) and palming the eyes and eye circles.

 

7. SAHASRARA

(Thousand Petaled Lotus)

Element: thought

Colors: violet/white

Sense: empathy, unity

Mantra: silence

Location: crown of the head

Deals with: intuitive knowing, connection to spirituality, duality, emotional feelings, integration of the whole, conscious awareness

Governs: top center of the head and midline above the ears, brain, nervous system, pineal gland

Physical Dysfunctions: chronic exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound