Chakra PDF

Dr. Smitha Bhat Dept of Swasthavritta A.A.M.C. 1 SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Describe shatchakras and explain their importance in yoga practice CO3- PO1,4 BLOOMS TAXONOMY-CAP MILLERS PYRAMID- KH DESIRE TO KNOW 2 * There are crucial points of energ...

Dr. Smitha Bhat Dept of Swasthavritta A.A.M.C. 1 SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Describe shatchakras and explain their importance in yoga practice CO3- PO1,4 BLOOMS TAXONOMY-CAP MILLERS PYRAMID- KH DESIRE TO KNOW 2 * There are crucial points of energy that we use, whether consciously or unconsciously, to affect reality and allow us to fully experience and realize events that unfold before us. These focal points are called Chakras. * Chakras are natural forces which creates our physical mental emotional energies that contribute to our personalities, attitudes and mannerisms. * These are directly associated with the endocrine glands * Balance between these energies shape our physical mental and emotional realities. 3 4 *Mooladhara Chakra represents the root of our whole existence – in Samkhya philosophy, moola prakriti is the transcendental basis of all physical nature. *It is the original source of all evolution *It is the manifestation of purusha and therefore intimately connected with sahasrara (the crown chakra). 5 *Nature: Root Lotus – Centre of primeval energies, basic instincts, and fundamental needs for survival. *No of Petals: 4 *Colour: Deep red. *Physical location: Cervix / perineum. *Kshetram: Cervix / perineum. *Physiological relationship: Sacro-coccygeal plexus. *Endocrine relationship: Perineal body. *Tattwa (element): Earth. *Yantra (symbol): Yellow square. *Tanmatra (sense): Smell. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Nose. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Anus. *Beeja (seed syllable): Lam. *Vayu : Apana Vayu *Ruling Planet : Mars 6 *“swa” = one’s own “adisthana” = dwelling place, residence *It is the storehouse of “Samskaras” *Swadisthana is the source of our sexual energy. *The psychological characteristics associated with Swadisthana Chakra are instinctual energy, sensitivity, sexuality, and social mimicry. 7  Nature: One’s own abode – controls the sexual urge and is the centre of the unconscious, of our hidden desires and abilities, of our suppressed positive and negative aspects.  No of petals: 6  Colour: Orange-red.  Physical location: Coccyx.  Kshetram: Pubic bone.  Physiological relationship: Pelvic plexus.  Endocrine relationship: Ovaries / testes.  Tattwa (element): Water.  Yantra (symbol): Silver or white crescent moon.  Tanmatra (sense): Taste.  Jnanendriya (sense organ): Tongue.  Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Sex organs, kidneys, urinary system.  Beeja (seed syllable): Vam.  Asanas for awakening: Shalabhasana  Kundalini / Tantra techniques: Ashwini Mudra; Vajroli mudra  Vayu : Apana  Planet :Mercury (Feminine) 8 * “mani” = jewel, “pura” = city * Manipura Chakra corresponds to influence of the sun, without which no life would exist. * The psychological characteristics associated with Manipura chakra are: expansion, control, passion, dynamism. It is the home of the ego – not in the sense of egoism, but in the sense of the psychological construct which acts as an interface between us and the world. * Its function is to co-ordinate ambition, will-power, dynamism, expansion and violence. * It controls digestion and temperature regulation, regulates and energizes bodily organs, systems and processes. 9 *Nature: City of jewels – Controls the digestive system, and is the main driving force for our bodily activities. *No of petals: 10 *Colour: Yellow. *Physical location: Behind navel. *Kshetram: Navel. *Physiological relationship: Solar plexus. *Endocrine relationship: Adrenal glands. *Tattwa (element): Fire. *Yantra (symbol): Red inverted triangle. *Tanmatra (sense): Sight. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Eyes. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Feet. *Beeja (seed syllable): Ram. *Vayu : Samana *Planet : Sun (Masculine) *Asanas for awakening: Trikonasana, Dhanurasana, Swastikasana *Kundalini / tantra techniques: Agnisar kriya; uddiyana bandha; union of prana and apana 10 “Anahata” = unstuck /unbeaten – refers to heart beat ever present. *The psychological characteristics associated with this chakra are: affectivity, sympathy, harmony, and selflessness. It most strongly represents compassionate and empathetic love for all beings and the universe itself. *Physically, Anahata governs circulation. *An awakened Anahata bestows love, affection, selflessness, high intellectual and aesthetic feeling, leading to non–attachment and constant optimism, so the mind becomes relaxed and peaceful. The pleasures of dualistic life become meaningless. 11 *Nature: Source of unbroken sound – In an awakened state, the heart chakra is the centre for compassion and all-encompassing love. *Number of petals: 12 *Colour: Green. *Physical location: Behind heart. *Kshetram: Centre of chest. *Physiological relationship: Cardiac plexus. *Endocrine relationship: Thymus gland. *Tattwa (element): Air. *Yantra (symbol): Smoky six-pointed star. *Tanmatra (sense): Touch. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Skin. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Hands. *Beeja (seed syllable): Yam. *Vayu : Prana Vayu *Planet : Venus (Feminine) *Asanas for awakening: Bhujangasana Gomukhasana Vajrasana *Kundalini / Tantra techniques: Bramari 12 pranayama * Vishuddhi Chakra corresponds to basic energy of the universe, to our perception of space and time. It has been described as the true Fountain of Youth. * The essential psychological characteristics associated with Vishuddhi Chakra are: elevation, sublime experiences, aesthetic revelations and inspiration. It furnishes a quick and deep intelligence and the highest aesthetic and symbolic vision, together with spiritual intuition. * On a physical level, it functions to control the thyroid complex and systems of articulation. * An awakened Vishuddhi Chakra brings discriminatory wisdom, leading us to understand the connections between cause and effect and full knowledge of past, present and future & overcomes fear and attachments to fruits of action. 13 *Nature: Centre of nectar – centre of purification. The energies here influence and strengthen discriminating wisdom. *Number of petals: 16 *Colour: Blue. *Physical location: Behind throat. *Kshetram: pit of throat. *Physiological relationship: Pharyngeal and laryngeal plexus. *Endocrine relationship: Thyroid gland. *Tattwa (element): Ether. *Yantra (symbol): White circle. *Tanmatra (sense): Hearing. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Ears. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Vocal chords. *Beeja (seed syllable): Ham. *Vayu : Udana *Planet : Jupiter *ASANAS: Ardha-matseyendrasana Sarvangasana *Kundalini / Tantra techniques: Jalandhara 14 bandha, khechari mudra, ujjayi pranayama * Ajna is the chakra of the mind, it is connected with the seat of super‑consciousness in Sahasrara at the crown and the unconscious in Mooladhara Chakra. * It is referred to as the Wisdom Eye. * Ajna itself is situated deep in the mid‑brain, close to Pineal Gland (it is the trigger-point, or Kshetram, which is situated between the eyebrows). * Once awakened, deep intuitive wisdom is achieved. Thus, Ajna represents the channel through which the spiritual aspirant receives revelation and insight into the true underlying nature of existence. It is the seat of intuitive knowledge. * Ajna is the subtle command centre 15which has complete control over all the functions of life. Through its close association with the Pineal * Ajna attunes with mind energies, so its effects are far more subtle and it influences our state of consciousness and level of awareness. * Ajna Chakra has a unique connection with Mooladhara Chakra, these two chakras being at either end of the spinal column and of Shushumna, Ida, and Pingala. Meditation on these two chakras and the practice of certain kriyas will purify and open Sushumna and balance Ida and Pingala, preparing the road for the rising of Kundalini. 16 *Nature: Centre of command – Centre of clairvoyance and the deepening of the conscious powers of the mind. *Number of Petals: 2 *Colour: Clear, grey, or violet. *Physical location: Centre of head. *Kshetram (trigger/activity point): Eyebrow centre. *Physiological relationship: Cavernous plexus. *Endocrine relationship: Pineal gland. *Tattwa (element): Manas (mind). *Yantra (symbol): Clear or grey circle. *Tanmatra (sense): Mind. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Mind. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Mind. *Beeja (seed syllable): Aum. *Planet :Saturn (Masculine) *Asanas for awakening: Garudasana Vajrasana Halasana *Kundalini / Tantra techniques: Trataka, Shambavi mudra with Om chanting. 17 Sahasrara: Thousand petalled – implies infinity. *Sahasrara is not a true chakra, but an autonomous centre which synthesizes all the others. Sahasrara corresponds to the absolute. *The psychological characteristics associated with Sahasrara are: being in touch with the eternal, absolute, pure spirituality, connection with “God”, wisdom. *The Chakras are switches which illuminate dormant areas of the brain and thus leading to the awakening of Sahasrara where the potential for union with the divine consciousness lies. *At human level Sahasrara offers the condition of real wisdom – reaching the yogi’s goal of self-realization. *Patanjali describes the awakening of Sahasrara as Samadhi, which is a state of enlightenment. 18 *Nature: Thousand petalled lotus – the door to cosmic reality, the centre of enlightenment and realisation. *No of petals: 1,000 (infinite) *Colour: Rainbow coloured / purple. *Physical location: Crown of head. *Kshetram: Crown of head. *Physiological relationship: Hypothalamic / pituitary axis. *Endocrine relationship: Pituitary gland. *Tattwa (element): Beyond. *Yantra (symbol): Beyond. *Tanmatra (sense): Beyond. *Jnanendriya (sense organ): Beyond. *Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Beyond. *Beeja (seed syllable): Beyond. *Planet : Ketu *ASANAS: Ardha-Sirsasana, Sirsasana 19 CHAKRA MAIN ISSUE PLEXUS GLANDS FUNCTION NAME Mooladhara Survival L5–S5 Adrenal Gland Fight – Flight Response Chakra Physical Need Lumbar Plexus Bone / Skeletal Tribal Association Coccygeal Plexus Structure Swadisthana Emotional Balance T9–L4 Adrenals Sexual Function Chakra Sexuality Lumbar Plexus Sex Organs Elimination Procreation Water Regulation Manipura Personal Power T5– T9 Pancreas Digestion Chakra Self Will Solar Plexus Assimilation Anahata Giving / Receiving T1– T5 Heart Electromagnetic field generation, Chakra Love Cardiac Plexus Thymus Gland Blood Pressure Immune System Vishuddhi Communication C3– C7 Thyroid Gland Metabolism Chakra Pharyngeal Plexus Parathyroid Gland Calcium Regulation Thyroid Plexus Parathyroid Plexus Ajna Intuition C1– C2 Pineal Gland Hormonal Chakra Wisdom Carotid Plexus Pituitary Gland Physiological Regulation Creative Intelligence Spirituality Carotid Plexus 20 Pineal Gland Circadian Rhythm Sahasrara Relationship to God Universal Source 21