Chakras are the seven power points of life force in the body. The philosophical theories and models of chakras as systemic vortices of energy were identified through the practice of yoga in Ancient India where they were first codified. Chakra means wheel of light in Sanskrit and refers to a spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching forward from the spinal column. Chakras function and relate within the systemic suite of the human bodymind. Chakras are considered to be a nexus of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy of the human body. They are the seven power points in the human body that circulate energy or the life force also known as prana or chi. They receive, assimilate and express this life force energy. Chakra points on the body contain consciousness. These wheels of energetic force have the ability to effect us physically, mentally, emotionally, psychically, and spiritually because they are levels of consciousness effected by our mental states. Our attitudes and our chakras are interactive, which explains why these vortexes can be extremely powerful. These centers of energy may be fast or slow, pulsating or radiant, expanded or contracted. The chakras are vertically aligned in the center of the body close to the spine and provide an exchange of energy with your surroundings, much the way your lungs provide an exchange of airflow with your body. Each chakra has a particular state of consciousness, which it holds and effects. Of course the seven major chakras are the ones usually worked with, and are more general in their purpose. It is the seven major chakras that correlate with basic states of consciousness. There are also minor chakras in the hands, feet, fingertips, and shoulders. Literally, any vortex of activity could be called a chakra. The minor and secondary chakras are more targeted and specific in their purpose. When working in a healthy manner the chakras will activate appropriately (responding to your attitude) to the situation at hand. Exemplified by: you would not respond from your heart in matters of survival, nor would you respond with your power stations of will to matters of love, although there are times when these could be appropriate.
Chakras are often explained according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine like acupuncture points. In some Eastern thought, chakras are considered to be gradations of consciousness, and states of the soul, and 'proving' the existence of chakras is asking to 'prove' the existence of the thought process. A mystic deals with these metaphysical concepts as a model for their internal and external experience, and when talking about 'energy centres', they are generally talking about subtle electromagnetic forces, which connect to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies.The chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. In New Age practices, each chakra is often associated with a certain color. In various traditions chakras are associated with multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics. They are visualized as lotuses/flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.
The chakras are thought to vitalize the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy or prana, also called shakti, qi (Chinese; ki in Japanese), coach-ha-guf (Hebrew), bios (Greek) and aether (English), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadis. The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance.
The seven principal chakras are said by some to reflect how the unified consciousness of humanity (the immortal human being or the soul), is divided to manage different aspects of earthly life (body/instinct/vital energy/deeper emotions/communication/having an overview of life/contact to God). The chakras are placed at differing levels of spiritual subtlety, with Sahasrara at the top being concerned with pure consciousness, and Muladhara at the bottom being concerned with matter, which is seen simply as crudified consciousness.
If the Chakras are unbalanced - blocked or not properly aligned - it can affect physical and mental health. The spiritual development is also connected with the good health of the Chakra.
Click on a Chakra below to read more about each Chakra
