The 7 chakras explained!
Yogic Perspective
Warm greetings to Dear subscribers!
Kudos for joining this journey towards better understanding the scientific underpinnings and knowhow that enables a holistic and healthy lifestyle.
The really important thing is not to live, but to live well.
-Socrates
There is a lot of interest from subscribers to know more about these Chakras. So this post delves further into this.
According to Yogic philosophy, chakras are like a solid ball of energy (aspects of consciousness) interpenetrating the physical body. Yogic philosophy scholars believe that chakras interact with the endocrine system and the nervous system. Do we have scientific evidence to support their claims ? We will explicitly discuss this in Part II, stay tuned!
Dear readers, before you read and understand chakra in detail, I want to emphasise that these are only yogic perspective and not my personal views. Once I’ve posted the Part II, scientific perspective, I’ll have laid out my views, that is to say perspective of a Scientist who loves Yoga.
Also, I want readers to understand that today’s standard chakra dogma is quite different from the medieval tantric chakra model. In the tantric system the idea of chakra balance is related to bringing the vibration of your own individual elements into harmony with mudras, seed mantras and meditation. New Age writers and psychic healers commonly understood that chakras vibrate with the colors of the rainbow, that you can manipulate chakras with colors, crystals, flower essences, etc. However, these are not described in the traditional tantric model. Perhaps many of the 20th century writers scrapped the esoteric and culturally specific aspects of the tantric texts and replaced them with their own interpretations. Perhaps there is merit to that, perhaps not. The two approaches just differ in some respects. If you are interested to know the history of chakras, read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra.
Today, we will discuss the anatomical and energetic associations of chakras and symptoms that indicate blocked chakras.
Note that some of the terminology up next may seem heavy to an average reader but a proper overview requires a discussion about them. If its too much, just focus on the bolded text to get a brief overview:
First Chakra: Root or Muladhara Chakra
Anatomical association: root of the spine, the coccyx, and has connection with the adrenal glands- suprarenal (top of the kidneys) in position, that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline (fight or flight hormone) and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol (stress hormone).
Trigger Muscles association: periformis and the adductors. The sciatic nerve runs either through or behind the periformis and adductors are connected via the emotional motor system.
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: sciatic pain, low back pain (resulting from pinching of the sciatic nerve), hemorrhoids, rectal discomfort, knee and ankle discomfort
Emotional symptoms: anxiety, depression, worry, panic, poor focus, disorganized, pessimism, negative thinking about life and narrow thinking.
Affirmation: I am filled with humility. I am enough as I am.
Second Chakra: Sacral or Svadhistana Chakra
Anatomical association: sacral spinal ganglion, and has connections with the diaphragm, psoas, as well as TFL. Thus, it has connections to respiration as well as the fight or flight response in the body. The sacral chakra is associated with adrenal endocrine glands ( fight or flight hormone) as well as the sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, and progestogens).
Trigger Muscles association: psoas (pronounced so-as), is the only muscle to connect the spine to the legs affecting our structural balance, muscular integrity, flexibility, strength, range of motion, joint mobility, and organ functioning.
It is also connected to the diaphragm through connective tissue or fascia which affects both our breath and fear reflex.
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: low back pain, sacroiliac pain, sciatica, disc problems, spondylolysis, scoliosis, hip degeneration, knee pain, menstruation pain, infertility, and digestive problems.
These symptoms arise due to contraction or shortening of the psoas due to stress or tension. On the other hand, tight psoas not only creates structural problems, it puts pressure on nerves, interferes with the movement of fluids, and impairs diaphragmatic breathing.
Other symptoms includes IBS like symptoms and gut issues.Emotional symptoms: Distrust, struggle toward a healthy self-image
Affirmation: I am both sensitive and strong.
Third Chakra: Solar Plexus or Manipura Chakra
Anatomical association: lower back, diaphragm, stomach, pancreas, and a majority of the digestive system.
The pancreas is the organ correlated to the area. The pancreas has two main functions: an exocrine function that helps in digestion and an endocrine function that regulates blood sugar.
Trigger Muscles association: erector spinae muscles and diaphragm, both sympathetic nervous system, as well as the parasympathetic nervous system has innervations to this area
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: IBS like symptoms, Acid Reflux, Leaky Gut, and other GI tract issues
Emotional symptoms: impulsive decisions, and a disassociation to the impact of your choices and actions
Affirmation: I accept myself completely. I accept that I have strengths, and I accept that I have weaknesses.
“In the chakra system, the solar plexus is the seat of personal power. Power is not about exerting our will over others, it is about being in complete truth with yourself.” — Madisyn Taylor
Fourth Chakra: Heart or Anahata Chakra
Anatomical association: Lungs, thymus, pericardium, heart, and the cardiac plexus
This heart space has connections with the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the immune system.
Gland intertwined with this chakra is the Thymus. The thymus gland is a lymphatic organ that plays a role in immunity, autoimmunity, and aging.
Trigger Muscles association: Rhomboids and the Pectoralis Muscles.
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: asthma, breathing conflicts, bronchitis, asthma, heart attacks, heartbreak, fight or flight
Emotional symptoms: anxiety, fear, anger, detachment, disassociation,
Affirmation: I am filled with courage.
“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” — Wayne Dyer
Fifth Chakra: Throat or Svadhisthana Chakra
Anatomical association: Thyroid gland and the cervical ganglion.
Thyroid gland makes hormones-Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) helps to manage everything from heart rate to weight gain/loss as well as breathing rate. It helps to regulate menstrual cycle, cholesterol levels and body temperature. It also has connections with the small intestine and gut motility. Hypothalamus and the pituitary glands in the brain communicates with thyroid gland to maintain T3 and T4 balance.
Trigger Muscles association: scalanes (helps in flexion, lateral flexion and rotation of the neck. Moreover, they are the accessory muscles of respiration, elevating the ribs during forced inhalation), masseter muscles (responsible for chewing) and sternocleidomastoid muscles (flexes the neck and extends the head).
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: sore throat, hoarse voice, neck pain, TMJ. In addition, mouth ulcers, laryngitis.
Emotional symptoms: disruption in creative self-expression. Difficulty in speaking your truth, listening and being heard.
Affirmation: I am filled with the power of spirit.
Sixth Chakra: Third Eye or Ajna Chakra
Anatomical association: pituitary gland, influences nearly every part of your body. The hormones it produces help regulate important functions, such as growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
Third eye chakra also has innervations with the carotid nerve plexus.
It is the center of intuition, clairvoyance, spiritual guidance, and visualization.
Trigger Muscles association: no true trigger muscles connected
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: Headaches and tension in your brow area
Emotional symptoms: cloudiness of choice and goals, misguidance, uncertainty, and losing trust in one's self
Affirmation: I am a wise decision-maker.
“The true potential to clear your chakras exists in the conscious awareness of the moment.” — Della Reside
Seventh Chakra: Crown or Sahasrara Chakra
Anatomical association: top of the spinal cord, brain stem, pain centre and nerves. Gland intertwined with this chakra is the Pineal gland. This gland produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles.
It is the centre of enlightenment, dynamic thought, truth and oneness.
Trigger Muscles association: no true trigger muscles connected
If Blocked:
Anatomical symptoms: Migraines and tension headaches
Emotional symptoms: disillusionment, loneliness, insignificance, and aimlessness, influence brain functions such as memory, intelligence, and sharp focus.
Affirmation: I let go, and I trust the process of life
Now you must be wondering what is the best way to unblock or rebalance these chakras?
Yoga, Pranayama, Dhyana (Meditation) will be the right approach. There are certain yoga poses for each chakra. Specific breathing exercises and meditation practices with associated seed mantra and hand mudra may also help.
Books recommendation for further reading:
The Chakras by Charles Leadbeater
The Serpent Power by Sir John Woodroffe
Wheels of Life by Anoeda Judith an
Anatomy of a Spirit by Caroline Myss,
Esoteric Healing by Alice Bailey
The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga by Carl Jung
References:
https://blog.mindvalley.com/symptoms-of-blocked-chakras/
http://www.peakbodyintegration.com/blog/
Wikipedia
https://www.yogauonline.com/contributor-posts/subtle-body-part-2-reclaiming-tantric-chakras
https://www.timothypope.co.uk/chakras-endocrine-system/
http://www.eleiah.freeservers.com/SpiritualDevelopment2.pdf
Very well explained 👍 with lots n lots of research very useful to know where we are miss handeling our body and how to take care of it
Thank you waiting for more newsletters as they are very informative