Chakras

Have you ever wondered what the universe is made of? It is made of energy and your body, which is part of the universe, is no exception. Ancient cultures knew that all living beings on the planet had a life force. They called them the energy centers and these move within us and are the 7 chakras. But what exactly are they?

What are the chakras

'Chakra' is an ancient word that comes from Sanskrit which literally translates to 'wheel'. This is because the vital force or prana, moves within us in the form of a wheel because it 'rotates'. This rotating energy has 7 centers in the body and starts at the base of the spine and moves to the top of the head.

If you are a healthy and balanced person, the 7 chakras can provide you with the amount of energy you need for each part of your body, mind and spirit. On the other hand, if any of your chakras are too open and spinning too fast or if they are too closed and moving slowly, then your health will suffer.

Understanding the 7 chakras that make up our bodies will help you to be in tune with the natural energy cycles in your body. You can use this information to be able to know if you have physical, emotional or spiritual imbalances depending on the chakras that weigh each part. Ideally, you should balance your chakras in order to live a healthy and balanced life both physically and emotionally.

The chakras or spinning 'wheels' of energy correspond to massive nerve centers in the body. Each of the 7 main chakras represent major body areas and organs, as well as the psychological, emotional and spiritual state of being. Since they are always on the go, It is essential that the 7 main chakras remain open, aligned and flow with each other. If there is a blockage, the energy cannot flow.

Keeping a chakra open is challenging but not that difficult when you are aware of it. The mind, body, soul and spirit are connected, being aware of an imbalance in any of these areas can help to regain balance.

An example to understand the functioning of the chakras

A recently widowed woman begins to develop acute bronchitis, the pain remains in her chest, and she has pain in this area every time she coughs. The heart chakra is affected by comment in this case. If the widowed woman realizes the connection between the loss of her husband and bronchitis, You will be able to heal faster and you will be able to overcome the grief more successfully by treating the physical ailment as well.

The 7 chakras

The first three chakras: the chakras of matter

The first three chakras, which begin at the base of the spine, are matter chakras. They are more physical in nature and are as follows:

First chakra

The Muladhara is the chakra of stability, security and our basic needs. It covers the first three vertebrae, the bladder, and the colon. When this chakra is open, we feel safe, courageous, and balanced. The role of this chakra is to connect all your energy with the Earth, which is called grounding.

• Colors: red and black.
• Stones: Agate, red jasper, garnet, coral, hematite, black tourmaline, obsidian, onyx.
• Earth element.
• Capricorn sign

Second chakra

The Svadhisthana chakra is our creativity and sexual center. It is located above the pubic bone, below the navel, and is responsible for our creative expression.

• Orange.
• Stones: Carnelian Agate, Moonstone, Orange Citrine, Orange Calcite.
• Element: Water (emotions).
• Signs: Cancer and Scorpio.

Third chakra

The Manipura chakra means brilliant gem and is the area from the navel to the sternum. The third chakra is our personal power source.

• Color: golden yellow.
• Stones: Citrine quartz, tiger's eye, yellow aventurine, yellow topaz, pyrite, amber.
• Fire element.
• Signs: Aries and Leo.

The fourth chakra: connection between material and spirit

Located in the center of the heart, the fourth chakra, anahata is in the middle of the seven and unites the lower chakras of matter and the higher chakras of spirit. The room is also spiritual but it serves as a bridge between our body, mind, emotions and spirit. The heart chakra is our source of love and connection. When we work through our physical chakras, or the first three, we can open the spiritual chakras more fully.

• Colors: Green when aligned with the lower chakras and Pink when aligned or vibrated with the higher ones.
• Stones: Rose quartz, green aventurine (or green quartz or also aventurine), pink tourmaline, kunzite, emerald, jade, green agate.
• Element: Air.
• Signs: Libra and Taurus.

The chakras of the spirit

Fifth chakra

The Vishuddha chakra is the fifth chakra, it is located in the throat area. This is our source of verbal expression and the ability to speak our highest truth. The fifth chakra includes the neck, thyroid and parathyroid glands, jaw, mouth, and tongue.

• Colors: blue or purple.
• Stones: Amethyst, turquoise, aquamarine, chrysocolla, lapis lazuli.
• Element: Ether.
• Signs: Gemini and Virgo.

Sixth chakra

The Ajna chakra is located between the eyebrows. It is also known as the "third eye" chakra. Ajna is our center of intuition. We all have a sense of intuition, but we may not listen to it or heed its warnings. Focus on opening the sixth chakra and it will help you hone this skill.

• Colors: indigo and violet.
• Stones: Sodalite, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli.
• Element: All of the above, purified.
• Signs: Sagittarius and Pisces.

Seventh chakra

The Sahaswara chakra or the "thousand-petalled lotus" chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is the chakra of enlightenment and the spiritual connection with our higher selves, with others, and ultimately with the divine. It is located on the crown of the head.

• Colors: gold, white, purple and transparent
• Stones: Crystal quartz, transparent quartz, golden calcite, amethyst, selenite, diamond.
• Sign: Aquarius.

Exercises to open the chakras

To start opening your chakras you will have to put yourself in a position to meditate, this is called mudras. Mudras have the power to send more energy to the chakras. To enhance the effect of energy it is best to sing sounds. These sounds are Sanskrit letters that when sung cause resonance in the body and you will feel the chakra that each sound is intended for.

For the pronunciation you must take into account that 'A' is pronounced 'ah', the 'M' is pronounced as 'mng'. You will have to do a meditation of 7 to 10 breaths for each chakra that you want to open. Chant the sound several times for each breath (for example, three times).

Open the first chakra

Make the tips of your thumb and index finger touch. Concentrate on the position of this chakra and chant LAM. Later:

• Stand up straight and relaxed. 
• Place your feet shoulder-width apart. 
• Slightly bend your knees. 
• Put your pelvis forward a little. 
• Keep your body balanced so that your weight is evenly distributed on the soles of your feet. 
• Sink your weight down.
• Stay in this position for several minutes.

Open the second chakra

Put your hands in your lap, palms up, one on top of the other. Left hand underneath, your palm touching the back of the fingers of the right hand. The tips of the thumbs touch gently. Focus on the second chakra. Sing the sound VAM.

Open the third chakra

Put your hands in front of your stomach, slightly below your solar plexus. Let your fingers meet at the top, all pointing away from you. Cross your thumbs. It is important to straighten your fingers. Focus on the fourth chakra. Sing the RAM sound.

Open the fourth chakra

Sit with legs crossed. Let them touch the tips of your thumb and index finger. Place your left hand on your left knee and your right hand in front of the lower sternum (slightly above the solar plexus). Focus on the fourth chakra. Sing the YAM sound.

Open the fifth chakra

Cross your fingers inside your hands, without your thumbs. Let your thumbs touch at the top and put them slightly upwards. Focus on the fifth chakra. Sing the HAM sound.

Open the sixth chakra

Put your hands in front of the lower part of your chest. The middle fingers are straight and touch at the top, pointing forward. The other fingers are bent and touch on the two upper phalanges. The thumbs are pointing towards you and focusing towards the top.
Focus on the sixth chakra. Sing the sound OM or AUM.

Open the seventh chakra

Put your hands in front of your stomach. Let the ring fingers point up, touching at the top. Cross the rest of your fingers, with the left thumb under the right. Focus on the seventh chakra. Sing the NG sound. Meditation is not necessary for this chakra.

If you want to know more exercises, do not miss these to open your chakras, find a quiet place to start the practice.