What Are the Chakras?

Chakras are seven centres of motions of the essential life force (prana). They are part of the subtle energy system and have a vital part to play in healing and health. They are basically subtle energy transformers, and are located on a physical level all along the spinal column and interconnected with the endocrine glands and nervous system.

These seven subtle centres of consciousness can be thought of as locations where the soul links to the material body. Each chakra is related to a specific state of consciousness, and work in harmony with one another.

When the chakra system is working favourably, you experiences vitality, health and the feeling of connectedness of body, mind and spirit.

The word 'chakra' is taken from the Sanskrit word meaning a disc, wheel or circle. They are also seen by clairvoyants (psychics) as rotating, pulsating wheels of different colours.

The chakra energies rhythmically throb through the core of this wheel. They take in prana or life force, disperse it through the nadis to the blood, nervous system, and the endocrine glands.

These centres are always in motion, but the speed at which they rotate depends to some degree upon the state of health of the person. Traditional Indian medicine has made use of the chakras for thousands of years and they are used for analysing a person's state of being: treating disorders on the mental, emotional, and physical levels.

The first Five major chakras are in line with the spine, while the sixth is situated between the eyebrows and the seventh just above the crown of the head. These seven chakras vibrates to the frequency of one of the colours in the colour spectrum and establishes the governing colour of the chakra. The seven chakras starting with the first one are:

(1) The Root Chakra: which is associated with the ovaries and testes, adrenals; the colour red, physical survival, earthly energy.
(2) The Sacral Chakra: which is associated with the ovaries and testes; the colour orange, relationships, creativity, sexuality and fertility.
(3) The Solar Plexus Chakra: which is associated with the adrenals; the colour yellow, personal power, self-esteem, confidence, gut feelings and intuition.
(4)The Heart Chakra: which is associated with the thymus gland, the heart organ; the colour green, emotional power, compassion, love.
(5) The Throat Chakra: which is associated with the thyroid and parathyroid glands; the colour light blue, communication and expression, power of the will.
(6) The Third Eye: which is associated with the Pituitary and pineal glands; the colour indigo, psychic perception, power of the mind.
(7)The Crown Chakra: which is associated with the pineal and pituitary glands; the colour violet or white, the connection with the Divine Source.