Yoga and the Chakras
🧘♀️ Yoga and the Chakras
Awakening the Inner Energy Centers Through the Ancient Science of Union
🔱 Introduction
Deep within the human body lies an invisible system of spiritual energy, flowing through subtle channels (nadis) and converging in powerful centers called Chakras. These Chakras are not just mystical ideas or new-age symbols — they are an integral part of ancient Indian yogic philosophy, especially in Tantra, Yoga, and Ayurveda.
In the yogic tradition, the goal is not merely physical fitness or mental calm, but the awakening of dormant energy, the Kundalini Shakti, which resides at the base of the spine. When guided through the seven chakras via Yoga, breath, mantra, and meditation, this divine energy transforms the seeker, ultimately leading to samadhi (spiritual liberation).
This post explores the relationship between Yoga and the Chakras, decoding their significance, characteristics, and the practices used to balance and activate them.
🌿 What Are Chakras?
- The word Chakra (चक्र) in Sanskrit means “wheel” or “disk”.
- Chakras are spinning vortices of energy that exist along the subtle spinal column (Sushumna Nadi).
- Each Chakra governs specific physical organs, psychological traits, and spiritual potentials.
- The seven major Chakras are vertically aligned from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
In Yoga, balancing the Chakras means aligning your inner world — body, energy, mind, and soul — so that life flows in harmony with dharma and divine purpose.
🧬 The Seven Chakras and Their Yogic Significance
Let’s dive into each Chakra, its symbolism, and how Yoga works with it.
🔴 1. Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra)
Location: Base of the spine
Element: Earth
Color: Red
Beeja Mantra: Lam (लं)
Presiding Deity: Lord Ganesha
Qualities:
- Stability, survival, security, grounding
- Connection to ancestry and birth karma
Yoga Practices:
- Grounding asanas: Tadasana, Vrikshasana
- Deep diaphragmatic breathing
- Chanting “Lam” while seated in Padmasana
Balanced Muladhara brings confidence and fearlessness.
Imbalance causes anxiety, insecurity, and fear.
🟠 2. Svadhisthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)
Location: Just below the navel
Element: Water
Color: Orange
Beeja Mantra: Vam (वं)
Presiding Deity: Varuna (god of waters)
Qualities:
- Creativity, sensuality, pleasure, emotional intelligence
Yoga Practices:
- Hip-opening poses: Baddha Konasana, Mandukasana
- Pelvic breathing
- Chanting “Vam” during breath retention
A balanced Svadhisthana makes one emotionally fluid and creative.
Blocked energy may lead to guilt, addiction, or sexual imbalance.
🟡 3. Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)
Location: Navel area
Element: Fire
Color: Yellow
Beeja Mantra: Ram (रं)
Presiding Deity: Agni (fire god)
Qualities:
- Willpower, digestion (both physical and mental), confidence
Yoga Practices:
- Core-strengthening poses: Navasana, Surya Namaskar
- Breath of fire (Kapalabhati)
- Chanting “Ram” to activate the inner fire
A strong Manipura gives a clear sense of purpose and direction.
Imbalance may cause digestive issues or ego imbalance.
💚 4. Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra)
Location: Center of the chest
Element: Air
Color: Green
Beeja Mantra: Yam (यं)
Presiding Deity: Vayu (wind god), Lord Krishna
Qualities:
- Love, compassion, forgiveness, devotion
Yoga Practices:
- Heart-opening poses: Bhujangasana, Ustrasana
- Loving-kindness meditation (Maitri Bhavana)
- Chanting “Yam” for emotional healing
An open Anahata allows divine love to flow through all actions.
Blocked Anahata manifests as grief, jealousy, or detachment.
🔵 5. Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra)
Location: Throat
Element: Ether (Space)
Color: Blue
Beeja Mantra: Ham (हं)
Presiding Deity: Akasha Deva, Saraswati Devi
Qualities:
- Communication, truth, expression, listening
Yoga Practices:
- Neck stretches and shoulder openers: Matsyasana, Sarvangasana
- Chanting, mantra recitation
- Chanting “Ham” to clear vocal vibration
Balanced Vishuddha leads to authentic, fearless communication.
Blockage causes shyness, lying, or sore throat.
🟣 6. Ajna Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)
Location: Between the eyebrows
Element: Mind / Light
Color: Indigo
Beeja Mantra: Om (ॐ)
Presiding Deity: Shiva (Ardhanarishvara form)
Qualities:
- Intuition, inner vision, wisdom
Yoga Practices:
- Meditation and Trataka (candle gazing)
- Pranayama like Nadi Shodhana
- Silent chanting of Om with focus between the eyebrows
When Ajna is awakened, the yogi gains clarity, insight, and spiritual vision.
A blocked Ajna may cause confusion or over-attachment to logic.
⚪ 7. Sahasrara Chakra (Crown Chakra)
Location: Top of the head
Element: Cosmic Consciousness
Color: Violet or White
Beeja Mantra: Silent “Om” or pure stillness
Presiding Deity: Pure Shiva / Supreme Brahman
Qualities:
- Divine connection, bliss, spiritual liberation
Yoga Practices:
- Deep meditation on silence and infinite space
- Chanting Om in complete surrender
- Surrender to Guru and Divine Grace
Sahasrara is the seat of Moksha.
When activated, the seeker merges into pure consciousness — Samadhi.
📜 Chakras in Ancient Texts
Though not mentioned in the Vedas explicitly, the Chakra system evolved through:
- Upanishads – Especially Yoga Upanishads like Amritanada, Yogakundali.
- Tantric texts – Shat Chakra Nirupana, Kubjika Tantra, Kularnava Tantra.
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Explains Kundalini awakening through Asanas and Pranayama.
- Shiva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita – Detail energy centers and yoga techniques.
🧘 How Yoga Awakens the Chakras
Chakra awakening is not forced — it is a gradual unfolding of inner potential through disciplined Yoga practice:
| Practice | Chakra Benefit |
|---|---|
| Asana | Aligns the physical and pranic body |
| Pranayama | Unblocks nadis and balances energy flow |
| Bandhas (locks) | Activates pranic pressure in key areas |
| Mudras | Redirect energy toward spiritual centers |
| Mantras & Japa | Vibrate specific chakras |
| Meditation (Dhyana) | Opens and stabilizes higher chakras |
| Bhakti & Surrender | Dissolves ego, purifies Anahata and Sahasrara |
🔱 Kundalini: The Serpent Power of Liberation
- Kundalini Shakti is the coiled divine energy resting in Muladhara Chakra.
- Through sincere Yoga, this energy rises through each chakra, purifying and awakening them.
- When it reaches Sahasrara, the yogi experiences spiritual liberation, eternal bliss, and divine unity.
🕯️ Conclusion: Chakras — The Inner Temples of Consciousness
The Chakras are not fantasies. They are energetic doorways to spiritual awakening, mapped by sages who explored the inner cosmos with yogic precision.
Yoga is the key that unlocks these sacred gates. With every breath, chant, posture, and meditation, the seeker polishes their inner lens, bringing clarity, balance, and bliss.
At Sanatana Decode, we honor this ancient wisdom — not as mythology, but as a living, vibrant science that continues to transform lives.
“When the nadis are pure and chakras open, the Self reveals its eternal light.”