The 7 Chakras: Locations, Colors and Use Within Yoga

Are chakras real? While not tangible, the importance of chakras within multiple traditions suggests they are. Rachel Markowitz explains the meaning, locations and colors of the seven main chakras, plus the mantras and yoga asanas that activate these unique energy centres.

 

I was introduced to chakras during a yoga teaching training class when a teacher instructed me to chant “ham” repeatedly while inverted in a shoulder stand. This, the instructor said, would open my throat chakra, which was linked to my insecurities, and radically improve my life.

 

At the time, this seemed odd; I didn’t know what a throat chakra was, why it might be closed, how opening it would be helpful, or how chanting upside-down might facilitate this! However, I can now admit that, as a yoga instructor myself, I’ve suggested similar practices to students for a multitude of reasons.

 

Since chakras are not part of the physical body, they often remain a mystery. However, a basic understanding of energetic anatomy is a powerful tool for harmonizing body, mind, and spirit. Let's explore the chakra system together and discover some tips to help ensure your energy flows freely.

 

What are Chakras?

Chakras are moving centers of concentrated energy located in the subtle (energetic) body. In Sanskrit, chakra translates to wheel, which serves as an appropriate visual representation of these spinning energy disks.

 

Chakras were first mentioned in the Vedas thousands of years ago – a series of texts that form the basis of Indian philosophy, all branches of yoga, and Ayurvedic medicine – and were later described in the Upanishads, Yoga Sutras, and Tantric texts. There are numerous systems for identifying and classifying these energetic vortexes, and most traditions suggest that we have over 100 chakras throughout the subtle body.

It' possible to work on activating chakras during yoga

However, according to most modern-day yoga teachings, seven chakras are particularly significant. These major chakras are located along our main energetic channel, Sushumna Nadi, ascending from the base of the spine to slightly above the crown of the head.

Chakras govern certain aspects of our physical body, mind, and spiritual path. Each of the seven main chakras corresponds to a color and is depicted by a lotus flower with specific geometrical and symbolic qualities. Each chakra also has a corresponding bija, or seed, mantra. Furthermore, the first five chakras are linked to an element (the last two chakras relate to existence beyond the elements). 

 

In an ideal state of being, all chakras are open and aligned. Other healthy-chakra descriptions include “activated,” “balanced,” or “unblocked.”)

 

Why Learn About Chakras?

Understanding each chakra and its role in our composition can help us see patterns in our overall well-being, identify and heal imbalances and blockages, and strengthen the body, mind, and aura.

 

RELATED:

• Yoga For Happiness: Gratitude Yoga
• Kundalini Meditation: 4 Key Benefits and How to Practise It
• Fasting and Autophagy: Ancient Wisdom

 

Chakras also offer a unique perspective on the connection between our internal and external worlds. For healing, we can work to clear and balance energy in the entire body or focus on each chakra individually. Either way, when we take the time to ensure that prana, or life-force energy, is moving without constrictions or resistance in the energetic body, we encourage optimal health – from the inside out.

 

Exploring the Major Chakras

The seven main energy centers are divided into three lower chakras, which relate to the Earth and the individual self, and three higher chakras, which connect us to the universe and spirit. The higher and lower chakras come together at the heart chakra, located in the center of the chest, at the level of our anatomical heart.

 

“Chakras govern certain aspects of our physical body, mind, and spiritual path. Each of the seven main chakras corresponds to a color and is depicted by a lotus flower with specific geometrical and symbolic qualities.”

Below is a description of each of the seven major chakras, including location, associations, symbol, color, and mantra – along with a short list of suggested yoga practices that promote chakra health. 

 

For strengthening, unblocking, or healing an ailment related to a certain chakra, you can visualize a light at its location, focus on its symbol, chant its mantra, incorporate its color in your daily life, or practice the postures or breathing techniques listed in each section.

The 7 main chakras, colors and locations within the human body

 

1. Root (Muladhara) Chakra

The root chakra governs the health of the lower body, from the feet to the hips. In life, it’s connected to basic survival, primal instincts, and foundational physical and material needs. 
 

Location: Base of the spine; pelvic floor

Color and Symbol: Red lotus flower with four petals

Element: Earth

Mantra: Lam.

Recommended Yoga Practices: Warrior poses, lunges, balancing postures, seated positions 

 

2. Sacral (Svadisthana) Chakra

In the physical body, the sacral chakra energetically controls our hips, sexual organs, and reproductive health. It’s also connected to desire, emotional stability, sexuality, pleasure, and anything we create. 
 

Location: Below the navel

Color and Symbol: Orange lotus flower with six petals

Element: Water

Mantra: Vam.

Recommended Yoga Practices: Happy Baby pose, Goddess pose, hip openers

 

3. Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra

The solar plexus chakra is related to the core of our body and our digestive system. Mentally and emotionally, this chakra governs strength, confidence, willpower, ego, and the way we assimilate or “digest” information. It’s strongly linked to the concept of tapas in yoga, our inner fire. 
 

Location: Center of the body; near the abdomen and below the ribcage

Color and Symbol: Yellow lotus flower with 10 petals

Element: Fire

Mantra: Ram.

Recommended Yoga Practices: Boat pose, twists, Breath of Fire 

 

4. Heart (Anahata) Chakra

As mentioned earlier, Anahata chakra is the place where the upper and lower chakras join together at the heart center. In our bodies, this chakra governs the area around the chest, anatomical heart, and lungs. In our lives, the heart chakra is related to love (of self and others), relationships, trust, and compassion.
 

Location: Center of the chest at heart level

Color and Symbol: Green lotus flower with 12 petals

Element: Air

Mantra: Yam

Recommended Yoga Practices: Camel pose, Bow pose, Puppy pose

 

5. Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra

The throat chakra governs the throat and neck area, as well as the thyroid gland, and is linked to our sense of speech, creativity, and ability to communicate authentically. Vishuddha chakra is also significant as our center of energetic purification.
 

Location: Throat

Color and Symbol: Blue lotus flower with 16 petals

Element: Ether (Space)

Mantra: Ham.

Recommended Yoga Practices: Shoulder Stand, Fish pose, Lion’s Breath, chanting

 

6. Third Eye (Ajna)

The third eye center is closely linked to our pineal gland, nervous system, and sense of intuition and perception. Thus, we often look to ajna chakra for relaxation and visions during spiritual practice.

Location: Center of the brain; between the eyebrows

Color and Symbol: Violet or indigo lotus flower with two petals

Mantra: Om

Recommended Yoga Practices: Child’s pose, meditation, Shambhavi Mudra (directing gaze at the third eye)

 

7. Crown (Sahasrara)

The crown chakra connects the individual self to the greater Self. It’s related to cosmic consciousness, self-awareness, and the interconnectedness of all that is.
 

Location: Slightly above the crown of the head

Color and Symbol: White, Light, or Violet thousand-petal lotus flower

Mantra: Aum (or silent aum)

Recommended Yoga Practices: Headstand, Savasana, meditation

 

Are Chakras Real?

Chakras are not physical or tangible, but that doesn’t make them less real than other aspects of our physical, mental, emotional, or energetic existence.

One indicator of the validity of the concept of chakras is their appearance throughout various traditions and time. In addition to the yogic systems of chakras, Buddhist, Jain, and other healing modalities also visualize and work with chakras (or similar locations of concentrated energy, such as meridians/Dan Tien in Chinese medicine) as points of focus for meditation and healing.

Chakras can be used as focal points during meditation 

Although science has yet to prove the existence of chakras, research is on the way to doing so. Recent technology is now able to measure the electromagnetic radiance of auras and the energetic body, indicating that our energetic presence, particularly energy emanating from the heart, extends far beyond our physical bodies.  

 

“Chakras are not physical or tangible, but that doesn’t make them less real than other aspects of our physical, mental, emotional, or energetic existence.”

That being said, the purpose of this article is not to convince you that chakras are real, but rather to serve as an introduction to those who would like to explore deeper aspects of self-awareness. Yoga is a science of getting to know your true self through experimentation and introspection.

So, for those of you questioning the nuances of your subtle body and the reality of the chakra system, I urge you to experiment with the basic visualization techniques and contemplation methods indicated above. 

 

Takeaway: Yoga Chakras, Colors and Locations

According to the science of yoga, chakras are powerful vortexes of moving energy located along our major energetic channel, that govern different aspects of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. By understanding the role of the major chakras in our bodies and lives, we can begin to identify and balance each aspect of our energetic composition to embark on the path of holistic healing and well-being. ●

Images: shutterstock/May_Chanikran, shutterstock/E.Va, shutterstock/New Africa

Written by Rachel Markowitz

Rachel recently found herself over a decade deep in a worldwide wander guided by what she feels to be true. She’s been facilitating classes and workshops on yoga, meditation, self-exploration, and alternative ways of living since 2012, mostly in Latin America and Asia. These days, she spends most of her time looking at, walking around, or singing to a sacred mountain in southern India. Read more of her words at her to those who wonder blog.