Why is this chakra chart hanging on the wall of our yoga studio, Yoga Daily in Mt. Pleasant, SC?
Ultimately yoga, as well as all teachings designed to help the student find Truth, is the joining of the individual consciousness with that of Source or Divine Consciousness. Yoga asanas are a means to an end. The physical practice allows the student to quiet the mind, shut off the monkey chatter, put down the 10,000 things and open oneself to the wonder of who we truly are; light beings of Love that are a vital part of the whole of Creation. The chakras represent the 7 major frequencies of light or energy that makeup who we are in this plane of existence. This is what I call a Universal Truth, but it is far from self-evident within the illusion of this life experience.
To allow Universal Truths to seep into our outer consciousness, I find that looking for support in the scientific world provides credibility and foundation. Yoga speaks of prana, life force, and energy. We are beings of light energy, without “true mass”, as is the 3rd-dimensional world we experience. How do we know this? Through meditation, the teachings of the Sutras and quantum physics. Of course, the spiritual sages of history knew this long before our learned scientists had a clue!
Over 4000 years ago yogis’ following the Vaisheshika school were talking about the molecular structure of the universe and all that is in it. Our quantum physicists now agree that electrons, protons, and neutrons, long thought to be the building blocks of all matter do not exist as anything more than energy. That energy doesn’t even behave in a constant manner, it changes its behavior depending on whether an individual is focused on observing it. Human consciousness has a direct and quantifiable effect on what we call matter! This supports the proposition that human beings are only light energy as well. We are light beings and our true bodies, sometimes referred to as our Merkaba, take form and substance only through the attachment of consciousness. Once this concept is fully understood, time and space have a completely different meaning. Yoga is a practice that can bring a student to that realization.
Energy is perceived in this plane of existence as frequency. Lower frequencies manifest as solid objects and higher frequencies manifest as light, sound, etc. We, as human beings, perceive less than 5% of the frequencies our scientists know to exist. That means that over 95% of creation that our scientists can prove to exist, cannot be perceived by the human body and our scientists have only scratched the surface! Yoga gives us the tools to “see” beyond our body’s limitations and explore more of the creation in which we live.
The first step in this process is acknowledging the existence of the seven chakras that make up our human body and are a part of our larger light body or Merkaba. These seven chakra centers run through our body as increasing frequencies of energy. Some sources will number the chakras 1 through 7. I do not like numbering them because they are simply energy centers within our existence. One is no more important than another and there are an infinite number of energy centers both of lower frequency and of higher frequency than these 7 centers. However, the accepted 7 chakra centers are as follows:
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine. It is the center from which the energy of basic life flows. It is red in color and shared by all living things. To balance the root chakra one can close the eyes and envision a red sphere of circulating light at the base of the spine. Chant “I live” and draw forth the root energy until a red sphere of energy in your mind’s eye is circulating in a strong clear manner at the base of the spine.
The sacral chakra is located just below the navel. It is orange in color and represents creative and sexual energies as well as the emotions. Again most living things share at least some sacral/emotional/orange energy. All living things respond to emotions; even plants display happiness and sadness. Balance this chakra in a manner similar to the root chakra and chant “I feel” as you draw forth the orange energy. If strong emotions arise during the process, embrace them, send them love, thank them for their presence, the lessons they represent and release them.
The solar plexus chakra is located just below the chest and represents will power, personal responsibility, and intention. Now we begin to see a separation between less complex living things as intention is not present in all life. Balance this chakra with the chant “I intend” as you call forth the yellow energy of intention. This energy center can be very strong and influence everything around you. Martial arts calls on this energy center to increase the strength and energy of the martial arts poses. In yoga, while intention is certainly needed, it must be applied in a balanced manner, consistent with the broader teachings of yoga, non-harming and co-existing, so as not to be overbearing.
The next chakra is the emerald green energy of love. It is the heart chakra located in the center of the chest. It is with this chakra that we begin to see a definitive split with less complex life. Some sources will divide the energies of the heart and above as being grounded in the 4th dimension while the lower 3 chakras are firmly in the 3rd dimension. This energy center is where Divine love, self-love and the center of the human relationship will emanate. Chant “I love” or “I am love” as you call forth the emerald green light to the center of your being.
At the base of your throat rests the royal blue energy center called the throat chakra. It is the center of communication, not just speech, but also thought and telepathy. While one can communicate emotions through orange and yellow energy, it is the royal blue center where thought emanates. Chant “I speak” as the royal blue energy builds in your throat chakra.
The violet energy of the third eye opens the door to other dimensions and frequencies that we cannot perceive through the 5 human senses. The third eye chakra, located between and just above the eyes at the base of the forehead can be a magical springboard to many extrasensory experiences. You can travel to the Akashic records through the third eye and access any information you desire. Balance the third eye chakra by calling forth the violet/purple energy with the chant “I see” and look for a rich violet vortex to appear in your mind’s eye. Many times other energies are mixed with the purple energy depending on your intention and what you seek to learn.
The last chakra within our light body is the crown chakra at the top of the head. This energy is the culmination of all the lower frequency energies and presents as white, golden white or violet white depending on the individual. It is the gateway to higher consciousness, ascension, and connection with Source. Simply chant “I Am” as you call forth that which you are; pure light energy of Source. While many may consider this blasphemy, it is our Divine inheritance as beings that are made from and are a part of Divine energy. The Light in me and that same Light in each one of you is the Divine Light of Source.
Yoga teaches us how to experience and control these energy centers as Beings of Light. The fourth limb of yoga, Pranayama, deals with the “life force” or energy that defines our existence. There is, quite literally, nothing else. All of the other limbs of yoga ultimately lead to the understanding that we are Beings of the Divine Source. As such, Source, itself, is not and cannot be complete without each one of us.
Namaste.
Blair is the co-owner of Yoga Daily in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is a certified yoga instructor, recovering lawyer and a spiritual student. The content of this blog is what Blair considers to be universal truths that span all dogma and religion and it is offered to you in Love and Light. Check out The Daily Yogi for additional blog entries. You can contact Blair at blair@yogadailymountpleasant.com. Yoga is but one path to the knowing that we are all one. Please take what resonates with you and leave the rest without judgement or offense.