What Are Chakras?
Chakras are the seven main vortexes of energy, or prana, that correspond to different areas of the body. They begin at the pelvic floor, move up through the sacral area, the solar plexus region, the heart, throat, eyebrow center, and culminate at the crown of the head. While the chakras are associated with physical locations, they are not part of the physical body itself. Rather, they belong to what is known as the subtle body, serving as bridges between our physical form and our energetic nature. Each chakra carries distinct qualities, influences different aspects of our lives, and expresses energy in unique ways.
How to Say “Chakra”
In Sanskrit, chakra is pronounced with a hard “ch,” sounding like CHUCK-ruh, rather than a soft “sh” sound. While both pronunciations are common today, the harder “ch” reflects its traditional roots.
The Tantric Roots of the Chakra System
The chakra system arises from Tantric philosophy. According to Tantra, the universe came into being when Shiva and Shakti were separated. Shiva, the masculine principle, represents divine consciousness, while Shakti, the feminine principle, embodies creative force and the natural world or Mother Nature herself. It is said that when Shakti separated from Shiva, the world as we know it was created.
To experience the reunion of Shiva and Shakti, or a deeper sense of connection within ourselves and with life around us, we engage in practices such as asana, pranayama, and meditation. These practices encourage the flow of prana throughout the body, awakening kundalini, the coiled energy at the base of the spine, and guiding it upward through the sushumna nadi, the central energetic channel that runs along the spine. As this energy moves through each chakra, balance is cultivated and begins to express itself in our daily lives.
Working With Energy Through Practice
Working with the chakra system offers a way to relate to our life energy with greater awareness and care. Understanding how imbalances may show up physically, mentally, or emotionally can illuminate the subtle ways energy moves through us. Through mindful movement, breath, and meditation, we can gently support balance and encourage freer flow throughout body, mind, and spirit.
Each chakra is associated with specific aspects of life, regions of the body, and energetic qualities. In the coming months, we will explore them one by one, learning their significance, how to recognize imbalance, and ways to restore harmony. In the meantime, know that your yoga practice is already supporting openness, circulation, and connection, within you and in the world around you.
Explore Each Chakra in Depth
If you’d like to dive deeper, we’ve created individual blog posts for each of the seven chakras, exploring their qualities, common signs of imbalance, and ways your yoga practice can support balance and flow:
-
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) — awareness, connection, higher perspective
-
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — intuition, insight, inner clarity
-
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) — communication, authenticity, expression
-
Heart Chakra (Anahata) — compassion, connection, love
-
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) — confidence, will, personal power
-
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) — creativity, pleasure, emotional flow
-
Root Chakra (Muladhara) — grounding, stability, security
As you explore each chakra, remember that this work is not about striving or fixing, but about listening, noticing, and cultivating balance over time. May your practice continue to support ease, clarity, and a deeper sense of connection in everyday life.