S2 Ep8: Chakras - 7 Chakras In Your Body

The word chakra in Sanskrit means wheel. Chakra is a well-known concept in the world of spirituality. They are the most important components of our energy bodies. The human body is made of the physical body, mental body, and subtle body.

The physical body is made of flesh and bones and the one we can see and feel. The mental body is the mind and deals with our thoughts and emotions which can felt but not seen. The third body is the subtle body or the energy body. The energy body deals with life force or prana and regulates the flow of energy in the body. The chakras form the core of this energy body. These are wheel-like energy centers located in different parts of our bodies. According to scriptures, there are a total of 114 chakras of which 112 are situated inside the body.

However, according to ancient Hindu texts, there are 7 main chakras or main energy centers, the rest of them are minor centers. These centers are associated with different colors and Bija mantras. They also correspond to different elements a human body is made of (earth, fire, water.ether, air), Out of these 7 chakras, 6 are located inside our bodies and the 7th one is located just above our head.

These centers are located along the spinal cord and start from the base of the spine to the top of our head. These centers handle various physical and psychological aspects of our lives. If a chakra is wide open and healthy and is aligned with the cosmos, it ensures a free flow of energy through that center hence resulting in the proper functioning of the aspects related to that chakra. However, if the chakra is not functioning well and is out of balance it will lead to physical and mental health disorders. In yogic culture different mudras, asanas and mantras are taught to ensure our chakras are aligned and balanced throughout. Now let us discuss each of these 7 centers specifically.
Root Chakra (Muladhara) Element- Earth Color - Red Bija Mantra - LAM
The root chakra is the lowest and is located at the base of the spine. This center is associated with earth and hence provides us with the feeling of being grounded and secured. A well-balanced root chakra makes us feel grounded and secured in life. This center is also associated with our survival on this planet. The fear of survival is also associated with this chakra. An improper working root chakra will give one the feeling of being uprooted and insecure about life in general. A person might feel insecure and needy about finances, health love, and other aspects of his life. It is also mentioned that Kundalini Shakti resides in this chakra and when invoked rises from Muladhara towards the crown (Sahasrara). The diseases related to this center are issues with colon prostate, bladder, etc.
Sacral Chakra (Swadistana) Element - Water Color - Orange Bija Mantra - VAM
This chakra is located in our pelvic region and corresponds with our sexual and reproductive organs. This chakra is associated with all the pleasures of one's life. It also controls the aspect of creativity and fertility. When this center is functioning properly one will have his creative juices flowing. His basic emotions shall also be stable. If this goes out of tune it can lead to depression. emotional instability and lack of creativity and fertility. Diseases associated with this center are related to issues with reproductive organs, kidney, bowel movements, etc.
Solar Plexus (Manipura) Element - Fire Color - Yellow Bija Mantra - RAM
The solar plexus is located near the naval region. This center is associated with the feeling of p