YOGA POSES TO BALANCE THE 7 CHAKRAS

By Michael Fry

While many of us in the West see yoga as another way to stay healthy, build core strength and achieve fantastic abs, that was not it’s primary focus when created in India thousands of years ago.   The science of Yoga paired movements or ‘asanas’ in Sanskrit and breathing techniques or ‘pranayama’ together many thousands of years ago in order to affect specific Chakras in the body. The Sanskrit word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body that regulate invisible energy, called Prana, which keeps us vibrant, healthy, and alive. The spinal column is the center around which the seven energy wheels revolve. All of the movements and breathing techniques aim to free and develop the Chakras by opening and freeing the passage within the spinal cord where they vibrate and flow.

If you feel disconnected from yourself or the world, unhappy, or feel like things are “in chaos,” there is a good chance that your energy chakras are out of balance. When out of balance chakras may lead to emotional and physical ailments. To the contrary, being aware of chakras and how they can be accessed and nurtured, via yoga, can help to restore emotional, mental and physical balance.  Here’s a list of chakras and the corresponding poses that can assist in balancing each of the 7 chakras.

Root Chakra –Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine.  Balanced: We can feel secure, connected, safe, confident and able to maintain healthy relationships . Imbalanced: We can experience a lack of security and reduced sense of belonging as well as a basic distrust of life, self and others. Poses: Child's pose , Seated Hero , Mountain, Down Dog, Shavasana, Tadasana and Virabhadrasana I

Sacral Chakra – Svadisthana, is located in the pelvic area. Balanced: We can connect easily and deeply with family, self and others. We easily find joy and experience pleasure of all kinds- mental, emotional and physical.Imbalanced: We may feel sexually frustrated, emotionally repressed, and experience a lack of passion in life. Poses: Revolved Triangle Pose stimulates the abdominal organs, re-enlivens the Sacral chakra and helps you remain grounded in the present moment. Also recommended, Bālāsana, Natarajasana, Parivrtta Trikonasana

Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura, Located at the navel center.  Balanced: we trust our of authentic self, intuition, and emerging purpose in life. We take ownership of our choices, thoughts, belies and attitudes.  Imbalanced: We experience low self-esteem, lack of self-trust and increased anxiety.  Pose: Boat Pose will help to activate your core and help align energy blocks or imbalances as well In addition, Dhanurasana, Virabhadrasana I, Virabhadrasana II.

Heart Chakra – Anahata, located in the center of the chest. Balanced: We are capable of giving and receiving love, compassion, generosity and a deep connection with others. Imbalanced: We lose connection with others and love for ourselves. Pose: Low Lunge opens our heart space and balances Heart Chakra energy.  Many backbend postures and Uttanasana, Bakasana, Ustrasana are also recommended. 

Throat Chakra – Vishuddha, located at base of the neck. Balanced: We joyfully and vocally express the creative and authentic aspects of ourselves with confidence. Imbalanced:  We experience ear, nose, and throat problems along with a block of creativity and a silencing of the authentic voice. Poses: Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Simhasana.  Chanting, “Ham” while engaged in any simple pose will open the Throat Chakra and help keep the energy balanced.

Third Eye Chakra – Ajna  or Third Eye Chakra, is situated at center of the forehead between the eyebrows.  Balanced: We see life more clearly without it being influenced by the opinions of others, ego, or the past. Imbalanced: We experience confusion, attachment to past beliefs and experiences,  headaches, migraines, and dizziness. Pose: Twisting Postures, Dolphin Pose and many inversions will increase circulation to our face and brain which stimulates the Ajna Chakra. Also, Bālāsana, Janusirsasana, Ardha Pincha Mayurasana

Crown Chakra ­­- Sahasrara, located at the top of the head.  Balanced: We feel peace, joy, serenity, and a sense of positivity. This chakra is also associated with God, Divine Love and spiritual oneness. Imbalanced: We experience a deep sense of distrust of ourselves, others and life. A feeling of separation or aloneness.  Poses: Balanced Butterfly brings focus, balance and peace. Also, Shavasana, Vriksasana, Sirsasana, Half Lotus pose