Sharkas Studio

The term chakra refers to points in the body through which energy passes. This is an expression originating from Sanskrit, where this term is often interpreted as “wheel” or “disc”. Chakras are also often symbolized by lotuses with petals. Their flowering is actually a metaphor for the opening of the chakras. Lotuses, which are sacred in India, thus symbolize the path on which development takes place. The energy centers of the chakras are located in the physical, spiritual, and emotional body and there is a flow of prana, which represents life energy, in them. These currents of life energies then meet in the seven basic chakras, which are interconnected by a system of energy channels, called Nadi.

However, chakras are not only perceived in their energetic form. Chakra energy controls life processes in the body, both physically and energetically. So they are not only transformers of spiritual energy but also transformers that work between all bioenergetic fields. They transport energy, and if there is more consumption, they receive more energy. On the contrary, when there is an excess of energy, they radiate it back. Each of the individual chakras thus supplies our consciousness with specific information and controls certain endocrine glands, thereby being able to influence bodily functions through hormones and enzymes. It regulates the activity of the immune system, maintains the functions of organs, induces healing processes, and processes various sensory impressions. The dynamics of individual chakras are different for each person, and their strength or weakness determines overall health. Deviations from the normal own dynamics of the chakra then lead to disharmony and psychosomatic diseases which may begin to appear, for example. So if one of the chakras is not working well, it is said to be blocked. We have seven primary chakras, and then several secondary ones as well.

The seven basic chakras are:

root (Muladhara)
sacral (Svadhishthana)
solar plexus (Manipura)
heart (Anahata)
throat (Vishuddha)
third eye (Ajna)
crown (Sahasrara)

The seven chakras that exist in the subtle, psychic body and permeate the physical body form three primary areas. The first three chakras are located very close together in the body between the lower end of the spine and the navel on an axis only a few centimeters long. The other three higher chakras – the throat, third eye, and crown chakras are, on the other hand, very closely connected in the head area, from where they control the higher brain centers. They thus have many common characteristics and higher powers of perceptual expression. Between these two triads of chakras is the heart chakra, which is the central chakra that connects the navel center with the head chakras above. Sometimes the heart chakra belongs to the higher group of chakras, and sometimes to the lower one. The energy that then awakens all individual chakras is called kundalini. This is the so-called “snake power”, which, when activated, frees a person from ignorance, and psychological lability, and develops self-discipline and wisdom.

There are three levels of working with the chakras in relation to physical ailments, psychological problems, and purely spiritual development. All emotional problems are reflected in the heart chakra, and spiritual problems are reflected in the head chakra. In the three lower chakras, in turn, physical and vital functions are reflected through the connection to individual doshas, with which most health problems are associated. Vata is connected to the root chakra, kapha is connected to the sacral chakra, and the last pitta is connected to the third chakra of the solar plexus. Diseases and disorders of the body arise from an imbalance in the functioning of the chakras at the level of numerous nerve plexuses and endocrine glands, with which they have a direct connection due to the uneven functioning of the three doshas vata, pitta, kapha.

During my yoga journey, I also found the world of meditation. The Chakra meditation is one of my favorites and if you attend my class, you might experience it.

This practice is a form of meditation that focuses on blocked chakras or chakras that are out of alignment. During this meditation, it is possible to focus on each of the individual chakras one by one or only on the one that is out of balance. There are many signs that they are out of alignment. For example, various physical pains such as headaches, back pain, or indigestion may occur. In addition to physical symptoms, a person may feel restless, or even frustrated, and may suffer from excessive fear or instability of their emotions. If, on the other hand, the chakras are in harmony, a person feels emotionally balanced and is in good physical and mental condition. Balanced chakras, therefore, bring better handling of life’s challenges in any area.

And what does this meditation look like?

This meditation uses the visualization of the colors of individual chakras, focusing your consciousness on individual elements related to each chakra, or on the basic needs of each individual chakra. It is also possible to use music and scents that can influence the chakras and help align and open them. During chakra meditation, it is possible to use deep breathing, when we try to breathe through each individual area connected to the location of the chakra. As with any other meditation, it is recommended to always meditate at the same hour so as not to disturb the regular rhythm of our astral body. The most suitable time for meditation is the moment after waking up, as our brain is not yet so burdened by surrounding influences. As for choosing a place to meditate, it is best to meditate in the same place that is also not used for any other activity. Each activity carries with it its own unique vibrations that intersect and influence each other. If we also meditate in the same space, this place remains filled with positive energy, which is produced by meditation. If possible, it is recommended to meditate outdoors or at least near an open window. The position of our body during meditation is also important. In no case is it recommended to lie on the ground, as the state of relaxation could lead to sleep. So it is good to sit in, for example, the lotus flower position or in the sukhasana pose. For pain in the legs or in the lower back, it is advisable to sit on the edge of the meditation cushion, for example, so that the knees point down. The back should be in an upright position, but not stiff. The same goes for the shoulders and pelvis. The hands can be placed on the knees with the palms facing up or in the lap in Dhyana mudra where the hands are placed with the palms facing up one over the other. The right hand is inserted into the left, and the thumbs can be slightly raised so that the tips touch each other. During meditation, the eyes are gently closed, and the head is in line with the spine. Before starting the chakra meditation, we can initially focus on our breath or we can try “box breathing”, where we start with a deep breath through our nose and let our belly expand outwards. Then we count to four, hold for the same amount of time, and exhale through the mouth, again to the count of four seconds. We can repeat this type of breathing two more times and then start working with individual chakras.