Chakra 101 - Chakras made easy

What are Chakras a beginners guide

CHAKRA 101 – YOUR BODIES ENERGY SYSTEMS

We have an energetic body, one that is pulsing with vital life force energy known as prana. Prana can be thought of as the infinite sea of energy that embodies and flows through all living things – it is the subtle, energetic force that sustains all life. The energetic body is always shifting, constantly reconfiguring itself in an attempt to bring the body back to harmony..

Energy – or prana – flows within all living beings along unique energy lines known as nadis or meridians. You can think of nadis as veins of energy that flow through all living beings, twisting and crossing throughout various points of the body.

These nadis are a network of channels or energy centers moving energy throughout the body. Where these nadis intersect and cross paths most densely create spinning wheels of energy known as chakras.

Chakra Means Wheel

Chakra means spinning wheels of energy, and you can imagine them like wheels of free-flowing positive energy. Each of these centers is associated with specific organs, endocrines, issues, emotions, colors and elements of nature. Balancing these centers can have a physical and emotional effect on a person. Chakra energy balancing is used in Reiki treatments and sound healing.

It is not only important that each individual chakra be balanced, but that they also be balanced in relationship to each other. The lower three chakras are considered masculine and call us to action. They help to ground us and are usually concerned with the material world.

The higher three chakras are feminine in nature and are associated with self-reflection and the spiritual aspects of life. The heart chakra is balanced in masculine and feminine energy and can help to balance other chakras.

There are 7 major points of intersection for the flow of this energy running down the midline of our bodies. These points are called Chakas. When all 7 chakras are functioning well, we are healthy in body, mind and spirit. When energy is not flowing or blocked, this is when ill health and disease can set into the body.

WHAT ARE NADIS/MERIDIANS? The Three Major Nadis

Nadies are known as rivers of energy or a group or bundle of energy channels.  A chakra occurs every time two nadis intersect. Your body has over 72,000 nadis. There are seven main intersections where the nadies come together.

We call these intersections energy centers or “Chakras.” 

Nadi is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as “tube,” “channel” or “flow.” It refers to the network of channels through which energy travels through the body. The nadis can be compared to the meridians of Chinese acupuncture.

1. Sushuma Nadi = Sushumna is the center channel and it travels straight up the spine through the center of all the chakras. As the prana/energy travels up the sushumna nadi, it energizes all of the chakras along the way and stimulates dormant areas of the mind that are responsible for higher thinking and feeling. Sushumna is known as the pathway to enlightenment.

2. Ida Nadi  = In Sanskrit ida meaning “comfort” The ida nadi, which represents mental energy, travels the length of the spinal cord, weaving in and out of the chakras. Ida nadi is also called the chandra, or "moon," nadi because it is connected to lunar energy. 

The ida nadi is known as the left channel because it flows to the left as it leaves the root chakra and runs to the left nostril. Ida nadi controls all mental processes as it transports energy to the nervous system, which calms the mind and relaxes the body. It is associated with introversion, feminine energy, the right (creative) side of the brain, and the left side of the body.

3. Pingala Nadi = In Sanskrit, pingala means "tawny”(orange color). Pingala nadi is also called the surya, or sun, nadi because it is related to solar energy. The pingala is known as the right channel because it flows to the right as it leaves the root chakra and weaves in and out of the other chakras before ending at the right nostril.

The pingala nadi controls essential life processes and imparts vitality, efficiency and strength. It is associated with extroversion, masculine energy, the left (logical/linear) side of the brain, and the right side of the body.

The ida and pingala run up the spine but they intersect each other 7 times. Making up the 7 chakras.

The 7 Chakras

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara) — Basic trust, feeling grounded, security, having your basic needs met, motivated and comfortable..

2. Sacral Chakra (Svadisthana) — Sexuality and creativity, High self esteem, healthy expressions of creativity and sexuality, joy and pleasure.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) — Power, healthy digestion of food and life. Feeling a sense of personal power, confident.

4. Heart Chakra (Anahata) — Healing and love, Ability to love and receive love, healthy immune system, balance in relationships and other chakras, compassion, feelings of harmony and peace.

5. Throat Chakra (Visuddha)  — Expression, strong communicator, expresses personal truth, integrity, authenticity, speaks your truth.

6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — Inspiration, awareness and intuition, healthy intuition, creativity, ability to manifest, strong memory and balanced hormones.

7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) — Spirituality and enlightenment, experiencing source and source within self, wisdom, awareness, self realization.