WORKSHOP

INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAKRAS

The Chakras, Prana, and the Nadis

AJNACHAKRA

THE THIRD EYE• Nature: Centre of command – centre of clairvoyance and the deepening of the

conscious powers of the mind.• Number of petals: 2 • Colour: Clear, grey, or violet.• Physical location: Centre of head.• Kshetram (trigger/activity point): Eyebrow centre.• Physiological relationship: Cavernous plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Pineal gland.• Tattwa (element): Manas (mind).• Yantra (symbol): Clear or grey circle.• Tanmatra (sense): Mind.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Mind.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Mind.• Beeja (seed syllable): Aum.

MOOLADHARACHAKRA

ROOT CHAKRA• Nature: Root Lotus – Centre of primeval energies, basic instincts, and

fundamental needs for survival.• No of petals: 4• Colour: Deep red.• Physical location: Cervix / perineum.• Kshetram: Cervix / perineum.• Physiological relationship: Sacro-coccygeal plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Perineal body.• Tattwa (element): Earth.• Yantra (symbol): Yellow square.• Tanmatra (sense): Smell.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Nose.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Anus.• Beeja (seed syllable): Lam.

SWADISTHANACHAKRA

• Nature: One’s own abode – controls the sexual urge and is the centre of the unconscious, of our hidden desires and abilities, of our suppressed positive and negative aspects.

• No of petals: 6• Colour: Orange-red.• Physical location: Coccyx.• Kshetram: Pubic bone.• Physiological relationship: Pelvic plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Ovaries / testes.• Tattwa (element): Water.• Yantra (symbol): Silver or white crescent moon.• Tanmatra (sense): Taste.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Tongue.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Sex organs, kidneys, urinary system.• Beeja (seed syllable): Vam.• Asanas for awakening: Salabhasana (Locust pose)• Kundalini / Tantra techniques: Ashwini Mudra; Vajroli mudra

MANIPURACHAKRA

NAVAL CHAKRA• Nature: City of jewels – Controls the digestive system, and is the main

driving force for our bodily activities.• No of petals: 10• Colour: Yellow.• Physical location: Behind navel.• Kshetram: Navel.• Physiological relationship: Solar plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Adrenal glands.• Tattwa (element): Fire.• Yantra (symbol): Red inverted triangle.• Tanmatra (sense): Sight.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Eyes.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Feet.• Beeja (seed syllable): Ram.

ANAHATACHAKRA

HEART CHAKRA• Nature: Source of unbroken sound – In an awakened state, the heart chakra is

the centre for compassion and all-encompassing love.• Number of petals: 12• Colour: Green.• Physical location: Behind heart.• Kshetram: Centre of chest.• Physiological relationship: Cardiac plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Thymus gland.• Tattwa (element): Air.• Yantra (symbol): Smoky six-pointed star.• Tanmatra (sense): Touch.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Skin.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Hands.• Beeja (seed syllable): Yam.

VISHUDDHICHAKRA

THROAT CHAKRA• Nature: Centre of nectar – centre of purification. The energies here

influence and strengthen discriminating wisdom.• Number of petals: 16• Colour: Blue.• Physical location: Behind throat.• Kshetram: pit of throat.• Physiological relationship: Pharyngeal and laryngeal plexus.• Endocrine relationship: Thyroid gland.• Tattwa (element): Ether.• Yantra (symbol): White circle.• Tanmatra (sense): Hearing.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Ears.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Vocal chords.• Beeja (seed syllable): Ham.

SAHASRARA

CROWN “CHAKRA”• Nature: Thousand petalled lotus – the door to cosmic reality, the centre of

enlightenment and realisation.• No of petals: 1,000 (infinite)• Colour: Rainbow coloured / purple.• Physical location: Crown of head.• Kshetram: Crown of head.• Physiological relationship: Hypothalamic / pituitary axis.• Endocrine relationship: Pituitary gland.• Tattwa (element): Beyond.• Yantra (symbol): Beyond.• Tanmatra (sense): Beyond.• Jnandriya (sense organ): Beyond.• Karmendriya (“organ” of action): Beyond.• Beeja (seed syllable): Beyond.