Lesson 6: The Chakras

The chakras of the subtle body are considered the seat of the core energies that we work with in
life. They are situated along the spine and the energy that flows through them and up the spine
is called Kundalini Energy. There are symbols, colors, sounds, elements, drives and gestures
that accompany each chakra. As we extend our practices of Tantra and other sciences relating
to the body, we begin to see where we flow and where we get stuck in life. These areas can be
pin-pointed in the chakras and can further aid us in recognizing and working with the areas
where we need growth and re-vitalization.

FIRST CHAKRA – Muladhara

Pelvis area – Perineum

The first chakra represents being grounded and secure in the basic physical comforts of life:
food, shelter and the basic needs of our animal nature. Its element is Earth. Its color is red. A
secure first chakra enables us to feel confident in our abilities to care for ourselves. We can
hold a job that brings us enough money to survive. We have a good concept of what our
physical, bodily needs are. Stability and a sense of being grounded are the essential attributes
that accompany this chakra.

SECOND CHAKRA – Svadhishthana

Genital area

The second chakra represents our sexual urges, family, procreation and fantasies. Its element
is water. Its color is orange. Sensations, pleasure, sexuality and emotions are all associated
with this chakra. The element of water is often equated with emotions and sex. The chemicals
our bodies produce in response to strong emotions are said to anchor our memories. Touch
and love are an essential part of well-being, stable emotions, gracefulness and self-acceptance.

THIRD CHAKRA – Manapura

Solar plexus – Navel

The third chakra represents our powerfulness, will, energy, authority and longevity. Its element
is fire. Its color is yellow as the sun is yellow. Ego identity and self-esteem are the products of
a healthy third chakra. Confidence, reliability and autonomy without domination and
manipulation produce the fire necessary to live a powerful yet compassionate life. Butterflies in
the stomach are a sign of both energy, excitement and fear – more elements that describe the
third chakra.

FOURTH CHAKRA – Anahata

Heart - chest area
The fourth chakra represents our heart and all that is associated with it. Sharing, love, service,
compassion and devotion. Its element is air and its color is green. The heart is often
considered the Seat of the Soul because, when it is open, it embodies the qualities mentioned
above. We can all recognize the times when our heart feels shut-down. When we are mad,
hurt, pitying ourselves or when we don’t feel loved. We actually can feel it as a stuck or tight
area in the chest. Jealousy has been called the Green Eyed Monster in honor of the Heart
Chakra and its color green. We say that our Heart aches when we feel it’s been broken.

FIFTH CHAKRA – Vishuddha

Throat area

The fifth chakra represents knowledge and speaking the truth of that knowledge. Its element is
ether or space. Its color is violet. The Throat Chakra builds upon the knowledge garnered
from the previous four chakras. It takes all that we know and have learned and dares to
synthesize and speak what we know. When was the last time you had a "lump" in your throat?
That is your fifth chakra telling you that you don’t know all of the facts or you aren’t in integrity
with what you are saying. Stop, breathe deeply and tell the truth.

SIXTH CHAKRA – Ajna

Pineal gland - the third eye

The sixth chakra represents enlightenment and self-realization. It has no element as it is

beyond the elements as they have merged back to THE SOURCE, Mahat. Its color is bluish
white. Self-mastery, intuition and insight are marks of the sixth chakra. Symbolic and
archetypal meaning is integrated into self-reflection. We can move to and through old,
recurring patterns in our lives when our sixth chakra is healthy. Often this chakra awakens
through a "spiritual" emergence or awakening.

SEVENTH CHAKRA – Sahasrara

Cranium - top of the head

The seventh chakra represents the guru within, the empty void. Immortality is achieved at this
level. Golden white light and the thousand petaled lotus are symbols of this uppermost chakra.
Mindfulness and awareness of all that is around us is a hallmark feature of the Seventh Chakra.
A supremely conscious human being that exhibits compassion and self-awareness has a very
evolved Seventh Chakra.

Chakra Practices:
First Chakra Practice

Sit in a cross-legged position on the floor with a small pillow tucked under the edge of your
tailbone. Sit up straight but in a relaxed, natural manor. Feel the floor. Feel your bottom on
the floor. Relax your pelvic muscles completely and simply sit for five minutes or more. Feel
the support the earth and life gives you.

Second Chakra Practice

Sitting in this position, begin to tighten and relax your PC muscles. These are the muscles that
you learned about in Lesson 3. As you tighten each time imagine the earth’s healing essence
drawing upward into your body. As you breathe out release the energy back to the earth and
relax completely. Feel the energy flow to your pelvis and your genitals. Stay at this for four to
five minutes, pacing your self and resting if need be.

Third Chakra Practice

Lie on your back and practice the deep breathing into your belly that you learned in Lesson 1.
Feel your belly rise softly and fall back with each breath. When one has achieved balance in
this region of the body they breathe easily and effortlessly. They stand balanced; willing to
back their word and deed and to do it with fire (third chakra) and passion (second chakra) and
security (first chakra).

Fourth Chakra Practice

Sit or lie on the floor and relax. Take a few deep breaths. Place your left hand in the center of
your chest between your breasts. Place your right hand over your left and let them rest there.
Begin to softly breathe into your belly. Put your attention on your heart as you breathe. Gently
repeat to yourself as you breathe in: "I receive love". As you breathe out repeat: " I give
love". Do this meditation/mantra for about five minutes.

Fifth Chakra Practice

Sit in a cross-legged position on the floor with a small pillow tucked under the edge of your
tailbone. Sit up straight but in a relaxed, natural manner. Feel the floor. Feel your bottom on
the floor. Begin a round of three tones of the Sanskrit seed word OM. Take a deep breath and
begin the O part on the out breath saving 1/2 the breath for the M part. Open the lips wide and
really let the sound out. Repeat three times.

Sixth Chakra Practice

Sit in a meditative posture and begin going inward. Visualize your Third Eye in the area of your
brow as you focus inward. You can actually look up at your brow. Keep your eyes soft and
your breath constant. You may visualize something if you wish. Possibly a favorite Goddess,
a concept like love, God, White Light, Space, Abundance or anything that you hold in gratitude
or reverence.
Seventh chakra Practice

Practice little acts of generosity and compassion in your life. Consciously give something to
another that might be hard for you. This is not a gift of an "Item" but a gift that comes from your
soul and your spirit. An opening, a clearing or a possibility that another might cherish.

INQUIRY
1. Can you identify any areas in your life, through the use of the chakra system, where you
may struggle?

2. Can you identify any areas in your body that may give you clues to struggle?

3. Does your breath get "stuck" anywhere in your body?

4. Is this associated with a particular chakra?

5. How were the simple practices for you?

6. Did you balk at trying any of them? Why?

ADVANCED PRACTICE
Read and study more about your chakras. An excellent book to reference is:
Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System
by: Anodea Judith
Offering a Western approach to the chakra system, this comprehensive guide addresses the
development of the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and political aspects of human life. Using
a multi-dimensional approach that combines theoretical understanding and practical exercises, the
author shows how each of the levels of consciousness represented by the chakras are necessary for
a complete life. List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $16.15
You Save: $1.80 (10%)

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