Yoga and the Chakras: Giving Energy and Identity
Yoga focuses on asana (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) to maintain balance between our physical and mental existences. According to writers at
Yoga.com (
http://www.yoga.com/about-yoga/articles/chakra-meditation/yoga-and-chakras-giving-energy-identity/), "part of this personal relationship isrecognizing the chakras." But what are the chakras? The word chakra originates from the Sanskrit word for 'wheel,' and together the seven chakras are "thought of as spinning vortexes of energy" arranged vertically in the body. From the base of the spine to the crown of the head, the chakras receive and transmit energies concentrated in particular physical regions. This energy is translated through the emotions, breath, and movements of yoga.
After reading this article, I at first felt skeptical about these lines of energy being transmitted from our body. With more contemplation, however, I began to arrange this information into an idea that made sense to me. The chakras represent different parts of our body that are significant to mental and physical well being. When I read about the heart chakra (anahata), represented above by the green dot at the center of the chest, I could feel the energy in my chest flowing and understand the emotions stored in this part of the body. I found it intriguing to note that in situations where my love for someone or something has becomes so overwhelming, my heart seems to compress and attempt to jump out of my chest. This is anahata - I love. Similarly, when I read about the throat chakra (vishuddha), shown in the figure above by the blue dot at the neck, I translated the idea of throat energy into the real emotions I could feel coursing through my neck. I found the unspoken remnants of anger, sorrow, happiness, and more stewing inside my throat, and was amazed at the strength and energy of these emotions. This is Vishuddha - I speak. As I perused through all seven chakras again, I found it easier and easier to identify parts of my body with the emotions and energy represented by the chakras. It was a learning experience to be remembered.
Now that I am concious of the chakras, I feel that I can give a name to those emotions I find difficult to describe - that I can describe physically how I experience these emotions. Not only does this make it easier to face these emotions, but this will make the practice of yoga itself more valuable for breaking down the walls that hold these emotions at bay. Through the chakras, I can fine tune asana and pranayama such that my yoga experience is taken to the next level.
