Influence Of the Seven Chakras

By Jonathan Benjem

Chakras are the foci within our bodies where the energy which makes up our life force is generated. Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel; a good representation of the spherical energy field the word refers to.

There are six main chakras that are stacked in a column along a person's spine, and there is a seventh that is above them, beyond the physicality of the body.

We think of these Chakras as being composed of energy; but it is very important to realize that the Chakras are closely related to and have influence over your physical body.

Having your Chakras in the proper alignment will also keep your physical, mental and spiritual health in good condition.

Muladhara

The Muladhara is the chakra of the lower body. It is the root chakra, or the base chakra. This chakra is related to security, to survival, and to instinct. Also, it is related to the potentiality of the basic human life. The center of this chakra is located between the anus and the genitals of a person.

The chakra is said to relate to the adrenal glands inside the body - and is responsible for the flight or fight decisions a person must make during their life. Therefore, this chakra is in charge of your own fight or flight, and of those basic, human emotions.

Swadhisthana

The Swadhisthana is the chakra that contains the reproductive parts. The chakra is located in the area known as the sacrum. It relates to emotions such as sexuality and creativity. The chakra corresponds to the sexual organs, and produces the sexual hormones that guide our lives.

This Chakra also governs the production of sex hormones and plays a role in producing mood swings. This Chakra is symbolized by a six petal lotus.

Manipura

Located in the Navel, the Manipura or solar plexus Chakra is responsible for the transition from simple to comlex emotions. The Manipura corresponds to the pancreas in the physical body.

The Manipura is important in converting food to energy. It's symbol is a ten petal lotus.

Anahata

The Anahata is the heart. This Chakra is responsible for love and other complex emotions, as well as your sense of equilibrium and well being overall. This Chakra corresponds to the thymus gland (located in the chest) and the immune system in the physical body.

This chakra is symbolized by a twelve petal lotus. The love and the compassion are dictated by this chakra.

Vishuddha

The Vishudda is the throat. Symbolized by a sixteen petal lotus, it is in charge of both communication and growth. It is paralleled to the thyroid, and does the same thing.

The growth is a form of expression, so the Vishudda is in charge of expressions. Communication is a very important part of your every day life, and therefore this chakra is in charge of it.

Ajna

The Anja is your eyebrow or forehead. This Chakra is also known as the third eye. The Ajna comtrols your visualization abilities and is the Chakra which has to do with time, light and awareness.

This Chakra is also in charge of the sleep cycle. The symbol of this Chakra is a two petal lotus.

Sahasrara

The Sahasrara is the final Chakra. This is the Chakra which is responsible for consciousness; it is connected to every other system in your body and is the most important element in consciousness. This Chakra corresponds to the pituitary gland in the physical body. The symbol of this Chakra is a thousand petal lotus.