Yoga Asanas for chakras

1.Muladhara (Root Chakra)

This chakra is located at the base of the spine and represents an unusually powerful source of energy and power. Muladhara is the body in physical space and time, developing grounded ness, stability and foundation. It is associated, in the body with the large intestine, feet and legs, with the element earth, and with the colors red and maroon. Asanas that stimulate Muladhara is Sethu Bandha Srvangasana and Chakrasana

 

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

                     

Chakrasana

 

2.Svadisthana (Sacral Chakra)

The second chakra is connected to the genitals and the bladder. This chakra regulates and enhances the physical strength and the internal energy of the body. In swadhisthana chakra we become aware of the senses, sensation (pleasure/pain) and emotions that accompany each pose. We allow our awareness ofecstatic energy to build in the second half of the pose. Asanas are Bhujangasana,Upavishtakona and Mandukasana

Bhujangasana

upavishtakonasana

 

 

 

Mandukasana

 

 

3.Manipuraka (Solar Plexus Chakra)

It is believed there is a triangular region of fire within this chakra. ".It is associated, in the body with the small intestine, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, with the element fire, and the color yellow.In manipura, our fire (spiritual heat) is stimulated.Asana that activating manipuraka chakara areDhanurasana,Viparithikarni and Kandharasana

Viparithi karini   

    Kandharasana

4.Anahata (Heart Chakra)

The fourth chakra is located on the spine at the level of the heart. It is also known as the "lotus of the heart". It pertains to the soul - mercy, compassion, purity and nobility of soul, absolute goodness, tolerance, forgiveness and the endless love that embraces the universe.Name means unstuck, fresh, clean unhurt.It is associated, in the body with the heart, hands, arms and thymus gland, with the element air and the colors green, pink, and rose.In Anahat, we are asked to open the heart. This requires spiritual commitment to let the ego drop away. following asanas are activating the Heart Chakra.    

 

                                                           

Ushtrasana      

Gomukhasana

 

 

 

 

 5.Visuddha (Throat Chakra)

 

The fifth chakra deals with It is associated, in the body with the throat, ears, thyroid, parathyroid, with the element ether, and the color royal blue. In fact it is connected to all those organs that are in contact with air. It is located on the spine at about the same level as the Adam's apple. This center is also known as the 'great doorway to liberation'. This chakra is related to communication and creativity. Use sound vibration when in the pose and the power of our word (opening intention and Om) to create the vibration field we intend.Malsyasana,Halasana and Karanapeedasana are stimulating the Throat Chakra

Matsyasana

Halasana

 

 

6.Ajna (Third Eye/Brow Chakra)

 

The sixth chakra is often referred to as the third or divine eye. It is located in the middle of the forehead, about one centimeter above the middle point of the eyebrows. It is associated, in the body with the pituitary gland, eyes, brain, with the element light and also beyond the elements, and with the colors purple and indigo.The activation of this chakra is said to lead to psychic powers called siddhi including clairvoyance and telepathic communication. This center can be used in transferring energy to any point in the universe thus over coming the boundarie softime and space..

yoga mudra

virabhadrasana -1

virabhadrasana-II

Virabhadrasana-III

 

 

7.Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)

The seventh chakra is found at the top most point of the head, baby's soft spot. Its name means "thousand petal lotus".It is associated, in the body with the pineal gland & cerebral cortex, with consciousness and beyond the elements, and with the colors violet and the quality of luminosity. A well-developed seventh chakra is an indication that someone has reached a very high level of spirituality. This chakra relates to consciousness as pure awareness.yoga mudra, Satkriya and meditaions are help to stimulating the Lotus Chakra.

Yoga mudra

 

  Satkriya

Chakra meditation

We all know that matter is composed of five elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. In the same way, the human body is also composed of these five elements. The five elements align with, and operate from the five lower chakras, along with the ten indriyas and a seed mantra for each. Bhuta Shuddi is an ancient Chakra Meditation of Yoga and Tantra practice through which the five elements (bhutas) are balanced or purified (shuddhi). Bhuta refers to the past, and shuddhi refers to purifying that past, or the samskaras that operate in conjunction with the five elements. Bhuta shuddhi literally means 'cleansing or refining the physical elements', however, apart from this, its actual meaning should be considered as 'refining the underlying consciousness related to the elements'. The Chakra Meditation method (Bhuta Shuddhi) works directly with attention on the chakras, balancing the subtle forces of the five elements through the use of the bija (seed) mantras of the chakras.

 In systematic Chakra Meditation, you progressively move attention through the chakras, along with awareness of the nature of each chakra. Before doing the Chakra Meditation - Bhuta Shuddhi practice itself, it is useful to do some some stretches or hatha asanas (postures) followed by some form of physical relaxation exercise, such as a complete relaxation. This helps prepare the mind to be able to focus on the chakras.

•   Muladhara Chakra Meditation: Transition attention back to the first chakra, at the perineum, allowing the mantra Lam to come.

•  Svadhistana Chakra Meditation: Bring your attention to the second chakra, and allow the vibration of the mantra Vam to arise and repeat itself, remembering the element of water, with awareness of procreation and tasting coming or not coming. 

•   Manipura Chakra Meditation: Be aware of the third chakra, the navel center, and the vibration of Ram, along with the element of fire, with awareness of motion and seeing coming or not coming.

•   Anahata Chakra Meditation: Transition to the fourth chakra, the heart, as you allow the mantra Yam to arise, remembering the element of air. Awareness of holding and touching may or may not arise.

•   Visshuda Chakra Meditation: Bring your attention down to the fifth chakra, the throat, remembering Ham, as you enter into the realm of space, hearing, and speaking. Again, a few seconds or a minute is good.

•   Ajna Chakra Meditation: Briefly bring your attention back to the sixth chakra, allowing the vibration of OM to return, which starts the journey of attention back into the body and world. A few seconds, 30 seconds, or maybe a minute should be comfortable, though it may be longer if you wish.

•   Sahasrara Chakra Meditation: Allow attention to move to the crown chakra, which has no element (bhutas), no cognitive sense (jnanendriyas), no active means of expression (karmendriyas), as it is the doorway to pure consciousness itself. Experience how this is the source out of which mind emerges, after which emerge the five elements, the five cognitive senses, and the five means of expression. The “mantra” (in its subtler, silent form) is that silence (not mere quiet) out of which the rest have emerged. It is experienced as the silence after a single OM, merging into objectless, sense-less awareness. Allow attention to rest in that pure stillness, the emptiness that is not empty, which contains, and is, the pure potential for manifestion, which has not manifested.

Note: If you move upwards through the seven chakras, allowing 3-4 minutes for each chakra, and then downwards through the seven chakras, allowing about 30 seconds each (to bring you back to being grounded), the total Bhuta Shuddhi practice itself will be about 30 minutes. Then do your regular meditation practice, whatever that may be, such as bringing your attention deeply into the space between the breasts (anahata chakra) or the space between the eyebrows (ajna chakra), with or without mantra or your regular object of meditation.

Reference: swamij.com and yoga mag.net

The seven chakras in Yoga

The spine and the human energy field contain chakras, or energy centers, that vibrate at different frequencies. Each frequency holds the gift of a certain power, which enhances our human experience on Planet Earth. As we tune into this power, we are internally empowered to deal with the specific life challenges of that energy center or chakra and as a consequence to live more whole, meaningful and fulfilling lives.following are the seven chakras in yoga.

 

 

 

 

 

(i)  Muladhara chakra (roots, alignment, earth)

 

Mooladhara Chakra

 

Muladhara chakra having The four petals are red,  representing the four vritties: greatest joy, natural pleasure, delight in controlling passion, and blissfulness in concentration. First or Root Chakra/ Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine, at the perineum. The name means support, or foundation.Muladhara is the body in physical space and time, developing grounded ness, stability and foundation. In Yoga, the attention is alignment in all poses, building awareness and strength in the legs especially all standing poses. Anything that stabilizes and roots the foundation reinforces muladhara. It is associated, in the body with the large intestine, feet and legs, with the element earth, and with the colors red and maroon.  

 

(ii) Swadhisthana chakra (sensation, flow, water)

Swadisthana chakra

 

Swadhisthana chakra is shown as having six petals,The Swadisthana, or Sex Chakra, is located at the sacrum - the pelvic area between pubis and navel. Its name means "abode of the vital force" or "dwelling place of the self.It is associated, in the body with the genitals, reproductive organs, and bladder, with the element water, and the color orange.In swadhisthana chakra we become aware of the senses, sensation (pleasure/pain) and emotions that accompany each pose. We allow our awareness of ecstatic energy to build in the second half of the pose. Suggested poses include pigeon, bridge and he spinal twist.

 

(iii)  Manipuraka chakra (flower, fire)   

 

 

Manipuraka Chakra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manipura chakra is shown as having ten petals,They correspond to the vrittis of spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness and sadness.The Manipuraka, or Navel Chakra, is located some 2-3 inches below the navel. It's name means"jewel of the lotus" or "lustrous gem".It is associated, in the body with the small intestine, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, with the element fire, and the color yellow.In manipura, our fire (spiritual heat) is stimulated. We "jump start" the battery of the body, the physical storehouse of energy, through strong standing poses like the warrior. The willful aspect of the practice is also associated with chakra three. Here we are building the battery in the belly and then consciously directing that energy upward. This is an essential part of conscious generation and directing of energy is necessary for prana to awaken and move upward to higher centres.

(iv) Anahata chakra (Awakening to the spiritual path)

Anahatha Chakra

The Anahatha  chakra having twelve petals are vermilion coloured They match the vrittis of lust, fraud, indecision, repentance, hope, anxiety, longing, impartiality, arrogance, incompetence, discrimination and defiance. Anahata chakra symbolizes the consciousness of love, empathy, selflessness and devotion. On the psychic level, this center of force inspires the human being to love, be compassionate, altruistic, devoted and to accept the things that happen in a divine way.The Anahatha or Heart Chakra, is located at the heart. Its name means unstuck, fresh,clean unhurt.It is associated, in the body with the heart, hands, arms and thymus gland, with the element air and the colors green, pink, and rose.In Anahata, we are asked to open the heart. This requires spiritual commitment to let the ego drop away. In Yoga the heart energy is engaged with the use of the arms, with mudras, giving and receiving movements, some heart opening poses can be camel, Yogamudra, cobra, half locust (opens arms and heart meridians) Breathe (lungs)and the forth chakra are closely connected.

(v) Visuddha chakra/ or Throat Chakra

Vishuddha Chakra

Vishuddha has sixteen purple petals,The petals correspond to the vrittis of the mantra Aum, the Sama-mantras, the mantra Hung, the mantra Phat, the mantra Washat, the mantra Swadha, the mantra Swaha, the mantra Namak, the nectar Amrita, and then the seven musical tones.The Visudda or Throat Chakra is situated in the throat, at the base of the neck between the collar bone and shoulders, at the site of the reptillian brain or lower brain stem. Its name means pure.It is associated, in the body with the throat, ears, thyroid, parathyroid, with the element ether, and the color royal blue. Use sound vibration when in the pose and the power of our word (opening intention and om) to create the vibration field we intend. Become aware of our own inner dialogue and if it serves us or not. In Yogasana the throat chakra may be stimulated through chanting,bridge, camel and shoulder stand postures.

 

(vi) Aajna chakra: the third eye

 

      Aajna chakra

Ajna has two white petals, said to represent the psychic channels, Ida and Pingala, which meet the central Sushumna nadi (channel) before rising to the crown chakra, Sahasrara.Third Eye Chakra or Ajna Chakra, is located between the brows in the inward, center of the forehead. Its name means command, perception, knowledge, authority.It is associated, in the body with the pituitary gland, eyes, brain, with the element light and also beyond the elements, and with the colors purple and indigo.

Meditation, witness, meditative, awareness,pratyahar, deep absorption without choosing for or against what is present in Ajna chakra. In the second half of the pose and third eye integration-consciously allow energies to grow with meditative attention and draw freed energies upwards toward the third eye for integration. All forward bending poses where the head is lower than the heart brings attention and energy to the third eye (child, Yogamudra, wide angle forward bend)

 

(vii) Sahasrar chakra (silence)

 

Sahashrara Chakra

The Sahashrara or Crown Chakra, is located at the crown or top of the head, baby's soft spot. Its name means "thousand petal lotus".It is associated, in the body with the pineal gland & cerebral cortex, with consciousness and beyond the elements, and with the colors violet and the quality of luminosity.