Chakras in The Human Body

The name "chakra" is the Sanskrit word for "wheel." Chakras are centres of energy within the human body, originating from ancient Indian spiritual traditions. These energy points are believed to correspond to different physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of an individual. In essence, chakras are thought to be swirling wheels or vortexes that regulate the flow of life force (also known as prana or chi) throughout the body.

There are typically seven main chakras aligned along the spine, each associated with specific qualities and functions, which influence our overall well-being and consciousness. Each of the seven chakras is correlated with different abilities, expressions and types of health and specific vibrations, colours, symbols and sounds. Since each chakra is related to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical aspects of our being, it is believed that its blockage or malfunction can cause physical, psychological and emotional disorders.

Signs of Blocked Chakras

Each chakra rotates at a specific frequency and speed. Since the chakras are interrelated, when one of them is imbalanced, there is an alteration in the functionality of the other chakras as well. This makes people feel disconnected, anxious and fearful and also manifests as health problems in one or more areas of the body. To function at their best, your chakras must be balanced, which means returning them to their normal speed. This frequency and speed can change due to various factors such as diet, lifestyle and thinking patterns.

The Seven Main Chakras

The interplay between the seven main chakras and the endocrine system illustrates the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit. By understanding this relationship, individuals can work towards holistic health, blending ancient wisdom with modern science. Whether through meditation, yoga, or other practices, nurturing the chakras can lead to a balanced and vibrant life.

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)

• Mantra: "Lam" I am connected to the earth.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Mountain pose, Child's pose, Warrior I

• What it Controls: Stability, security, physical energy

• Element: Earth

• Stone: Red Jasper, Hematite

Location: Base of the spine

Focus: Survival, stability, grounding

Balanced: Feels safe, secure, and grounded; has a strong connection to the physical world

Imbalanced: Experiences fear, insecurity, or instability; physical issues like lower back pain or fatigue

Function: The root chakra is associated with survival, stability, and a sense of grounding. It governs basic needs like food, shelter, safety, and our connection to the earth.

Endocrine Correlation: Adrenal glands. These glands produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, essential for the body’s fight-or-flight response and maintaining homeostasis.

2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

• Mantra: "Vam" I invite joy into my life.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Butterfly pose, Pigeon pose, Cobra pose

• What it Controls: Emotions, pleasure, sexual health

• Element: Water

• Stone: Carnelian, Orange Calcite

Location: Lower abdomen, below the navel

Focus: Creativity, sexuality, emotional balance

Balanced: Experiences joy, creativity, and healthy relationships; emotional resilience

Imbalanced: Suffers from emotional instability, lack of creativity, or sexual dysfunction

Function: This chakra is the centre of creativity, sexuality, and emotional balance. It influences pleasure, relationships, and adaptability.

Endocrine Correlation: Ovaries in women and testes in men. These glands regulate reproductive hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, crucial for sexual health and reproduction.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

• Mantra: "Ram" I feel calm, confident and powerful.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Boat pose, Warrior II, Plank pose

• What it Controls: Self-esteem, energy, metabolism

• Element: Fire

• Stone: Citrine, Yellow Topaz, Amber

Location: Upper abdomen, near the diaphragm

Focus: Confidence, willpower, personal identity

Balanced: Demonstrates self-esteem, motivation, and a sense of purpose

Imbalanced: Experiences low self-esteem, lack of direction, or digestive issues

Function: Known as the power chakra, it governs self-confidence, personal identity, and willpower. It’s also linked to digestion and metabolic energy.

Endocrine Correlation: Pancreas. This gland produces insulin and other hormones that regulate blood sugar levels and metabolism.

4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)

• Mantra: "Yam" I find love everywhere I go.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Camel pose, Cobra pose, Cow Face pose

• What it Controls: Love, compassion, relationships

• Element: Air

• Stone: Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine

Location: Center of the chest

Focus: Love, compassion, emotional well-being

Balanced: Feels open, empathetic, and connected to others; experiences inner peace

Imbalanced: Suffers from jealousy, grief, or difficulty in relationships; may have heart or lung issues

Function: The heart chakra symbolizes love, compassion, and emotional well-being. It connects the lower physical chakras to the higher spiritual ones.

Endocrine Correlation: Thymus gland. This gland plays a critical role in the immune system by producing T-cells, which help the body fight infection.

5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

• Mantra: "Ham" I speak my truth, always.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Bridge pose, Plow pose, Fish pose

• What it Controls: Communication, expression, truth

• Element: Ether (Space)

• Stone: Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate

Location: Throat region

Focus: Communication, self-expression, truth

Balanced: Communicates clearly and authentically; listens actively and empathetically

Imbalanced: Struggles with expressing oneself, fear of speaking, or throat-related ailments

Function: This chakra is linked to communication, self-expression, and truth. It empowers individuals to speak authentically and listen actively.

Endocrine Correlation: Thyroid gland. The thyroid regulates metabolism, growth, and energy levels through the production of hormones like thyroxine.

6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

• Mantra: "Om" I can see what cannot be seen.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Child's pose, Dolphin pose, Downward Dog

• What it Controls: Intuition, imagination, insight

• Element: Light

• Stone: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli

Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows

Focus: Intuition, perception, wisdom

Balanced: Trusts inner guidance and sees the bigger picture; has clarity and foresight

Imbalanced: Experiences confusion, lack of focus, or difficulty trusting intuition

Function: Often associated with intuition, perception, and wisdom, the third eye chakra connects us to our inner vision and higher consciousness.

Endocrine Correlation: Pineal gland. This small gland influences circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle by producing melatonin.

7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

• Mantra: ‘Aum’ I am connected with the wisdom of the universe.

• Yoga Poses to Balance: Lotus pose, Savasana, Headstand

• What it Controls: Awareness, spiritual growth, consciousness

• Element: Divine Consciousness

• Stone: Clear Quartz, Selenite

Location: Top of the head

Focus: Spiritual connection, enlightenment, universal consciousness

Balanced: Feels spiritually connected, open-minded, and in harmony with the universe

Imbalanced: Suffers from disconnection, lack of purpose, or spiritual cynicism

Function: The crown chakra represents spiritual connection, enlightenment, and universal consciousness. It’s the gateway to transcendent states of being.

Endocrine Correlation: Pituitary gland. Known as the "master gland," it regulates other endocrine glands and influences growth, blood pressure, and reproduction.