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Energy Centers
Introduction to Chakras or Energy Centers
Seven primary strategically located energy centers called chakras spiral non-stop
between the base of the spine and top of the head, and may often be awakened with
meditation and guided stretching.
These seven primary vortices of energy that keep the body in constant motion are
located in lower sacrum, below navel, upper abdomen, upper torso, base of throat,
eyebrow center, and crown of head.
Each chakra is represented by distinct symbols and names that correspond with
various bodily functions. Activating these 7 energy centers through breath and
movement greatly enhances regional function.
For example, base chakra or mooladhara enhances functioning of excretory system;
lower abdominal chakra or swadishtana impacts digestive system; activating upper
abdominal chakra or manipura revives secretions of the endocrine system.
The heart chakra or anahata is integral to all else, and linked to emotions; jalandhira
chakra located at base of throat is linked to respiratory system; eyebrow center or ajna
chakra controls pituitary activity; while the most quintessential of all, sahasrara, is
known to control cranial functions.
Chakra Profiles/ Colors/ Sounds/ Regions
Sahasara chakra / violet / “ahng” crown of head
/ pineal, brain/ depression, insomnia, hypertension
Ajna chakra / indigo / “oum” forehead, eyebrow center
/ pituitary/ myopia, migraine, attention disorder
Vishuddhi chakra / blue / “hum” back of chest
/ heart, lungs/ asthma, backache, sinusitis
Anahata chakra / green / “yum” base of throat, jugular
/ thyroid/ obesity, fatigue, breathlessness
Manipura chakra / yellow / “rum” upper abdomen
/ liver, pancreas, diabetes, flatulence, gastritis
Swadisthana chakra / orange / “vum” lower abdomen
/ digestive, excretory/ constipation, dyspepsia, lumbago
Mooladhara chakra / red / “lum” base of spine, sacrum
/ reproductive/ arthritis, piles, sciatica
Mudras/ Gestures – Power in your Palm
Mudras or gestures, are a source of power-in-your-palm. The human body has an
innate capacity to heal itself. The 5 elements of nature resident in our system are -
fire (thumb); air (index finger); ether (middle finger); earth (ring finger); and
water (little finger). Activating nerve endings in our finger-tips enhances dominance
of the 5 elements. Words says a lot about us; gestures say all about our health.
Although mudras are not confined to hand gestures, classical Indian dancers use
them to show emotions of love, anger, envy, and passion. Connecting the fingertips
activate the chakras, offering unique health benefits. In times when religion was
pre-dominant, apostles and other divine figures were depicted with the right palm
facing up and out, emanating an ethereal glow – a symbol of eternal love, lasting
peace, protection from evil. This gesture is called abhaya mudra. Indian deities are
depicted with palm facing down in varada mudra, indicating granting of wishes.
Connecting the fore finger and the thumb with palms facing down (while seated in
Vajra asana or the diamond position) is referred to as chin mudra, and relates to
acquisition of knowledge. The same gesture when placed on knees (as we sit in
Padma asana or lotus position), with palms facing up is called gyan mudra,
indication readiness to share wisdom.
As a tiny segment of a vast science, mudras for physical / emotional well-being are:
Bhudi / water — thumb & little finger touch; index,
middle, ring finger open – retains fluid balance
Prithvi / earth — thumb & ring finger touch; index,
middle, little finger open – energizes the body
Shunya / ether — thumb & middle finger touch;
index, ring, little finger open – aids positive thinking
Gyan / knowledge — thumb & index touch; middle,
ring, little finger open – aids positive thinking
Ahamakra / fearlessness — thumb, side of index touch;
other three fingers open – evicts waste, cleanses mind
Apan / pure — thumb, middle, ring finger touch; index,
little finger open – evicts wastes, cleanses mind
Hakini / steeple — all fingertips on one hand touch all
fingertips on the other – aids memory retention
Pushan / acceptance — left: thumb on middle and ring
finger aids digestion; right hand: thumb on index and
middle finger stimulates the brain
Nadis or Nerve Endings
Research shows that 72,000 nerve ending in our body (connected to various
glands and organs), end in the soles of our feet and palms of our hands. So
it makes sense to periodically apply pressure on nerve endings to refresh and
monitor overall spinal health. Excessive pain in specific regions may suggest
an imbalance in the body, and should be medically addressed right away.
