Yoga For Chakras: Understanding and balancing your energy centers

What is chakra blockage or imbalance?

It is believed that each person is born with an energetic karmic imprint which is held within the chakras, which can be known as blockages or imbalances at the chakra points which affect how a person interacts in life. If a chakra is blocked it means energy is not flowing in that space or in that area of life, if it is imbalanced and moving too quickly it means there is too much energy in that area and vice versa if it is imbalanced and moving slowly then energy in this area is sluggishly. Beyond genetic imprint, chakras can also become blocked or imbalanced due to a variety of factors, including lifestyle, activity level, stress, trauma, diet, as well as patterns of thinking and behavior.

There are many ways of tuning into certain imbalances within your energetic field, such as reiki, chakra tuning, acupuncture, crystal healing, and of course Yoga Asana. Yoga postures can be used to draw energy focus into the chakra space and where focus goes prana (energy) flows. Connecting to the chakras through yoga can promote balance and well-being in kind of an energetic flush creating openness into the chakra. Working with the energies of the chakras is a subtle yoga practice and can be done through intelligent cueing and there are a variety of yoga poses that help tune into specific chakra placements. In addition, every person’s chakras may have different imbalances and sensitivities, so it may be helpful to consult with a teacher or practitioner who is trained in chakra work.

Yoga poses for chakras

One of the most important things to keep in mind when practicing yoga for chakras is that each pose should be tailored to the specific chakra that you are trying to balance. For example, if you are trying to open and balance the root chakra, you might focus on poses that involve grounding and stability, such as a yogi squat or mountain pose. If you are trying to open and balance the sacral chakra, you might focus on poses or sequences that involve more fluidity and movement, such as cat-cow pose or twists. Here are a few example of chakra yoga poses that can promote energy flow into certain chakras.

Muladhara (Root Chakra):

Mountain pose (Malasana)

A grounding yoga pose that helps to drawn energy downward to the root chakra. Take your feet wide, slightly wider than hip width apart with the toes facing outward and lower into a squat. To deepen into this posture bring the elbows to the inside of the knees with the palms together. Drawing your energy back and down towards your root, this posture mainatians a sense of stability.

Svadhishthana (Sacral Chakra):

Supine Twist (supta matsyendrasana)

A posture that acts as a detoxifier of the body, it also promotes fluidity in rinsing out the energy lines tapping into the essential energy of the sacral chakra. Lying on your back draw your knees in towards your chest and allow the legs to come over to the right. The arms can come out long into a T shape and the gaze over towards the left. For the full effect of this posture stay for 10 breaths or more. Repeat on the left side.

Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra):

Sun salutation (Surya Namaskar)

A sequence that warms and heats the body, fueling the inner fire of the solar plexus chakra.

Anahata (Heart Chakra):

Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

Opens through the entire front line of the body and is great for releasing tension in the chest and upper back by opening into the heart. From lying on the back draw the feet in below the knees. Drive the heels into the earth as you engage the glutes and lift the hips. Hands can come alongside the body or clasp behind the back, and the chin is away from the chest as the energy is lifted through the heart space.

Vishuddha (Throat Chakra):

Fish pose (Matsyasana)

A great pose for the throat chakra. Lie on your back and press down through your elbows to lift your chest and open the throat.

Ajna (Third eye Chakra):

Tree pose (Vrikshasana)

Requires focus and attention to stay balanced, therefore it is a wonderful pose to channel the third-eye chakra. Stand tall and place one foot on as a kick stand on the floor, on the inner side of the shin or on the inner thigh of the opposite leg, then bring your hands to prayer position and focus your gaze on a point in front of you.

Sahasrara (Crown Chakra):

Headstand (Sirsasana)

A great pose for the crown chakra. It helps to stimulate the flow of energy to the top of the head and improve spiritual connection.

It is important to note that while these yoga poses may be particularly beneficial for certain chakras, yoga works on a subtle level with the body’s energy system and just by taking the time to connect with the energy body through the practice of yoga you will be stimulating and supporting your body’s energy flow. In addition to the physical practice of yoga, meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques) can also be helpful in balancing the chakras. Visualization, mantras, and affirmations can also be used to help balance the chakras.