Yoga Asana for Awakening the Power Within – the Kundalini Chakra

Yoga has been essential part of Indian culture.  In addition to the current fads, it has been used to awaken awaken Chakra, the kundalini.  Indians believe there are 7 chakras in the body.  Awakening of chakra gives vitalizing effect.

The 7 Chakras

1. Muladhara base chakra

Location: coccyx (base of the spine)

Colour: red

Body system: elimination, lymph system

Yoga asana: Upavista Konasana (seated wide-angle pose): Sit against a wall and keep your shoulders and spine upright. Place your palms on the floor behind your hips and open your legs wide into a split.

Affirmation: “I am connected to Mother Earth and feel secure and protected.”

2. Svadhishtana sacral chakra
Location: Sacrum
Colour: Orange
Body system: Digestive, reproductive system
Yoga asana: Pada Hasthasana (standing forward bend): Stand upright with feet together. Inhale deeply as you stretch both arms straight up. Then exhale, stretching down towards the ground.
Affirmation: “I am worthy of love. Life offers me everything I need for that journey”.

3. Manipura Chakra solar plexus chakra
Location lumbar region of spine (behind navel)
Colour yellow
Body system: intestines, liver
Yoga asana: Ardha Matsyendrasana (Spinal twist): Sit on your heels with your back tall. Lift the right knee off the floor and place it on the floor outside the left thigh. Raise the left arm and bring it over the right side of the right knee; reach your arm around to hold your ankle. Turn your head to look over your right shoulder and wrap your right hand around your waist.
Affirmation: “I know I am becoming the best person I can be.”

4. Anahata Chakra heart chakra
Location centre of chest
Colour green
Body system heart and lungs
Yoga asana: Bhujangasana (The cobra): Lie on your stomach with legs extended out. Place your palms downwards, directly below your shoulders. Keeping your shoulders relaxed and elbows slightly bent, lift your spine off the floor.
Affirmation: “I love myself for who I am and the potential within me.”

5. Vishuddha Chakra throat chakra
Location base of throat
Colour blue
Body system throat
Yoga asana: Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) :Lie on your back and raise both legs bringing them up at a 90-degree angle. Place your hands below your hips and lift the body off the floor. Continue this movement until your body is resting on your shoulders. Point your toes and straighten your back as much as possible.
Affirmation: “My voice, thoughts and speech are filled with conviction.”

6. Ajna Chakra third eye
Location eyebrow centre
Colour indigo
Body system forehead
Yoga asana: Padmasana (lotus pose): Sit cross-legged on the floor. Place your right foot on your left thigh and your left foot on your right thigh. Place your hands on your thighs in Chin Mudra (first finger and thumb should touch each other). Close your eyes and focus on the point in between your eyebrows (the spiritual eye).
Affirmation: “The answers to all my questions lie within me.”

7. Sahasrara Chakra crown chakra
Location crown of head
Colour violet
Body system brain
Yoga asana: Sirsasana (headstand): Sit back and keep your elbows on the floor and clasp your hands. Place the back of your head on your firmly clasped hands. Now straighten your legs so that your body takes form of an inverted “V”. Slowly walk your feet towards your elbows and take your feet up towards the ceiling.
Affirmation: “I release all limited thoughts and lift myself up to levels of awareness”.