‘Journey through the Chakras’ with Swami Saradananda

By Carole Lee

On Saturday June 13th we were delighted to have a very powerful day with Swami Saradananda exploring the Chakras.

We began our journey with an understanding of what a Chakra is. Around the physical body, in the auric field, are many channels or ‘nadis’, along which the subtle energy that permeates the human body can flow. This energy is the ‘prana’ or life force which sustains us. The points where the major nadis come together are the Chakras: spinning balls of energy connecting across many dimensions.

In fact no-one knows how many dimensions are operating through the Chakras. On the one hand they act like antennae connecting us energetically to others at different levels. On the other they are like transformers which can move our energy to higher, more subtle levels.

Swami was very enlightening and able to clarify a number of concepts which are not well understood regarding the Chakras:

– We usually see 2-dimensional pictures of the Chakras, which along with the word ‘chakra’, meaning wheel, leads us to think of the Chakras as wheels of energy. In fact the body is a multi-dimensional organism and the Chakras are balls rather than wheels and are more extensive than a 2-dimensional wheel would be

– We often hear the term ‘Granthis’ associated with the Chakras. This term is variously translated as ‘blockages’ or ‘psychic knots’. The tendency is to think of them as being negative in some way. However Swami explained that Granthis are protections not blockages. They perform a very important function in ensuring that our Chakras are not overloaded with energy they are not ready to receive.

– We also often hear people say that they want to open their Chakras. However a better way to think about this, is to focus on balancing rather than opening them. Chakras can be blocked / lacking in energy and need to be opened but they can also be over-stimulated and need to be closed down a little too. Hence balancing is the right way to go. Yoga philosophy talks about moderation in all things and Chakras are no exception! One of the primary purposes of asanas is to balance the Chakras, so they can open and close at will, as necessary.

As is well known there are 7 major energy centres or Chakras and these are the ones that Swami explored during the day. A fascinating insight was that the chakras develop fully at different stages in our lives so the higher Chakras become more influential as we get older.

Muladhara is the root Chakra which influences us most in the period from being in the womb until 1 year old. At this age we are very centred on ourselves and our needs for food, security, attention etc. Asanas which help to balance this Chakra are Tadasana and the other standing poses. They help us feel rooted and to develop firm foundations. Imbalances in this centre lead us to feel anxious, fearful and lacking in trust

Swadisthana Chakra is sometimes referred to as the Pleasure Centre. It develops between the ages of 6 months to 2 years. During this period we begin to notice others. Asanas which help to balance this Chakra are the sitting poses and postures such as Cat, Cobra, Bridge and Crescent moon. Imbalances in this centre lead us to feel guilt and shame.

Manipura Chakra begins to develop and influence us between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old. It is operating during the period known as the ‘Terrible Twos’ when we begin to develop our sense of self and our self image. We see ourselves as a separate person with our own likes and dislikes which must be acted on. Asanas which balance this Chakra are Twists and also the Cat and Nauli. Imbalances here can lead to addictions such as alcoholism and the development of an unpleasant nature which may bully others or feed on their prana in a needy way.

Anahata is the heart Chakra. It is where the masculine energy of Shiva and the feminine energy of Shakti are balanced. This centre develops between the ages of 4 and 7. We begin to realise that other people have feelings too and to develop the capacity for selfless love. When Anahata Chakra is in balance we become capable of great devotion and also forgiveness . We appreciate that both giving and receiving are part of a loving relationship with others. Like breathing in and out, both are vital to the relationship. Backbends help us to balance this Chakra. When there is a lack of balance we may experience powerful negative emotions ranging from jealousy to loneliness and prolonged grief.

Vishuddha Chakra is our communications centre representing self expression. It starts to become an influence between the ages of 7 and 12. When this Chakra is in balance we are able to express ourselves clearly & well and make a distinction between our own experiences and the objective truth. We can say ‘I feel cold’ rather than ‘It’s cold’. It is reassuring for others to interact with us because of the clarity and the sense of perspective with which we communicate. Asanas which help us balance this Chakra are the Shoulderstand sequence, Lion and Bhramari & Ujjayi breathing. Imbalances in this centre manifest as addictions and obsessions.

Ajna Chakra or the third eye is a very important centre where the 2 nadis, ida and pingala, which run either side of the spinal column end. This represents the end of our perception of the world as dual in nature (them vs us, black vs white, hot vs cold etc). Under the influence of this Chakra we become capable of seeing the oneness of all things. We can see the bigger picture and a certain wisdom & intuition develops. Ajna first starts to develop during our teenage years. Trataka (eye exercises) help us to balance this Chakra. When there is imbalance we continue to act in an unenlightened way and fail to plan well for the future.

Sahasrara Chakra is the centre associated with transcendence. We are able to go beyond apparent reality to the point where we experience this world as unreal. We no longer feel a separate person and experience the duality of existence. We come to see that time & space and all that happens here are an illusion. The influence of this Chakra begins to be felt during adulthood. When it is in balance there is a wonderful experience of enlightenment. Asanas which can help to balance this Chakra are high Samaskars such as when doing Tree posture and headstand. When there is imbalance a sense of dissatisfaction remains with us and a feeling that our quest is not complete.

	Age develops	Consciousness	Governs	Element / Sense
Sahasrara	Adult	Universal and spiritual awareness	Cosmic consciousness
Ajna	Adolescence	Intellectual life, symbolic concepts, abstract thinking, organizational skills	Intellect, intuition, imagination, clairvoyance	Mind / Controls senses
Vishudda	7 – 12 years old	Communication with others	Communication & artistic creativity	Ether / Hearing
Anahata	4 – 7 years old	Starts to consider the feelings of others	Balance, compassion, selfless love	Air / Touch
Manipura	18 months – 4 years old	Begins to relate to others as individuals, language develops	Personal power, self image	Fire / Sight
Swadisthana	6 months – 2 years old	Aware of others, begins to move around the world	Adaptability in life, pleasure, physical love, physical creativity	Water / Taste
Muladhara	Womb – 1 year old	Unaware of outside world	Survival, right livelihood	Earth / Smell

Reproduced by kind permission of Swami Saradananda

These are just some personal observations from the notes taken at the seminar. Swami Saradananda has also written books on the subject which contain much more wisdom about the Chakras and are highly recommended:

– Chakra Meditation by Swami Saradananda
– The Essential Guide to Chakras by Swami Saradananda