According to Buddhist and Hindu studies, our bodies are filled with pools of energy, upon which our cognitive qualities depend. To the uninitiated, our bodies contain seven chakras – four in the upper body and three in the lower body. While the chakras in the upper body influence our intellectual properties, those in the lower body deal with instinctual properties. The seven chakras are as follows. The Sahasrara chakra (the crown chakra) is right on top of the head and crowns our being. The Ajna chakra, popular as the third-eye chakra, is at the center of the forehead. The Visuddhi chakra, also known as the throat chakra, is at the throat. The Anahata chakra, also called the heart chakra, is where the heart is located (the center of our being). The solar plexus chakra or Manipura chakra lies at the abdomen, while the sacral chakra or Svadhisthana chakra comes below the abdomen. Finally, the Muladhara chakra, popularly called the root chakra, is at the base of our body in the meditating position. Kundalini yoga, also known as Laya yoga, channelizes our energy and is governed by Shaktism and Tantra. It involves activating or balancing the energy points (chakras) through meditation, pranayama, asanas, bandhas, mudras, kriyas and mantras. This “yoga of awareness,” as the practitioners popularly suggest, propagates our spiritual and creative potential. It is aimed to help human beings lead a virtuous life – by binding themselves with high values, speaking the truth, being compassionate and mindful of others’ needs, and possessing the ability to heal others. According to the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism, these energy points play a key role in our well-being. However, some chakras may not be inactive or open while the others are extremely active. Keeping these chakras balanced is essential for being at peace with ourselves and the external world. If you are wondering how you can open these chakras, you have come to the right place for advice. In this article, we take you through the best ways to balance these energy points through Kundalini yoga. Let us get started!

How To Open Chakras

Here is all you need to know about the awareness and opening of the seven chakras:

Sahasrara Or Crown Chakra

Sanskrit: SahasraraLocation: Top Of The HeadScent: JasmineMantra: Silence After OmColor: Violet, WhiteElement: Cosmic EnergyYoga Pose: The Lotus Pose Or The Corpse PoseStands For: Detachment Of Ego, Enlightenment This chakra is responsible for the spirituality of our beings. It ensures that we become one with the universe and also increases our wisdom. Opening up this chakra ensures that you become open and aware of not just yourself, but also the world around you and your connection with it. You will notice all your prejudices melting away. But if this chakra is not active enough, you will not be open to spirituality, and you will find yourself having rigid thoughts. If the crown chakra is more active than usual, you will tend to be extremely spiritual, so much that you will forget your basic bodily needs like shelter, food, and water. You will tend to over analyze things.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Crown Chakra

Caution

This meditation must be done only after the root chakra is not only open but also strong. Therefore, you must deal with this chakra last. You need to have a strong foundation to awaken this chakra, which is made possible only by the opening of the root chakra.

Keeping The Crown Chakra Balanced Through The Corpse Pose Or Savasana

This asana, if it helps to balance out the crown chakra, can help you detach from your ego and lift your mood. The crown chakra helps you connect with the spiritual and also with all things beautiful. This chakra helps you understand yourself, and teaches you to accept the fact that you are a spiritual being that is only having a human experience. When you do the Savasana to channelize the energy in the crown chakra, it helps you attain a sense of spiritual attachment.

How To Do The Savasana

Precautions & Contraindications

This asana is absolutely safe and can be practiced by anyone and everyone. Unless your doctor has advised you not to lie on your back, you can practice this asana. If you are pregnant, it might be a good idea to rest your head and chest on a bolster for comfort.

Ajna Or Third Eye Chakra

Sanskrit: AjnaLocation: Between Your EyebrowsScent: VanillaMantra: OmColor: IndigoElement: LightYoga Pose: The Easy PoseStands For: Intuition, Decision Making, Where The Mind And Body Converge This chakra determines insight, and when it is open, you will not only have an amazing intuition, a sixth sense of sorts, but you will also tend to dream a lot. But if this chakra is not active enough, you will look up to other people to make decisions for you. You will be confused, and will entirely rely on beliefs, which can be misleading. If the third eye chakra is overactive, you will live in an imaginative world, and in extreme cases, you could daydream or even have hallucinations.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Third Eye Chakra

Keeping The Ajna Chakra Balanced Through The Easy Pose Or Sukhasana

This asana opens up your mind to new learnings when you practice it to balance out your Ajna chakra. It helps you strengthen your intuition and believe in your instincts. This chakra governs the functioning of the rest of the chakras. Hence, it is extremely essential to balance it out.

How To Do The Sukhasana

Precautions And Contraindications

This asana is completely safe to practice unless you have had a recent or chronic hip or knee injury. In such cases, it is best to consult your doctor or your certified yoga teacher.

Visuddhi Or Throat Chakra

Sanskrit: VisuddhiLocation: Throat Or Base Of NeckScent: LavenderMantra: HamColor: BlueElement: EtherYoga Pose: The Shoulder Stand Or The Bridge PoseStands For: Self Expression This chakra deals with communication and self-expression. An open throat chakra helps you express yourself with ease. Your creative side will emerge and become a means of self-expression. If this chakra is not active, you will be shy, and you will speak less. If you find yourself lying too much, it could be an indicator of this chakra being blocked altogether. An overly active throat chakra will make you talk too much and listen less, which could turn off a whole lot of people.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Throat Chakra

Keeping The Throat Chakra Balanced Through The Supported Shoulderstand Or Salamba Sarvangasana

This asana will help you find your voice and help you express your views better if you practice it to balance out the throat chakra. You will become more outspoken.

How To Do The Sarvangasana

Precautions And Contraindications

Anahata Or Heart Chakra

Sanskrit: AnahataLocation: Center Of The ChestScent: EucalyptusMantra: YamColor: GreenElement: AirYoga Pose: The Camel PoseStands For: Love, Empathy This chakra brings about feelings of love, care, and endearment. When this chakra opens up, you will be warm, friendly, and compassionate, with a whole lot of amicable relationships in your kitty. If this chakra isn’t active enough, you will tend to be close, unfriendly, and cold. An overactive heart chakra could lead you to suffocate people with your love so much so that you tend to seem selfish.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Heart Chakra

Keeping The Heart Chakra Balanced Through The Camel Pose Or Ustrasana

This asana works wonders in making you loving, empathetic, and more joyful when you practice it to balance out your heart chakra. It will awaken the power of unconditional love, and make you more prone to accept and forgive.

How To Do The Ustrasana

Precautions And Contraindications

It is best to practice this asana under the supervision of a yoga instructor. If you have a back or neck injury, or if you are suffering from either low or high blood pressure, it is best you avoid this asana.

Manipura Chakra Or Solar Plexus

Sanskrit: ManipuraLocation: In Between The Solar Plexus And Base Of The SternumScent: LemonMantra: RamColor: YellowElement: FireYoga Pose: The Boat PoseStands For: Power, Purpose, Self-Esteem This chakra is one of the most important chakras as it deals with confidence, especially when you are among other people. An open solar plexus gives you a feeling of dignity and a sense of control over things. However, if this chakra is not as active as it should be, you will tend to be indecisive and passive. An overactive solar plexus will make you aggressive and overbearing.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Solar Plexus

Keeping The Manipura Chakra Balanced Through The Navasana Or Boat Pose

When you practice this asana to balance out the Manipura chakra, it will effectively foster a personal change or enhance the power of self. You will get a great confidence boost and have an increased self-esteem.

How To Do The Navasana

Precautions And Contraindications

Svadhisthana Or Sacral Chakra

Sanskrit: SvadhisthanaLocation: Lower AbdomenScent: TangerineMantra: VamColor: OrangeElement: WaterYoga Pose: The Goddess PoseStands For: Emotional Stability, Flexibility, Creativity This chakra governs the sexual needs of the body. An open sacral chakra leads to freedom and smooth flow of sexual energy, without you being over-emotional about it. You will be comfortable to get into a relationship, and will be not open about it but also passionate while you are in it. An open Svadhisthana chakra will ensure you have no sexual dysfunctions. However, if this chakra is underactive, you tend to lose interest and are devoid of emotions. If your chakra is overactive, you will be emotional and sensitive all the time. You may also have a constant need for sexual activity.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Sacral Chakra

Keeping The Sacral Chakra Balanced Through The Goddess Pose Or Deviasana

Practicing this asana will generate not only creativity but also emotional stability. Since this chakra governs the sexual energies in the body, this asana also plays a part in enhancing fertility as it balances out the chakra.

How To Do The Deviasana

Precautions And Contraindications

It is best to avoid this asana if you recently had an injury in your back, shoulders, legs, or hips. Be mindful of how much your body can push at all times. It is best to consult your doctor if you have medical concerns, and only then practice yoga.

Muladhara Or Root Chakra

Sanskrit: MuladharaLocation: Base Of The SpineScent: VetiverMantra: LamColor: RedElement: EarthYoga Pose: The Tree PoseStands For: Being Secure And Grounded, Prosperous This chakra is all about being aware of your physical self and being comfortable in your skin so that you can go out and face the world, no matter the situation. An open root chakra will leave you feeling secure, sensible, and stable. You will learn to trust people, but not without reason. You will live in the present and stay connected to your physical being. An underactive root chakra will make you nervous and fearful, while an overactive root chakra will make you materialistic and greedy and unwilling to change.

How To Balance Or Awaken The Root Chakra

To balance the root chakra, you need to become aware of your body. Any physical activity, be it yoga, exercise, or even cleaning the house, will familiarize you with your body, and therefore, will strengthen the chakra. You can also ground yourself and meditate to be more aware of your body.

Keeping The Root Chakra Balanced Through The Tree Pose Or Vriksasana

This asana helps you feel secure, stable, and more alert. This chakra influences the ties with your family and your survival instincts. It also governs the sense of belonging and how guarded you are. Some of the earliest memories you create are stored in this chakra, and these memories also include whether the basic needs are met or not.

How To Do The Vrikshasana

Precautions And Contraindications

While practicing this asana, you must ensure that the sole of the lifted foot is placed preferably above or, in some cases, below the standing knee, but never beside it. Placing the foot beside the knee puts pressure on the knee as it does not flex parallel to the frontal plane. Those who suffer from high blood pressure should not raise their arms above the head for a long period of time. They can be held at the chest in the ‘anjali’ mudra. It is best that you avoid practicing this pose if you suffer from insomnia or a migraine.
What is your strongest chakra? Anahata chakra is considered the strongest chakra. It is the fourth chakra located at the center of the chest. What is my weakest chakra? The first and the root chakras are believed to be the weakest chakras. However, your other chakras may also be imbalanced and get weaker.