Knock, Knock, Who’s There? Open up. It’s your Chakra…

Interested in opening up your chakras, getting to know them a little better?  Well, yoga can help you there, too!

Let’s share a little knowledge first. “Chakra” is a Sanskrit word that means wheel or disk.  Each chakra signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each of these centers is linked to a major nerve ganglia that branches out from your spinal column. Chakras are also connected to levels of consciousness,  developmental stages of life, colors, sounds, body functions, and much, much more.  If you work to improve your chakras, you will ultimately improve your health and well-being.

The first chakra is Muladhara, meaning “root” and support, and representing the element Earth. This chakra is located at the base of the spine. The verb that is associated with the first chakra is “I have.”  So now, let’s learn what you have.

The yoga posture that is believed to help open this first chakra is Setu Bandhasana. This posture helps you to focus on the first chakra energy. It also works to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and thighs while you hold the posture. 

Here’s how it works:

-Lie on your back with your arms at your sides, your palms facing downward. Bend your knees bringing the soles of your feet close to your buttocks.

-Press down on the soles of your feet, squeeze your buttocks and press your pubic bone upward, allowing the pressing motion to help you lift your hips.

-Gradually lower yourself back down to the floor.  Here’s how it feels best to me: as I raise myself up, I can feel myself raising each vertebrae off the floor one at a time until I am up and when I lower myself, I try to lower myself slowly, one vertebrae at a time until I am back on the floor.

-During all the lifting and lowering, there is a squeeze in my buttocks until it is resting on the floor.

-Finally, I raise myself in the full posture and stay there. 

-Once you are up with your feet pressing down, your buttocks squeezed, your chest expanded, and your weight shifted to your shoulders, bring your arms under you and bring your hands together interlacing your hands.

-Take some of the weight onto your arms and your shoulders. Now, expand your chest and breath deeply.

-Once you are prepared to release the posture, relax your hands and allow your spine to roll down, using the squeeze to control your move downward.

Getting in touch with your chakras is a wonderful way to grow and enhance the mind body connection.  It’s a really amazing to see how you can integrate your yoga practice with your overall efforts to improve your well-being.  Your chakras are there, they’re just waiting for you to tap into them and utilize their energies.  They’re very friendly, so open the door, and let ‘em in!

Until next time, Peace.