Yog Sadhan Ashram Blog
Every chakra (center) has been affixed with a particular element and its color.
| No. | Chakra | Element | Color |
| 1. | Mooladhara Chakra | Earth | Yellow |
| 2. | Swadhisthana Chakra | Water | White |
| 3. | Manipura Chakra | Fire | Red |
| 4. | Anahata Chakra | Air | Ash-black |
| 5. | Vishudha Chakra | Sky | Light blue |
| 6. | Agya / Ajna Chakra | Self / Soul | White light |
| No. | Shat Chakra | No. of Petals (nerves) |
| 1. | Mooladhara Chakra | 4 |
| 2. | Swadhisthana Chakra | 6 |
| 3. | Manipura Chakra | 10 |
| 4. | Anahata Chakra | 12 |
| 5. | Vishudha Chakra | 6 |
| 6. | Agya / Ajna Chakra | 2 |
All these chakras are situated in a particular nerve, which is called Sushumna Nadi. This is the central nerve of backbone. Hence, concentration of mind has special effect on Sushumna Nadi. Such a state leads to a deeper concentration.
The Sushumna Nadi is related to another special nerve, which is situated at the bottom end of the spine. Its name is Kundalini Nadi. It is also called ‘Serpent’ or ‘Bhujangini’ because it is situated there in three and a half circles like a snake. When mind concentrates on Sushumna, it experiences a special awakening, which affects the Kundalini Nadi also and it experiences the straightening of it upwards (awakenness).
In this way the Kundalini, which remains dormant, awakens after regular practice for a long time. It uncoils itself and rises up along with Sushumna Nadi as a snake raises it hood. Its upper end goes up to brain and it is said the pranas of a yogi reach up to Sahasrara (Dashamdwara) that is brain. When the Kundalini rises, it goes up through all the chakras. This stage comes after a deep concentration on any one of the chakras.
Starting from the bottom of the spine, these are –
| 1. | First Center | – Mooladhara Chakra |
| 2. | Second Center | – Swadhishthana Chakra |
| 3. | Third Center | – Manipura Chakra |
| 4. | Fourth Center | – Anahata Chakra |
| 5. | Fifth Center | – Vishudha Chakra |
| 6. | Sixth Center | – Agya / Ajna Chakra |
All these chakras are called Kamal (lotus) and the nerves, which originate from these centers, are called the Kamal-dal.
The mind and prana are deeply associated with each other. By holding the breath the mind is also held. With concentration of mind in any one of these chakras, a particular activity is experienced in the prana-nadis (channels) and in this way the activated nerves enhance the concentration of the mind further.
The chakras are the psychic-energy centers of the body. These chakras are conceived of as focal points where psychic forces and bodily functions merge with and interact with each other. In the human body, six major Chakras are located in Sushumna Nadi along the spinal cord which are of principal importance. Each of these major chakras is associated with a specific color, shape, sense organ, natural element, deity, and mantra (monosyllabic prayer formula). The Muladhara encircles a mysterious divine potency (Kundalini) that the individual attempts, by Yogic techniques, to raise from chakra to chakra until it reaches the Sahasrara and self-illumination results.
The Yogic Shat Chakras is an extremely important subject. Many scholars have written books about the subject. The spine is the base of these shat-chakras. Names of the six chakras, Sushumna Nadi and Kundalini are briefly described in next post.
These mudras are explained here briefly, the readers can refer to the following scriptures for elaborate information on these.
(Any of the mudras described here should not be practiced without learning from an experienced Yogi Guru).
Open the mouth wide and take the air in through the throat. (Draw the air in and out through mouth without holding in). This mudra slows down the ageing. Diseases of the stomach and constipation etc. are especially cured faster with Bhujangini Mudra.
Stay in the the water up to neck, take the water in through the nose and throw it out through the mouth. Then take water in mouth and throw it out from nose. Repeat it several times. This mudra slows down the ageing. The sadhaka of this mudra will live happily where ever he lives.
Make lips like beak of a crow and take air in slowly. (The air is drawn in and out from mouth). It cures many diseases and keeps a person free from diseases like a crow.
Both the legs are taken behind the neck as tied in a net. Similarly tie the body strongly. It makes a person energetic, enhances strength and health (pushti).