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Seven centres · from root to crown
The seven chakras, gently explained.
In yoga and tantric tradition, chakras (“wheels”) are centres of subtle energy along the spine. Explore each one as a theme for practice: its element, its mantra, and the poses and breath that bring it into the body.
1 · Muladhara · LAM
Root chakra
Grounding · Safety · Belonging
Base of the spine and pelvic floor · Earth
2 · Svadhisthana · VAM
Sacral chakra
Creativity · Feeling · Pleasure
Lower abdomen, below the navel · Water
3 · Manipura · RAM
Solar plexus chakra
Confidence · Will · Energy
Upper abdomen, around the navel · Fire
4 · Anahata · YAM
Heart chakra
Compassion · Connection · Forgiveness
Centre of the chest · Air
5 · Vishuddha · HAM
Throat chakra
Expression · Truth · Listening
Throat · Space (ether)
6 · Ajna · OM
Third eye chakra
Insight · Intuition · Clarity
Between the eyebrows · Mind (beyond the five elements)
7 · Sahasrara · Silence
Crown chakra
Meaning · Presence · Connection to something larger
Crown of the head · Consciousness (beyond the elements)
Where the chakra system comes from
Chakras appear in many Hindu and Buddhist tantric texts, and different traditions count them differently. The seven-chakra model most yoga classes use today comes largely from the 16th-century Ṣaṭ-cakra-nirūpaṇa, which describes six chakras plus the crown, and became widely known in the West through Arthur Avalon’s The Serpent Power (1919).
The familiar rainbow colours, and links to emotions and psychology, are modern additions. They can still be useful: as a map for noticing different areas of the body and different themes in life.
Working with the chakras in practice
You do not need to believe in subtle energy to use the chakras. Treat each one as an invitation to bring attention to a region of the body and a theme for reflection: grounding, creativity, confidence, compassion, expression, insight and presence.
Chakra practice is for reflection and wellbeing. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment for any health condition.