According to yogic philosophy, the three bodies are interconnected through the vital life energy: prana. They are the physical body, the energetic or astral body, and the spiritual body. The physical body as a whole and every part is associated with and connected with an astral counterpart.
It is well known that asanas have multiple effects on the physical body. They promote homeostasis and create a parasympathetic state. Furthermore, asana practice directly stimulates and balances the functions of internal glands and organs, and they stimulate the astral body.
A central feature is that, about the astral body, this chakra system of energy centers will become appropriate to us. The seven major chakras, central to yogic learning, are based in everyone along the line of one’s spine. Each of these connects with a particular gland or organ of the physical body, and particular aspects of the mind that influence personality. The yogic scriptures say that health and well-being blossom when energy flows through all the seven major chakras in a balanced way. Besides, nadis, or astral energy nerves, constitute the astral body. These amount to about seventy-two thousand nadis, three of which are the most important: the Sushumna Nadi, the Ida Nadi, and the Pingala Nadi, and are aligned with the spinal column.
The astral body is intricately connected and intertwined with the gross physical body. Each physical movement manifests itself in the astral bodies and chakras. Some of these influences are rather direct and obvious, while others are subtle, only coming into play over time. The astral and physical bodies are in an ongoing state of interconnection and exchange. The energies of the astral body and physical body interrelate with each other in performing various actions. A malfunctioning gland or organ influences the rest of the body, including its corresponding chakra.
In the physical body, blood flows through veins, capillaries, and arteries. In the energy body, the prana flows through nadis, which are energy pathways. There are many different ways we ingest prana: the act of breathing is one among them. As we inhale, we are breathing in prana. We enhance and increase the quality of breath by expanding the breath and improving its quality, this brings its enhancement and increase of the quality of this life force inside and surrounding us. The yoga postures and pranayama practices enhance and increase the flow of prana through the chakras. When all chakras are balanced, this ensures holistic health and harmony in the astral and physical bodies.
When the energy in an individual is obstructed from flowing, whether it is blocked or overactive, it creates disharmony at both the physical and emotional levels. Hatha yoga class postures, when practiced per the original principles of Hatha Yoga, stimulate various chakras. For example, the energy of the throat chakra is stimulated by Bridge Pose and Shoulderstand. This process results in activation and stimulation, which in turn provoke physical and subtle responses. Some of those qualities distinctively govern your ability for active higher communications: these include your ability to speak, listen, express yourself, and all areas of creativity, faith, and a sense of psychological freedom and liberation.
Some of the physical responses of Hatha Yoga benefits elucidated in the previous chapter could be studied scientifically. Other types of effects are slightly more subtle. Kakasana, Crow Pose, stimulates the Svadhistana Chakra. There is very little direct physical pressure on the organs and glands (the kidneys and gonads) within the trunk associated with this chakra. Through stimulation of the chakra, the physical counterparts are thus stimulated into balance as well.
Your body is not only that; it is a single system, complicated beyond understanding. What you do in asanas is your whole body involved; therefore, to the whole body, that too reacts. But so, in addition, one is able to correlate one’s chakras with the seven major glands of the endocrine system for physiological purposes. Each asana coordinates the function of its own chakra, organ-gland, and the whole body.
The Seven Chakras and Their Physical and Mental Properties
Sahasrara
Derived from the Sanskrit word sahasra meaning “thousand,” Sahasrara resembles a lotus of a thousand petals at the crown of your head. Here this chakra is called the Crown Chakra, symbolizing the center of spirituality, awareness, and illumination. It opens the inward flow of wisdom and invites the supreme consciousness gift. It is also the center through which you connect with supreme consciousness.
Ajna
Ajna means “foremost.” The Ocjum Chakra, pronounced Agya, is located about four inches behind the eyes at the center of your head. It is also known as the Third-Eye Chakra. It is the center of perception. Your capability to perceive and begin to understand depend on the condition of this chakra.
Vishuddha
Sanskrit purification. The Vishuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat and is associated with the communication, sound, and manifestation of creativity through thought, language, and writing. It will nourish change, transformation, and healing. Associated with the element akasha, ether, which corresponds to the sense of hearing and the act of speaking, it is also referred to as the Throat Chakra due to its physical localization.
Anahata
Anahata means “unstruck,” “unhurt” or “non-attachment.” Found in the center of the chest and near the heart, it is related to air. Because it represents love and compassion, the Anahata chakra is often referred to as the Heart Chakra.
Manipura
Manipura literally means “place of shining gem” and is the name given to the third chakra Manipura Chakra. The Manipura Chakra is normally associated with the fire element ruling your body, and lies at the solar plexus region, that is, between the belly button and bottom of the rib cage. Ego, energy, willpower, aggression, and intellect are qualities of this chakra, which is widely referred to as Solar Plexus Chakra. The Manipura Chakra is related to the stomach, gallbladder, liver, spleen, and pancreas.
Svadhishthana
Svadhishthana means “dwelling place of the Self” and is the name given to the second chakra Svadhishthana Chakra, which is located four finger breadths below the belly button and in the lower abdomen. This chakra is often referred to as the Sacral Chakra; it controls sexuality, desires, and pleasures. It has to do with water elements and reproduction.
Muladhara
Muladhara means “root support” and is located at the base of your spine, between the perineum and the coccyx; it is the first chakra- the Muladhara Chakra. It is regarded as the foundation of the energy body and is better known as the Root Chakra. It is at this site that the Kundalini starts to awaken as it is the root from where the three main Nadis-Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna emerge. It is the most instinctual of all chakras. It is associated with instincts, safety, survival, grounding, and controls. It is correlated with the element of earth and the act of excretion.