7 c h a k r a s and the subtle body

What Is a Chakra Anyway? An Introduction to the subtle body.

If you practice yoga, you’re probably at least a little familiar with the chakras. Aligning, clearing, and meditating on these esoteric centers is a common intention in yoga classes throughout the world. We do asanas that open certain chakras, chant mantras that make them vibrate, and call up colors to tap into their power. Yet, with all this chakra-talk ringing throughout the yoga world, how many of us can define what a chakra is?

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Multiple Anatomies 4 .............................................The Subtle Body 4 ...................................................................Enter the Chakras 5 .................................................................The Chakras and You 6 ...........................................Muladhara: Finding Our Roots 6 ...........................................Svadhistahana: Releasing Creative Flow 7 ............................Manipura: Strong Self, Strong Stomach 7 .............................Our Spiritual Connection 8 ....................................Anahata: Getting to the Heart of Things 9 .............................Vishuddi: Speak Up and Be Heard 9 ......................................Ajna: Going Mental 10 ............................................................Sahasrara: Sensitive Spirit 10 ................................................Cosmic Chakras 11 ..................................................Taking notice from the outside… 11 ...........................................while growing conscious of what’s within… 11 ...................…and then tying it all together. 12 ..........................................Insights From The Planets 12 .................................Mars 13 .....................................................................................Mercury 13 ...............................................................................Jupiter 13 ..................................................................................Venus 14 ....................................................................................Saturn 14 ..................................................................................Sun 14 .......................................................................................Moon 15....................................................................................

Multiple Anatomies Chakras don’t show up in an x-ray. You can’t feel them in a massage. They’re not of the physical world at all. In fact, chakras are part of our subtle body, the energetic anatomy of yoga. In yogic anatomy, we have not one, but rather five, bodies. These bodies, called the koshas, or “sheaths,” are layered inside each other like Russian dolls. You’re already familiar with the first, annamaya kosha, or the “food” sheath. This is the physical body we move about in each day. The next layer, pranamaya kosha, is made up of prana, the vital life force that powers us and the universe. It’s often referred to as the subtle or energetic body.

The next two koshas deal in our thinking, directly affecting the way we make decisions in our day-to-day lives. Manomaya kosha, the “mind-stuff sheath,” is generally considered to consist of the mind plus the five sense organs. It’s the body we activate when we act reflexively, in autopilot. The next layer, vijnanamaya kosha, takes us to more intentional behavior. Vijnana is discernment, intellect, conscience, and wisdom. This is the sheath we enter when we shape our environment with discernment and intention, rather than simply reacting to whatever it throws at us. Finally, we have anandamaya kosha, the “bliss sheath.” This is the final Russian doll, the last, thin veil between unenlightened awareness and our higher Selves. For most, living in the anandamaya kosha is not a daily experience. Through yoga practice, however, we work our way towards this innermost sheath, involuting closer and closer towards the Self within.

The Subtle Body When it comes to chakras, however, we’re working in the second sheath, the pranayama kosha. Also known as the astral body, the subtle body is distinct from our physical form. Whilethephysicalbodyconsistsofthematerialbuildingblocksofbones,skin,andblood,

thesubtlebodyispurelyenergetic.

Prana, the vital life energy that flows throughout the body, travels through the subtle body through a network of channels called nadis. Likeveinsornerves,thisvastnetworkof72,000pathwaysreacheseverypartofthesubtlebody.Blockagesinthesepathways

restrictthe@lowofprana,affectingusonboththephysicalandenergeticlevels.Ashtangayogapracticeworkstosystematicallypurifytheseenergeticchannels,lettingprana@lowfreelythroughthebody.

Throughthecenterofthebody,alongthelengthofthespinalchord,runthreeimportant

channels.The@irst,theshushumnanadi,runsanalogoustothespinalchord.Oneithersideofitruntheidaandpingalanadis,ontheleftandright,respectively.Theidanadiisthelunarchannel,associatedwithfeminine,intuitiveaspectsofbeing.Thepingalanadi,ontheotherside,isthesolarchannel,associatedwithmasculine,logicalcharacteristics.

AsSadhguruexplainsontheIshaFoundation'sblog,thesetwonadis“representthebasicdualityintheexistence.”“BringingbalancebetweentheIdaandPingala,”heexplains,

“willmakeyoueffectiveintheworld,itwillmakeyouhandlelifeaspectswell,”easily

navigatingbetweenmasculineandfeminine,logicalandintuitive.

Enter the Chakras Wheredothechakras@itintoallofthis?Thechakrasarewherethenadisintersect,convergingintoenergeticplexuses.Theseseven“psychoenergetic vortices,” as they are described in Georg Feuerstein’s Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga, run directly along the shushumna nadi. When they are clear of obstructions, energy can run from the muladhara chakra at the base all the way through the shushumna nadi to the sahasrara chakra at the top of the head.

Thesecirclesofintenseenergyhavecorrespondingeffectsonthephysicalbody,

regulatingitsfunctionsandemotions.Anyblockagesordysfunctioninthechakras,then,

hasaneffectonorphysical,psychological,andemotionallife.Hathayogapractice,liketheAshtangayogapractice,removesblockages,clearingthechakrasandallowingpranatocirculatefreely.Which,tosumitup,isalljustonemoregoodreasontogetonthemat.

The Chakras and You Wespentthewholelastchaptertalkingaboutsubtleanatomy.Wede@inedthechakrasas

plexusesofpranicchannels,esotericstructuresoftheenergeticbody.Now,however,we’regoingtotakeastepbackfromtheenergetic,intothesubstantial.Subtlethough

theymaybe,thechakrashavede@initepalpableeffectsonourphysicalandemotional

lives.

Thinkofitthisway:Pranaislifeforceenergy.Ittravelsthroughthebodythroughthenadis,whichintersectinmajorplexusesatsevenpoints,thechakras.Pranaisourenergeticandspiritualfuel.Ifforsomereasonitspassageisblocked,thesurrounding

areawillsufferoneverylevel.Often,thisexperienceismostnoticeableinthephysical

body.

Ofcourse,allofourstatesareintertwined.Humanbeingsarecomplex.Ouremotional,

physical,energetic,psychicandspiritualstatesallaffectoneanother.Thechakra

frameworkisaneffectivetoolforlearningtoidentifythewaysourphysicalstateis

symptomaticofourotherstates.Thisnewawarenessfacilitateshealingoneverylevel.

Muladhara: Finding Our Roots Webeginattheroot,themuladharachakra.Locatedatthebaseofthespine,thischakrakeepsus,quiteliterally,grounded.It’stiedtothelegsandfeet,soblockagesofpranic

@lowherecanleaveusfeelingunbalancedanduprooted.Degenerativearthritis,knee

pain,sciatica,andotherproblemsofthelegsandfeetmightindicatedisruptioninthe

muladharachakra,leavingusfeelingunstable.Thischakraisalsorelatedtoourabilitytoeliminatewaste,encompassingtherectum,kidneysandlargeintestine.Unexplainable

gastrointestinalissues,suchasstress-relatedconstipation,indicateanimbalancein

muladharachakra.

Eachchakraalsorelatestotheendocrinesystem,helpingtoregulateourhormonalbalances.Forthemuladharachakra,thisconversationinphysical-energeticbalanceexistswiththeadrenalgland.Withallwe’vealreadydiscussed,thiscorrespondence

makesperfectsense.Ouradrenalgland,responsibleforthelevelsofadrenalineinour

body,regulatesourstressresponses.Ifwefeelstressedandunstable,imbalanceinour

adrenalglandmaybetoblame.Or,vice-versa,stressfromexternalstimulimaycreatean

imbalanceinouradrenalgland.Eitherway,dysfunctionexistsinrootingmuladharachakra,andthestress-relatedphysicaleffectsinthelegsandeliminationorgansresult.

Svadhistahana: Releasing Creative Flow Justbetweenthepubicboneandthenavelsitsthesvadhistahanachakra,seatofoursexual,reproductive,andcreativeenergies.Thisplexusistiedtoourreproductive

system,affectingtheovariesortestes,aswellasthebladderandkidneys.Urinary

problems,suchasinfectionsorincontinence,mightindicatedysfunctioninthe

svadhistahanachakra,asmightproblemsofthekidneys.Hip,pelvic,andlowerbackpainalsoindicatethatenergyisn’tcirculatingfreelyinthisarea.

Onahormonallevel,theovariesandtestescontroloursexualenergy.Imbalancesinsex

drive,orphysicalizedexpressionsofissuesaroundsexualityandintimacy,canmanifest

inthischakra.Sexualenergyisalsoourgenerativeenergy,andthereforeaffectsourcreativeselves.Ifwe’refeelinganyphysicalsymptomsofblockageinthesvadhistahanachakra,then,itmightbeworthexaminingoursexualorcreativelives.Untraceablelowerbackpainorsuddentightnessinthehipscouldbeindicativeofimbalancesinourlives

leadingtoblockagesinthissacralchakra.

Manipura: Strong Self, Strong Stomach Themanipurachakra,sometimesreferencedasthe“solarplexuschakra,”sitsbetweenthenavelandthebreastbone.Asyou’dsuspectbyitslocation,themanipurachakraisrelatedtothedigestivesystem,affectingtheliver,gallbladder,stomach,spleen,andsmall

intestine.It’sglandularparallelisthepancreas,whichregulatesbloodsugarand

secretesdigestiveorgans.Digestiveissues,bloodsugarproblems,stomachulcers,and

otherailmentsofthedigestivesystemareallsymptomaticofblockagesinthemanipurachakra.

Themanipurachakraisalsoassociatedwithourpersonalpowerandsenseofself.Whenyouthinkaboutthephysicaleffectsofimbalanceinthischakra,thisemotionalassociationmakesalotofsense.Nervousnauseaor“butter@lies”inthestomachare

psychosomaticphenomenaassociatedwithsituationsthatchallengeoursecurityinour

personalpower.Whenweseethesetwoparallelimbalances,emotionalandphysical,in

termsofthemanipurachakra,we@indausefulframeworkforidentifyingthesourceoftheimbalanceinourlives.

Asyoucansee,thesethreebasechakrasallprovideinsightintoourbasicpsychologicalneeds,intermsofsecurity,creativityandsenseofself.Usingthisframeworkfor

examiningouremotionalandphysicallives,wecanexamineimbalancesandwork

towardsdevelopingahealthier,happierday-to-day.Theresultisamoregrounded,

creative,securepersonalstate.Withthenextfourchakras,we’llapplythissame

psychosomaticframeworktoourinterpersonalandspirituallives.

Our Spiritual Connection Thechakras,aswe’vediscovered,offerusafascinatingframeworkforexploringourintersectingphysical,emotional,andenergeticlives.Nothingexistsinisolation,and

@indingtheparallelsbetweenourblockagesisausefulwaytoguideustowards@inding

balanceinallaspectsofourlives.The@irstthreechakras,whichweexploredinthelastchapter,offervaluableinsightintoourpersonalwellbeingandthevariousaspectsofour

senseofself.Thenextfour,attheheart,throat,thirdeye,andcrown,revealthestateof

ourinterpersonalandspirituallives.

Anahata: Getting to the Heart of Things

Theanahatachakrasitsrightattheheart,makingittherulerofallthingscirculatory.Thestateofthisparticularenergeticplexusaffectsnotonlytheheart,bloodand

circulatorysystem,butalsothelungs,arms,andtheimmuneandendocrinesystems.

Asthma,lungdiseaseand,ofcourse,heartdiseasemightindicateblockagesinthisarea,

aswouldpainordysfunctionintheupperback,shoulders,armsorwrists.

Theanahatachakraisalsotiedtoourthymusgland,thecontrolcenterofourimmunesystem.Evernoticehowabrokenheartandasuddenillnessseemtogohand-in-hand?

Disappointedhearts,romanticorotherwise,canunbalanceouranahatachakra,wearingoutourimmunesystemandwelcominginillness.Otherphysicalsymptomsmightalso

indicateimbalanceinthisimportantcenter.Painintheupperbackorshoulders,

breathingtrouble,orchestpaincouldbesymptomaticofblockagesinourabilitytolove,

bothromanticallyandgenerally.

Vishuddi: Speak Up and Be Heard Thenextchakra,thevishuddichakra,islocatedinourthroat,affectingallthingsvocal.Asorethroat,laryngitis,TMJ,orbronchitiscouldallstemfromimbalancesinthisthroat

chakra.Thevishuddichakraisalsotiedtoallareasofthefaceandneck,andcanbetherootofproblemsinthechin,cheeks,lips,jaw,tongue,andears.Frequentunexplainable

neckandshoulderpain?Vishuddichakra.Sorethroatorlostvoicewithnoapparentcause?Vishuddichakraagain.

Thisimportantchakraisalsotiedtothefunctionofourthyroidgland.Thethyroidglandregulatesourmetabolism,anddysfunctionherecanresultininexplicableweightgainor

loss.Italsocanweaveitswayintoallaspectsofyourlife,causingdepression,anxiety,

fatigue,changeofappetite,dif@icultyconcentrating,bodytemperatureissues,andmore.

Onanemotionallevel,thismakesagreatdealofsense.Thinkaboutthelasttimeyouhad

somethingyouwantedtogetoffyourchest,butjustcouldn’tquitesay.Maybeyouwere

inasituationwhereyoufeltyouwouldn’tbeheard,orwerescaredtoexpressyour

feelings.Feelingunabletoexpressourtruthcausesanemotionaltollthataffectsour

psyche,appetite,andphysicalwellbeing.

Ajna: Going Mental Rightbetweenyoureyebrows,settledinwithyourthirdeye,sitstheajnachakra.Thisimportantenergeticplexussitsatcommandcenter,governingthebrainandhead.

Headaches,sinusissues,blurredvision,eyeproblems,andseizuresallrelateto

imbalancesintheajnachakra.Thischakraalsocontrolsthepituitarygland,whichgovernsthefunctionoftheotherglands.Needlesstosay,imbalanceinthepituitary

glandtricklesdownthroughoutthesystem.

Ifyou’refeelinglostpsychically,imbalanceintheajnachakramaybetoblame.Blockageshereaffectourjudgment,leadingtoindecisiveness,perfectionism,

aggressiveness,orstubbornness.Losingourgrasponourintuitioncreatesa

destabilizingimbalancethataffectseverylevelofourbeing.Recognizingthephysical

signsofimbalanceintheajnachakra,we’regivenahinttolookatthestateofourpsyche,examininganylifecircumstancesthatmaybesendingourdecisiveabilitiesoff-balance.

Sahasrara: Sensitive Spirit The@inalchakra,sahasrara,sitsatthetopofthehead,restinglikeahaloonourcrown.Physically,itaffectsthespinalcordandbrainstem.Italsogovernsthepinealgland,

whichproducesmelatoninandregulatesourcyclesofsleepingandwaking.Itstandsto

reason,then,thatthesahasrarachakra’saffectsaremostlypsychicinnature.Imbalancesheremayresultindepression,sleeplessness,fatigue,memory-issues,andothersuch

symptomsofapainedpsyche.Ablockedsahasrarachakramayalsoleaveusover-sensitivetostimuli,disturbedbyvariantsinlight,sound,andenvironment.Thesearethe

familiarsymptomsofspiritualdepletion,thosetimeswhenlifehasusfeelinglow,joyless,

anddestructive.Noticingthephysicalandemotionalsignsandcaringforourselves

accordinglycansetusonthepathtowardshealing.

Identifyingtheetherealexperiencesrelatedtothesefourchakrascanbeadif@iculttask.

Often,weignoreouremotionalandspiritualselves,pushingthroughtheemotionaland

psycho-spiritualpainthatunbalancestheseupperfourchakras.Whetheritbeourabilitytoloveandbeloved,speakandbeheard,decideandunderstand,orfeelful@illedand

joyful,thepsychicandemotionalexperiencesrelatedtothesechakrasareimportanttoourwellbeing.Luckily,withthisframework,wecanaccesstheirimbalancesthrough

visceralphysicalexperience,puttingusonthepathtohealingforfuller,happierlives.

Cosmic Chakras ForAshtangayogapractitioners,thenewandfullmoonsarefrequentlyacausefor

celebration.Abstainingfromyogapracticeontheseastrologicallysigni@icantdays,many

Ashtangapractitionersrelishamuch-neededbreak.Astimegoeson,however,the

anticipationofthesedaysgoesbeyondtheenjoymentofararemorningspentsleeping

in.Simultaneouslyhonoringthemoon’srhythmsandpurifyingthebodythroughyoga,

webecomeincreasinglysensitivetotheaffectsofthelunarcycles.Thenewmoonbrings

withitbothagroundingaffectand,frequently,adecreaseinenergy.Thefullmoon,on

theotherhand,increasesenergy,oftencreatinganalmostfreneticfeelinginmindand

body.Botharewelcomecausesforabreakfromyogapractice.

Taking notice from the outside… Whileit’softenthe@irstwenotice,thelunarcycleisnottheonlyrhythmwegrow

attunedtothroughyogapractice.ThroughcontinuedpracticeofAshtangayoga,wegrow

increasinglysensitivetoenergiesandcycles,bothinternalandexternal.Westarttofeel

pranamovingontheenergeticlevelofthebody,pickingupthesubtlereffectsofpractice.Wealsostarttofeelmorestronglytheeffectsofexternalstimuli.Thiscanbethefoodwe

eat,ourenvironment,oreventhemovementsofthestars.

Perhapsthisiseffectmostobviousintermsintermsofthefoodweeat.Withregular

yogapractice,youmaybegintonoticehowyourpracticechangesaccordingtowhatyou

hadfordinnerthenightbefore,orwhatyou’vebeeneatingthroughouttheweek.Later,

youmaynoticeyourbodybecomemoresensitivetoalcohol,intoxicants,orevensugar.

Maybeyoufeelincreasinglyattunedtoshiftsintheweather,feelingarainfallresonating

energetically.Perhapsyou’llnoticeyourbodyandmindcyclewiththeseasons,syncing

withtheEarth’scycleswithinstinctiveintuition.Thesensationsyouexperiencewillbe

diverse,ever-growing,andcompletelyindividual.Onething,however,iscertain.The

longeryoupracticeAshtanga,themoreyou’llpickupontheeffectsexternalstimulihave

onyourenergeticsystem.

...while growing conscious of what’s within… Internally,yogapracticecontinuallydeepensourself-awarenessand,withit,our

sensitivity.Thinkbacktowhenyouwere@irstbeginningyogapractice.Everymovement

probablyfeltforeignandrevolutionary.Thebasicactionofmovingyourbodythrough

spaceandintoposturesrequiredconcentrationandnewconsciousness.Afteryou’ve

beenpracticingforsometime,however,theasanapracticebecomesmoreandmoresubtle.Awarenessofbandhas,whichevolvesthroughoutourpracticelives,invitesanuancedapproachtopostures.

Perhapsyoudevelopadelicateawarenessofthehandsandfeet,ortheintricaciesof

movementinthehips.Becauseithappensgradually,wedon’tnecessarilynoticethis

awarenessasitdevelops.Comparedtoyour@irstexperiencesofAshtanga,however,you

probablyexperienceyourbodyinasanatodayonanincrediblysubtlelevel.

Eventually,thissubtleawarenessdeepensintotheenergeticbody.Westarttofeelthe

energeticlinesoftheasanasaswetapintothemthroughthephysicalbody.Thinkaboutthepsychosomaticexperienceofasanaasitrelatestothechakras,forexample.Youmaystarttofeelthepsycho-energeticeffectsofasanasthatopentheheart,unblockinganahatachakra.Orperhapsyoufeelanenergeticsensationrelatedtostrengtheningyourbase,buildingthesecurityandgroundingofastrongmuladharachakra.Yourenergeticexperienceofyogapracticewill,again,beyourown,relatingtoyourhistory

andyourlifeatthemoment.Itwillalsoevolveovertime,asyourpracticegrowsand

yoursituationchanges.Whateveryourexperience,thelongeryoupracticeAshtanga

yoga,themoresensitiveyouwillbecometoyourenergeticbody.

…and then tying it all together. Thiscombinedexternalandinternalsensitivitymakestheparallelsbetweenplanetsand

chakrasaparticularlyinterestingframeworktoexplore,especiallyforthosepracticingAshtangaYoga.Underthisframework,eachchakrahasacorrespondingplanet.Justlikethemoon,theplanetsaffectusenergetically,dependingontheirmovementsand

positioning.Understandingthemintermsofthechakrascanhelpusbecomemoresensitivetotheseeffects,justasabstainingfrompracticeonthenewandfullmooncan

helpusbecomemoresensitivetolunarcycles.Inthenextentry,we’llexploretheways

awarenessoftheplanetsandchakrascanhelpusnavigateourenergeticlives.

Insights From The Planets Inourlastpost,wediscussedthesensitivitycultivatedthroughcontinuousAshtanga

practice.Overtime,yogapracticeincreasesourawareness,helpingusbecomemoreand

moreattunedtobothexternalandinternalstimuli.Asthisevolves,it’susefultohave

frameworkswithinwhichtostudyourexperiences.Notonlydotheseframeworksgive

usaguideformakinguseofthenewinformationself-awarenessprovides,buttheyalso

helpus@inetunethissensitivitythroughexplorationofnewpointsofconsciousness.

Tothisend,exploringtheparallelsbetweentheplanetsandthechakrasystemcanbeanextremelyusefulpractice.Combiningawarenessofbothexternalandinternalstimuli,

thisframeworkgivesusvaluableinsightintothestateofourenergeticbodyandhowit’s

affectedbyexternalcycles.Pairingeachchakrawithaplanet,wecaninvestigatetheeffectscosmicmovementwhilesimultaneouslyinquiringintoourownenergeticstates.

Mars Ourbasechakra,muladhara,isassociatedwiththeplanetMars.Marsin@luencesourphysicalstrength,offeringuscouragewithanintense,childlikeenergy.Asourroot

chakra,muladhara’seffectsalignwellwiththisdynamicplanet.Wearestrongestwhenweareatourmostrooted.Feelingsecureandgrounded,weareabletofollowour

intuition,allowingustobedecisiveasweseekoutthemostproductivepaths.With

awarenessoftheseparallels,wecanstudyhowthemovementsofMarsalignwithour

personalexperiencesofmuladharachakra.Withincreasedsensitivity,wecannoticewhenwebecomeuprooted,perhapsavoidingundesirableandreactivebehaviorsinthe

process.

Mercury Svadisthanachakra,locatedjustbetweenthepubicboneandnavel,isruledbycapriciousMercury.Inastrology,thisplanetrepresentsintelligenceandcreativity,justas

svadisthanarepresentsourpersonalgenerativeandcreativepowers.WhenMercuryisinretrograde,communicationfails,technologyglitches,andthebest-laidplansgoawry.

WhenMercuryisonourside,however,ourabilitytobuildandcreate@lourishes.

Becomingawareofthecyclesofthisplanetandallowingourselvestobeinquisitiveabout

theirenergeticaffectscanofferinterestinginsightsintoourcreativeandproductivelives.

Jupiter Jupiterguidesourthirdchakra,centerofoursenseofself.Ahealthymanipurachakrapositionsusforgenerosity,establishingastrongsenseofpersonalworththatallowsus

togivefreely.Jupiter,likewise,isagenerousplanet.Asignofprosperity,itbegets

increaseinallthings.Thiscanhavebothpositiveandnegativeeffects.Ifourmanipurachakraisimbalanced,ourinsecuritiesmayleadustowardsunproductive,evenhurtful,action.Ifourmanipurachakraisbalanced,wehaveabasefromwhichtobeproductiveandlovinginallofourinteractions.Studyingthispropensityforincreaseinboththis

chakraanditscorrespondingplanetallowsustoevaluatethemotivationsofouractionsandchoosemoreproductivepaths.

Venus Ourheartchakra,oranahata,isgovernedbyVenus.Namedforthegoddessoflove,thisplanetrepresentslove,beauty,andharmony.Imbalanceinthischakramaybringaboutdisharmonyinourlives,aswestruggletoapproachourinteractionswithloveand

compassion.Recognizingthepatternsofthisopenheartedplanetandtheparallelswith

ourownenergeticexperienceallowsustoinvestigatewhatinourlivesmaybeblocking

thisimportantenergycenter.

Saturn Vishuddichakra,locatedinthethroat,governsourabilitytospeakourtruth.Saturn,itscorrespondingplanet,functionsinthecosmoslikeateacher,helpingusgrowin

character.Throwingeducationalobstaclesinourpath,thisplanethelpsuscomeintoour

power,growingintoourfullestselves.Aswedevelopourcharacter,wegaintheabilityto

effectivelycommunicate.Understandingourselvesgivesusthestabilitytospeakandbe

heard.InvestigatingtheconnectionsbetweenvishuddhichakraandSaturn’slessonscanoffervaluableinsightsintodevelopingproductivecommunicationandmovingthrough

anyfeelingsofisolationwemaybeexperiencing.

Sun Situatedrightbetweentheeyebrows,atthesiteofourthirdeye,ajnachakrahasmajoreffectsonourmentalacuityandourego-self.It’scosmicparallel,appropriately,isthe

sun.Astrologically,thepositionofthesunatourbirthhasapowerfuleffectonour

personality,determiningthe“sunsign”thatwillformourfoundationaltraits.Aswe

movepastouridenti@iers,towardsamoreuniversalidentity,however,theajnachakradynamicallyopens.Webecomemorediscerning,lettinggoofconditioningand

increasingthepowerofourintuition.Bylookingintothepositioningofthesuninour

charts,wecanbetterdeterminewhatconditioningwestartwith,allowingustomove

throughegotowardsamoreopen,intuitiveperspective.

Moon Finally,wereachsahasrarachakra.Sittingonthetopofthehead,likeahalo,sahasraraistherulerofourspiritualwellbeing.Imbalancesherewillbefeltonadeepemotional

orintuitivelevel.Asthegatewaytoenlightenment,openingthischakrarevealsthewaytoourunconsciousSelf.Itmakessense,then,thatthischakraisgovernedbytheintuitive,subtlepowerofthemoon.Themoonis,inmanycultures,associatedwiththe

divinefeminine,castinglightonouremotive,intuitiveselves.Growingsensitivetolunar

cycles,aswedoinAshtangayoga,we@indinsightsintothestateofoursahasrarachakraandourownevolutionarypaths.

Likeanyframework,theseparallelsareonlyaguide.Theyprovideajumpingoffpoint

towardscultivatingandunderstandingthesensitivitydevelopedinyogapractice.Paying

attentiontotheexternaleffectsoftheplanetsandtheinternalbalanceofourchakras,wegainvaluableinsightstowardschoosingmoreproductiveaction,everyday.