In Yoga, the seven occult centres of life and consciousness in the spine and brain, which enliven the physical and astral bodies of man. ( Man's Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda)

These centres are referred to as chakras ("wheels") because the concentrated energy in each one is like a hub from which radiate rays of life-giving light and energy. In ascending order, these chakras are muladhara (the coccygeal, at the base of the spine); svadhisthana (the sacral, two inches above muladhara); manipura (the lumber, opposite the navel); anahata (the dorsal, opposite the heart); vishuddha (the cervical, at the base of the neck); ajna (located between the eyebrows; in actuality, directly connected by polarity with the medulla) and sahasrara (in the uppermost part of the cerebrum).

The seven chakras are divinely planned exits or "trap doors" through which the soul has descended into the body and through which must reascend by a process of meditation. By seven successive steps, the soul escapes into Cosmic Consciousness. In its conscious upward passage through the seven opened or "awakened" cerebrospinal centres, the soul travels the highway to the Infinite, the true path by which the soul must retrace its course to reunite with God.

Yoga treatises generally consider only the six lower centres as chakras, with sahasrara referred to separately as a seventh centre. All seven centres, however, are often referred to as lotuses, whose petals open, or turn upward, in spiritual awakening as the life and consciousness travel up the spine.

THE BASE CHAKRA (Muladhara)
The first of the seven major centres is located at the coccyx at the base of the spine and it is usually called the root or base centre.. Its associated element is earth and it corresponds to the sense of smell, physical energy and vitality. Here also, say the yogis, sleeps the magic serpent known as the kundalini. It lies coiled at the base of the spine and symbolises the basic evolutionary life force. Once awakened it will rise through the spine to the crown of the head and may trigger enlightenment in the practitioner of these methods.

For our purposes, imagine the root centre as your grounding or primary energy source. This is the centre we can turn to if we need physical strength. The colour for this centre is red.

THE SACRAL CHAKRA (Svadishana)
The second centre is found just below the navel and is called the Sacral Centre. It is linked with the adrenals and the release of adrenaline into the body. Its element is water and if this centre is out of balance your 'flight or flight' response may be over active. This centre also has a cleansing function by filtering out negative influences. It's colour is orange

THE SOLAR PLEXUS (Manipura)
The next centre is found just below the breastbone and is called the Solar Plexus centre. It is linked to the digestive system, the pancreas liver and stomach. Its associated element is fire. This centre is our psychic battery and the storehouse of our positive energy. Also it is the link between the mind and the emotions and the area we process negative feelings. An imbalance here can lead to 'butterflies' and digestive disorders. The colour of the Solar Plexus Centre is yellow.

THE HEART CENTRE (Anahata)
In the centre of the chest is the heart centre. This is linked to the thymus and controls the immune system. It is the seat of the 'higher or deeper' emotions such as love, tenderness, compassion and honesty. The energies from this centre affect the heart, lungs, upper chest, back and bronchial tubes. Its element is air and its designated colour is green.

THE THROAT CENTRE (Visuddha)
The next centre is found at the top of the throat and its designated colour is blue. If blue is your given colour then you need to draw light into this centre. Its element is Ether and its traditional correspondence is with self-expression through thoughts, writing and speech. It is linked to the thyroid gland which controls metabolic rate. It also influences the throat, ears, nose, mouth and neck.

THE FOREHEAD CENTRE (Ajna)
The spiritual journey of the inner light now brings us to the sixth centre which lies in the centre of the forehead. This is often given the nickname of 'the third eye',. It is found above and between the eyebrows and is linked to the pituitary and pineal glands. This is the seat of higher consciousness and spiritual powers. Telepathy, clairvoyance and precognition are generated by this centre and it also controls the body's eyes, nerves, head and brain. The associated colour is a deep indigo.

THE CROWN CENTRE (Sahasrara)
The goal of the light's journey from the base of the spine upward is to the top of the head. Normally known as the crown centre this is the seat of the soul. As with the third eye centre this centre also is linked to the pituitary and pineal glands. It is associated with the perfection of mind, body and spirit. Its designated colour is violet but in reality this centre is a mass of shimmering lights and colours from the whole visual spectrum and beyond. We can trigger this centre by filling it with pure light and like a fountain its light cascades through your body uniting you with your core spiritual values.

The following are some other Chakras: Adhara (another name of Muladhara Chakra), Amrita, Ananda, Lalita, Balvana, Brahmadvara, Chandra, Dipaka, Karnamula, Gulhaha, Kuladipa, Kundali, Galabaddha, Kaladaada, Kaladhvara, Karangaka, Kalabhedan, Lalana, Mahotsaha, Manas, Talana, Mahapadma, Niradhara, Naukula, Prana, Soma, Triveni, Urdhvarandhra, Vajra, etc.

Some of these names refer to the six important Chakras only. There are also many minor Chakras. Some Hathayogis say, that there are 21 minor Chakras besides 13 major Chakras and some other Hathayogis hold that there are forty-nine Chakras while the ancient Yogis taught that there are 144 Chakras. Talana Chakra with its twelve red petals is located near the base of the palate and Manas Chakra with its six petals closely associated with sensations, dreams and astral travelling.

(related after Craig Hamilton Parker)