For a good understanding of chakras, first read about Nadis here
Whenever there is an interlacing of several nadis, that centre is called “chakra”.There are hundreds of chakra in our body, but only seven of them are very important.By doing pranayama and meditation you can make your chakras more powerful.Depending on the sex of the individual, the chakras rotate either clockwise(for male) or counter-clockwise(for female).Each chakra is represented by a lotus with a varying number of petals,which signifies the number of interlacing nadis.Each chakra also has many characteristics.They are explained below:
Muladhara Chakra: Mula means `root` or `base`, and adhara means `support`. Its located `below the genitals and above the anus`.This Chakra is the transitional and common point where the animal reached the top of its existence and human existence begins.The qualities associated with Muladhara Chakra are passion, sexuality,illusion, anger, greed, hatred, simplicity and sensuality.It has Four Petals. Its geometric shape is Square and colour is red. The element associated with it is Earth, and animal is elephant.It brings a sense of safety and security.
vadhisthana Chakra: ‘Sva’ means one’s own and ‘adhisthana’ means abode.The fundamental quality of the Swadhisthan Chakra is that of creativity.It has six Petals.The geometric shape of the chakra is crescent and colour is Orange. Element is water, and corresponding animal is Makara (the body of a fish with a head resembling that of a crocodile).
Manipura Chakra: Mani means jewel and Pura means city. It represents motion, passion, will power and desire to excel.It is behind the navel, and this center gives us the power to sustain something within ourselves.On the physical level it caters to the functions of the solar plexus.The chakra`s lotus has ten petals and associated colour is yellow.The geometric shape is that of downward pointing triangle. The element is fire, and animal Ram.
Anahata chakra:Anahata means `unrestricted`, which refers to the `sacred inner sound` that is heard during deep introspective editation.Number of petals is twelve and colour is green.The Geometric shape is hexagram (two overlapping triangles, one pointing upwards, the other downwards).Element is wind and animal is Black antelope.
Vishuddha chakra: Also known as throat chakra.Visuddha means `pure` or `cleansed` both in a hygienic and a moral sense.is in charge of hearing sense and the speech organ (voice box or larynx).It is located `At the base of the throat` (kanthamula).Number of petals of the Chakra is sixteen and has a blue colour. The geometric shape is circle within a downward-pointing triangle.The element is space(ether or metal).The corresponding animal is white elephant.
Ajna chakra(3rd eye):Ajna means `command` or `order`.It is said that one is able receive `inner conscience or the supreme Self’ once they awaken this chakra.It is located at the centre of the brow, just above the bridge of the nose.It controls and energizes the pituitary gland, the endocrine glands and energizes the brain to a certain extent.The number of Petals of this Chakra is two with colored defined as Indigo.
Sahasrara chakra(Crown chakra): Sahasrara, meaning ‘thousand’, is the “Lotus of the Thousand Petals” located four finger-breadths above the crown of the head.This chakra symbolizes detachment from illusion; an essential element in obtaining supramental higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one.The associated colour is white.
