How to use chakras in your yoga practice to better balance your energy

Modern science may have proved that the Universe is entirely made up of a mass of energy, but ancient cultures have known for centuries that all living things contain a lifeforce. This “spirit” that flows through us all (and not just after a heavy weekend!) was believed to form energy centres within the body, known as chakras. Translating from Sanskrit as ‘wheel’, it’s helpful to think of these points as a mass of swirling, turning energy. 

In Eastern philosophy, any blockages in the flow of energy through the body are believed to cause imbalance that can create illness and emotional upset. It was much later discovered that the placement of the chakras align with many of our bodies most vital glands, organs, and physiological structures. 

Yoga helps the flow of energy in your body

Many yogis believe that yoga’s power to destress and invigorate the body and mind is down to far more than just a good workout. The stimulation created through asana’s, coupled with steady breath work, are helping to improve the flow of energy or ‘prana’ in your body.

Each chakra within the body has a different location, function and corresponding colour associated with it.

Understanding the chakras

Root Chakra

Location: Base of your spine

Colour: Red

Element: Earth

Best asanas: Garland pose, Mountain pose, Standing forward bend 

The root chakra, also known as Muladhara, is our grounding chakra and is associated with your most primal survival needs. Responsible for your sense of security and safety, its imbalance may lead to feelings of anger, insecurity and detachment. Help to stay grounded throughout your yoga practice with the Phantai Mandala Yoga Mat in a fiery root chakra coloured red.

Sacral Chakra

Location: Pelvis

Colour: Orange

Element: Water

Best asanas: Sphinx pose, Belly twist pose 

Located at your reproductive organs, this is where you give birth to your creativity, pleasure and emotions. With a lack of energy flowing through your Svadhisthana chakra you may be feeling tired, creatively blocked and emotionally unstable. 

Solar Plexus Chakra

Location: Stomach

Colour: Yellow

Element: Fire

Best asanas: Plank pose, Bow pose 

The Manipura chakra is the seat of our personal power and where our identity is formed. If you’re lacking in self-esteem, courage or feel stuck somehow, then your solar plexus chakra may be blocked. 

Heart Chakra

Location: Heart

Colour: Green

Element: Air

Best asanas: Camel pose, Wheel pose 

Not surprisingly the Anahata chakra corresponds to all things love. Not only unconditional love for self, but also our compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. An imbalance may present itself as a loss of personal boundaries, fear of rejection and storage of old wounds.

Throat Chakra

Location: Throat

Colour: Blue

Element: Ether

Best asanas: Fish pose, Plow pose

The centre of our communication, Vishuddha chakra is where we find a voice for our own personal truths. The stereotypical chatterbox, who is unable to listen to others, may be suffering from an energy imbalance here. According to colour psychology, blue brings to mind logic, intelligence, effective communication and can make you well-spoken. Focus on your throat chakra by injecting more blue into your yoga wardrobe with our Pranayamadise leggings and beautiful Yogini Slogan Sweatshirt.

Third Eye Chakra

Location: In between the eyes

Colour: Indigo

Element: Light

Best asanas: Child’s pose, Easy pose

 Ajna chakra is the seat of your wisdom and linked to your intuition, perception and psychic energy. Interestingly its location is the same as the bodies pineal gland, which is responsible for taking in light. A blocked third eye chakra may leave you closed minded or with a fixation on logic.

Crown Chakra

Location: Above the crown of the head

Colour: Violet and white

Element: Cosmic energy

Best asanas: Corpse pose

 Linked to the spiritual realm, it is here where we go beyond the physical self, which is why it is located outside the body, hovering above. Focusing on the Sahasrara chakra can help you to feel more free. We’d like to say we created the crown chakra coloured violet and white Your Majesty Ganesh Yoga Pants with your spiritual enlightenment in mind, but we actually just thought they look fabulous!