The Chakra System in More to Love Yoga
The chakra system can be a helpful tool by promoting self-awareness, self-acceptance, and balance within the body and mind. In More to Love Yoga , our focus is on cultivating a positive relationship with one's body, regardless of its size, shape, or abilities.
Introducing “The Chakras for Body-Love” a unique journey designed as an introduction to the ancient chakra system, while encouraging self-love and body-acceptance.
“But hold-up….isn’t this ‘mumbo-jumbo’ to the scientific community?” Depends on how you approach it. Like all fields, people exploit hopes in order to provide solutions. In More to Love Yoga, my emphasis is on presenting an avenue of experience and letting you discern if useful or not.
But I would like to share a small anecdote. I have studied the Chakras for many years, personally. As a philosophy minor in college, I learned a lot about eastern practices and conceptually, had a strong understanding. (I highly recommend the book Eastern Body Western Mind) But it wasn’t until an emergency that I truly discovered how helpful a tool this orientation of our bodies can be.
I contracted COVID in early March 2020, and by early April, ended up in MGH with severe breathing problems and inflammation. You can read about my COVID story here. Despite being in one of the best hospitals in the world, I swiftly hit the wall in what our trusted medical community could help me with. They sent me home with best of luck as my guide. I was terrified. During the peeks of the worst of COVID, I turned inwards towards what years of body-loving yoga taught me: how to be present with myself, especially during crisis.
For days that rolled into weeks, I meditated on my breath and felt how areas in my body physically and metaphorically supported me. The chakras correspond to things we all need as humans: To feel safe, to feel hopeful, to be compassionate, to voice needs, and trust ourselves amid turmoil. The system became a guide for me to prioritize my physical and emotional needs and I feel grateful for knowing about it. The chakra system helps orient our experience in a human body. Many of its structures also align with how our western medicine support health.
The Gist
The chakra system is a concept rooted in ancient Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions. It centers around seven major energy centers or "chakras" within the human body, each associated with specific physical, mental, and spiritual functions. While the chakra system is not a scientifically validated model, some individuals and practitioners believe it overlaps with certain aspects of modern scientific understandings of the body in metaphorical or symbolic ways.
The chakra system can be a helpful tool by promoting self-awareness, self-acceptance, and balance within the body and mind. In More to Love Yoga , our focus is on cultivating a positive relationship with one's body, regardless of its size, shape, or abilities.
Here's how each of the chakras relate to concepts in body-love:
Root Chakra (Muladhara): This chakra, located at the base of the spine, represents our foundation and sense of security. In More to Love Yoga , it can help us feel grounded and secure in our bodies, fostering a sense of stability and self-acceptance.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Located in the lower abdomen, this chakra is associated with creativity and pleasure. Incorporating this chakra into More to Love Yoga can encourage individuals to embrace the joy and pleasure of movement, appreciating their bodies' capabilities.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): The solar plexus chakra, situated in the upper abdomen, is linked to self-esteem and confidence. Practicing poses that engage this chakra can boost self-confidence and help individuals focus on their inner strength rather than external judgments.
Heart Chakra (Anahata): The heart chakra is centered around love, compassion, and forgiveness. In More to Love Yoga , we support self-love and compassion for one's body, fostering a more positive body image and acceptance of imperfections.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): The throat chakra represents self-expression and communication. Incorporating this chakra into yoga can empower individuals to communicate their needs, boundaries, and feelings about their body without fear or shame.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): The third eye chakra, located between the eyebrows, is associated with intuition and self-awareness. Practicing poses that activate this chakra can help individuals connect with their inner wisdom, making informed choices about their yoga practice and body care.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): The crown chakra is associated with spiritual connection and enlightenment. In More to Love Yoga , we encourages a sense of unity and connection with oneself and the universe, reinforcing a holistic view of the body and its place in the world.
By incorporating chakra-focused practices into More to Love Yoga , individuals can develop a deeper understanding of their bodies, cultivate self-love, and nurture a positive body image. This approach emphasizes acceptance, self-care, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual, fostering a healthier and more loving relationship between the practitioner and their body.