What is a Chakra?

Chakra comes from Sanskrit the ancient language of India. Sanskrit is much like Latin in the west. It has long been considered a “dead” language...until now.

With the emergence of Yoga in the west the ancient language of Sanskrit has experienced a rebirth, and is commonly used today in Yoga studios through out the world.

Chakra is probably the most common of all these ancient words. It comes from the origin of “Car” meaning “to move”. In fact the original spelling is Cakra, literally meaning “Wheel” or “Disc."

The way Chakra is said today is commonly mispronounced. Most people refer to their “Shakras” with a “shhhh” sound. Sanskrit is a phonetic language and scholars across the globe will always offer the correct pronunciation as CHA-kra as in “Chapel” or “Chisel.”

The human subtle and gross body is an incredibly intricate one, made up of thousands of physical and energetic channels, which carry energy and health throughout the body. Chakras are centers with in, where mind and body meet.

The Chakra System encompasses over 72,000 energy lines with seven primary centers for mind/body integration. The entire system is governed by three primary channels of energy, called “Nadis” in Sanskrit: Ida, Pingala and Shushumna. These three channels serve as a catalyst for communication between charkas. This comprehensive Mind/Body system also includes secondary centers called “Marma Points”. These are vital “life force” points where the yoga tradition says: “The Spirit and Body lace together”.

Anodea Judith in her book “Wheels of Life” describes Chakras as centers for the
reception, expression and assimilation of life force energy.

Each Chakra center is a both a foundation for the next and a vital piece in a system of fully integrated wholeness. The chakras essentially work as one undulating stream of mind, body spirit intelligence or not at all. The aim of this training is to move into a comprehensive understanding of where these spirals meet-the chakras of higher consciousness. When you know the axis point you can effect the greatest amount of change with the least effort. Dr. David Hawkins refers to this as “The Critical Point” of analysis—a widely accepted principle in physical science.