Chakras are spinning vortexes of energy situated above the plexuses and control the inflow of power into the body.

When working efficiently they keep the physical, emotional and mental body free of disease. Adept yoga practitioners learn to cleanse, activate and balance them.

Vishuddhi is the chakra of purification. Here the elements of the lower chakras earth, water, fire and air are refined to the purest form and become Akasha or ether. It is located in the cervical opposite the dip at the base of the throat and is symbolised by a blue lotus.

This is the centre of creativity; all human innovation, arts, music, sculpture and radical scientific inventions are a product of this chakra.

People made to constantly suppress their natural need for self-expression by domineering parents, criticisms from spouses or children, constant shouting and yelling in their environment suffer imbalance in this chakra.

Thyroid malfunctions, soar sensitive throat, disorders in the lymph nodes, deafness, grinding of teeth and cervical weakness are some of the physical malaise apparent when the vishuddhi is not performing efficiently.

Inability to listen to others, extreme shyness, small weak voice, or contrarily a dominating tone, swearing, excessive talkativeness and gossiping are some emotional manifestation.

Balance in this Chakra enhances creative expression in one’s chosen field, communication skills, non-attachment to the distracting world of senses and an ability to live life truthfully.

Adnya chakra is an indigo coloured lotus with two identical petals that symbolise perfect synchronisation of the left and the right brain.

The function of this Chakra is ‘to know’ and here the practicing yogi enters the realm of the spiritual.

Popularly known as the Shiva Netra or the third eye, it is located behind the mid-point between the eyebrows and perched atop the spinal chord on the medulla oblongata.

The pineal gland is physically associated with the Adnya Chakra and its element is light and sound vibration.

Lately, scientists are discovering many of today’s ailments of depression, stress and mental imbalance relate to lack of sleep due to light pollution.

With various kinds of lighting such as street lights, night lamps, flickering TV screens when some one watches TV while another is sleeping, lights on hoardings that spill into the house; the pineal gland is kept active even while the person is sleeping.

Socially, exposure to extreme violence and cruelty in one’s life, ugly frightening environment, sexual abuse, suppression of unsavoury memories and acute mental stress are some of the reasons for imbalance.

The disproportionate secretion of chemicals in the brain leads to schizophrenia, aberrations in the psyche, hallucinations, obsessions, delusions, migraines other related diseases are poor eyesight, poor memory, lack of imagination and sinusitis. Balance in this chakra brings clarity of vision untainted by emotional or mental trauma.

Sahasrar means ‘one thousand’ and here the yogi with help from a true master (satguru) learns to reconnect with the higher spiritual energy.

The Chakra itself is indescribable and is also called the ‘shoonya’ or void and has to be experienced.

Awakening this chakra leads the practitioner to a natural state of bliss called in yogic parlance as Samadhi where the final boundary between the Self and the Divine merge.

Imbalances in any chakra can be cleared even if external circumstances cannot be changed. Balance comes from within with practice and gives the strength to face life’s turmoil’s with ease.