Chakras and the relationship to the endocrine system
CHAKRA SYSTEM has a correlation to the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Understanding how the chakras and the endocrine glands relate opens the opportunity for insight into the body. Each endocrine gland has a relative or corresponding chakra. Understanding these connections provides tools to assist in venturing deeper into the relationship of science and ancient philosophy, in other words, self-discovery. Here lies a bridge between western and eastern healing arts.
Let us dive in.
First lets take a look at the magical ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The endocrine system is like the conductor of the orchestra communicating with the many intricate parts of the human body. This system is a collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate body functions such as growth, metabolism, digestion, sleep, mood, reproduction, development, sexual function, stress response, immune response, and cyclical cycles. The glands of the endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers. Together with the nervous system, the endocrine system works to communicate with the body to coordinate its functions and interactions. The hypothalamus is the area of the body where the nervous system communicates with the glandular system. The nervous system, through the hypothalamus interprets outside signals and communicates those signals, via hormones released by glands, to the rest of the body. The endocrine system is slower than the nervous system, however, its effects last longer. Hormones circulate through the bloodstream, targeting specific cells that match to those hormones – this is a lock and key system.
Chakras (CHUH-kruh) are energy centers in the body that form the main components (organs) of subtle anatomy in order to help our body communicate with the energetic world.
The word means wheel/vortex. There are seven major chakras that align in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Chakras receive and interpret energy. They can be deficient or excessive and blockages can occur.
Chakras can be balanced by many techniques including asana, pranayama, meditation, lifestyle, stones, aromatherapy, chanting, tones, color, intention. When one chakra is deficient another tries to make up for it as they are interconnected, when one is out of balance the whole system can suffer. Chakra balancing work must be addressed as a whole and interrelated system. Chakras unite body, mind and spirit and help to regulate all body processes from organs to immune system to emotional and spiritual. Each chakra has a unique vibrational frequency.
Below you will find each chakra and its correspondences:Number, location, associated endocrine gland, color, sound to chant, element, sense, things it can affect, corresponding location in body. You will also find a list for how you may feel when the chakra is in balance vs out of balance, ideas to bring it into balance. There is associated breathing exercises (pranayama), yoga poses (asana) and suggested meditations.
MULADHARA (root chakra) Associated endocrine gland: ADRENAL GLANDS
1ST Chakra
Located at the base of the spine (perineum in men, cervix in women)
Red
Bija mantra-LAM
Element: Earth
Smell
Family ties
Belonging
Basic needs
Pelvic floor and L5,4,3
Grounding
Survival
Primal instinct
IN BALANCE
Grounded
Connecting
Confident
Secure and stable
Balanced
Present and in the body
Feel the right to exist
Sensible
Needs are met
OUT OF BALANCE
Distrust
Nervous and anxious
Anxiety
Lack consciousness
Unwelcome and Unwelcoming
Greedy
Fearful
Bad boundaries
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Obesity
Hemorrhoids
Constipation
Sciatica
Arthritis
Eating disorders
Flight or fight syndromes
Anxiety
Stress, fatigue and worry
Colon
Bladder
Elimination
Feet
Low back
Prostate
BRINGING INTO BALANCE
Ground
Organize
Meditate
Higher power (universe, mother nature(
Red stones, food etc.
Chant bija sound
ASANAS
Tadasana
Supta Padangusthasana
Vpritti karani
Vrksasana
Malasana
Baddha konasana
PRANAYAMA
Begin observing breath, even inhalation and exhalation
MEDITATION
Imagine roots coming from the body down to the center of earth, through the earth, bedrock and into the molten lava of the deep earth while visualizing the color red and chanting the bija mantra LAM
SVADHISTHANA (svad-self, Histana-one’s own abode) Associated endocrine gland: Gonads
2nd Chakra
Located below the navel and above pubic bone
Gonads
Orange
Bija sound- Vam
Taste
Reproductive
Creativity
Sexuality
Procreate
Storehouse of all Samskaras (past mental impressions)
Most primitive and deep routed instincts
Instinctive drive to reproduce
Seat of the collective conscious
IN BALANCE
Creative
Intimacy
Abundance
In flow
Valued
Positive
Fertile
Open sexuality
Personal magnetism
Good sexual boundaries
Refinement in behavior
OUT OF BALANCE
Blocked
Lacking
Disconnected
Intimacy issues
Bad sexual boundaries
Emotionally unstable
Over or under sexually active
Inability to be alone
Addictive tendencies
Numbness and lack of passion
Rigid mind
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Impotence
Sexual dysfunction
Bladder, gallstones, kidney
Stiff low back
Acne
Weight gain
Mood swings
Depression
Infertility
Abnormal menses and sex drive
BRING INTO BALANCE
Cook, bake, garden (things that create transformation)
Creative writing or free writing
Awaken inner child
Play
Journal
Look nightly at moon and track its cycle
ASANA
Sukkasana circle the torso
Goddess pose
Janu sirsasana
Baddha konasana with forward bend
Bhujasana
PRANAYAMA
Ida nadi (left nostril breathing)
MEDITATION
Imagine water filling up the body and washing out creative blocks and filling up the space with creative juices
let the water turn orange as it washes you internally and chant the bija manta YAM
MANIPURA (gem-city) Associated endocrine gland: Pancreas
3RD Chakra
Located at Solar plexus
Yellow
Bija sound-RAM
Fire
Vision
Spleen, liver, pancreas, stomach
Social self
Power
Instinctive drive to find food
Power to create and exist independently
IN BALANCE
Transform energy into action
Playing with a full deck, firing on all cylinders
Gut response is clear
Alive and awakened
Confident with good self esteem
Oneness
Inner power
Realize potential
Self-motivated
Warrior energy
Right choices
Clear goals and desires
Leader
Able to try new experiences
OUT OF BALANCE
Stagnant
Follower instead of a leader
Low energy
Fear of risks
Scared to make change
Hard to make decisions
Obsession with power and control
Too busy and stressed
Stubborn
Lack of willpower
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Blood sugar
Hypoglycemic
Diabetes
Acid reflux
Agni (digestive fire) is off
Metabolic disorders
Ulcers
Tired
BRING INTO BALANCE
Strengthen digestive fire
Room temperature liquids
Don’t over eat
No spicy foods
Small sips while eating
Avoid soda, alcohol, juice and give the digestive system a rest
ASANA
All standing poses
Poses that bring heat to that area
Navasana
Matsyendrasana
Warrior 1
Twists
PRANAYAMA
Bhastrika breath
MEDITATION
Gut response meditation in sukhasana with hand on belly
Imagine different situations and see how your body reacts while visualizing the color yellow and chanting the bija manta RAM
ANAHATA (unstuck) Associated endocrine gland (Thymus)
4th Chakra
Location heart/ region of spine behind sternum
Green
Bija sound- YAM
Air
Touch
Heart, lungs, breasts, lymphatic system
Love
Where physical and spiritual meet
Integration
Compassion
Source of sound
Internal, unborn, undying vibration and pulse of the universe
Instinctive drive to receive
IN BALANCE
Compassion
Empathy
Open to new experiences
Free
Quick to forgive
Connected to others
Forgiveness
Higher power
Trusting
Present in the moment
Independent
Unconditional love
Open to touch
Loving and joyful
Let go of hurt
Empathy
Grounded in the lower chakras
Balanced giving and taking
OUT OF BALANCE
Possessive
Jealous
Isolated (often self-imposed)
Afraid of new people, places and experiences
Afraid of touch
Judgmental
Hold on to hurt
Stuck in bad situations and unable to leave
Codependency
Smothering
Neediness
Hatred of self and others
Problems sharing thoughts and feelings
Lonely
Bitter
Hard to trust
Cold and manipulative
Grief
Lack boundaries
Making unrealistic demands on others to make up for the love that one feels is lacking
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Asthma
High blood pressure
Heart
Lung
Depression
BRING INTO BALANCE
Practice letting go
Offer compassion (close or far away)
Smile at people
Practice not criticizing others
Forgive and move on (practice this with small things first: ex. server that forgets to bring your lemon slice)
Give positive affirmations
Put yourself in others shoes
Hug people who will allow it
Free write from your heart positive comments about yourself and others
Practice being extra loving, start with friends, pets, plants and move outward
ASANAS
Any asana that opens the heart or puts the heart below spine or pelvis (caution with high and low blood pressure) ex adho mukha svanasana, uttanasana
Backbends ex ustrasana, setubanda, laying over a bolster in supta baddha konasana, virasana or savasana
Gomukhasana
All asanas that lengthen the thoracic cavity (scalenes, pectoralis, trapezius, rhomboids, spinal muscles etc ex. Triangle, parsvottanasana, tadasana
PRANAYAMA
Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing)
Any breath exercise that deepens breath as we tend to hold the breath when our feelings are hurt (esp. as children, which creates fascial holding pattern)
Viloma (lengthen inhale)
MEDITATION
Begin by listening to the heart, imagine your heart as a beautiful green room with a beautifuldoor, open the door and inivite someone you deeply love in your space of your loving heart,spend some time with them, let them out of your heart and invite someone you are neutral about, and repeat with someone who has hurt you or you dislike. Chant the bija mantra YAM when you have let the last person leave, and shut the door, but do not lock it.
VISHUDDHA (purification shuddhi-purification and vi- enhances it) Associated endocrine gland: Thyroid and parathyroid
5th Chakra
Throat
Blue
Bija sound- HAM
Ether
Hearing
Jaw, neck, mouth, throat, larynx, ears and vocal cords
Communication and production
Listen, speak express
Center for purification
Right understanding and discrimination begin here
Duality of life accepted
Amrita (divine nectar) is tasted here
Instinctive drive to speak the truth
IN BALANCE
Speak truth
Express emotions in a healthy way
Good boundaries
Honor others truth without judgment (let others have their stories)
Not influenced by others
Able to speak
Able to listen
Creative approach to life
OUT OF BALANCE
Cannot find ones voice
Overly or under talkative
Does not listen
Do not feel heard
Succumb to peer pressure
Lack boundaries
Feel insecure to speak up
Dishonesty
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Throat
Thyroid
Imbalance in body
Ear issues including balance
Metabolism
Fatigue
Allergies
Stress and anxiety
Depression
BRINGING IN BALANCE
Practice asking, write out questions
Practice thinking before speaking (Should I say it, Is it true, is it kind)
Practice listening
Speak your opinion even if it is different
Practice speaking only truth
ASANA
Setu bandha
Sarvangasana
Halasana
Ustrasana
Neck lengthening poses
PRANAYAMA
Ujjayi (long flowing breath)
Anuloma Ujjayi (lengthen exhale)
MEDITATION
Visualize white nectar coming from sky through the head down to the throat chakra and filling body with blissful intoxication,let the white nectar turn blue as it enters the body and chant HAM
AJNA (jnana- eye wisdom, command) Associated endocrine gland: Pituitary gland
6th Chakra (jnana- eye wisdom, command)
Location between and above the brows
Indigo
Bija sound –kh-sham/aum
Light, spirit, mind (manas)
Intuition
Inspiration
Eyes, head, lower brain
Deep states of meditation
Inner guru
3 rivers converge (Ida: left side right brain, lunar cool, female, parasympathetic; Pingala: right side, left side of the brain, solar, hot masculine, sympathetic; Susumna: Central, connects 7 chakras, CNS)
IN BALANCE
Control over prana, mind steady and strong
Intuition is strong therefore trusting
Big picture
New perspective
Receive wisdom
Serendipity
Clairvoyance
Lucid dreaming
Visualization
Imagination
6th sense
Inspire
OUT OF BALANCE
Close minded
Too attached to logic
Hard to trust self and others
Cynical
Small picture
Stuck in a rut
Blocked to magic and imagination
Uninspired
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Headaches
Eyes
Tumor
Pressure
Something feels off
Disconnected with self
BRING INTO BALANCE
Journal
Meditate
Trust 6th sense
Practice trusting your intuition first with less important things
ASANA
Any pose with forehead pressed on a block, balasana, adho mukha svanasana with a block
Sirsasana
Legs up the wall
PRANAYAMA
Brahmari (cover eyes and ears)
MEDITATION
Visualize a small point of light or an aum symbol at the third eye center, feel yourself opening to your inner guru, listen to what they have to tell you, visualize indigo and chant KSHAM
SAHASRARA (one thousand petals) Associated endocrine gland: Pineal
7TH Chakra
Location crown
Violet/purple/white
Bija sound-AUM
Cosmic energy/pure consciousness
Union of shiva and Shakti (male/female, god/goddess)
Petals are 50 sanskrit letters 20 times over = 1000
Wisdom
Transcendence
Universality
Formless yet with form
Nothing and everything
IN BALANCE
Beauty
Spirituality
Beyond physical
Free
Bliss
Connected and grounded
Sense of belonging
Clarity
Pure awareness
Unconditional love
Miracles
Kind and compassionate
Humility
Serve others
OUT OF BALANCE
Happiness comes from others
Suffer
Unable to experience bliss
Ungrounded
Lack vibrancy
Desire shackles the self
Feel as if we don’t belong here
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Depression
Boredom
Suicidal thoughts
Out of balance
Insomnia
BRING INTO BALANCE
Meditation
Daily prayer
Daily silence
ASANA
All asana
Inversions
Down dog
Crown of head on floor (matsyasana, sirsasana)
PRANAYAMA
Nadi shodhana
MEDITATION
Imagine a white purple vibration bathing and spinning above the crown feel the light up and down throughout the body.
Feel each chakra being lit up by the energy. Feel the connection to your inner divine conscious and the outer energy of the loving collective conscious.