There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

Vyana

: There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

: Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

: Vyana

Thanks so much Vyana for posting this!  This is something that has bred confusion for me as well. I, too practice Hatha and Kriya yoga, and I'm used to the system where the base chakra Mooladhara is at the perineum, second chakra, Swadishtana at the base of the spine, and Manipura, power chakra behind the navel (Actually both navel and solar plexus)  Some people say that the seat of kundalini is in mooladhara and other say it is in swadishtana or manipura.. I use those names in this post because of the confusion of which is the first, second or third chakra, etc. =)  I am wondering how we will be working it in this class.. In the Kriya yoga I am taught, the locations I mentioned are very specific, and it will not be fun to enter a mental conflict about chakra locations! Any insight or suggestions about this would be greatly apprechiated

Love
Gustaf

Gustaf,

Since you asked for more information, here is a brief description of the system I have been working with the most %ndash and which differs from the one used at this course:

1. Mooladhara chakra is the root chakra. It is located close to the
base of the spine, a few centimetres above the perenium/cervix. This
chakra is associated with material security. It is also associated
with the sense of smell.

2. Swadisthana chakra is located at the lower end of the spine,
directly behind the genital organs. This chakra is associated with
the organs of excretion and reproduction. It is also associated with
pleasure, experienced through the tongue and the sexual organs.

3. Manipura chakra is located on the inner wall of the spinal column
behind the navel. It is connected with the sense of sight and the
eyes and it is the organ of action and is also connected with
walking, the legs and the feet. Manipura chakra is the locus for
our 'gut feelings' about people and situations, and is connected
with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with
ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger
and jealousy.

4. Anahata chakra is located in the spine, behind the sternum and
the heart. Anahata is the centre of unconditional love; of universal
brotherhood and tolerance. This chakra is concerned with will and
with feeling, touch, the skin, especially the hands. It is also
associated with the heart, the lungs and the circulatory and
respiratory systems.

5. Vishuddi chakra is located at the back of the neck, behind the
throat pit. It is connected with right understanding and
discrimination, with accepting the dualities of life and allowing
one to flow with life and let things happen as they will, without
distinction between god and bad. It is also associated with the
sense of hearing and thus with the ears, with the vocal cords and
with self-expression.

6. Ajna chakra is located behind the eyebrow centre in the middle of
the head. This is considered as the command centre, through which
the yogi receives instructions from the guru and from the higher
self. Ajna chakra is of major importance for the possibility to gain
control of the pranas. Ajna chakra is considered as responsible for
supramental faculties, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and
telepathy.

7. Bindhu is not really considered as a chakra, but it's still very
important in yoga practice. Bindhu is located at the top of the back
portion of the head.

8. Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is
also not really a chakra, but the abode of highest consciousness.

(Most of the details I have from the books Kundalini Tantra and
Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga
Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).)

Personally, I have no objections against the idea of treating the Mooladhara and Swadisthana charkas in this model as one and call them the base charka. But then, you need two more charkas below Anahata charka, to apply to the model used by Mystress. I think I have read somewhere that the navel charka and the solar plexus charkas are indeed separate charkas, although closely related, so these just might be those two. But I am not sure this model would end up with charkas with the same qualities as described by Mystress.

: : There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

: : Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

: : Vyana

: Thanks so much Vyana for posting this!  This is something that has bred confusion for me as well. I, too practice Hatha and Kriya yoga, and I'm used to the system where the base chakra Mooladhara is at the perineum, second chakra, Swadishtana at the base of the spine, and Manipura, power chakra behind the navel (Actually both navel and solar plexus)  Some people say that the seat of kundalini is in mooladhara and other say it is in swadishtana or manipura.. I use those names in this post because of the confusion of which is the first, second or third chakra, etc. =)  I am wondering how we will be working it in this class.. In the Kriya yoga I am taught, the locations I mentioned are very specific, and it will not be fun to enter a mental conflict about chakra locations! Any insight or suggestions about this would be greatly apprechiated

: Love
: Gustaf

The past few days this whole thing about the chakras has created a lot of frustration for me. For 5 years I have become completely used to one system, and can find their location and feel them with ease. I am probably blowing things out of proportion, but it makes me feel as if I have to give up either all the other practices I am doing or the practices in this course, simply because I am being exposed to two different locations for the lower chakras.  If someone says "Ok, focus on the sacral/second chakra" Right now I think "Which one? The one at the base of the spine or the one behind the navel?"   When Mystress did the Tummo initiation with me, she just asked me to focus on the different chakras, and I found them in my own way, and it worked. And that was fine.
But right now I feel incredibly uncomfortable and confused for some reason, even angry. Why do people place the locations so differently? I know I haven't gotten to those lessons yet, but I will, and it drives me nuts. Please, I could really need some sort of insight in how to deal with this!

Love
Gustaf

: : There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

: : Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

: : Vyana

: Thanks so much Vyana for posting this!  This is something that has bred confusion for me as well. I, too practice Hatha and Kriya yoga, and I'm used to the system where the base chakra Mooladhara is at the perineum, second chakra, Swadishtana at the base of the spine, and Manipura, power chakra behind the navel (Actually both navel and solar plexus)  Some people say that the seat of kundalini is in mooladhara and other say it is in swadishtana or manipura.. I use those names in this post because of the confusion of which is the first, second or third chakra, etc. =)  I am wondering how we will be working it in this class.. In the Kriya yoga I am taught, the locations I mentioned are very specific, and it will not be fun to enter a mental conflict about chakra locations! Any insight or suggestions about this would be greatly apprechiated

: Love
: Gustaf

The past few days this whole thing about the chakras has created a lot of frustration for me. For 5 years I have become completely used to one system, and can find their location and feel them with ease. I am probably blowing things out of proportion, but it makes me feel as if I have to give up either all the other practices I am doing or the practices in this course, simply because I am being exposed to two different locations for the lower chakras.  If someone says "Ok, focus on the sacral/second chakra" Right now I think "Which one? The one at the base of the spine or the one behind the navel?"   When Mystress did the Tummo initiation with me, she just asked me to focus on the different chakras, and I found them in my own way, and it worked. And that was fine.
But right now I feel incredibly uncomfortable and confused for some reason, even angry. Why do people place the locations so differently? I know I haven't gotten to those lessons yet, but I will, and it drives me nuts. Please, I could really need some sort of insight in how to deal with this!

Love
Gustaf

: Gustaf,

: Since you asked for more information, here is a brief description of the system I have been working with the most %ndash and which differs from the one used at this course:

: 1. Mooladhara chakra is the root chakra. It is located close to the
: base of the spine, a few centimetres above the perenium/cervix. This
: chakra is associated with material security. It is also associated
: with the sense of smell.

: 2. Swadisthana chakra is located at the lower end of the spine,
: directly behind the genital organs. This chakra is associated with
: the organs of excretion and reproduction. It is also associated with
: pleasure, experienced through the tongue and the sexual organs.

: 3. Manipura chakra is located on the inner wall of the spinal column
: behind the navel. It is connected with the sense of sight and the
: eyes and it is the organ of action and is also connected with
: walking, the legs and the feet. Manipura chakra is the locus for
: our 'gut feelings' about people and situations, and is connected
: with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with
: ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger
: and jealousy.

: 4. Anahata chakra is located in the spine, behind the sternum and
: the heart. Anahata is the centre of unconditional love; of universal
: brotherhood and tolerance. This chakra is concerned with will and
: with feeling, touch, the skin, especially the hands. It is also
: associated with the heart, the lungs and the circulatory and
: respiratory systems.

: 5. Vishuddi chakra is located at the back of the neck, behind the
: throat pit. It is connected with right understanding and
: discrimination, with accepting the dualities of life and allowing
: one to flow with life and let things happen as they will, without
: distinction between god and bad. It is also associated with the
: sense of hearing and thus with the ears, with the vocal cords and
: with self-expression.

: 6. Ajna chakra is located behind the eyebrow centre in the middle of
: the head. This is considered as the command centre, through which
: the yogi receives instructions from the guru and from the higher
: self. Ajna chakra is of major importance for the possibility to gain
: control of the pranas. Ajna chakra is considered as responsible for
: supramental faculties, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and
: telepathy.

: 7. Bindhu is not really considered as a chakra, but it's still very
: important in yoga practice. Bindhu is located at the top of the back
: portion of the head.

: 8. Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is
: also not really a chakra, but the abode of highest consciousness.

: (Most of the details I have from the books Kundalini Tantra and
: Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga
: Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).)

: Personally, I have no objections against the idea of treating the Mooladhara and Swadisthana charkas in this model as one and call them the base charka. But then, you need two more charkas below Anahata charka, to apply to the model used by Mystress. I think I have read somewhere that the navel charka and the solar plexus charkas are indeed separate charkas, although closely related, so these just might be those two. But I am not sure this model would end up with charkas with the same qualities as described by Mystress.

Vyana,

First of all, I also work with the chakra system taught in the Satyananda tradition, for example Kundalini Tantra, and the very skilled and gracious swami who gives me so much of his time to teach kriya yoga!

The chakras that you describe is what I have become accustomed to as well. When I was expressing my frustration over this to my wife, she says that in her view it doesn't matter. The locations are there anyway and are correct with either sytem. (Which is true, I can feel them)

Could it just be so simple that when Mystress asks  us to focus on the the chakra behind the navel, we focus on the chakra behind the navel, not on our theoretical ideas of what it represents?  And when I focus on the chakra behind the navel in Satyananda's kriya yoga, I focus on the chakra behind the navel as well.  It's the same energy center that is there either way, isn't it?  Someone calls it Manipura, and someone else calls it Swadisthana. But it is still there, in the same spot.  The chakra at the base of the spine is also there, in the same spot, regardless of what we call it.

The most important thing is no doubt to understand and locate the energy in these points. The only difference really is that if we are used to the system coming from Satyananda is that we have an additional chakra at the solar plexus to work with (Power chakra is a beautiful description for this btw, that's really what it feels like) and that we have when working with Satyananda's kriya yoga an additional chakra right below the base of the spine.. It is probably just a matter of focusing on difference points, depending on the practice.. =)  

Maybe that's one of the reasons Mystress doesn't use the Sanskrit names for them, to avoid the confusion I just got myself into.

That's all really, isn't it? The names are not important. The energy is important. I'm realizing now that both models can be worked with and really represent the same thing. =)  Would love to read some more of your insights on that Vyana

Love
Gustaf

: Gustaf,

: Since you asked for more information, here is a brief description of the system I have been working with the most %ndash and which differs from the one used at this course:

: 1. Mooladhara chakra is the root chakra. It is located close to the
: base of the spine, a few centimetres above the perenium/cervix. This
: chakra is associated with material security. It is also associated
: with the sense of smell.

: 2. Swadisthana chakra is located at the lower end of the spine,
: directly behind the genital organs. This chakra is associated with
: the organs of excretion and reproduction. It is also associated with
: pleasure, experienced through the tongue and the sexual organs.

: 3. Manipura chakra is located on the inner wall of the spinal column
: behind the navel. It is connected with the sense of sight and the
: eyes and it is the organ of action and is also connected with
: walking, the legs and the feet. Manipura chakra is the locus for
: our 'gut feelings' about people and situations, and is connected
: with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with
: ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger
: and jealousy.

: 4. Anahata chakra is located in the spine, behind the sternum and
: the heart. Anahata is the centre of unconditional love; of universal
: brotherhood and tolerance. This chakra is concerned with will and
: with feeling, touch, the skin, especially the hands. It is also
: associated with the heart, the lungs and the circulatory and
: respiratory systems.

: 5. Vishuddi chakra is located at the back of the neck, behind the
: throat pit. It is connected with right understanding and
: discrimination, with accepting the dualities of life and allowing
: one to flow with life and let things happen as they will, without
: distinction between god and bad. It is also associated with the
: sense of hearing and thus with the ears, with the vocal cords and
: with self-expression.

: 6. Ajna chakra is located behind the eyebrow centre in the middle of
: the head. This is considered as the command centre, through which
: the yogi receives instructions from the guru and from the higher
: self. Ajna chakra is of major importance for the possibility to gain
: control of the pranas. Ajna chakra is considered as responsible for
: supramental faculties, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and
: telepathy.

: 7. Bindhu is not really considered as a chakra, but it's still very
: important in yoga practice. Bindhu is located at the top of the back
: portion of the head.

: 8. Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is
: also not really a chakra, but the abode of highest consciousness.

: (Most of the details I have from the books Kundalini Tantra and
: Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga
: Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).)

: Personally, I have no objections against the idea of treating the Mooladhara and Swadisthana charkas in this model as one and call them the base charka. But then, you need two more charkas below Anahata charka, to apply to the model used by Mystress. I think I have read somewhere that the navel charka and the solar plexus charkas are indeed separate charkas, although closely related, so these just might be those two. But I am not sure this model would end up with charkas with the same qualities as described by Mystress.

Vyana,

First of all, I also work with the chakra system taught in the Satyananda tradition, for example Kundalini Tantra, and the very skilled and gracious swami who gives me so much of his time to teach kriya yoga!

The chakras that you describe is what I have become accustomed to as well. When I was expressing my frustration over this to my wife, she says that in her view it doesn't matter. The locations are there anyway and are correct with either sytem. (Which is true, I can feel them)

Could it just be so simple that when Mystress asks  us to focus on the the chakra behind the navel, we focus on the chakra behind the navel, not on our theoretical ideas of what it represents?  And when I focus on the chakra behind the navel in Satyananda's kriya yoga, I focus on the chakra behind the navel as well.  It's the same energy center that is there either way, isn't it?  Someone calls it Manipura, and someone else calls it Swadisthana. But it is still there, in the same spot.  The chakra at the base of the spine is also there, in the same spot, regardless of what we call it.

The most important thing is no doubt to understand and locate the energy in these points. The only difference really is that if we are used to the system coming from Satyananda is that we have an additional chakra at the solar plexus to work with (Power chakra is a beautiful description for this btw, that's really what it feels like) and that we have when working with Satyananda's kriya yoga an additional chakra right below the base of the spine.. It is probably just a matter of focusing on difference points, depending on the practice.. =)  

Maybe that's one of the reasons Mystress doesn't use the Sanskrit names for them, to avoid the confusion I just got myself into.

That's all really, isn't it? The names are not important. The energy is important. I'm realizing now that both models can be worked with and really represent the same thing. =)  Would love to read some more of your insights on that Vyana

Love
Gustaf

: Gustaf,

: Since you asked for more information, here is a brief description of the system I have been working with the most %ndash and which differs from the one used at this course:

: 1. Mooladhara chakra is the root chakra. It is located close to the
: base of the spine, a few centimetres above the perenium/cervix. This
: chakra is associated with material security. It is also associated
: with the sense of smell.

: 2. Swadisthana chakra is located at the lower end of the spine,
: directly behind the genital organs. This chakra is associated with
: the organs of excretion and reproduction. It is also associated with
: pleasure, experienced through the tongue and the sexual organs.

: 3. Manipura chakra is located on the inner wall of the spinal column
: behind the navel. It is connected with the sense of sight and the
: eyes and it is the organ of action and is also connected with
: walking, the legs and the feet. Manipura chakra is the locus for
: our 'gut feelings' about people and situations, and is connected
: with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with
: ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger
: and jealousy.

: 4. Anahata chakra is located in the spine, behind the sternum and
: the heart. Anahata is the centre of unconditional love; of universal
: brotherhood and tolerance. This chakra is concerned with will and
: with feeling, touch, the skin, especially the hands. It is also
: associated with the heart, the lungs and the circulatory and
: respiratory systems.

: 5. Vishuddi chakra is located at the back of the neck, behind the
: throat pit. It is connected with right understanding and
: discrimination, with accepting the dualities of life and allowing
: one to flow with life and let things happen as they will, without
: distinction between god and bad. It is also associated with the
: sense of hearing and thus with the ears, with the vocal cords and
: with self-expression.

: 6. Ajna chakra is located behind the eyebrow centre in the middle of
: the head. This is considered as the command centre, through which
: the yogi receives instructions from the guru and from the higher
: self. Ajna chakra is of major importance for the possibility to gain
: control of the pranas. Ajna chakra is considered as responsible for
: supramental faculties, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and
: telepathy.

: 7. Bindhu is not really considered as a chakra, but it's still very
: important in yoga practice. Bindhu is located at the top of the back
: portion of the head.

: 8. Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is
: also not really a chakra, but the abode of highest consciousness.

: (Most of the details I have from the books Kundalini Tantra and
: Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga
: Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).)

: Personally, I have no objections against the idea of treating the Mooladhara and Swadisthana charkas in this model as one and call them the base charka. But then, you need two more charkas below Anahata charka, to apply to the model used by Mystress. I think I have read somewhere that the navel charka and the solar plexus charkas are indeed separate charkas, although closely related, so these just might be those two. But I am not sure this model would end up with charkas with the same qualities as described by Mystress.

Vyana,

First of all, I also work with the chakra system taught in the Satyananda tradition, for example Kundalini Tantra, and the very skilled and gracious swami who gives me so much of his time to teach kriya yoga!

The chakras that you describe is what I have become accustomed to as well. When I was expressing my frustration over this to my wife, she says that in her view it doesn't matter. The locations are there anyway and are correct with either sytem. (Which is true, I can feel them)

Could it just be so simple that when Mystress asks  us to focus on the the chakra behind the navel, we focus on the chakra behind the navel, not on our theoretical ideas of what it represents?  And when I focus on the chakra behind the navel in Satyananda's kriya yoga, I focus on the chakra behind the navel as well.  It's the same energy center that is there either way, isn't it?  Someone calls it Manipura, and someone else calls it Swadisthana. But it is still there, in the same spot.  The chakra at the base of the spine is also there, in the same spot, regardless of what we call it.

The most important thing is no doubt to understand and locate the energy in these points. The only difference really is that if we are used to the system coming from Satyananda is that we have an additional chakra at the solar plexus to work with (Power chakra is a beautiful description for this btw, that's really what it feels like) and that we have when working with Satyananda's kriya yoga an additional chakra right below the base of the spine.. It is probably just a matter of focusing on difference points, depending on the practice.. =)  

Maybe that's one of the reasons Mystress doesn't use the Sanskrit names for them, to avoid the confusion I just got myself into.

That's all really, isn't it? The names are not important. The energy is important. I'm realizing now that both models can be worked with and really represent the same thing. =)  Would love to read some more of your insights on that Vyana

Love
Gustaf

I am sorry if what I wrote added to your frustration. That was not my intention. Personally I don%rsquot think it%rsquos a big problem, at least not for present. I am quite used to be confused, as I started out, as really young, with an entirely different system (where the chakras were not in the spine but in the middle of the body %ndash as were Ida and Pingala). But I have not yet been practicing exercises using different chakra locations at the same time.

Today I can also easily feel the chakras at the exact locations described by Swami Satyananda. But I can also feel chakras on other places in my body, such as the upper chest (three!), the solar plexus and about half way between the navel and the end of the spine. I am not surprised, because we know that there are hundreds of charkas in the human body. So, just as your wife I have assumed that when you chose a different location you also use another charka, although the difference might not always be that big as the chakras in the same part of the body are probably closely related.

I think there is a theory that suggests that when the kundalini rises from one chakra to a higher one, the chakras below can be treated as one with the chakra where the kundalini resides. Personally I have no problem adding Swami Satyanandas first and second chakras together and treat them as one base chakra. So, just as your wife, I thought I could go for the locations. But, of course, if someone says %ldquofocus on the second chakra%rdquo I need to know which system that person use! And I agree, it would be easier to use the same locations all the time, especially if we are to focus on specific chakras on this course. I suppose we have to ask Goddess to send Mystress to rescue us from my intellectual speculations! Until then I will go for the locations. Women are most often right when it comes to such things!

: I am sorry if what I wrote added to your frustration. That was not my intention. Personally I don%rsquot think it%rsquos a big problem, at least not for present. I am quite used to be confused, as I started out, as really young, with an entirely different system (where the chakras were not in the spine but in the middle of the body %ndash as were Ida and Pingala). But I have not yet been practicing exercises using different chakra locations at the same time.

: Today I can also easily feel the chakras at the exact locations described by Swami Satyananda. But I can also feel chakras on other places in my body, such as the upper chest (three!), the solar plexus and about half way between the navel and the end of the spine. I am not surprised, because we know that there are hundreds of charkas in the human body. So, just as your wife I have assumed that when you chose a different location you also use another charka, although the difference might not always be that big as the chakras in the same part of the body are probably closely related.

: I think there is a theory that suggests that when the kundalini rises from one chakra to a higher one, the chakras below can be treated as one with the chakra where the kundalini resides. Personally I have no problem adding Swami Satyanandas first and second chakras together and treat them as one base chakra. So, just as your wife, I thought I could go for the locations. But, of course, if someone says %ldquofocus on the second chakra%rdquo I need to know which system that person use! And I agree, it would be easier to use the same locations all the time, especially if we are to focus on specific chakras on this course. I suppose we have to ask Goddess to send Mystress to rescue us from my intellectual speculations! Until then I will go for the locations. Women are most often right when it comes to such things!

Vyana, you didn't add to my frustration. The only thing that happened was that this topic triggered confusion and frustration I apparently had somewhere, so it can be processed and surrendered in favour of something with more clarity.  I'd say that if Mystress asks us to focus on the "second chakra" we just focus on the chakra that she has specified as being the second chakra. Whether one system may call that chakra manipura or swadisthana is of lesser importance. At least after writing and reading these messages, and reflecting on the subject, that seems to be by far the most sensible thing to do! =)

Love
Gustaf

  Hello:

Sorry for the confusion. There are actually thousands of chakras in the human body and some outside of it. The Sun and Earth heart are chakras too, that are shared by everyone rather than individual.

Different schools focus on different chakras, and different systems use different visualizations and focus. For example, Kung Fu focuses mostly on the Hari or Hara, which in some explanations is a chakra, and for others it covers a region between the ribs and pelvis.

 People who are using the mircocosmic orbit do not connect to the shared chakras, they just cycle energy within the body.

 If you were studying the Kaballah, the chakra system would be the tree of life. Similar but very different from the Eastern 7 major chakras.

The chakras themselves, are infinitely small points of light within the spine... what we feel is the radiance of the chakra, or the area it rules and affects, much like the gravity well and radiance of the sun extends far beyond its physical size.

So it is that I provide various visual aids, like the chakras image and the chakras appearing in the grounding anim... so you will understand what *I* mean by it.  

 Even in your own definitions.. the perinium is the skin surface area between the anus and genitals, and the cervix is several inches higher, inside the body so ...

 The best thing is to follow your heart and instincts, do whatever works best for you. There is no one true path that is perfect for everyone. I teach what I believe to be most natural for the the human body, a reset back to "factory standards" but I am sure there are other teachers with different methods that feel the same way.

 Dunno if that helps... Blessings!

: There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

: Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

: Vyana

Thank you!

We will just try and focus on the locations and se what happens! I think I can feel about 13-14 chakras inside of my body, most of them in the spine. One or two more would not matter much!

What you write about chakras outside the body reminds me of a beautiful experience I had in a yoga class about a year ago. I was lying on the floor, deeply relaxed practicing the yoga nidra. The feeling/thought crossed my mind: %ldquoI feel isolated and lonely as I have no connection to God%rdquo. Immediately, in the very same second, there was an answer flashing over me in the form of a combined thought %ldquoBut you have %ndash look!%rdquo a joyful feeling and a vision, where I saw a thread of light going horizontally from the top of my head. At that tread, there were chakras, looking at jewels, one less than a meter away from my head, the next one maybe another meter away from the first.

Vyana

:   Hello:

:  Sorry for the confusion. There are actually thousands of chakras in the human body and some outside of it. The Sun and Earth heart are chakras too, that are shared by everyone rather than individual.

:  Different schools focus on different chakras, and different systems use different visualizations and focus. For example, Kung Fu focuses mostly on the Hari or Hara, which in some explanations is a chakra, and for others it covers a region between the ribs and pelvis.

:   People who are using the mircocosmic orbit do not connect to the shared chakras, they just cycle energy within the body.

:   If you were studying the Kaballah, the chakra system would be the tree of life. Similar but very different from the Eastern 7 major chakras.

:  The chakras themselves, are infinitely small points of light within the spine... what we feel is the radiance of the chakra, or the area it rules and affects, much like the gravity well and radiance of the sun extends far beyond its physical size.

:  So it is that I provide various visual aids, like the chakras image and the chakras appearing in the grounding anim... so you will understand what *I* mean by it.  

:   Even in your own definitions.. the perinium is the skin surface area between the anus and genitals, and the cervix is several inches higher, inside the body so ...

:   The best thing is to follow your heart and instincts, do whatever works best for you. There is no one true path that is perfect for everyone. I teach what I believe to be most natural for the the human body, a reset back to "factory standards" but I am sure there are other teachers with different methods that feel the same way.

:   Dunno if that helps... Blessings!  

:
:  

: : There are a lot of charkas in the human body and the descriptions of them differ a lot. The major charkas of the upper part of the body are most often the same; heart charka; throat charka, guru charka in the middle of the head and top charka at the top of the head. But in the lower parts it differs a lot. First I was taught a system similar to the one used on this course: base charka at the end of the spine, second charka below the navel, power charka at solar plexus. But mostly I have been working with a different system; base charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix; second charka at the end of the spine; power charka at the navel. These charkas are suggested in kundalini yoga because the Ida and Pingala are crossing in those charkas.

: : Now, you might suggest there are just a certain number of charkas at the exact location is not that important. But I don%rsquot think that is true. Instead, I think different charkas are actually used in different traditions. I also know I have one charka in the middle of the body, a few centimeters above the perineum/cervix, and another one at the end of the spine. But which one are the Mooladhara chakra and the centre of the kundalini? I also know I have one charka at the navel and another one at solar plexus. Still both are sometimes named Manipura. Then, I feel like having three charkas at the same level in the upper part of my chest %ndash on in the middle, on to the left and one to the right. I am sorry if this is confusing! The real confusion appears when you address the charkas as first, second etc. I prefer to name them after their location.

: : Vyana

http://www.fire-serpent.com/tantra/images/chakras.jpg" />

If it is helpful, I will add a commentary to your chakra outline.

: Gustaf,

: Since you asked for more information, here is a brief description of the system I have been working with the most %ndash and which differs from the one used at this course:

: 1. Mooladhara chakra is the root chakra. It is located close to the
: base of the spine, a few centimetres above the perenium/cervix. This
: chakra is associated with material security. It is also associated
: with the sense of smell.

I see it as being in the tip of the tailbone. It is the sleeping place of the K serpents. Kriya yoga, or Kegel exercises (tightening and relaxing the PC muscle) can be used to pump up the K fire from this chakra.. but I see the Kundalini itself as coming from the fiery heart of the planet. Goddess is All, and everywhere:  but the Source of Shakti for embodied humans is the fiery crystal... at least until you attain nonduality, at which point linearity collapses, you unify with The Void, and you can ground into your own infinte heart.  

The secondary chakras for the root can be felt just inward from the curved bones of the hips, close to the thighbone sockets.

: 2. Swadisthana chakra is located at the lower end of the spine,
: directly behind the genital organs. This chakra is associated with
: the organs of excretion and reproduction. It is also associated with
: pleasure, experienced through the tongue and the sexual organs.

This is a difference. What I refer to as the second chakra has some of the same qualities, but it is felt just below the navel... I feel it associated with my womb, and the secondary chakras at the ovaries... they are farther apart, in men, near the "love handles". It is associated with sexual pleasure, but also relationship issues, and it is the emotional center. It also holds some issues of abundance which other teachers relate to the root chakra or the power chakra... abundance is an emotional issue.  

There is another chakra in the sacrum, that I don't mention much in the course but I work with it in my sessions. It is related to Tribal issues, kin, family. It is activated at birth, but in some people who are born breech or caesarian it is not activated, leaving them feeling like they don't belong on this planet. I consider it to be an aspect of the second chakra.  

: 3. Manipura chakra is located on the inner wall of the spinal column
: behind the navel. It is connected with the sense of sight and the
: eyes and it is the organ of action and is also connected with
: walking, the legs and the feet. Manipura chakra is the locus for
: our 'gut feelings' about people and situations, and is connected
: with digestion and assimilation. It has also been linked with
: ambition, will, self-assertion, vital energy, power struggles, anger
: and jealousy.

This chakra is located at the diaphragm or solar plexus, just under the ribs. I feel it in the center, just under where the bottom front ribs meet in  an A shape. We call it Power chakra, and it is one of the most important chakras of this mysticism because it holds discernment and surrender.

I would agree with most of what is listed, above but I would add that it contains issues of Karma/dharma, free will and Divine will, it is the mental level of logic and thinking, and also the Astral level where issues of victim/hero, boundaries and hierarchies are worked out in dreams and visions. Ghosts and entities appear on the astral. Power games people and critters play to feed on the life force or free will of others.

 People who have trouble with surrender, usually have blockages in this chakra.  It is also usually the seat of the soul, and thus where the individual conscience or sense of right and wrong is felt.  

It has secondary chakras on either side, the left one often carries issues of martyrdom... which is a power game. The right has the opposite issues of greed.  

: 4. Anahata chakra is located in the spine, behind the sternum and
: the heart. Anahata is the centre of unconditional love; of universal
: brotherhood and tolerance. This chakra is concerned with will and
: with feeling, touch, the skin, especially the hands. It is also
: associated with the heart, the lungs and the circulatory and
: respiratory systems.

Quite some differences in this one, although the location is pretty much the same. Center of the chest, beside the heart which is actually on the left. Heart chakra. I would associate the lungs and the will with the power chakra, as it contains the issues of personal power, which is meditated by chi, which is drawn in by the breath.

 Heart Chakra is the center of love and compassion, and by the power of the still, small voice it is the center for the inner guru, and an aspect of discernment: "follow your heart."

It has some interesting esoteric properties, that can be accessed when it is fully opened. It contains the entire universe in it... which makes no logical sense, but the heart is the last chakra of duality. Time and space get fuzzy there, love transcends both. Heart chakra is the seat of empathy.

  It is also the seat and meaning of Holy Grail... cup of blood, healing. The Grad ritual for FST level 1 is opening the Holy Grail. Very powerful ritual that the rest of the course is preparation for.

 I would associate the sensual aspect of touch with the second chakra, and the boundary issues of skin with the power chakra.

 Issues of tolerance and freedom reside in the secondary chakras of the heart which take the form of wings sprouting from the shoulderblades in back. The secondary heart chakras in front take the form of lilies, and their names are mercy and severity. Severity can be translated as "tough love." Maternal spankings and the Zen Master's cane.  

: 5. Vishuddi chakra is located at the back of the neck, behind the
: throat pit. It is connected with right understanding and
: discrimination, with accepting the dualities of life and allowing
: one to flow with life and let things happen as they will, without
: distinction between god and bad. It is also associated with the
: sense of hearing and thus with the ears, with the vocal cords and
: with self-expression.

This one has too much to untangle. I pretty much agree with the location: the first vertebra above the collarbone, but the area of influence goes from the thymus to the sinuses.   That vertebra is also the "attachment point" where the soul enters and leaves the body. The chakra has issues and talents of spiritual communication.

 Common blockages I find associated with this chakra are "Big boys don't cry" for men, a lump of unshed tears under the adam's apple. In women it is "if you cannot say something nice, don't say anything at all" and it is times when they did not speak their truth for fear of offending someone or appearing unladylike.

One aspect of the throat is the chakra in the roof of your mouth on the palate just behind the front teeth. Touching the tip of the tongue to this spot closes a circuit and keeps energy flowing. It also transmutes the energies of food.

  The rest of the stuff... most of it is not resonant. The chakras are dimensional levels, from the lower chakras of boundaries and individuality, to the crown nonduality. Duality disappears at the heart chakra, so it doesn't make sense that the distinction between good at bad could be at the throat... it is at the power chakra.  

: 6. Ajna chakra is located behind the eyebrow centre in the middle of
: the head. This is considered as the command centre, through which
: the yogi receives instructions from the guru and from the higher
: self.

I think what I am seeing here is a difference betwen origin and manifestation. Kundalini has an upward flow, so when I am channelling Goddess in session, it is heart wisdom moving upward to be expressed through the throat chakra. When the heart voice appears as thought, it is moving upward from the heart, through the translation of the throat to appear in the mind. Clairaudience, imagination.

  This confuses some people in the heart chakra lesson, they do not realize the words of the heart may appear in the mind. I do not really clarify it, to avoid a worse confusion. Most of the thoughts of the mind are just the chatter of ego, and relating to the heart voice comes of being grounded, and maintaining a focus on the heart. The subtle discernment of heart voice from ego voice comes with experience.

 There is a different feeling when the mind words are the heart voice speaking, a physical sense of 'rightness' or Truth that is validated by the the heart and power chakras opening as the words are heard/spoken.  

  Similarly the origin of the sense of right and wrong comes from the power chakra, but the expression of it comes through the throat... thus the blockages under the adams apple when feelings of injustice are not expressed. The emotional energy is stopped *below* the throat chakra.

 There is an aspect of the third eye that is sentient and wise, what Muktananda called the Blue pearl.  

:Ajna chakra is of major importance for the possibility to gain
: control of the pranas.

Mostly because the mind is the source of creative visualization, and energy control and third eye seeing comes through imagination. Like Einstien said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Issues of the will are at the power chakra, but manifest in the mind, as ego.

:Ajna chakra is considered as responsible for
: supramental faculties, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and telepathy.

Yes... but empathy comes from the heart. The third eye does have an empathic aspect which affects the back of the sinuses... but it is more about "reading" emotions asmental information instead of drawing other people's feelings into yourself. Most overwhelmed empaths have a block there, a side effect of trying to shut off the empathy.

: 7. Bindhu is not really considered as a chakra, but it's still very
: important in yoga practice. Bindhu is located at the top of the back
: portion of the head.

I would say Bindu is at the forehead... the dot or symbol a hindu woman wears on her forhead is called a Bindu. Not a chakra, but a good focus for meditation.

: 8. Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head. This is
: also not really a chakra, but the abode of highest consciousness.

We say it is at the crown, and work with it that way, visualizing the crown flower opening at the beginning of the grounding, but the chakra itself floats above the head. An aspect of it is the Witness state, which is an out of body experence. When in Witness, awareness of the body is more distant or remote. Some people consider these to be two separate chakras.

 There are other, universal chakras above the head, that we really do not pay attention to in this course, because they are not individual, but shared and there is no issues of karma to them.

 The chakras in linearity, are referring to centers. The Sun is the center of our solar system, another at the center of our galaxy, one at the "big bang" center of the universe.. and another that is the mystical center of the universe, but since you cannot measure to the middle of the infinite, and at this chakra time and space do a loop de loop and disappear, suggesting that it is located above the head is metaphorical, at best.  

: (Most of the details I have from the books Kundalini Tantra and
: Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Yoga
: Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India).)

: Personally, I have no objections against the idea of treating the Mooladhara and Swadisthana charkas in this model as one and call them the base charka.

They are not.

:But then, you need two more charkas below Anahata charka, to apply to the model used by Mystress. I think I have read somewhere that the navel charka and the solar plexus charkas are indeed separate charkas, although closely related, so these just might be those two.

Yes.

But I am not sure this model would end up with charkas with the same qualities as described by Mystress.

Different qualities, indeed. Similar too. Blessings!

:   If it is helpful, I will add a commentary to your chakra outline.

: Different qualities, indeed. Similar too. Blessings!

It is very helpful, thank you!  And it is yet another reminder that what really counts is to listen to my inner voice and truly feel where they are. I am very much a beginner with this still. =)

Love
Gustaf