An Introduction to Chakra and How They Interrelate with Your Ayurvedic Dosha
‘Chakra’ is a Sanskrit word and can translate to ‘wheel’ or a moving circle of energy.
It refers to each of the seven basic energy centres in the body starting at the base of your spine and moving all the way up to the top of your head (the crown).
Each Chakra directly correlates with the endocrine system and a group of nerve ganglia (spinal nerves). Therefore each Chakra can be associated with particular parts of the body and particular functions within the body controlled by the gland in the endocrine system associated with each Chakra.
The Chakra system gives a clear map of how and where the physical body and the psychological body (mind) intersect. The Chakra System provides a guideline of how certain emotions, traumas and past experiences can still be living in the body and how you can release these emotions by working with the Chakra.
Chakras are part of your physical and subtle bodies therefore they can be influenced by the Doshas, the Ayurvedic mind body type.
You can have either excessive or deficient Chakra imbalances. Therefore it is important to understand both Ayurvedic Dosha and the Chakra System to balance your mind, body and soul.
In this blog, I will briefly go through each Chakra and how it interrelates with each Dosha.
If you are new to Ayurveda and the Doshas, make sure to take my Dosha quiz today and get your Dosha Guide which includes an introduction to Ayurveda and some practical tips & recommendation on which foods, lifestyle habits and Yoga poses are best for your specific Ayurvedic mind-body type!
The Root Chakra (Mulhadhara Chakra)
Physical identity, directed towards self-preservation
The first Chakra is the Root Chakra – Mulhadhara Chakra. ‘Mula’ means ‘root’ and ‘Adhara’ means ‘base’ or ‘support’.
It is physically located at the base of the spine and it’s the most dense of the seven Chakra System. It also governs legs, feet, ankles, knees, bones/teeth (solid parts) and large intestine.
The Root Chakra governs the adrenal glands which is the primal instinct to survive (flight or fight response).
The Root Chakra represents the element ‘Earth’ therefore it is associated with Kapha Dosha.
Psychologically the Root Chakra governs the most basic aspect of who we are and centers around basic survival needs such as food, shelter, money and to our sense of grounding and the connection to the body and the world, our sense of safety, security and belonging to the world.
When you have an overactive Root Chakra, you may experience a feeling of laziness, lethargy, overweight and fear of change – which relates to Kapha imbalances.
When you have underactive Root Chakra, you may experience anxiety and fear – which is related to Vata Dosha imbalances.
When the Root Chakra is balanced, it brings us good health, prosperity and security.
The color associated with the Root Chakra is red and the seed mantra for the Root Chakra is ‘Lam’, which is a great mantra to chant for balancing Vata Dosha.
The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana Chakra)
Emotional identity, directed towards self-gratification
The second Chakra is the Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana Chakra. ‘Svadhisthana’ can be translated as ‘sweetness’.
It is physically located just above the Root Chakra at the center of the pelvis, the lower back and the sexual organs and governs the ovaries and testes glands.
The Sacral Chakra represents the element ‘Water’ therefore it is associated with Kapha Dosha.
Psychologically the Sacral Chakra helps us connect with others through emotions, movement, desire, sensuality and sexuality and centers around our ability to experience pleasure, nurturance of self and others, healthy boundaries and ability to welcome change.
When you have an overactive Sacral Chakra, you may experience sexual addiction, excessively emotionally sensitive, strong emotions, poor boundaries, obsessive attachment – which can be related to Kapha and Pitta imbalances.
If you have underactive Sacral Chakra, you may have fear of change and lack of desire, passion and excitement, which is related to Kapha imbalances.
When the Sacral Chakra is balanced, it brings a sense of fluidity, grace movement, depth of feeling, sexual fulfilment and capacity to accept change.
The color associated with the Sacral Chakra is orange and the seed mantra for the Sacral Chakra is ‘Vam’, which is a great mantra to chant for balancing Pitta and Kapha Dosha.
The Navel Chakra (Manipura Chakra)
Ego identity, directed towards self-definition
The third Chakra is the Navel Chakra – Manipula Chakra. ‘Manipula’ can be translated as ‘lustrous gem’.
It is physically located at the belly centre, just below the rib cage, the solar plexus. It also governs digestive track, liver, gallbladder, muscles, the pancreas and adrenal glands.
The Navel Chakra represents the element ‘Fire’ therefore it is associated with Pitta Dosha.
Psychologically the Navel Chakra rules our personal power, transformation, will and autonomy and centres around our ability to overcome challenges and manifest our deepest desire.
When you have an overactive Navel Chakra, you may become overly aggressive, dominating, controlling and overly competitive which can be related to Pitta imbalances.
When you have an underactive Navel Chakra, you may experience low energy, weak will, poor self-discipline, low self-esteem and poor digestion which can be related to Vata and Kapha imbalances.
When the Navel Chakra is balanced, it brings a sense of energy, effectiveness, confidence, spontaneity and ability to meet challenges.
The color associated with the Navel Chakra is yellow and the seed mantra for the Navel Chakra is ‘Ram’, which is a great mantra to chant for balancing Pitta.
The Heart Chakra – Anahata Chakra
Social identity – directed towards self-acceptance
The fourth Chakra is the Heart Chakra – Anahata Chakra. ‘Anahata’ can be translated as ‘unstruck’.
It is physically located at the centre of the chest and governs the thymus glands.
The heart is an energetic centre of the body. Whereas the lower three Chakras govern the connection with the outer world (family, relationship, finance, our work in the world) and the three upper Chakras are all about the inner life – a spiritual aspect of who we are. The Heart Chakra is a bridge between an outer world and inner world.
The Heart Chakra represents the element ‘Air’ therefore it is associated with Vata Dosha.
Psychologically the Heart Chakra rules a centre of love and centres around unity, compassion, expansion, self-loving and joy.
When you have an overactive Heart Chakra, you may experience codependency, poor boundaries, be overly jealous or possessive – which can be related to Pitta and Kapha imbalances.
When you have an underactive Heart Chakra, you may become antisocial, withdrawn, judgmental, depressed, develop a fear of intimacy and of getting hurt in relationships which can be related to Vata and Kapha imbalances.
When the Heart Chakra is balanced, it allows us to love deeply ourselves and others, understand and feel compassion and helps develop a deep sense of peace.
The color associated with the Heart Chakra is green and the seed mantra for the Heart Chakra is ‘Yam’, which is a great mantra to chant for balancing Vata and Kapha.
The Throat Chakra – Vishuddha Chakra
Creative identity – directed towards self-expression
The fifth Chakra is the Throat Chakra – Vishuddha Chakra. ‘Vishuddha’ can be translated as ‘purification’.
It is physically located at the base of the throat. It also governs ears, mouth, shoulders and neck and the thyroid glands.
The Throat Chakra represents the element ‘Ether or Space’ therefore it is associated with Vata Dosha.
Psychologically the Throat Chakra deeply focuses on communication and it’s a centre of the truth, an ability to express ourselves creativity to the world, and an ability to hear and receive the truth.
When you have an overactive Throat Chakra, you may become too talkative, unable to listen or gossip too much, which can be related to Vata imbalances.
When you have an underactive Throat Chakra, you may have fear of speaking, difficulty putting feelings into words or being introverted, which can also be related to Vata imbalances.
When the Throat Chakra is balanced, it allows us to express our truths and lives creatively.
The color associated with the Throat Chakra is blue and the seed mantra for the Throat Chakra is ‘Ham‘, which is a great mantra to chant for balancing Vata.
Moving onto the last two Chakras – The Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra. They are much more subtle and are not associated with any specific Dosha.
The Third Eye Chakra – Ajna Chakra
Supreme identity – directed towards self-reflection
The sixth Chakra is the Third Eye Chakra – Ajna Chakra. ‘Ajna’ can be translated as ‘the command centre’.
It is physically located at the center of the forehead between the eyebrows and governs the pineal glands.
The Third Eye Chakra represents the element ‘Light’ and it’s centered around our awareness, wisdom, imagination, and realization.
The Third Eye Chakra is related to our ability to see – both physically and intuitively and it’s about elevating our consciousness and challenging ourselves to see from a different perspective.
When the Third Eye Chakra is balanced, it allows us to see clearly and see the bigger picture.
The color associated with the Third Eye Chakra is indigo and the seed mantra for the Third Eye Chakra is ‘Aum’,
The Crown Chakra – Sahasrara Chakra
Universal identity – directed towards self-knowledge
The seventh Chakra is the Crown Chakra – Sahasrara Chakra. ‘Sahasrara’ can be translated as ‘the thousands petaled’.
It is physically located at the top of your head and governs the pituitary glands. It’s associated with the central nervous system and cerebral cortex and governs the Bliss Body (Anandamaya Kosha).
The Crown Chakra represents the element ‘Thought’ and it’s not associated with any Doshas.
Through the Crown Chakra we cultivate the right knowledge, wisdom, transcending consciousness and understanding.
The color associated with the Crown Chakra is violet and the seed mantra for the Crown Chakra is ‘Om’.
I hope you now have a better understanding of the Chakra system and how they interrelate with Ayurvedic Dosha!
P.S. If you are curious to discover what food and lifestyle choices and Yoga style to practice for your specific mind-body type, the first step is to take my Dosha quiz and discover your Ayurvedic Dosha – your mind-body type!
You will then receive some practical tips & recommendation on which foods, lifestyle habits and Yoga style are best for your specific Dosha.
