The 18 Chakras of Healing

According to the Hindu religion, a chakra is an energy point in the body. It is that point where the body’s energy is very powerful and can be harnessed through appropriate methods.

The term ‘chakra’ is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. It is often said that these chakras are actually spinning wheels of energy, located in the subtle body and not in the physical body. The sources or chakras are connected through a channel known as ‘Nadi’. The vital life force, known in Sanskrit as ‘Prana’, is believed to travel through these Nadis.

A study of ancient scriptures confirms the existence of 7 known chakras in the human body. There are 11 other chakras in addition to the 7 vital chakras, bringing the number to 18. These 18 chakras, when harnessed correctly, are said to have the ability to heal any ailment facing the human body.

Let’s see some basic facts about these chakras:

• There are 7 major chakras and 11 minor chakras.

• These chakras are all vertically aligned along the central channel.

• Together with Nadi (channel) and Vayu (wind), they are the power plants.

• All are circular in shape and are said to have rays or petals.

• All are related or associated with a different deity and govern a different bodily function.

• The chakras are also called magnetic points in the western school of study and are taken to perform the same functions mentioned in the eastern school of study.

• The chakras are not some baseless belief concept. There has been extensive study and there is sufficient evidence to support the existence of such ‘magnetic spots’ throughout the human body.

• Yoga practitioners, such as renowned Yoga Guru, BKS Iyengar, were often called upon to discuss the medical importance of these chakras. With the help of people like Guru Iyengar, the importance of these chakras was studied in detail.

Now let’s move on to the main topic of this article, which is the 18 Chakras of Life and their healing power.

Below is a list of the 18 chakras in order of their position in the human body, their respective functions, and how they support healing.

1. Sahasrara (Sanskrit for ‘thousand petals)

Position – Crown of the head or above the crown of the head.

White color

Deity – Dhruva

The Sahasrara Chakra is often called the fundamental life chakra. It is said to be the highest source of energy that begins to flow from the top of the head. It works in a similar way to the pituitary glans. The pituitary gland secretes hormones to communicate with all other endocrine systems and also controls the central nervous system. Similarly, the energy of the Sahasrara chakra passes from the top of the head, through the entire central nervous system and through the brain to the next chakra, through a nadi.

Helps align life.

2. Ajna (Sanskrit for command)

Position – Between the eyebrows. Positioned as a third eye (like Lord Shiva)

Color blue

Deity – Ardhanarishwara (Sanskrit: God – half male, half female. Shiva/Shakti)

The Ajna Chakra, is positioned like the third eye, between the eyebrows. Traditionally, this is part of Hindu mythology, where Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil, was said to open his third eye when he was in extreme anger. When the Lord opened his third eye, everything that fell in his path was reduced to ashes.

Fun fact, the entire third eye burning things to ashes, is often said to be the reason why Lord Shiva was depicted as an ascetic. He meditated for long periods of time to control his anger. So he was generally calm. But when he got mad, well, ashes to ashes, dust to dust!

Anyway, the Ajna chakra is concerned with bringing clarity to a higher intuitive level. It is the same center of attention. In fact, while practicing Pranayama (breath control) in Yoga, people are always asked to focus on the Ajna chakra and keep it as their center of concentration. This helps increase attention span and gives excellent concentration skills.

3. Vishuddha (Sanskrit for ‘especially pure’)

Position: throat (parallel to the thyroid)

Color – Pale blue or turquoise

Deity – Dyaus

The Vishuddha chakra is associated with communication and growth. It is about expression, whether spoken, written or otherwise. Its location near the thyroid gland, responsible for growth and maturation, further explains its importance in that sphere.

This chakra also helps with voice control and voice modulation. That is why when performing Yoga, the chanting of the sacred ‘OM’ is done in such a way that it resonates in the throat. Stimulates the chakra and increases energy levels.

4. Anahata (Sanskrit for ‘unstruck’)

Position – center of chest

Color – green or pink

Deity – Ishana Rudra Shiva

The Anahata chakra is related to the thymus, an element located in the thorax that is part of both the immune and endocrine systems and is the site of maturation of T cells.

T cells are the cells that help the body fight disease. Hence, aptly named Anahata or Unstruck. It is also called the heart chakra, due to its proximity to the organ. It is about the circulation of energy associated with complex emotions, empathy, compassion, etc.

5. Manipura (Sanskrit for Jewel City)

Position – Navel or near the pancreas

Yellow color

Deity – Agni

The Manipura is one of the essential chakras as it deals with pancreatic functions and adrenaline glands. It is associated with the basic digestive process, which is in fact the most important, since digestion converts food matter into energy.

The chakra deals with this type of energy. It also deals, on an emotional level, with the spirit of expression. That’s probably why they say ‘No guts, no glory!’

6. Svadhisthana (Sanskrit for the base itself)

Position – Sacrum

White color

Deity – Bramha

This chakra is mainly functional in the tests or ovaries. It governs the flow of energy through the sexual organs, allowing the organs to be reproductively strong.

If you have noticed, the Deity associated with this Chakra is Bramha.

According to Hinduism, Lord Bramha, was the Creator or progenitor of life. Thus it seems almost fitting that this organ is associated with none other than the proposed life-giver!

The key issues that the Svadhisthana chakra deals with are reproduction, relationships and also addictions. Human ‘drives’ are supposed to govern and control this chakra.

7. Muladhara (Sanskrit for root support)

Posture – Base of the spine

Red color

Deity – Ganesha

It is related to basic human potentiality, security and survival. As we all know, any damage to the spinal cord can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system or even lead to death.

Therefore, it is appropriate to call this chakra Muladhara or Root Support.

The importance of this chakra is that it basically governs stability: emotional, physical, mental and all other types of stability.

That’s where you get the phrase “I need to have a backbone!”

It is often called the last point of the nadi, where the source of energy ends and the cycle repeats.

Now that we have covered the 7 major chakras, let’s take a look at the 11 minor chakras. Keep in mind that these main chakras are the fundamental ones. The remaining 11 chakras act as a support system for these.

8.Hridaya

Located 2 finger-spaces to the left of the Anahata Chakra and then 2 finger-widths down, the Hridhaya chakra is basically the chakra from which the heartbeat is said to resonate.

Assists the Anahata chakra and helps control the functioning of the heart through the proper flow of energy.

9. Secret Chakras (Golata, Lalata, Lalana)

The 9th, 10th and 11th chakras, namely the Golata, Lalata and Lalana chakras, are located at the back of the throat, aligned with the Vishuddha chakra. They control the paddle and also the flow of energy through the nadi from the chakra, through the throat.

12. Tie her up – located at the bottom of the hip, governs fear and lust

13. Vitala – located on the thigh, governs anger and resentment

14. Sutala – located on the knees, rules jealousy

15. Talatala – located in calves, governs prolonged obstinacy

16. Rasatala – located in the ankles, center of selfishness and animal instinct

17. Mahatala – located in the feet, considered the realm without consciousness

18. Kick it – located on the soles of the feet, kingdom of malice, torture, murder, etc.

Chakras 12-18 are part of the Muladhara Chakra section. They fall below the muladhara chakra and are therefore considered the minor or lesser chakras.

These 18 chakras together form the 18 Healing chakras. Once aligned, these chakras have the power to heal from within any ailments one may be suffering from. They are the nerve center of energy in the human body on a spiritual level.