What are chakras and how do they affect health?
May 30th, 2022
In Hinduism and Buddhism, chakras are focal points of energy, or prana, in the body. The exact number and location of the chakras varies depending on the tradition a person follows.
In Buddhism, there are four primary chakras. In many forms of Hinduism, there are seven. These seven chakras are believed to be connected via nadi, or energy channels.
The concept of chakras has influenced many holistic medical practices worldwide, including yoga, Ayurveda, and some modern therapies, such as sound baths.
This article reviews more about what chakras are, where they come from, the seven-chakra system, and how they relate to health.
What are chakras?
In Hinduism and Buddhism, chakras are thought of as energy centers in the body. They mark places where spiritual energies intersect.
The Sanskrit word “chakra” translates to the English word “wheel.” This refers to the way that chakras resemble spinning wheels or discs, according to a 2019 review of the history of chakras.
In between these wheels are energy channels, which allow the energy to flow from one place to another.
The concept of chakras ties into the early Hindu concepts of a physical body and a subtle body. While the physical body consists of mass and is visible, the subtle body — which includes the mind and emotions — consists of energy and is invisible.
In this system, spiritual or psychic energy from the subtle body influences the physical body and vice versa. This means that the status of a person’s chakras can shape their overall health and well-being.
Where are the chakras?
Typically, people believe that the chakras exist along the spinal column, from the head to the base of the spine. The number of chakras varies depending on the tradition a person follows.
In Buddhism, there are four primary chakras. There are usually seven in Hinduism. Other traditions hold that there are thousands of energy centers but a few are the most important.
In the West, the most well-known model is the seven-chakra system.
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