Chakra

A chakra is an energy centre in the human body as taught in Indian yoga and some related cultures. Chakras are also believed in by some New Age adherents. Chakra means 'wheel' in sanskrit.

A chakra is a locus of life energy. There are seven chakras in the body - each is an interface for the flow of life energy. A chakra vitalises a physical body and is associated with interactions of a physical, mental nature. Current technology is not capable of measuring life energy or chakras.

The seven main chakras are described as being present in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain color, multiple specific functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element and other correspondences.

chakra	color	primary functions	associated element
Root chakra	red	instinct, sexual energy	earth
Navel chakra (Hara)	orange	emotion	water
Solar plexus chakra	yellow	intellect	fire
Heart/lung chakra	emerald green or pink	devotion, love, compassion	air
Throat chakra	cyan	speech, self-expression	ether
Third eye	indigo	intuition, ESP	time
Crown chakra (just above the head)	silvery-white	connection to the One Great Power	space

The author Peter Kjaerulff in his book The Ringbearers Diary describes the chakras in great detail, including why they look as they do and what their exact function is.

See also: Qi - Qigong - Aura - Kirlian photography