Journey through the Chakras
Come on a transformational journey
through the 7 wheels of consciousness
Foundation - Creativity - Power - Heart - Communication - 3rd eye - Transcendence
through yoga and movement, creative expression and meditation and contemplation...

After an overview of the Chakra System, we’ll move through the 7 Chakras from root to crown, learning experientially about these spinning 'wheels of light' and their very practical application to our lives. As we work dynamically using Yoga, dance, meditation, expressive activity and discussion, we'll develop insight into our subtle energy system and learn how to unblock and bring balance to our chakras. This leads to greater vitality and fulfillment in our lives - thus bringing all the wheels of life fully in motion.

In the process you'll be inspired, enjoy creative expression and have fun! We’ll end with a final integration and relaxation.

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To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.

- Anatole France

The Chakras are the seven main energy centers of the subtle body - “wheels of light” - spinning electromagnetic fields of varying colors, similar to swirling currents of water in a river, that draw energy into our systems. They start at the base and run upwards along the spine on a Shakti path of liberation towards the crown of the head. Each chakra relates to specific spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical aspects, so the conscious awareness and balancing of these energy centers leads to a vital well-being and facilitates our ability to make powerful life changes. Thus moving us towards greater self-fulfillment and actualization of our goals.

The Chakra System can be likened to the lotus flower, which rises out of the mud, overcomes obstacles and grows towards the light. Like lotuses, chakras have petals. Like flowers, chakras can be open and blooming, or closed.

Let's start with an intro to each of the 7 Chakras. Then we'll explore how to dynamically work with the Chakra System to manifest that which you seek.

The 7 Chakras


The 1st/Root Chakra is Muladara, and like the roots of a tree, is the foundation of the Chakra System, our connection to the earth, our home and physical and financial support. With a strong 1st chakra we have a sense of trust in the Earth and in life to support us. The word "matter" has the same root as "mother" - mother earth, and like red earth, the 1st chakra's color is red. Its vibration is the slowest of all the chakras.

Take a slow walk in nature and feel the connection through your feet to the earth below. Slow down that walk. In Mountain pose, feel your roots growing deeply into the red earth while the crown of your head rises to the sky.


The 2nd/Sacral Svadisthana Chakra is the chakra of creativity and pleasure, feelings and desire, sexuality and relationships with others. Svadisthana means 'the sweetness of pleasure'. It's related to the moon, and like the moon’s pull on the tides, our desires and passions can move great oceans of energy. The 2nd Chakra's water element brings us fluidity and flexibility, which helps balance the drive of the will.

Visit a body of water. Feel its flow as you swim in its waves and spirals. Come out and dance playfully with others.


The 3rd Chakra/Manipura Chakra is the chakra of action and the will, our personality and ego, our inner fire and digestion. Use right use of will to overcome obstacles and work with focused intention toward your goal.

Build a fire. Feel its heat. Channel that energetic and focused quality within you, that 'fire in the belly'. Set your intention. Then take your imaginary bow and with one-pointed focus, go for it.


The 4th/Heart Chakra/Anahata is the chakra of compassion and unconditional love. Its element is air and it's the central chakra of the Chakra System, with its yantra symbolizing the bridge between polarities such as the spiritual and the mundane. Through this meeting place, at the core, we find balance. Coeur in French means heart, similiar to the word core in English - getting to the heart of the matter, the core.

Feel gratitude for the moment and for all the fresh air you breathe in. Feel connected to all the others sitting around the fire and at the same time experience spaciousness. Meditate on compassion for yourself and others.


The 5th Chakra/Visuddha, is the chakra of communication, sound and self expression. Visuddha means 'purified', and sound has a purifying and organizing nature. For example - 'Clear the air'.

Chant or sing as you sit around the fire. Find your voice and speak your truth. Create a mantra or affirmation. Feel the energy and resonance in your voice grow.


The 6th Chakra/Ajna Chakra or Third Eye is the chakra of intuition, imagination and the power of visualization. Ajna means "to perceive is to command" - that which you can visualize you can create.

Look at the fire, at the colors and contours of the flames. See the smoke rise and notice how it dissipates into the heavens. Close your eyes and see what images come to you.


The 7th/Crown/Sahasrara Chakra, also known as the Thousand-Fold Lotus, is the chakra of thought and the unlimited powers of the mind, the vastness of consciousness and our connection to the divine both within and without.

Sit in silent meditation, rooted into the earth below. Feel the energy rising up your spine, and the lotus blossom at the crown of your head as a receiver of divine energy. Feel at one with the stars in the sky.

The Chakras and Manifesting Life Goals
(Please note that this is a suggested process of working with the chakras. You can make it your own and adapt it as suits you.)

Let's explore how to bring a goal to manifestation as we dynamically work with the Chakra System. Though we may learn about the chakras in a step-by-step manner, in actuality the chakras are inter-related and work dynamically together.

At different points in the process visualize yourself reaching your goal. Ask yourself -- how am I feeling now about the pursuit of my vision? Do I feel stuck and literally 'spinning my wheels'? or do I feel in the flow, powerful and able to manifest? ....

Shine the light of your awareness on every step of the way.

7th Chakra - All manifestation begins with a thought, to be channeled back down the Chakra System through the current of manifestation, Shiva. As Edgar Cayce says, 'Mind is the Builder'. Work with the 7th chakra to stimulate the flow of ideas in general and in defining your goal in particular. Working with the divine connection of the 7th chakra, you can make deposits into your 'spiritual bank account' which will help you increase your faith in the power of the universe, life or whatever you call it. Always come back here and sit in stillness, bringing balance to all your earthly activity. Dipping into the vastness of it all...

6th Chakra - Visualization held strongly is the first step in bringing an ethereal thought form into manifestation, so use your Third Eye/6th chakra to visualize your idea, and paint the picture in full technicolor, seeing it in your mind's eye being brought into its fullest manifestation. You are the director of this movie so envision all possibilities.

Are you listening to the messages of your intuition? Losing sight of the big picture? Sit in meditation and focus the light of your awareness on the images come to you.

5th Chakra - Do you need to 'get the word out' or 'fine-tune the message' about your project. Work with sounding and singing or creative expression to strengthen your voice and ability to communicate. Create a mantra or affirmation that inspires you, and find your voice and speak your truth. Expressing yourself may help to release roadblocks in your way, thereby clearing the air and opening the door to needed resources or an infusion of ideas for your project. Have you heard of the saying - 'squeaky wheels get the oil'..?

Communication with others will be enhanced when all the chakras work well together. If needed, amplify the 3rd chakra-generated power to strengthen the confidence behind what you communicate. The 2nd and 4th chakras can help you to break through feelings of isolation and to feel more connected to the world, with more compassion towards yourself and others. The freeing aspects of the 2nd chakra will help you release stuckness and limitations in your ability to express yourself. The 2nd and 5th chakras together enhance the creativity and workings of each other.

4th Chakra - The heart chakra can bring you balance, inner peace, compassion towards self and others with the breathing space you need to work well with yourself and others. Do a gratitude meditation. When you recognize and feel gratitude for what you have already manifested, and you will be able to build upon it more easily. Emanate unconditional love towards your competition and you may even find a way to work together.

3rd Chakra - Do you need to balance out the energies of the 3rd chakra? The 3rd chakra can be under- or over-active. Any chakra can be out of balance, so you work to bring it into balance.
Deficient - Do you feel a lack of belief in your ability to actualize your goals? Do you need to push the boundaries of your comfort level and take risks in order to bring your goal into reach? If so, then act to strengthen your will and sense of purpose, your drive and confidence. Check in first with your 1st chakra foundation and do what's needed to feel steady there, and then stoke the fires of the 3rd chakra to create that 'fire in the belly'. Use your will to channel your raw power into an intention focused towards your goal.
or
Over-Active - If you just rely on pushing with an overactive or out-of-balance 3rd chakra, you will soon get stuck. Developing right use of will will help to move you forward out of where you may find yourself at the moment. Belly laughs can help loosen and lighten up a tight 3rd chakra, so take a Laughter Yoga class and don't take yourself so seriously!

So, in summary, you would be wise to work with the other chakras to assist you in working with your will.

2nd Chakra - The water element of the 2nd Chakra brings you the flexibility needed to work with people as well as deal with changes that arise. Been working really hard? The 2nd chakra might be drawing you towards pleasure or fun.

This dynamic chakra work will enable you to clear blockages and strengthen your ability to realize your goals. Along the way you may experience a shift in perspective, a newly discovered insight, a change of plan or an acceptance of what is. Bring the light of your awareness to whatever comes up, and continue onwards in pursuit of your vision.... with the knowing that all your chakras are working harmoniously together for you.

1st Chakra - To manifest what you envision for yourself you must ground your visions in reality. All the wheels are rolling, your goal has taken shape and is now manifested on the physical plane! So rest now, or go out to play. Within you is the inner knowing that when the time is right, the inspiration for your next step will come to you.

The Chakra System is a profound tool for evolving our awareness of ourselves, our relationships and our place in the world as we move along the journey of life. Though at times you may spend more time or energy in one specific area of chakra activity, but in the big picture, true self-fulfillment and goal-actualization will come from a balanced and integrated approach in what you do.

The Chakras also teach us that spiritual evolution is best balanced by a grounding in the physical plane – the highest trees have the deepest roots. Rooted yet growing and expanding - reaching towards the light. Branches are like talents that seek to develop and grow. As high as that tree may reach, it's roots are growing deeply into its foundation.

We are working towards a Chakra System and a life with all the wheels of life fully in motion. And the lotus flower, rooted in the mud, growing towards the light.


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Deva is a Certified Yoga Instructor/RYT, teaching Yoga since 1991, and Danskinetics/Spirit-in-Motion since 1996. Goddess Yoga and Journey through the Chakras were conceived of in 1998, created and birthed in 1999, and have been evolving since. Goddess Yoga integrates her explorations in Women's Spirituality with Yoga and Dance, and has been presented in Richmond, Virginia, at the University of New Orleans and in New York at the NY Yoga Expo, Long Island Yoga Association, YWCA, Tree of Life Yoga Center and other centers. Deva has studied the Chakras from a wide range of perspectives including with Anodea Judith, and applies the practical understanding of the Chakra System to her own life.

Last modified January 2018.