CHAKRA- In Sanskrit it literally means: "wheel", "circle"; a term that designates the secret areas through which the subtle energy called prana flows. Even kundalini energy flows in these area but only when it is awakened.

The 7 Chakras influence the physical body, the astral body and the causal body of the human being.

In these areas takes place a process of accumolation, transformation and redistribution of human subtle energy.

Even if the chakras certainly influence the endocrine glands and some physical organs (the heart or solar plexus), it is better not to confuse them, as they belong to another level of phenomenal reality.

The chakras are points where “physical”  and “psychic” / the mental and the causal meet.

The six main chakras, together with the seventh SUPREME center (Sahasrara) of Kundalini Yoga (these chakras are also known in other cultures, with other names) are located along sushumna nadi, the main force channel which carries the subtle energy along the spine.

Sushumna nadi is the channel through which kundalini rises at the moment of higher awakening of the human being - psychic, mental and spiritual. Each of the first six chakras is located within the “gross body”. The seventh Chakra, which is not really a chakra but a SUPREME CONNECTION ATREA WITH GOD, is located above the top of the head (Sahasrara).  During the awakening of kundalini (a phenomenon that generally occurs as a result of some Kundalini Yoga exercises performed correctly and with perseverance, which allow the awakening and control of this process), the subtle cosmic energy rises from the first chakra (muladhara) located on the thin plane at the level of the area between the anus and sex, up to Sahasrara, gradually activating them all - one by one.

When kundalini energy reaches each chakras the yogi experiences a kind of intense happiness (Ananda) and, at the same time, obtains some psychic powers (Siddhi) that allow him to reach a much wider and more refined form of knowledge. From here comes the name of the Areas of Consciousness (Chaitanya), which is sometimes assigned to the chakras.

From each CHAKRA come out some energy channels called Nadis known in the yogic tradition as energetic "PETALS" or "RAYS".

People with mediumistic abilities and able to see through clairvoyance the astral body of others, often describe the chakras as distinctly colored area of subtle light. From the center (bindu) of the chakra depart a huge number of petals and energy channels.

The number of petals and the number of nadis that come from each chakra is always the same.

Moreover the chakras are called "lotus flowers" and they are endowed (if awakened) with a specific vibration which gives the impression that they are static “wheels".

According to the Kundalini Yoga system, each chakra has psychisimatic and mental characteristics which are expressed with a series of symbols:

• Geometric forms
• Colors
• Mantras
• Symbolic animals,which indicate some secret subtle energies
• Divinities, which indicate certain parallel worlds

The main chakras are:

1. MULADHARA CHAKRA - the chakra is located at the base of sushumna nadi between the genital organs and the anus. As long as muladhara chakra is falling asleep, the Kundalini energy rests here. Kundalini is represented by a symbol of a snake rolled up on itself (the energy of the snake). It confers the awakening of the paranormal powers and ensures energy to all the other chakras. From muladhara come out four nadis, which correspond to its four petals.

The geometric form of this chakra is the square, its subtle color is yellow-orange (CLAY), the corresponding fundamental mantra (bija) is LAM, its symbolic animal is the elephant with seven proboscids and the gods with which it puts you in touch are Brahmaand and Dakin, his Shakti.

The persevering yogi who, through his spiritual effort is fully penetrated into the specific state of consciousness of muladhara chakra, manages to overcome his earthly attachment (prithivi tattva) gaining extraordinary courage and no longer fears physical death. Through meditation and concentration on this chakra he discovers the secret to awake Kundalini energy. Once he has fully awakened Kundalini, the yogi gains the power to levitate (darduri siddhi). He can perfectly control subtle murmurs (vayu), mental energy, seminal fluid (men) or menstrual secretions (women). His energy (prana) also enters brahma nadi from the middle. “When Kundalini is elevated and maintained long enough in the Ajna chakra, all the sins of the yogi (the negative karma, even of other existences) are quickly burned. He gets the knowledge of the past, the present and the future. He fully enjoys a natural happiness (Sahaja Ananda) ". (Shivananda)

2. SWADHISTHANA CHAKRA - the chakra is located in the area of the genital organs root, in the energetic sushumna canal. Its physical location is the hypogastric plexus which governs the sexual organs, the procreation function and the erotic-amorous experiences. From the center of this chakra come out 6 nadis (or "petals"). The geometric form associated with it is the crescent, its color is silver-white, the corresponding fundamental mantra (bija) is VAM, its symbolic animal is the crocodile and the gods with which it puts you in touch are Vishnu and Rakini, his

"The human being who concentrates intensely and meditates deeply on this chakra and its corresponding hidden energies is no longer afraid of water. It has perfect control of the secret subtle energies of this element. He obtains great psychic powers, brilliant creative imagination, intuitive knowledge, and controls the sexual functions and the senses. Moreover, he could discover the sublime astral worlds easily. The binding passions, anger, attachment, jealousy and other psychic impurities are easily and completely eliminated. The yogi in question regenerates his physical body, remains young and comes to conquer death (mrityunjaya siddhi) ". (Shivananda)

3. MANIPURA CHAKRA - the chakra located along the sushumna canal - 2 fingers below the navel. His physical correspondence is the solar plexus: it governs the liver, the stomach, etc. From this chakra comes out 10 nadis or lotus petals (energy rays); its geometric form is the triangle with the tip pointing upwards, its color is red, the corresponding fundamental mantra (bija) is RAM, its symbolic animal is aries, and the gods with which it puts you in touch are Shiva Rudra and Lakini, his Shakti.

"The yogi who concentrates intensely and meditates deeply on this chakra gets the power called satala siddhiethe: the ability to discover hidden treasures."

He "will not be affected by any phisical or mental disease, moreover he will not be absolutely afraid of fire.  Even if it is in the fire it will remain intact and alive, and it will have no fear of death; his will and strength will be astonishing ". (Shivananda)

4. ANAHATA CHAKRA - the chakra located in the heart area, within the sushumna canal. His physical correspondence is the cardiac plexus: it governs the heart.

12 nadis (or energetic rays), symbolized in the form of lotus petals, come out from this chakra. Its geometric form is the six-pointed star, its color is blue.  The corresponding fundamentalmantra (bija) is YAM, its symbolic animal is the gazelle, and the gods with which it puts you in touch are Isha and Kakini, his Shakti.

"The yogi who concentrates and meditates deeply on this chakra listens to the heavenly sound from Anahata chakra(Anahata Shabda, which is the sound of Shabda Brahman). The subtle element of air, which can be controlled at the level of this chakra, amplifies in the yogi sattva guna (the quality of harmony). The one who perseveringly meditates on this chakra completely dominates the subtle element of air (vayu tattva). He can easily split himself and fly into other marvelous worlds or lightly enter into the body of another, living completely the marvelous living of the other (perfect empathy); he becomes the instrument of the cosmic divine love and obtains all the other sattvic (divine) qualities ". (Shivananda)

5. VISHUDDHA CHAKRA- the chakra located at the base of the throat within the sushumna canal. It is the center of the subtle element ether (akasha tattva). His physical correspondence is the laryngeal plexus. 16 nadis, symbolized by lotus petals, come out from this chakra, whose geomtric form is the circle. Its color is indigo, the corresponding fundamental mantra (bija) is HAM, its symbolic animal is an elephant with six tusks, and the gods with which it puts you in touch are Sada Shiva and Shakini, his Shakti. "Intense concentration and deep meditation on the element (tattva) of this chakra is defined in the Yoga as the beatific, spatial expansion akasha dharana. The one who practices this form of meditation will neither disappear or die, even at the dissolution of the world (Pralaya). He obtains the intuitive perfect knowledge of the four Vedas thanks to the persevering meditation on this lotus. He holds the knowledge of the past, present and future and gains control of the mysterious energies of time (Trikala-Jnana) ". (Shivananda)

6. AJNA CHAKRA - the chakra is located in the space between the eyebrows, always inside sushumna nadi. In Western esoteric systems, this chakra is called "the third eye". His " lotus" has only two petals, it means that it radiates only two Its subtle color is gold-yellow, the corresponding fundamental mantra (bija) is AUM, the gods with which it puts you in touch are Paramashiva, which manifests itself in the form of Hamsa and its Shakti Hakini. This chakra, whose physical correspondence is the area of the forehead, is considered to be the center of consciousness. "The person who concentrates intensely and meditates deeply on this chakra could gradually destroy all the negative effects of his previous actions of this life or others (karma). This person becomes a great yogi and comes to be a freed in life (Jivanmukta). He obtains the eight great paranormal powers (Maha siddhi) and the 32 minor powers ". (Shivananda)

7. SAHASRARA – the chakra is located above the top of the head, outside the shell of the gross body beyond the upper end of sushumna nadi. As its name indicates, this CONNECTION AREA WITH GOD has 1000 petals or, in other words, it is endowed with a thousand nadis, and an infinity of other channels (nadis) come out from it.

The physical correspondence of this chakra is the brain, its mantra (Parabija) is STRICTLY SECRET- is an absolutely sacred sound. The 50 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, manifested as subtle energies (mantra), travel the thousands  petals of this supreme center (Sahasrara) which alone represents (when it is perfectly awakened) the totality of all the existing chakras and mantras. The Sahasrara Supreme chakra appears to be clearly superior to the other 6. It emits a bright and intense white light, like "ten million suns", and belongs to a higher level of reality than the other 6 chakras-Sahasrara is considered as an essential residence of Shiva, it corresponds to the Macrocosmic divine beatific consciousness.

"When Kundalini is intimately united to Shiva in Sahasrara, the yogi enjoys supreme happiness (Paramananda). He attains a state of superconsciousness and realizes the highest knowledge. Become a "yogi who instantly knows everything" (brahmavid-varishta, he is a wisdom man and a perfect jnani) ". (Shivananda)

Although it was developed thousands of years ago by Hinduism, the chakra system still plays an important role in Buddhism especially in the Tantric one. The system of chakras and subtle channels (nadis) is the same system developed by Kundalini Yoga. However, the associated symbolism (geometric forms, anymals etc.) largely belongs to Buddhist iconography. The practice of meditation developed from this system differs, in its fundamental aspects, from that of Kundalini Yoga.