What is a chakra?

In this section, TECHNICAL FOUNDATIONS, we’ll be exploring the key concepts you need to understand how energy actually moves in the body.

This isn’t abstract theory. These are practical maps that support your tantric practice.

Physical and energetic

We have a physical body and we have an energetic body. And we have ways that energy—sexual energy, life energy—circulates around these bodies.

Now, returning to the non-dualistic nature of reality—the energetic body and physical body are both separate and one.

There are various maps of how the energetic and physical body relate to each other, linked to various traditions.

In the tantric tradition, you would use a map called the chakra system.

A chakra can be understood as a ‘node’, a point that can be located in or near the physical body, where energy can more easily be absorbed or released.

Points where energy gathers

We have many chakras in many locations throughout the body. Yet generally when people talk about chakras in the west, we are referring to seven main energy points in the body: the root chakra (Muladhara), the sacral chakra (Svadhisthana), solar plexus chakra (Manipura), the heart chakra (Anahata), throat chakra (Vishuddha), third eye chakra (Ajna) and crown chakra (Sahasrara).

You can understand these seven chakras as ‘nodes’ which connect the many less-well-known chakras, much like nerve clusters in the body.

Receiving and giving

It’s important to understand that there is no separation between energy, information and awareness.

Each chakra can be conceptualized as being in either a ‘plus state’ giving or transmitting energy or a ‘minus state’. These states are not fixed or linked to whether you have a male or female body. Each chakra, with training and attention, can be shifted from a positive to a minus state and the other way around.

We can receive or give energy from any chakra.