Acting with Chakras - An Overview of the Chakra System
Using Chakras in Acting is a deeply powerful tool. The first step is understanding what the Chakras are and their meaning.
Put very simply, the Chakras are clusters of nerves throughout your body. We have thousands and thousands!
The 7 Major Chakras are those areas in the body where there are bigger clusters of nerves. They send, receive and express life force energy.
Guaranteed you have felt your Chakras speaking to you in some moments - felt a frog in your throat when you were emotional, felt heaviness in the chest in grief, or a pull in the stomach when you’re anxious.
We as humans hold our energy in a very specific way, particularly how we express through each Chakra centre.
Similarly, your character is going to express in a specific way, and most likely it will be different than you!
Identifying how YOU express through the Chakra, then assessing how your CHARACTER may express through the Chakra, is key to embodying character that is rooted in truth + impulse.
Here’s a brief overview of the 7 Major Chakras and their themes . And because I love etymology, their meaning derived from their Sanskrit terms! :) If you’d like to dive in further - access the FREE Acting with the Chakras Mini Course!
SOME HISTORY:
Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “Wheel." The Chakra System has been a guide for mystics and yogis since the Tantric period of yoga philosophy in 500-1000AD, originally in the roots of Hinduism first appearing in the Vedas - composed between 1500–900 BCE.
The Chakra System was brought to the west in the 1800's and has evolved in it's understanding and usage, with the concept of the 7 main Chakras beginning in the 1920's - 1970's.
Chakras are bio energy centres, or clusters of nerves, that receive, interpret, and express life force energy. If the human has 2 states of existence - physical and subtle body (or psychological states) - the Chakras can be considered a mapping in the subtle body that webs into the physical body. Our emotional expression, physical health, and how we connect with others can be said to be reflected in the condition of each Chakra. The 7 Chakra System itself is an archetypal map to wholeness.
ROOT CHAKRA
Muladhara - mula, meaning ''root,” with adhara, meaning “support” or “base.”
Located at the base of your spine, lowest part of your torso. Includes legs and feet. The foundation of the Chakra system. Connected to our sense of security in the world, survival, self-esteem, shelter and food, the material things in life, and making money. Theme: Survival Body: Coccygeal Plexus Colour: Red Element: Earth Sense: Smell
SACRAL CHAKRA
Svadisthana - In Sanskrit sva, means “one’s own," & adisthana, meaning “home” or “dwelling place." Svad also meaning “to taste with pleasure” or “enjoy."
Located in the curve of the sacrum. Connected to sexuality, sensuality, procreation, passion, emotion, self worth, pleasure and creativity. Area associated with the gut and second brain. Theme: Sexuality Body: Sacral Plexus Colour: Orange Element: Water Sense: Taste
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
Manipura - In Sanskrit mani means “gem,” and pura means “city.” or combined “city of jewels.”
Located in the upper stomach area just below the rib cage (behind the navel). Connected to our sense of personal power and the ego. This is where our energy comes from when we compete, protect, control, transform, and make choices. Our will and drive to be unique and create the life we want. Theme: Power Body: Solar Plexus Colour: Yellow Element: Fire Sense: Sight
HEART CHAKRA
Anahata - In Sanskrit meaning "unstruck," or "unhurt"
Located in the area of your heart and chest. Connected to unconditional love, self love, compassion, acceptance, joy, unity with all living things and grief. The center of the system, integrating mind and body, yin and yang, the upper Chakras and lower Chakras. Theme: Love Body: Cardiac Plexus Colour: Green Element: Air Sense: Touch
THROAT CHAKRA
Visuddha - In Sanskrit, shuddhi, means “pure,” and the root, vi, intensifies the word; making vishuddhi mean “especially pure.”
Located in your throat. This is the bridge Chakra which connects the head and the heart, and permits us to express our deepest truths. Connected to creative energy, communication, and self-expression. Theme: Communication Body: Pharyngeal Plexus Colour: Blue. Element: Sound Sense: Hearing
BROW CHAKRA
Ajna - In Sanskrit means “perceive,” “command” or "beyond wisdom."
Located just above and between your eyebrows. Also known as The Third Eye. Connected to your intuition, perception, deep wisdom, clarity, the archetypes and spirituality. Point of visualization and imagination. Theme: Intuition Body: Carotid Plexus Colour: Indigo Element: Light Sense: Intuition
CROWN CHAKRA
Sahasrara - In Sanskrit means "thousand petaled."
Located at the top of your head and just above. Is thought to be our gateway or connection to higher consciousness and our life purpose. Ruler of our belief systems. Theme: Consciousness Body: Cerebral Cortex Colour: Violet Element: Thought Sense: Beyond Senses
This is all just a jumping off point. Happy researching! Hope this is helpful!
xo Missy
Ps. To learn more about the Chakras and how they can help you in your life and acting, sign up for a Level 1 Acting with the Chakra class, or to the MAW Online - Go at your own pace course!
Wanting to test the waters first? Access the FREE Acting with the Chakras Mini Course!
Any questions? Comment below :)
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