The 7 Chakras & The Subtle Body

The chakra system is one way of understanding the subtle body — the layers of experience that sit beneath and alongside the physical form. Rather than something to fix or activate, the chakras can be approached as points of awareness. A way of observing how attention, sensation, and experience move through us. This practice moves from earth to crown beginning at the base, where we meet stability, and
gradually expanding upward into awareness.

Each centre is explored through:

• A simple expression
• A mudra (gesture)
• A seed sound (bīja mantra)

There is nothing to force here — only a way of placing awareness with intention.

1. Mūlādhāra — Root

Name: Mūlādhāra
Colour: Red
Emotion: Safety / Fear
Sense: Smell
Expression: I am
Seed Sound: LAM
Mudra: Amitābha Mudra
Fingers interlaced, creating a bowl or basket. Palms face upward, thumbs lightly touching.
Hands rest low, near the seat.
Focus: Foundation, grounding, presence.
A simple recognition: I am here.

2. Svādhiṣṭhāna — Sacral

Name: Svādhiṣṭhāna
Colour: Orange
Emotion: Pleasure / Guilt
Sense: Taste
Expression: I feel
Seed Sound: VAM
Mudra: Yoni Mudra
Index fingers and thumbs extend to touch, forming a downward triangle. Remaining fingers
interlace.
Focus: Sensation, emotion, fluidity.
Allowing experience to move without resistance.

3. Maṇipūra — Solar Plexus

Name: Maṇipūra
Colour: Yellow
Emotion: Power / Shame
Sense: Sight
Expression: I do
Seed Sound: RAM
Mudra: Śiva Liṅga Mudra
Fingers interlace into a fist. The right thumb extends upward, with the left thumb and index
finger wrapping around its base. Hands are held at the solar plexus.
Focus: Action, will, direction.
Effort without force.

4. Anāhata — Heart

Name: Anāhata
Colour: Green
Emotion: Love / Grief
Sense: Touch
Expression: I allow
Seed Sound: YAM
Mudra: Kamala Mudra (Lotus)
Hands open, fingers spread and lightly connected at the base, like a blooming flower.
Focus: Openness, connection, acceptance.
Allowing what is present to be.

5. Viśuddha — Throat

Name: Viśuddha
Colour: Blue
Emotion: Expression / Suppression
Sense: Hearing
Expression: I reveal
Seed Sound: HAM
Mudra: Adho Mukha Mudra
Fingers interlaced, knuckles tuck under the chin. Thumbs press gently into the sternum, pinkies
lightly touching the chin, with the gaze lifting slightly upward.
Focus: Truth, expression, clarity.
Revealing what is real without force or performance.

6. Ājñā — Third Eye

Name: Ājñā
Colour: Indigo
Emotion: Insight / Illusion
Sense: Inner perception
Expression: I trust
Seed Sound: OM
Mudra: Namaskār Mudra
Hands together at the heart or lifted slightly toward the brow.
Focus: Awareness, perception, inner knowing.
Trusting what is seen clearly.

7. Sahasrāra — Crown

Name: Sahasrāra
Colour: Violet / White
Emotion: Connection / Separation
Sense: Beyond the senses
Expression: I am (expanded awareness)
Seed Sound: Silence
Mudra: Reverse Amitābha Mudra
Hands up overhead facing downward.
Focus: Stillness, openness, expansion.
Awareness beyond effort.

Closing Mantra

From this space, we gently introduce sound again:
Aham Prakāśa
(3 times in Sanskrit) Then:

“I am light”
(3 times in English)

A simple way to approach this practice

This is not about fixing, activating, or achieving anything.
It is simply a way of:

• Placing awareness
• Observing experience
• Moving from grounding to expansion

From:

I am → I feel → I do → I allow → I reveal → I trust → I am

Practice