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Do you often dream of sleeping better, being energetic, and having a healthy body? Even though it is not a regular dinner table conversation, most people find the nuances of the endocrine system a tad bland. However, even if a single gland is out of balance, it can affect the entire body's functioning.
According to Ayurvedic principles, the endocrine system works not only in the physical realm of nature but also in the psychological realm. Hence, nurturing your body to support the proper functioning of such glands is key to your well-being.
According to Ayurvedic texts, the functioning of each hormonal gland is associated with the chakras (basic building blocks of our core energy centers).
The Sanskrit term 'chakra' was first mentioned in Ayurvedic texts dating from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C, which translates to wheel or vortex. According to Yogic terms, it translates to 'wheels of light' wherein wheels have been a vital part of evolution.
Your body is a network of veins, arteries, and nerves - all connected to the organs. As vortexes of vital energy, the spinning chakras are connected to the network of nadiyan (channels) throughout the body.
The prana (life force or vital energy) flows through these channels. Three significant nadis that run down the spine - ida, pingala, and sushumna are associated with the chakras. The nadis also establish a relationship between the heart, mind, and subtle body. Daily, two essential body systems that interact with the chakras at every moment are the nervous and endocrine systems.
Although one can't find the chakras in the sthul sharira (physical body), they are well-connected with their functioning. They help regulate the physical, emotional, and spiritual sense of being while influencing certain conditions or illnesses. Anatomically, the chakras run along the spinal column right from the top of the head down to the tailbone and represent the nerve plexuses.
While the endocrine system may seem complex, Ayurveda's comprehensive understanding of this system helps understand it from a scientific perspective.
In general, Ayurveda does not use the word 'hormones' but dhatu Agni (fire element in the tissues) that the blood carries.
Overall, the endocrine system is a network of glands. They are responsible for producing, distributing, and regulating the mediators known as hormones in the body. When released into the bloodstream, these hormones help the body function while maintaining internal homeostasis. The endocrine system 'connects' with other systems in the body and controls factors such as growth, development, sexual energy, illnesses, physical energy, and mood swings.
As per Ayurvedic scriptures, the universe is said to be panchabhutic, i.e., made up of five essential elements - Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Jal (water), Vayu (air), and Aakash (space). The human body is also made up of these very elements. While a number of the activities in the universe are conducted by Agni or Tejmahabhuta (fire element), the hormones, too, have the properties of this very fire element.
Vedic texts say that the human body consists of 109 chakras; amongst them, seven are the most essential, and the wonders of light and color shimmer, rotate, and vibrate while feeding off subtle life energies to form an aura.
The seven main chakras in the body swirl, expand, and contract as invisible energy spheres in alignment with the universe. Depending on their size, structure, dimension, and spinning capabilities, they rotate at different frequencies while interacting with one another. As master programs running in our bodies, chakras have other characteristics that control your growth and well-being while helping to regulate your emotional and physical well-being.
According to Ayurvedic scriptures, there are six classic chakras in the body referred to as the Shad Chakras, where shad means six. There are stacked on top of one another at regular intervals, interspersed across the spine. The seventh chakra is placed just above the crown of your head. All seven chakras attract and trap energy from the external universe.
All seven chakras, or vital energy centers, co-relate with the human body's endocrine glands. As per research, the chakras are defined in the following ways:
Endocrine System: Adrenal Glands
Secretion of: Corticosteroids and Catecholamines
Aura: Red
Natural Element: Earth
Location: Guda sthanam (anal region) or tip of the backbone. It governs the back, feet, legs, and spine.
Organs Associated with it: It mainly affects the large intestine and rectum, i.e., the genito-urinary system. There is some influence on the kidneys, fat cells, and muscular system. It stimulates the fight or flight response in the body.
Imbalance Causes: It can lead to eating disorders, chronic back pain, low energy, and emotional disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Endocrine System: Ovaries or Testicles
Secretion of: Estrogen and Progesterone in women and Testosterone in men
Aura: Orange
Natural Element: Water
Location: Linga sthanam or Linga Mulam (genital region) or a few inches above the navel.
Organs Associated with it: Primarily works in association with the liver, kidneys, and lower abdomen. It mirrors the potential of life in the human body.
Imbalance Causes: It leads to very low or high libido, loss of appetite, and dysfunction of the urinary system.
Endocrine System: Pancreas and Adrenal Glands
Secretion of: Insulin
Aura: Yellow
Natural Element: Fire
Location: Naabhi (naval region)
Organs Associated with it: It governs the stomach, respiratory system, lower back, digestive system, liver, and spleen. This chakra is responsible for the cause of diabetes.
Imbalance Causes: It causes pancreatitis, digestive problems, allergies, low self-esteem, and self-confidence.
Endocrine System: Thymus Gland
Secretion of: Thymosin and T-lymphocytes
Aura: Green
Natural Element: Air
Location: Hridaya (around the heart)
Organs Associated with it: It governs the heart, respiratory system, circulatory system, immune system, shoulders, and upper back. It is also known for its healing properties.
Imbalance Causes: It manifests heart conditions, lung disorders, immune deficiency problems, and emotions, such as sadness and anger.
Endocrine System: Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
Secretion of: Thyroxin
Aura: Blue
Natural Element: Ether
Location: Kanta (near the throat or vicinity of the larynx)
Organs Associated with it: It is associated with the vocal cords, throat, mouth, teeth, jaws, and ears. It also converts food to energy.
Imbalance Causes: Laryngitis, mouth ulcers, frequent headaches, ear infections, and indecisiveness.
Endocrine System: Pituitary Glands
Secretion of:Somatothropins, Gonadotropins, Oxytocin, Melatonin
Aura: Indigo
Natural Element: Light
Location: Bhru Madhya (between the eyebrows)
Organs Associated with it: It governs the nervous system, brain, eyes, nose, and sinuses. It is associated with intellectual activities.
Imbalance Causes: It causes ear and eye problems, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, and rigid thought processes.
Endocrine System: Pineal Gland
Secretion of: Melatonin and Serotonin
Aura: Violet
Natural Element: Thought
Location: Top of the head or crown
Organs Associated with it: It governs the cerebrum, top of the spinal cord, nerves, and pain center.
Imbalance Causes: It causes ear and eye problems, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, and rigid thought processes.
The endocrine system in your body functions together to control the hormones that circulate throughout it. Even in this balance, a slight disturbance can result in multiple health conditions. If your body is healthy, the chakras go into equilibrium, and energy flows harmoniously. Since your chakras are deeply rooted in the endocrine glands, any blockage or disruption in energy flow affects physical and mental well-being. This is caused due to an imbalance in the wheel of energy.
The chakras in the human body function like a pendulum. Even if a single chakra is not working to capacity (overworking or underworking), the body will begin to show signs of imbalance (physically or emotionally). Factors such as stress, inflammation, injury or infection, lack of sleep or exercise, or even poor diet impact the balance of your hormone levels while disrupting the chakras.
When the endocrine system is disrupted, the entire body's spiritual, psychological, psychosomatic, and physiological functions get affected. Typical symptoms you may notice are fatigue, lower immunity, sudden or unexplained weight loss or weight gain, hair loss, arthritis, depression, and digestive issues.
When one or more chakras become overactive, underactive, or blocked, it can affect you physically and emotionally. Certain Vedic scriptures highlight ways to balance and harmonize the chakras in the human body:
Pranayama or Breathwork
It helps control the gross breath, thus managing the Prana and maintaining the mental and physical forces of the universe.
Aromatherapy
Through abhyanga (massage), you can use essential oils to soothe the chakras and stimulate energy flow while experiencing natural healing.
Yoga
Several yoga poses rooted in ancient tradition (such as the tree pose, mountain pose, boat pose, and cat/cow pose) are aimed explicitly at unblocking specific chakras, giving way to the free flow of energy.
READ MORE: Relationship Secrets Of The Chakras | How to Use the Primordial Sounds of the Chakras for Healing
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