Chakras and Glands
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The Endocrine System
Commonly, each of the bodys basic seven chakras is associated with
specific locations on the body, such as the heart, the throat, or the crown
of the head. But when you look at a chakra chart, you dont see the
underlying network of glands (and their nearby organs) governed and
influenced by the chakra system.
The function the chakras is very intricate in that it is an energy system
that communicates with the body via biological systems, such as the
endocrine glands and nervous system, to keep it balanced and healthy.
For the purposes of this article, lets take a closer look at the association
between the chakras and endocrine systems.
The Endocrine System
On its surface, the endocrine system seems quite complex. But when you
break it down into its individual parts, it isnt so bad.
Overall, this network of glands is in charge of producing, regulating and
distributing hormones throughout the body. Released into the
bloodstream, hormones play a pivotal role in the bodys ability to
mature, metabolize nutrients, and function.
Historical Perspective on Chakras and Glands
It seems that no direct correlation was made by Indian traditional chakra
systems between glands and the chakras. However, modern literature
from both the Western and Eastern cultures highlights the connection
between each the primary chakras and the endocrine and nervous
systems, as well as organs.
According to Patricia Mercier in The Chakra Bible, two Western
figures started to imply that the position of the 7 primary chakras
coincides with the locations of nerve plexi, endocrine glands and organs.
Leadbeater, one of the first to shed light on the chakra system in the
West, and Alice Bailey, theosophist and teacher of esoteric knowledge at
the beginning of the 20thcentury, both started outlining the connections
between the chakras and the biology of the human body.
The 7 Chakras and Endocrine Glands
Each of the chakras in the body is paired with an endocrine gland and
governs its function. So before we go any further, here are each of the
chakras, their corresponding gland, and their function:
Crown
Pineal gland; regulates biological cycles, including sleep
Third Eye
Pituitary gland; produces hormones and governs the function of
the previous five glands; sometimes, the pineal gland is linked to
the third eye chakra as well as to the crown chakra
Throat
Thyroid gland; regulates body temperature and metabolism
Heart
Thymus gland; regulates the immune system
Solar Plexus
Pancreas; regulates metabolism
Sacral
Adrenal glands; regulates the immune system and metabolism
Root
Reproductive glands (testes in men; ovaries in women); controls
sexual development and secretes sex hormones
How Chakras and Glands Work Together
Disturbances in the subtle energy of the chakras translate into physical
manifestation and symptoms who are likely associated with the
corresponding glands and organs. It is not to say that chakras are
physical or physiological in nature. They are considered as energy
centers that influence our being at many levels, including the physical
and biological levels.
Whenever one of our energy centers is thrown off balance by a blockage,
physical maladies can happen. It is important to remember that chakras
function on the same principle as a pendulum. If one of them is
underactive or overactive, signs will start to manifest that its out of
rhythm. Chakra balancing is in order.
The disturbance is felt either at the level of that specific or the level of
another chakra or set of chakras connected to it. For instance, when the
throat chakra is blocked you may experience sore throat, neck pain, or
laryngitis. Similarly, when the heart chakra is out-of-sorts, high blood
pressure and heart-related problems can arise.
Connections between the Chakra and Glandular Systems, e.g.
Pituitary Gland Chakra
There are two chakra glands that serve to regulate overall glandular and
biological function: the pituitary gland chakra and pineal gland chakra.
The pituitarys main function is to regulate body chemistry. Located
between the eyes, this pea-sized gland regulates emotion and intellect
and works in partnership with the pineal gland to achieve overall
balance.
Pineal Gland Chakra
Essentially, the cone-shaped pineal gland governs and (when necessary)
inhibits pituitary gland function. It is the balancing of these two glands
that helps facilitate the opening of the Third Eye.
Thymus Gland and the Heart Chakra
The chakra associated with the thymus gland is the Heart chakra or
Anahata. It is located at the center of the chest, at the level of the collar
bones. In chakra healing, its a useful area to regulate as it influences the
state of the nervous system and helps calm agitation.
A simple technique to use to interact with the thymus gland, it to tap
lightly with the tip of your fingers, either at the center of the chest at the
collar bones level, or on each side about 3 to 4 inches away. The first
technique calms the nervous system, the second one tends to brings the
level of energy up.
Chakras and Organs
In addition to each chakra governing one of the seven glands, keep in
mind there are major organs that are also affected. Here is a list of each
chakra and the organs it influences:
Crown
Spinal cord and brain stem
Third Eye
Eyes, pituitary and pineal glands, brain
Throat
Bronchial tubes, vocal cords, respiratory system, all areas of the
mouth, including tongue and esophagus
Heart
Heart, lungs
Solar Plexus
Intestines, pancreas, liver, bladder, stomach, upper spine
Sacral
Bladder, prostate, ovaries, kidneys, gall bladder, bowel, spleen
Root
Testes, kidneys, spine
Chakra Healing and Glands
If you want to lead your chakra healing work at the physical level,
endocrine glands are useful reference points. They represent a
connection between the energetic nature of the chakras and the physical
and physiological functions of the body.
Note that another useful entry point in balancing the energy body is the
nervous system and its multiple nexi, most of them associated with
glands and organs. To prepare a healing session, it can be useful to relax
and balance the nervous system and then target a gland or a specific
region of the body.
We can regulate the function of the chakras through breathing exercises,
meditation, relaxation techniques, but also diet and exercise. By acting at
the physical level, we support chakra functions are multiple levels, not
only physically, but also psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
By working on one chakra, we also affect the entire chakra systems
balance.
References & Quotes
Cyndi Dale. The Complete Book of Chakra Healing: Activate the
Transformative Power of Your Energy Centers
Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. The Hidden Power in
Humans Chakras and Kundalini
Patricia Mercier. The Chakra Bible: The Definitive Guide to
Chakra Energy
