The Chakra System: Theory, History & Practice

Explore the chakra system through the lens of yoga, tantra, and the subtle body. This series takes you beyond the modern chakra model to explore the history, philosophy, energy, and consciousness behind these powerful teachings. Learn how chakras relate to prāṇa, nāḍīs, kuṇḍalinī, liberation, and manifestation, then dive into each of the seven major chakras and their traditional symbolism and qualities. A deeper foundation for understanding chakras and bringing this knowledge into your yoga practice.

Lessons

Work through them in order.

Lesson 1Introduction to Chakra Theory
Video12 min
An introduction to the chakra system and its place within the broader philosophy of yoga and the subtle body. Explore what chakras are, where the teachings come from, and how different traditions understand these centers of energy and consciousness.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 2The History & Origins of the Chakra System
Video4 min
Trace the development of chakra teachings from early tantric traditions to the modern systems familiar to yoga practitioners today. Discover how ideas about chakras have evolved and why there is no single, universal chakra system.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 3How Chakras Work: Energy, Consciousness & the Subtle Body
Video12 min
Explore how chakras are understood to function within traditional yoga and tantric frameworks. Learn about the relationship between chakras, nāḍīs, prāṇa, kuṇḍalinī, consciousness, and embodied experience.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 4Working with the Chakras: Healing, Balance & Transformation
Video13 min
Examine what it means to work with the chakras through yoga, meditation, breath, mantra, and awareness. Rather than treating chakras as something to simply “fix,” explore traditional approaches to transformation, purification, balance, and energetic practice.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 5The Currents of Liberation & Manifestation
Video13 min
Explore the two fundamental movements of tantric practice: the ascending current toward liberation and the descending current toward manifestation and embodiment. Discover how these complementary movements shape our understanding of kuṇḍalinī, consciousness, and the chakra system.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 6Svādhiṣṭhāna Chakra: Desire, Creativity & Flow
Video21 min
Explore Svādhiṣṭhāna, traditionally associated with water, movement, desire, pleasure, and creative energy. Examine its symbolism and place within the ascending movement of consciousness.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 7Maṇipūra Chakra: Power, Transformation & Fire
Video26 min
Explore Maṇipūra and its relationship to fire, transformation, will, vitality, and personal power. Understand its traditional symbolism and how the chakra is situated within the broader process of energetic and spiritual transformation.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 8Anāhata Chakra: Heart, Love & Inner Connection
Video25 min
Explore Anāhata, the heart chakra, through its traditional associations with air, compassion, devotion, love, and connection. Investigate the significance of the heart as a meeting point between different dimensions of the subtle body.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 9Viśuddha Chakra: Purification, Expression & Space
Video28 min
Explore Viśuddha, traditionally associated with purification, space, sound, and expression. Discover the role of mantra, vibration, and speech in tantric and yogic understandings of this chakra.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 10Ājñā Chakra: Perception, Insight & Consciousness
Video22 min
Explore Ājñā, the “command” center, and its relationship to perception, insight, meditation, and awareness. Examine the symbolism of the third eye and the movement from sensory perception toward subtler forms of consciousness.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 11Sahasrāra Chakra: Crown, Transcendence & Liberation
Video18 min
Explore Sahasrāra and its unique place within chakra traditions. Examine themes of transcendence, unity, pure consciousness, and liberation, while considering why Sahasrāra is understood differently from the other chakras.Locked — subscribe to unlock
Lesson 12Conclusion: Bringing the Chakra System Together
Video3 min
Integrate the teachings of the chakra system and revisit the relationship between energy, consciousness, embodiment, liberation, and manifestation. Reflect on how these teachings can inform a deeper understanding and practice of yoga beyond the modern chakra model.Locked — subscribe to unlock