Scientific Evidence for the Existence of the Chakra System
Chakras are the spiraling energy centers of the body spoken of in the Vedic tradition. The most common interpretations highlight 7 main points along the length of the spine from the tailbone to the top of the head. Most of them correspond to the major glands within the body. This system originated in India more than a thousand years ago, with the recognition of these subtle energy centers being an integral part of yogic practices. The chakras can serve as a symbolic self-reflection tool for health on a body-mind-soul level. You might be wondering, do chakras exist? More than being symbolic, however, evidence for their actual existence has emerged in a laboratory setting within the last several decades.
Traditionally, the visualization of shapes called “yantras,” as well as the repetition of chants known as “mantras,” have provided a way to activate and tone the chakra centers. The connection to sound resonance made its way into a study known as the Rolf Study conducted by Dr. Valerie Hunt. Subjects were measured to determine their response to vibration, sound, and energy healing. They electronically observed how the chakra points reacted to these various types of stimulation; and reputable clairvoyant & energy healer, Reverend Rosalyn Bruyere, was invited into the room to see if she could sense any changes to the subject’s energy body.
A tone was played through headphones to a person laying on their back. Rosalyn was unaware when these tones would be playing. However, with repetition and accuracy, her readings would match the increased activity of electronic feedback that was registered on the machine, connected to the chakras of the the subject via wires. The machine was also hidden from her view.
She sensed that the chakras would “open up” or grow and brighten, in unison with the tones being played to the subject. Further testing proved this worked in reverse as well. Reverend Bruyere sent healing energy with the intention to open up the chakras of the individual. The electronic reading produced the same signals of frequency witnessed in the previous experiment, confirming that energy work can measurably impact these energy centers of the body.
The correlations continued into colors, as Bruyere described a green energy surrounding the activated heart chakra – its traditional color in the chakra system. The electronic reading of the heart point measured at 300Hz. When this tone was played back to the individual (again, unbeknownst to Bruyere), she would accurately confirm increased pranic activity in the heart region.
Dr. Hunt even observed changes in the electronic frequency and wave pattern of the chakras when Bruyere would merely focus on them. The readings from these tests were so consistently accurate that Dr. Hunt now knew how to measure the health of the chakras using electronic means alone. This study confirms the relationship between tone, energy healing, and the chakras that the Yogis have spoken of since ancient times.
Could this subtle energetic aspect be part of the reason why yoga is known to be more restorative for health than many other forms of activity? The word “yoga” comes from a Sanskrit root “yuj” which means union, or to join, with the greater divine intelligence within you. On the physical level, yoga is an excellent way to strengthen and tone the body while improving circulation and flexibility. Mentally and emotionally, the practice promotes stress relief through relaxation, combined with a focus on messages of kindness and compassion.
“Today, many people identify yoga only with asana, the physical practice of yoga, but asana is just one of the many tools used for healing the individual[...] other components of yoga including conscious breathing, meditation, lifestyle and diet changes, visualization and the use of sound, among many others. In Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines an eightfold path to awareness and enlightenment called ashtanga, which literally means “eight limbs”. The eight limbs are comprised of ethical principles for living a meaningful and purposeful life; serving as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline, they direct attention towards one's health while acknowledging the spiritual aspects of one's nature.”
The original teachings emphasize the importance of tone, sound, and color in the practice of true yoga. Yoga has shown promise as a lifestyle that helps to reduce the risk of many of today’s greatest health challenges, including heart disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, and other stress related conditions. It seems to provide relief specifically to conditions that are physically linked to chakra locations, although it’s benefits are not limited to these conditions alone. Ultimately, it is possible that chakra balance could truly be a factor in one’s overall well being, and there are traditional and now electronic means to assist in attaining this level of health and activating your light body.
Sources:
Life Force: The Energetic Basis, Claude Swanson, Ph.D.x
A Study Of Structural Integration From Neuromuscular, Energy Field & Emotional Approaches, Dr. Valerie Hunt and Wayne Massey, UCLA Dept. of Kinesiology, 1977
Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Yoga and its Ability to Increase Quality of Life, Catherine Woodyard, Int J Yoga
