9

www.CSEcenter.org

want to be mentally and emotionally 

calm, especially just before starting to 

meditate. 

•

 Sit upright. Inhale deeply. Exhale. 

Relax. 

•

 With a finger, close the right nostril. 

Inhale smoothly through the left 

nostril. Pause for a moment.

•

 Close the left nostril and exhale 

smoothly through the right nostril. 

Pause for a moment. 

•

 Inhale through the right nostril. 

Pause. Exhale through the left 

nostril. 

•

 Do this ten consecutive times. Then 

inhale deeply, exhale and relax. 

Notice that you are more calm and 

centered. 

In the following descriptions of 

characteristics related to the seven 

chakras, the tastes, colors, and sounds 

are produced by their unique life 

force (prana) frequencies. The tastes 

may be experienced in the throat and 

mouth; the subtle colors and sounds 

may be perceived when one is medi-

tating. These colors and sounds are 

mentioned in ancient yoga texts.

•

 First chakra, at the base of the spine, 

has the earth element attribute. The 

taste is sweet. The color is yellow. 

The sound is as the buzzing of bees. 

Sanskrit muladhara, "foundation." 

Characteristic influences are mental 

and emotional stability.

•

 Second chakra, at the sacral region 

of the spine. Water element. The 

taste is astringent. The color is  

white. The sound is like that of  

a flute. Sanskrit swadhisthana, 

"abode of ordinary self-conscious-

ness." A common characteristic is 

sensualness.

•

 Third chakra, at the lumbar region 

of the spine opposite the navel. Fire 

element. The taste is bitter. The 

color is red. The sound is like that 

of a harp. Sanskrit manipura, "the 

city of gems." When awareness is 

related to this chakra, one may have 

self-control and fervent aspiration to 

spiritual growth.

•

 Fourth chakra, at the dorsal region 

of the spine between the shoulder 

blades. Air element. The taste is 

sour. The color is blue. The sound 

is like a continuous peal of a gong. 

Sanskrit anahata, "unstruck sound." 

When identified here, one has 

mastery of the senses and life forces.

•

 Fifth chakra, at the cervical region of 

the spine, opposite the throat. Space 

element. The taste is pungent. The 

color is gray or misty with sparkling 

points of white light. The sound 

is like an ocean's roar. Sanskrit 

vishudda, "pure." When awareness 

is identified here, one may have 

exceptional powers of intellectual 

and intuitive discernment. 

•

 Sixth chakra, between the eyebrows, 

the spiritual eye center associated 

with the front lobes of the brain. 

Life forces flowing upward and 

focused here may be perceived as