From Chakras to the Spine Health: Bridging Yoga Philosophy with Chiropractic Biophysics®
The practice of yoga is often rooted in the joining of mind, body, and spirit. We often separate any correlation between yoga and modern science; each viewed from a distinct lens, but what if we’re viewing this all wrong? What if the ancient world and the scientific world have more in common than we thought? Speaking the same language, just different dialects? And yet, they meet at a profound and powerful intersection: the spine.
Yoga teaches us that energy flows through channels in the body, often known as nadis, and that our chakras, or energy centers, align along the central channel of the spine. When the organs corresponding to each chakra function in balance, they operate optimally. Meanwhile, Chiropractic Biophysics® (CBP), a research-driven spinal corrective care system, emphasizes restoring the natural posture and biomechanics of the spine to optimize nervous system function. When the spine is in it’s natural state, nerve endings that connect to the organs of the body support healthy function.
Let’s explore how balancing chakras through yoga and aligning the spine through CBP may be two sides of the same coin, both seeking harmony, flow, and health.
Chakras: Energy Centers Along the Spine
In yogic philosophy, the seven main chakras are located from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra governs physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities:
Root Chakra (Muladhara) – stability, grounding (L5–S1 region)
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – creativity, sexuality (L4–L5)
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – willpower, digestion (T10–T12)
Heart Chakra (Anahata) – love, compassion (T2–T6)
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – communication, truth (C6–C7)
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – intuition, vision (C1–C2)
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – consciousness, divine connection (top of skull)
Each chakra corresponds not just energetically but also anatomically to key nerve plexuses and endocrine glands, suggesting a strong mind-body connection that modern science is just beginning to understand.
Chiropractic Biophysics: The Science of Spinal Alignment
CBP is not your average spinal adjustment approach. It is the most researched, evidence-based form of structural chiropractic care, focusing on postural correction through precise measurements, mirror-image adjustments, and spinal traction techniques. Its goal? To restore the spine to its ideal S-curve, thereby removing interference in the central nervous system.
Why does this matter? Because the nervous system IS the communication highway of the body. Misalignments—also known as subluxations—can compress nerves, reduce blood flow, and disrupt messages between the brain and body. This can lead to physical symptoms and affect emotional and energetic balance.
The Link: Where Energy and Structure Meet
Here’s where the yoga and CBP worlds converge:
✅ Chakras align with vertebral levels. For example, emotional imbalances in the heart chakra may reflect physical tension in the mid-thoracic spine—a region CBP frequently corrects to improve posture and breathing capacity.
✅ Spinal alignment affects energy flow. In yoga, blockages in chakras are thought to restrict prana (life force). Similarly, CBP suggests that poor spinal curves restrict neural signals. Whether it’s “prana” or “nerve flow,” the principle is the same: alignment supports vitality.
✅ Breath and posture are mutually reinforcing. Yoga uses pranayama to clear energetic blocks. CBP, through thoracic spine adjustments, can improve lung function. This synergy means that improved breath patterns—central to both practices—are more accessible when the spine is structurally aligned.
✅ Emotions live in the body. Trauma and stress are stored somatically, especially along the spine. Yoga seeks to release them through movement and awareness; CBP aids by restoring the structural integrity necessary to support that release.
A Complementary Practice
Imagine combining your weekly yoga practice with CBP spinal care:
After a CBP session that restores cervical curve and decompresses the neck, you may notice a freer flow during ujjayi breath and clearer meditations targeting the throat or third eye chakras.
With an adjusted and open thoracic spine, heart-opening postures like Camel Pose (Ustrasana) or Fish Pose (Matsyasana) feel more expansive—physically and emotionally.
Stabilizing your sacral and lumbar curves through CBP may support pelvic floor engagement in yoga and unlock suppressed energy in the sacral chakra.
Both systems remind us that healing is multidimensional. Structure supports function. Alignment supports awareness. And when we approach the spine as both a physical and energetic axis, transformation becomes deeply integrative.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re stepping onto your mat for chakra-balancing Hatha class or onto the CBP table for a structural realignment, you’re tapping into a profound truth: the body is intelligent, and healing occurs when we restore its natural flow—be it through nerve signals or energetic currents.
By embracing both science and spirit, we gain a deeper, more holistic understanding of the self—one vertebra, one breath, one chakra at a time.
How could these approaches support your healing journey? Book a discovery call with Marilyn to explore a personalized integrative approach through coaching and movement. Special thanks to Dr. Marco and Dr. Tim for introducing me to this amazing technique that supports my healing journey. To learn more, visit The Chiropractic Source and speak to an expert about Chiropractic Biophysics®.
