This is a complete summary of the Integral Chakra Psychology that has been developed by the Manthan foundation in Mumbai, India based on the principals of Swadyaya. The editor tried to condense all what he considers really important in order to create a good picture of the topic, including a case study to provide a better pictures of interconnections in between of the chakras.

Widely unknown in the west, chakra psychology has as much potential as the counselees have within themselves. The idea is to allow each individual, but in particular traumatized people to empower her/himself to be able to exploit all their own potentials at best in the least time, ruling out potential risks. Using these skills they can realize their potentials already within a very short time frame, and medium/long term protect themselves from getting re-traumatized and perhaps even completely eradicate many old and persistent trauma patterns. More information in appendix 1:

In the editors’ opinion, people suffering of C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or the so called DENSOS (Disorder of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified) can be helped much better.

We all have our habits that we acquired throughout life, many of them are counterproductive. So let’s learn to change them for something more positive as we often suffer. Swadyaya, or the more modern Integral Chakra Psychology shows us the way how we can reach this target in an efficient and fast way, and while doing it with the least effort and avoiding as good as possible getting hurt or obstructed. Furthermore, this method doesn’t require lots of financial resources and time. Most people who have suffered from trauma do not have money, time and even the strength to continue a long lasting therapy.

In western or classical psychology, it is a professional counselor who “guides” the counselee through the therapy. Swadyaya, if used appropriately, provides something like a map, a bird’s eye view that allows the person to find her/his way through life and it’s challenges.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The "Yoga Psychology Foundation / The Yoga Institute -Mumbai" and the editor of this document strongly recommends that you MUST NOT apply the "integral chakra psychology" to other people unless you have successfully completed the course and passed the necessary requirements and assignments to complete the "Integral Chakra Psychology Level 4" certificate as well as a MINIMUM REQUIREMENT of a TTC 500 or Ayush Level 3 Yoga Teacher Course

So how does chakra yoga work? This process has nothing to do with Yoga postures (asanas) or breathing exercices (pranayamas). It’s a method that makes our thoughts and mind more flexible. However, asanas and pranayamas are being used to support the process.
In our body there are according to the sages 100 energy centers, the so called chakras. But there are 7 main chakras that are the most important ones as they define major parts of our psychological energy. These and their psychological connection are the one that interest us:

1. Muladhara: connected to our security and survival
2. Swadisthan: connected to our comfort or comfort zone
3. Manipur: connected to power and influence
4. Anahat: connected to love and affection
5. Visshudhi: connected to self-confidence and expression
6. Ajnya: connected to intellect and intelligence
7. Brahmasastra: connected to higher reality or power we attribute to what isn’t within ourselves

It is most important to know and to be understood that all these chakras, in a way similar to everything in our life and a society are interconnected.

Case studies:

Additional note:

This file has been created to make people unfamiliar with the topic to understand Swadyaya without making it long and complicated.
Please let me know where clarification is necessary and please indicate what or why you do or you don’t understand. It would contribute to make this project work better and actually help victims like Carol.

Thank you very much

With kindest regards
Christopher

UNION PROJECT, The Yoga Institute / Manthan Foundation
Neuchatel, 25.10.2025

Appendix 1: Swadyaya in comparison to western psychology

Western Psychology mainly initiated by Sigmund Freud has a history of roughly 130 years as prior Indian colonization we look back to over 5000 years of yogic philosophy, knowledge and skills. During the British colonization practice of traditional Indian medical practices were prohibited and severely punished.

To be more in touch with this proportion, we could compare a student “studying” a science for 130 days (4 months) versus a professional with 5000 days (almost 14 years) of experience not surprisingly being rather proficient in it than the student. Unfortunately, often and not seldom for financial reasons eastern science is not given the credit it deserves, in particular when it comes to comparison to the west.

Appendix 2: Swadyaya requires much less resources than western methods

Swadyaya is a kind of map, a bird’s eye view to visualize our life that we can create and use for our particular circumstances. No need to mention that it would be much cheaper, accessible to masses learning to use and later rely on a “map” rather than having an “expensive personal guide”. In addition, as not every tourist guide is competent in every region, counselors are mainly competent in the field of expertise they have studied. In a similar way that the best guide in Mumbai would probably not find his own way through Tokyo, unless he has studied that city thoroughly or he has got a map that helps him. If the person who is supposed to be guided is able to read and interpret a map, a guide might become obsolete; the same applies to a large extent with Integral Chakra Psychology. And for people with C-PTSD this particularly true, as their biggest struggle is to trust others and that includes their counselors and therapists. Furthermore, Swadyaya allows if needed to keep information confidential and there are many people who don't want to share one or more secrets with anybody or are simply too shy to ask for help

Appendix 3: How does Swadyaya work and what’s the role of the therapist?

Swadyaya teaches us how we can plot a map that helps us on our path through life. It’s an easy undertaking and often it’s quite enjoyable and rewarding. With the example of a guide versus a map is perhaps the best way to explain it: To buy an item, let’s say medicine you need to know where and how to get, to buy it: The way to the pharmacy, which path or road and means of transport to use. A guide would for sure be able to bring you there, but that’d rather expensive, inconvenient and not permanently available, wouldn’t it? That’s why we have maps or in our days’ navigation apps in our smart phones or tablets where you find motorways, larger & smaller roads, paths, railway lines and many more useful things. Swadyaya or Integral Chakra Psychology, in a similar way would also provide information for the best possible path, the one through life. It can indicate the fastest, most comfortable, enjoyable & suitable road towards your goals in life. But most importantly, it helps to recognize obstacles, dangers or problem zones. First preventing to get in or lost in all these negative thoughts and situations that may obstruct us on our path, but also to find a way out if we are already entangled. And way too often having no “map”, no clue how to go through life we’re hitting our heads against one or many brick walls, sometimes for a lifetime.

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SUMMARY CHAKRA PSYCHOLOGY