A human being has many chakra points, but most schools of thought focus on anywhere from 7 to 12 main centers. It’s best to begin with the seven chakras that can be found along the spinal column.

Without worrying at first about a lot of detail, there is a great awareness exercise you can apply to help you discover your chakra points. Before beginning, you should sit, stand, or lie down in a comfortable position and allow your mind and body to relax as deeply as possible.

If you know one or more simple breathing exercises, meditations, or relaxation exercises, use this to help you attain a relaxed state. Once you are feeling peaceful and clear, play with the following awareness activity.

Focus first on your feet, and imagine warm energy rising quickly up into your legs and hips. Find the chakra center at the very base of your spine, between your anus and genitals. You’ll feel this area when you begin to focus on it. Allow your awareness to sit on this center - your base chakra - for several seconds and then imagine warm energy moving from here up through your pevlis.

Allow your focus to rest on the point just below your belly button. You’ll know it when you find it. This is your sacral chakra. Let your consciousness rest here for a moment and then push your attention further up your spine.

Now let your focus rest in the center of your solar plexus chakra, below your sternum. After a few moments let your attention move up to the center of your breastbone and relax it there on your heart chakra.

Next, imagine energy flowing up to the base of your throat. This, of course, is your throat chakra.

Next, find the point above and between your eyes, in the middle of your brow. This is the third eye chakra.

Focus your attention through this chakra for a minute or two, then allow your energy to flow out of the top of your head. The top and center of your skull is the crown chakra.

This very simple exercise is a great wat to begin developing sensitivity to your own chakra system. Further practice, and the study of arts such as meditation and Yoga, will enhance your awareness and lead you to greater understanding of the chakra points.