I add the (trademark) because the phrase is claimed (along with “prana calendar,” “inner tuning” and other phrases) by Shyam Bhatnagar, who along with his one-time close companion Harish Johari were important influences in my life. I will not go into detail, but chose to break ties with Shyamji after he and his one-time protégé separated. I still hold in high value the ideas to which he introduced me, some experiences for which he was a catalyst.
He uses the term “micro-chakras” in the context of human development. Each of the seven (major) chakras has within it a sort of miniature version of each of the seven chakras. These 49 stages are further divided by the three major nadi-s (or channels – left, right and center – named ida, pingala, and sushumna respectively) through which they manifest, forming 147 micro-chakras. The micro-chakras take center stage in turn as the human organism develops. In the first year of life, energy goes down the right channel, then takes the next 42 or 49 years to go up the right channel (6 years per chakra for females, 7 years per chakra for males). Trauma in one’s life can form blocks in the then-developing micro-chakra.
I see correlations with this model of human development and Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” (no reference at hand). We start with a need for grounding, security (first chakra), then for relationship to family and friends (second), then ego and power (third), unconditional love (fourth), and so on.
I recommend the book Chakras / Energy Centers of Transformation by Harish Johari (Destiny Books, 1987) for extensive detail on the chakras and their meanings. It refers to the topic of this post to some degree in the descriptions of the “behavioral characteristics” of each of the chakras.
I (and many others) know Harish as Dada (“older brother”). He wrote many other books – on yantras, breath, ayurveda, Hindu myths – some child-oriented, massage, cooking, gems, numerology, and more. He was a master artist. Among other media, he used layered watercolors with washes between layers. He drew from classical sources to express the gods and goddesses that were often the subject of his paintings. His voice is available on CDs and other media.
Dada and Shyamji have sung sounds that can carry the listener to rarely-visited realms in the seas of the chakra energies.
Some of those who were close to Dada formed Sanatan Society, which has .org and .com web sites.
Publisher Inner Traditions has produced many of Dada’s books, and in 2009 a book by Shyamji with co-author David Isaacs, called Microchakras / InnerTuning for Psychological Well-being [Includes CD of InnerTuning Sacred Sounds].
I have Shyamji’s book but my interest in reading it or listening to the CD fell due to the afore-mentioned parting of ways. I do believe Shyam-ji’s understanding of chakras, sound, nad yoga, and such has great value.