Opening and balancing your chakras is an important part of overall wellness. Chakras are energy centers in your body that correspond to specific areas and organs. Keeping your chakras open and aligned promotes physical, mental and spiritual health.
What are chakras?
Chakras are energy centers located throughout your body that connect your physical and spiritual being. The word “chakra” comes from the Sanskrit word for “wheel” or “disk,” representing the spinning energy vortices. There are seven main chakras located along your spine, starting at the base of your spine and going up to the crown of your head.
Each chakra corresponds to specific organs and glands in your body and is associated with emotional, mental and spiritual states of being. When your chakras become blocked due to stress, emotional turmoil, physical problems or other issues, it can affect your health and well-being. Keeping your chakras properly aligned and open is important for optimal health.
The 7 main chakras
Here are the 7 main chakras and their associations:
| Chakra | Location | Associated with |
|---|---|---|
| Root chakra | Base of spine | Safety, survival, grounding |
| Sacral chakra | Lower abdomen | Emotions, pleasure, creativity |
| Solar plexus chakra | Upper abdomen | Willpower, self-esteem |
| Heart chakra | Center of chest | Love, relationships, compassion |
| Throat chakra | Throat | Communication, self-expression |
| Third eye chakra | Between eyebrows | Intuition, wisdom |
| Crown chakra | Top of head | Spirituality, connection to divine |
Signs of blocked chakras
When one or more of your chakras is blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to the chakra. Here are some potential signs of blocked chakras:
- Root chakra: Insecurity, anxiety, depression, immune system issues
- Sacral chakra: Sexual problems, creative blocks, relationship issues
- Solar plexus chakra: Low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, digestive problems
- Heart chakra: Heart disease, difficulty giving or receiving love, loneliness
- Throat chakra: Thyroid issues, trouble self-expressing, laryngitis
- Third eye chakra: Poor intuition, sleep disorders, mental fog
- Crown chakra: Spiritual disconnectedness, apathy, lack of life purpose
If you notice any of these symptoms, it may indicate one or more blocked chakras that need attention.
How to open your chakras
There are many techniques you can use to open, align and balance your chakras. Trying a combination of these methods can bring each chakra into harmony.
1. Use crystals
Certain crystals and gemstones have energies that correspond to specific chakras. Placing these crystals on the associated chakra or holding them during meditation can help open and cleanse blocked chakras.
| Chakra | Crystals |
|---|---|
| Root | Hematite, garnet, red jasper |
| Sacral | Carnelian, orange calcite, tiger’s eye |
| Solar plexus | Citrine, amber, yellow calcite |
| Heart | Rose quartz, green aventurine, jade |
| Throat | Sodalite, blue lace agate, lapis lazuli |
| Third eye | Sapphire, amethyst, purple fluorite |
| Crown | Clear quartz, selenite, diamond |
2. Use essential oils
Essential oils also carry certain vibrational energies that correspond to the chakras. Rubbing oils associated with each chakra on the appropriate area of your body can promote opening and flow.
| Chakra | Essential oils |
|---|---|
| Root | Cedarwood, patchouli, ginger |
| Sacral | Ylang ylang, jasmine, sandalwood |
| Solar plexus | Juniper, lemon, grapefruit |
| Heart | Rose, jasmine, neroli |
| Throat | Lavender, sage, geranium |
| Third eye | Clary sage, clove, peppermint |
| Crown | Frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood |
3. Use breathing exercises
Specific pranayama and breathing techniques can help direct energy to each chakra area. Visualize the breath moving in and out of each chakra for cleansing and energizing effects.
- Root: Deep, earthy breaths in through nose, out through mouth
- Sacral: Focus on abdominal breathing to stoke inner fire
- Solar plexus: Imagery of breathing in confidence and courage
- Heart: Breathe in love, breathe out gratitude
- Throat: Chanting, humming or singing helps open throat
- Third eye: Alternate nostril breathing balances left/right energy
- Crown: Meditative, slow rhythmic breathing
4. Use yoga poses and exercises
Certain yoga postures and exercises stimulate specific chakras.
| Chakra | Yoga poses |
|---|---|
| Root | Mountain, standing poses, squats |
| Sacral | Forward folds, bridge, cobbler’s pose |
| Solar plexus | Camel, bow, boat pose |
| Heart | Cobra, fish, eagle pose |
| Throat | Shoulder stand, plow, wheel |
| Third eye | Child’s pose, yoga nidra |
| Crown | Lotus, headstand, meditation |
5. Chanting
The vibrations created by chanting mantras corresponding to each chakra can help open, align and purify them.
- Root: LAM
- Sacral: VAM
- Solar plexus: RAM
- Heart: YAM
- Throat: HAM
- Third eye: AUM/OM
- Crown: NAM
You can also chant the color associated with each chakra.
6. Visualization
Guided meditation and visualization are useful techniques for balancing the chakras. Picture each energy center with its associated color, element, symbols or imagery to bring alignment.
- Root: Red, earth, square
- Sacral: Orange, water, crescent moon
- Solar plexus: Yellow, fire, triangle
- Heart: Green/pink, air, hexagon
- Throat: Blue, sound, circle
- Third eye: Indigo, light, dot
- Crown: Violet, thought, lotus
7. Eat balancing foods
Some foods have natural energies that resonate with specific chakras. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help open and align the chakras.
| Chakra | Foods |
|---|---|
| Root | Protein, nuts, beans, potatoes, beets |
| Sacral | Sweet fruits, coconut, vanilla, honey |
| Solar plexus | Grains, yellow veggies, chamomile, turmeric |
| Heart | Leafy greens, avocado, green veggies, chia |
| Throat | Mint, celery, blueberries, grapes |
| Third eye | Dark berries, red grapes, wine, chocolate |
| Crown | Pineapple, purple veggies, lavender |
Conclusion
Keeping your chakras properly aligned is key for optimal physical health, mental clarity and spiritual well-being. When energy becomes blocked in any chakra, it can manifest in corresponding imbalances in your body or psyche. Using a combination of crystals, essential oils, breathing exercises, yoga, chanting, meditation and food can help open, balance and align each chakra.
Pay attention to any signs of imbalance and focus your chakra-balancing efforts where needed. With regular practice, you can keep your energy centers tuned up and flowing smoothly.