How To Unblock Each Of Your Chakras
If you've ever engaged in energy healing, reiki, or even yoga, you may be familiar with the idea of the seven chakras of the human body. The concept of the chakra system has been traced all the way back to the most ancient Hindu text, known as the Vedas (via Yogapedia). Each chakra is said to represent a specific region of the physical body as well as a specific emotional or energetic state. The word chakra translates to wheel, and each one can be visualized as a spinning, bright, colorful disk of energy when open and aligned.
When each chakra is open, prana is free to flow from chakra to chakra and through the body freely, creating energetic harmony between mind, emotion, and body. Prana, according to Yoga Basics, is the pure life force energy that resides inside every living human body. If one chakra becomes blocked, it can become cut off from prana, resulting in physical and emotional symptoms correlated with that particular chakra's function. Here's your guide to understanding and unblocking each chakra.
Root Chakra
The root chakra sits at the base of the spine, encompassing the tailbone, colon, and pelvic floor. Its color is red, and it is associated with the element of earth. It functions as an energetic root or base, grounding you in security and reality. This chakra, as the body and mind's foundation, is associated with basic needs like shelter, food, water, financial resources, and safety. When the root chakra is open, you'll feel safe, confident, at ease, stable, and connected to the everyday grind of your life (via Yoga Journal).
When the root chakra is blocked, you'll find yourself feeling unstable, anxious, insecure, ungrounded, and unsafe. You may physically experience bladder issues, constipation, or lower back pain. To unblock it, follow a guided grounding meditation from an account like Great Meditation on YouTube. You may wish to hold a red jasper stone in your hand or against your lower pelvis as you meditate. Then, spend some time in mountain pose (via Yoga U).
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is located just above the root chakra, in the lower abdomen or the womb space. It is associated with the color orange and the element of water and encompasses the body's sexual organs. Sexuality, fertility, creativity, pleasure, and the processing of emotions are governed here. When this chakra is open, you will create freely and feel emotionally well and sexually expressed (via Healthline).
If your sacral chakra is blocked, you'll feel emotionally unbalanced and uncontrolled. You may experience hormonal issues that could result in low libido, fertility struggles, or menstrual disorders. To move the block through and out, connect with your raw emotions. You can do this through journaling, swamping, meditation, or even therapy (via Mama Gena). As you engage in these practices, keep a tiger's eye stone near you or on the center of your pelvis. In addition, experiment with goddess, pigeon, and bound angel yoga poses.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra is located just above the naval, near the stomach. It is represented by the color yellow and the element of fire and affects digestion and metabolism as well as self-worth and personal power. When this chakra is unblocked and flowing freely, you'll experience healthy self-esteem and move through the world expecting to be treated with respect by yourself and others (via Unlock Your Chakra).
When the solar plexus chakra is blocked, self-doubt will creep in. You might find yourself second-guessing your decisions, deferring to others, or even being taken advantage of. You may indulge in procrastination or become apathetic about your surroundings. Physically, look for symptoms like indigestion, heartburn, nausea, weight gain, and food intolerances. To unblock the solar plexus chakra, incorporate the element of fire into your meditation, journaling, or yoga practice. This might look like lighting a ritual candle, sitting or setting up your mat next to a fireplace or campfire, or using smoke cleansing. Keep a citrine stone or amber crystal nearby, recite affirmations of self-worth, and practice boat pose, as demonstrated by The.ginger.yogini on TikTok.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest and encapsulates lungs, breasts, thymus gland, and heart. It bridges the lower chakras, which manifest more physically, to the upper ones, which represent more of a spiritual or energetic flow, and governs love. This encompasses all forms of love, including self-love, familial love, platonic love, and love for humanity. It is not in any way limited to romantic love. This chakra's color is green, and it is associated with the element of air. When it is open, you'll feel capable of giving and receiving love with ease and experience deep compassion for others (via The Art of Living).
If your heart chakra is blocked, you will struggle to open your heart to others. Disdain or even hatred may take the place of love toward yourself and other people, and you will struggle to feel empathy for anyone. Jealousy and insecurity will appear in your relationships and put them at risk. To unblock your heart chakra, make a point of getting outside to walk or jog. The fresh air in your lungs will engage the air element, and the cardiovascular exercise will get your heart activated. In addition, add cobra pose to your yoga routine and consider wearing rose quartz against your skin, as advised by Rocky Mountain Oils.
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is, of course, located in the throat. It reins over communication, particularly through speaking. Physically, it is associated with the mouth, jaw, neck, thyroid, and larynx. It is the first of the upper three chakras, which are less physical and more spiritual or energetic in nature. This chakra is represented by the color blue and the element of sound. When it is clear and open, you'll feel able to communicate your needs and opinions with ease (via Anahana).
When the throat chakra is blocked, you will struggle to put your feelings into words. You may end up swallowing them and then feeling resentful when other people aren't able to take them into account. You might experience the physical symptoms of sore throat, thyroid problems, or neck pain and stiffness. In order to unblock your throat chakra, focus on affirmations that center around expressing your authentic self, as detailed by Goodnet. During your meditation or yoga session, repeat statements such as, "I express my feelings with ease." Incorporate a simple asana pose and consider holding an aquamarine crystal as you do so.
Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra is located between the eyes and rules your intuition. In your physical body, it governs the eyes, head, pineal gland, and brain. Its color is purple, and it is connected to the element of light. If your third eye chakra is open, you will feel connected to your inner knowing and your imagination. You can easily see the big picture behind every small decision and interaction, imagine scenes vividly, and may even experience clairvoyance (via Chakras Info).
When the third eye chakra is blocked, you'll feel unable to access your intuition. Often, this looks like attempting to intellectualize your problems rather than reaching inside yourself for the answer. You may experience anxiety, depression, headaches, dizziness, and neurological issues. To open the third eye chakra, spend time in the sunlight. Get up early, go outside and take in the sunrise. Then, try chanting, which can stimulate the pineal gland. Choose a mantra and chant it aloud while you meditate. Consider simultaneously holding an amethyst stone to your forehead, as advised by Healthline.
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is the highest chakra, located at the top of the head. It is believed to be the gateway to higher consciousness and divine energy. This chakra is represented by the color violet and is not associated with any worldly element. When the crown chakra is opened, you are capable of completely releasing your ties to the ego and accepting the truth of your true self and your place in the universe. However, this chakra is only opened for short periods and only through very specific practices (via Arhanta Yoga).
If you would like to try to open your crown chakra, grab a clear, cleansing crystal such as clear quartz or selenite, as prescribed by TheLawOfAttraction. Then, try following this guided crown chakra opening meditation from BrettLarkinYoga on YouTube. Finally, consider utilizing lavender essential oil by adding it to the air with a diffuser or placing a small amount directly on the top of your head while you meditate (via AromaWeb).