A chakra is an energy center. Each chakra is unique and is responsible for a number of physical and emotional functions. The traditional chakra model identifies seven distinct chakras, but other models identify twelve. For our purposes, we’re going to stick with the seven chakra system.
Our chakras are the gateway to our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. And when we learn how to open chakras and harmonize our energy, we feel happier, healthier, and better balanced. In this article, we will explore the 4 ways to open your chakras on your own:
Before we begin, you’ll need to understand what chakras are and how to identify which of your chakras may be blocked.
What are the 7 chakras and their meanings?
- Root Chakra or Muladhara – responsible for feelings of security and basic survival
- Sacral Chakra or Svadhishthana – pleasure, joy, desire, creativity, sexuality, emotional balance
- Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura – self-esteem, confidence, courage
- Heart Chakra or Anahata – emotional freedom, compassion, empathy, social relationships, love
- Throat Chakra or Vishuddha – honestly, faith, artistic expression, communication
- Third Eye Chakra or Ajna – perception, imagination, wisdom, decision making, intuition
- Crown Chakra or Sahasrara – bliss, enlightenment, spirituality, universal energy
How Do You Know If Your Chakras Are Blocked?
So, how can you tell if you have a blocked chakra? Great question.
Here are some of the telltale signs and symptoms that you’re suffering from one or more blocked chakras:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chronic depression or anxiety
- Mood swings
- Trouble communicating
- Difficulty connecting with others
- Feeling “stuck”
Which of my chakras is blocked?
Giving your chakras a little TLC all boils down to one thing: knowing which of your chakras are blocked. After all, if you want to put the knowledge of how to open chakras to good use, you’ll need to know which of your chakras need tending.
So, how can you tell which chakra you need to work on?
If something feels like it’s out of balance in your life, you can usually trace this imbalance back to an energy blockage in one of your chakras.
Are you having difficulty speaking up for yourself? Your throat chakra could be blocked. Do you suffer from chronic anxiety? Your root chakra could be out of whack.
How Do I Open My Chakras?
When it comes to learning how to open chakras on your own, there are a few different ways you can go about it:
1. Chakra meditation
This is perhaps one of the most powerful and reliable ways to open your chakras. But chakra meditation does require a more active approach than most. If you feel ready to take matters into your own hands, this is a fantastic place to start.
A guided chakra meditation will take you through the steps of focusing your energy where your body needs it most. It’s best to practice this more than once for lasting effects, but it’s worth it in the long run.
2. Intensifying mudras
Mudras are special hand positions that can help activate and open your chakras. Each chakra has its own corresponding mudra. You can practice mudras with focused intention on their own, but mudras are best practiced alongside a chakra meditation.
3. Cleansing mantras
Yet another way you can intensify the effects of your chakra meditation is by adding in some mantras.
Each chakra has an associated sound. By chanting the sound of chakra, you help activate the stagnant energy blocking the chakra you’re trying to open.
4. Chakra jewelry
When we interact with crystals, their energetic frequency influences ours. Certain crystals even have the potential to affect our physical and mental health.
Each chakra is responsible for a number of different physiological and spiritual functions. By wearing certain crystals or keeping them nearby in our homes, we can encourage the movement of energy through certain blocked chakras.
Here are the best stones to wear for each chakra:
Root Chakra: Garnet, onyx, red jasper, hematite
Sacral Chakra: Carnelian, orange zincite, amber, tiger eye, orange coral
Solar Plexus Chakra: Citrine, yellow sapphire, moonstone, sunstone
Heart Chakra: Rose quartz, green tourmaline, malachite, garnet, jade
Throat Chakra: Blue lace agate, lapis, azurite, sapphire
Third Eye Chakra: Sodalite, turquoise, opalite, pearl, blue topaz
Crown Chakra: Clear quartz, amethyst, diamond, white agate
1) The Root Chakra
This chakra is located at the base of the spine and represents one’s foundation and feeling of being grounded. It concerns survival issues, such as money, and food. How to open the root chakra:
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Allow the tips of your thumb and index finger to touch gently, in a peaceful motion.
- Now, concentrate on the Root chakra.
- Chant the sound “LAM”, silently yet clearly.
- Keep on taking deep breaths until you are completely relaxed.
2) The Sacral Chakra
This chakra is located near the lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel (or the width of three fingers). It concerns feelings of abundance, sexuality, and pleasure. How to open the sacral chakra:
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Put the left hand underneath the right hand, with the left palm touching the back fingers of the right hand.
- Allow the tips of the thumbs to touch gently.
- Now, concentrate on the Sacral chakra.
- Silently, chant the sound “VAM” until you are completely relaxed.
3) The Solar Plexus Chakra
This chakra is located in the upper abdomen, above the stomach. It concerns feelings of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Put your hands in front of your stomach, slightly below your Solar Plexus.
- Allow your fingers to join at their tips, all pointing away from you.
- Keep the thumbs crossed and straighten the other fingers.
- Now, concentrate on the Solar Plexus chakra.
- Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound “RAM” until you are completely relaxed.
4) The Heart Chakra
This chakra represents one’s ability to feel, give, and receive love. When blocked, love, joy, and inner peace may diminish.
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Allow the tips of your index finger and thumb to touch on both hands.
- Put your left hand on your left knee.
- Bring your right hand in front of the lower part of your breastbone.
- Now, concentrate on the Heart chakra, located just above the heart.
- Silently, but clearly, chant the sound “YAM” for about 10 minutes.
5) The Throat Chakra
This chakra is located in the throat and concerns communication, self-expression and feelings, and the truth.
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Cross your fingers on the inside of your hands, minus the thumbs.
- Allow the thumbs to touch at their tips, and point them up.
- Now, concentrate on the Throat chakra, located at the base of the throat.
- Silently, but clearly, chant the sound “HAM.” Keep chanting for about 5 to 10 minutes.
6) The Third-Eye Chakra
This chakra is located in the center of the forehead and concerns one’s ability to focus and perceive the big picture. It concerns intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to make decisions.
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Put your hands in front of the lower part of sternum.
- Keep your middle fingers straight, touching their tips and pointing away from your body.
- Keep the other fingers bent and touching at the upper two phalanges.
- The thumbs should point toward you and touch at the tips.
- Now, concentrate on the Third-Eye chakra, located a little above the center of the two eyebrows.
- Silently, but clearly, chant the sound “OM”. Keep chanting until your feelings are intensified.
7) The Crown Chakra
This chakra is located at the very top of the head and concerns inner and outer beauty, one’s connection to ‘Spirit’, and pure bliss. It’s the highest chakra.
- Assume a normal meditation posture.
- Put your hands in front of your stomach.
- Allow your ring fingers to point up, touching at their tips.
- Keep the rest of your fingers crossed, with the left thumb underneath the right.
- Now, concentrate on the Crown chakra located at the tip of your head.
- Silently, chant the sound “NG” for about 10 minutes. Make sure you chant it clearly.