By Jennifer McDougall
There are thousands of ways to heal your chakras using simple techniques that you can practice from home or in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. However, if you are unfamiliar with cleansing your chakras, it is essential to know what chakras are. They are energy sources that live within each of us. They are positioned within our core but are not visual to the human eye. This is because there are seven chakras, and each holds a spiritual power, according to ancient Indian beliefs.
- Root Chakra: Earth and Foundation (Smell)
Meditation Mantra: “Lam”
- It is located at the base of your spine and in your tailbone area.
- This chakra relates to survival, trust, safety, and family loyalty.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you feel physically fit?
- Are you able to put your thoughts into action?
- Do you accomplish most of your goals?
- Have you had self-destructive thoughts recently?
- Are you able to easily make a decision, or do you find yourself very indecisive?
How to strengthen your root chakra:
- Use aromatherapy oils such as cedarwood, lavender, vetiver, or patchouli.
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routines, such as yoga, cycling, jogging, hiking, or swimming.
- Surround and dress in the color red more often.
- Eat root vegetables.
- Listen to stimulating music with deep beats.
- Meditate in a comfortable and quiet space for 10 minutes.
- Walk barefoot in nature.
- Repeat affirmations such as “I am safe.” “I am.” “I belong.”
- Sacral Chakra: Water and Emotional Identity (Taste)
Meditation Mantra: “Vam”
- It is located in the lower abdomen about two inches below the navel.
- This chakra relates to creativity, manifestation, sexuality, pleasure, relationships, and learning to let go.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you feel emotionally stable?
- Are you hiding or trying to control your feelings?
- Do you feel creative?
- Are you experiencing jealousy?
- Are you feeling withdrawn?
- Are you dependent on someone else?
- Are you accepting gifts and love?
- Are you embracing the changes in your life?
- Are you truly living in the present moment, or are you holding on to something in the past?
How to strengthen your sacral chakra:
- Embrace sensations by cooking or testing a new meal.
- Watch an emotional movie.
- Take a hot bath with essential oils such as orange, jasmine, and rose.
- Listen to music with a soft variation of flowing sounds such as water, thunderstorms, and other natural sounds with a bit of bounce.
- Surround and dress in more orange clothing and décor.
- Visualize the color orange while meditating and using the “Vam” mantra.
- Practice letting go of unhealthy emotions and people that consume you.
- Solar Plexus Chakra: Fire and Energy (Sight)
Mantra: “Ram”
- Located in the upper abdomen.
- This chakra relates to personal strength, courage, fears of rejection, ambition, learning, and comprehension.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Are you having trouble focusing?
- Do you quickly lose concentration?
- Does your mind seem cloudy?
- Are you afraid of being alone?
- Do you have a lot of doubts?
- Do you find it difficult to trust people?
- Do you genuinely feel confident and comfortable within your skin?
How to strengthen your solar plexus chakra:
- Get in the sunlight.
- Clean out a messy room or closet.
- Set a few reasonable short-term goals.
- Incorporate the color yellow into your wardrobe and décor.
- Repeat affirmations such as: “I am powerful.” “I know who I am and where I am going!” “I love and respect myself.” “I am my person.” “I choose how to think and behave.”
- Use essential oils such as rosemary, lemon, peppermint, and ylang-ylang.
- Eat yellow foods, as well as grains and fiber.
- Heart Chakra: Air and Love (Touch)
Meditation Mantra: “Yam”
- It is located at the center of the chest, right above the heart.
- Allows you to love and give unconditionally. This chakra helps guide your relationships and enables you to forgive, trust, and let go.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you have difficulty saying “no” to people?
- Are you envious of what other people have?
- Are you dependent on someone else for your happiness?
- Do you feel hurt emotionally?
- Are you holding back from forgiving someone, or even yourself?
- Are you afraid of abandonment?
- Have you been betrayed by someone close to you?
How to strengthen your heart chakra:
- Eat more green foods.
- Use essential oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, and spearmint.
- Take a walk or a hike outdoors and enjoy the sounds of nature.
- Read a romance novel or watch a romantic movie in dim lighting.
- Spend time gardening.
- Wear or carry a green gemstone.
- Spend time with small children or animals.
- Try to forgive someone who has done you wrong and let go.
- Practice forgiving yourself for past mistakes.
- Add green décor to your home and office.
- Repeat mantras such as: “I am loved.” “My heart is full.” “I forgive myself.” “I am at peace.” “I am connected to everything in the universe.”
- Throat Chakra: Sound and Vibration (Hearing)
Meditation Mantra: “Ham”
- Located in the throat.
- Communication and self-expression of feelings.
- Relates to mania, overeating, and cigarette addiction.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you tell the truth often?
- Do you find it easy to express yourself through words?
- Do you find yourself talking too much and not listening to what others say?
- Are you afraid of speaking the truth?
- Can you express yourself freely without getting angry or feeling frustrated?
- Do you talk with optimism?
How to strengthen your heart chakra:
- Speak positively throughout the day.
- Respond to negativity with silence.
- Listen when someone else is speaking and wait 5-10 seconds before responding.
- Sing, sing, sing!
- Close your eyes and imagine the color blue.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Prepare for conversations you want to have with someone; then, when you have those conversations, you will be sure and more confident in what you want to say and allow your truth to be heard by a group or individual.
- Practice speaking the truth every day.
- Write a poem, short story, or create a blog to express yourself.
- Use essential oils such as peppermint, chamomile, and ginger.
- Third Eye Chakra: Light and Vision (“sixth sense”)
Meditation Mantra: “Om”
- Located within the forehead and between the eyes.
- Expand intellect, intuition, and spiritual insight.
- Relates to a poor body image, OCD behaviors, and addiction to any mood-altering substance.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you trust your intuition?
- Are you able to balance your imagination and fantasies with reality?
- Do you give yourself credit for your work, or do you lack self-pride?
- Are you often depressed or feel lonely?
- Do you have vivid dreams?
- Do you trust your thoughts?
- Are you open to other people’s points of view?
- Can you see beyond the surface of a particular situation?
How to strengthen your third eye chakra:
- Go stargazing.
- Meditate for 15-20 minutes in a comfortable and quiet space. While doing so, focus your attention on the center of your head at the same level and slightly above your eyebrows.
- Use essential oils such as patchouli, frankincense, jasmine, and myrrh.
- Listen to Mozart or Bach.
- Draw, or go out and practice photography.
- Keep a dream journal and write in it within the first 20 minutes of waking up. Then, write before you get up out of bed. It’s best to keep your dream journal on a nightstand beside your bed.
- Take a short break every hour (5 minutes) to breathe and center your thoughts.
- Imagine the best possible version of yourself, and then ask yourself how you can get to the place you want to be to be the person you imagine.
- Add the color indigo to your wardrobe and the décor of your home and office.
- Crown Chakra: Consciousness and Awareness
Meditation Mantra: Silence
- Located at the very top of the head.
- Meaning and identity.
- Relates to religion, prayer, depression, and anxiety.
Answer the following questions honestly to see if this particular chakra is blocked or unbalanced.
- Do you trust the universe?
- Do you often worry?
- Do you believe that all of your experiences hold a deep purpose in your journey?
- Do you think everything that happens in life is just random?
How to strengthen your crown chakra:
- Turn off the TV, radio, and computer to enjoy the beauty of peaceful silence.
- Go for a run outside and listen to your inner thoughts.
- Wear or carry with you a violet or white gemstone.
- Use essential oils such as lavender, jasmine, and armoise.
- Write down your dreams and imaginations.
- Meditate or pray.
- Practice deep breathing exercises to help calm and release your busy mind. Focus on pure bliss and the quietness around you.
- Help someone in need.
- Practice letting go of your ego.
Images via We Heart It
