Opening and activating your chakras contribute to your overall well-being and help your instincts join forces with your feelings and thoughts. According to Hindu
, Buddhist
, and Kabbalah belief, chakras (called Sephirot in Hebrew) are vast pools of energy in our bodies that govern our psychological qualities. [1]
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Expert Source
Karina Menali, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM
Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
Expert Interview. 25 August 2021.
So what happens if your chakras are blocked
or overactive? If your chakras aren’t balanced, it isn’t easy to find peace within yourself. To help you unblock and activate your spiritual chakras, we’ve put together a guide to becoming aware of the chakras, as well as a reliable technique designed to open them.
How to Open Your Chakras
Open your chakras through introspective activities like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation while visualizing your energy centers opening and balancing each other. Open your root chakra first, then slowly work your way up the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, Third Eye, and crown chakras.
Steps
Cleanse Your Spiritual Energy with this Expert Series
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat exactly is a chakra?Dr. Karina Menali is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, Faculty Member at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Owner of Kai Wellness. She specializes in holistic health, Chinese herbal medicine, and functional medicine. Dr. Menali also helps patients through emotional and spiritual trauma. She holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from The University of Massachusetts, Boston, a Master's from Emperor's College in Santa Monica, CA, and a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental MedicineExpert AnswerChakras are "energy centers" in your body that correspond with your glandular system.
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QuestionHow can I open my chakra naturally?Dr. Karina Menali is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, Faculty Member at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Owner of Kai Wellness. She specializes in holistic health, Chinese herbal medicine, and functional medicine. Dr. Menali also helps patients through emotional and spiritual trauma. She holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from The University of Massachusetts, Boston, a Master's from Emperor's College in Santa Monica, CA, and a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental MedicineExpert AnswerAccording to ancient Yogic practices, chakra centers can be activated through meditating, chanting mantras, doing specialized breathing exercises, using certain ayurvedic herbs, and doing physical exercises like yoga asana.
Video
Tips
- Try to meditate on a daily basis even if you don't have much time. It can be for as long as you want.Thanks
- When activating the "third eye" rub lightly in a circular motion around the area where the third eye chakra is located.Thanks
- Sit in a quiet and warm area. Treat this exercise as you would a meditation. During the summer, you could sit in a field or in a garden. During the winter, a warm room with no distractions. If you have a sauna, although few people do, it is an excellent place to sit, calm yourself, and clear your head.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Before attempting to open your chakras, it's wise to make sure you already have experience with meditation. If you're completely new to meditative practices, quickly diving into chakra work could be overwhelming or even backfire. Instead, take time to build a regular meditation habit first. Once you've trained your mind to focus and you understand how to direct energy through your body, you'll be ready to start exploring your chakras. Rushing the process rarely yields good results.
- When you are focusing on opening the heart chakra specifically, try visualizing people who are close to you and mean a lot — like family, friends, or a romantic partner. Picture their smiling faces and recall moments you shared together. Tapping into feelings of love and connection with those around you can help activate the loving energy of the heart chakra.
- When first learning to open your chakras, don't worry if you can't seem to master every single one in just one session. Be patient with yourself and understand it's a process that takes time, practice and consistency. Work through the chakras systematically, focusing on one at a time over multiple meditations rather than trying to stimulate them all at once.
- As you chant the mantra sounds associated with each chakra, remember the goal isn't perfect pronunciation. Don't get hung up on vocalizing the sounds just right. Instead, focus on the vibration you're creating and direct your intention to opening and activating that particular chakra. The mantras are meant to be a guide, but the power comes from within you.
- To get the most out of any chakra work, create an environment where you can completely concentrate without distractions and truly sense the energy flowing through your body. Maybe light some candles or incense, play soft music, or do whatever helps you relax. Having the right setting makes it much easier to go deep within yourself.
References
- ↑ Karina Menali, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM. Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental Medicine. Expert Interview. 25 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342562977_A_Brief_History_of_the_Chakras_in_Human_Body
- ↑ https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2018/10/15/chakras/
- ↑ https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2018/10/15/chakras/
- ↑ https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2018/10/15/chakras/
- ↑ https://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-ways-to-open-your-heart-chakra
- ↑ https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/vishuddha-chakra-balance-how-to-balance-your-throat-chakra/
- ↑ https://d-nb.info/1173516476/34
- ↑ https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/crown-chakra-divine-energy-of-sahasrara-chakra/
About This Article
To open your root chakra, which is related to how physically aware and comfortable you are with your body, use your body more by doing things like yoga, going for walks, or cleaning around the house. If you want to open your heart chakra, which relates to love and caring, meditate while holding your right hand in front of your heart and focus on how you want your life to change. Keep meditating until you feel completely relaxed. To learn how to open your other spiritual chakras, like your throat chakra, keep reading,
Reader Success Stories
- "I feel absolutely amazing. When I opened my crown chakra, I felt as if I was floating and not aware of my body at all. I am paraplegic and in a wheelchair, and this was best feeling. I want to do this again because i think my 3rd eye chakra is too open." ..." more