How to Unblock Chakras: A Guide

You aren’t sick, and life hasn’t thrown you for a loop. However, you still feel somewhat “off” and can’t figure out why. Have you considered that you may need to unblock your chakras? 

While unblocking your chakras might seem like magical mysticism, it could be precisely what you need. Science continues to learn more about the mind-body connection, holistic healing and how your emotions influence physical health. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to make a doctor’s appointment — this treatment is 100% DIY. Here’s your guide to how to unblock your chakras. 

What Are Your Chakras? 

The word “chakra” comes from the Sanskrit for wheel and refers to seven energy centers in your body running from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. These correspond to various nerve bundles and organs. 

When energy flows freely through your chakras, you experience a state of physical, mental and emotional balance. You feel happy, able to enter a “flow state” when working and capable of deep relaxation at rest. 

When your chakras become blocked, dis-ease signifies the problem. Sometimes, you might manifest physical issues, such as a chronically hoarse voice or ongoing tummy trouble. Other times, you might feel stuck, stagnant, unable to direct your energy to certain aspects of your life, like your relationships or work. 

Fortunately, it’s not hard to learn how to unblock your chakras. Interpreting your symptoms is the first step — the right physical activities and meditations can restore you to balance. 

1. The Muladhara or Root Chakra 

Your root chakra lies at the base of your spine. Men may feel its activation the most along their perineum, while women may experience the warmth of this “red” chakra within the vaginal opening. It symbolizes your connection to all other living things through the earth and your unique sense of physical identity. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Root Chakra 

Symptoms of an unbalanced root chakra include the following: 

• An abiding sense of uncertainty and instability
• Lack of ambition for personal growth 
• Frequent fear and panic
• A feeling of paralysis or being “stuck” without knowing how to move forward. 

Physical Activities to Balance Your Root Chakra

Physical activities to balance your root chakra include those that help you feel more like yourself. For example, you might go for a long run if you miss the sense of purpose you had when running cross country in high school. Conversely, you might clean out your closet and redo your wardrobe or treat yourself to a new cut and style. 

The best yoga poses for balancing your root chakra include plenty of, well, balance. Introduce a few dancer or tree poses into your flow, mindfully exploring how you feel as you ground your standing leg into the earth. 

Meditation to Balance Your Root Chakra 

A good mantra for balancing your root chakra is simply, “I am.” For this activity, write your own “I am” affirmations — such as, “I am strong,” or “I always choose kindness.” Recite them to yourself as you sit on your mat or perform a gentle Yin flow. 

2. The Svadhishthana or Sacral Chakra 

If nothing seems to bring you pleasure these days, you could have an unbalanced sacral chakra. This “orange” energy center sits in your low belly and encompasses your reproductive organs and lust for life, driving your emotional identity and pursuit of pleasure. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Sacral Chakra 

Symptoms of an unbalanced sacral chakra include:

• Inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia)
• Sexual problems 
• Unexplained weight gain or loss 
• Eating difficulties

Physical Activities to Balance Your Sacral Chakra

Physical activities to balance your sacral chakra should reawaken your lust for life. Examples include swapping massages with a partner or a friend or treating yourself to a warm bath or pedicure. If your appetite takes a hit, or you tend to overindulge in unhealthy foods, spending some time in the kitchen preparing nourishing meals can bring this energy center back into alignment. 

Yoga poses to balance your sacral chakra include triangle and revolved triangle and the Marichyasana series. 

Meditation to Balance Your Sacral Chakra

To unblock your sacral chakra through meditation, get yourself into a relaxed state using deep breathing techniques like 2-to-1. Then, draw to mind a time when you felt intense pleasure. Spend as long as you need recreating these physical sensations in your body, letting a lust for life rekindle your agni fire. 

3. The Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra 

Your solar plexus chakra lies between your belly button and rib cage. This “yellow” chakra represents your outward personality and what you stand for in the world. When it is balanced, it encourages you to leave your mark through your deeds. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra 

Signs of an unbalanced solar plexus chakra include:

• Stomach, liver or digestive problems 
• Depression and low self-esteem
• A sense that you don’t know “who you are” or what you stand for 
• Anger and perfectionistic tendencies

Physical Activities to Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra

Physical activities to balance your solar plexus chakra are those that assert your identity and help you make your mark. They might include dusting off your resume and drafting a cover letter if you feel stuck in a dead-end job but aren’t sure what other options you have. You might attend a networking conference or sign up for a class on something that fascinates you. 

Yoga poses to balance your solar plexus chakra include forward folds, drop-backs, and the upward bow or urdhva dhanurasana. 

Meditation to Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra

A fun meditation to balance your solar plexus chakra involves thinking back to childhood. Get into a quiet, contemplative state with deep breathing and think back to the “grown up” games you most enjoyed playing when young. Did you imagine yourself as a pilot, a teacher or a fireman? How can you include those childhood ambitions in your life today? 

4. The Anahata or Heart Chakra 

Your heart chakra is your center of love. It’s symbolized by green or pink. When it is in balance, you enjoy harmonious relationships with others. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Heart Chakra 

Symptoms of an unbalanced heart chakra include the following: 

• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Frequent breakups or arguments
• Excess stress, possibly panic attacks
• Loneliness 

Physical Activities to Balance Your Heart Chakra

Physical activities to balance your heart chakra are those that repair your relationship with yourself and others. Start by giving yourself some TLC. Then, if partnered, plan a date night where you give the other person your undivided attention. 

If single, reach out to an old friend or someone with whom you’d like to mend fences. Anyone can benefit from reconnecting with family members from whom you’ve become estranged for no reason other than time and distance. Yoga poses to balance your heart chakra open your chest, such as cobra and camel. 

Meditation to Balance Your Heart Chakra

Loving-kindness meditation is the best way to balance your heart chakra. Get into a meditative state and focus on someone for whom you feel unconditional love — it may be a precious pet. Focus on that emotion in your heart center, gradually letting it spread to others you know, strangers you don’t and, of course, yourself. You might also hold a piece of rose quartz while performing this exercise. 

5. The Vishuddha or Throat Chakra 

Your teal-colored throat chakra empowers you to speak your truth. When it’s unblocked, you find communication easy, sending off emails without raising eyebrows and giving your TED talk with nary a qualm. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Throat Chakra 

If your throat chakra falls out of balance, you may experience the following: 

• Difficulties in communication, confusion and mixed messages
• Frequent colds with sore throats 
• Technical issues like dropped calls and missed texts and emails 
• Hesitation and timidity in speaking up or speaking out of turn and encountering trouble 

Physical Activities to Balance Your Throat Chakra

Singing is a fabulous physical activity to unblock your throat chakra. Turn your car into your personal Radio City Music Hall and have at it — assuming you roll the windows up when cruising through quiet residential neighborhoods. 

Yoga poses to balance your throat chakra include plough pose and shoulder stand. 

Meditation to Balance Your Throat Chakra

Here’s another area where reciting affirmations can help. Write a series of affirmations that speak your truth, such as, “The power of love is stronger than the love of power” and, “Every human being deserves to speak their truth.” 

6. The Ajna or Third-Eye Chakra 

Your third-eye chakra governs your mental state and concentration. When this deep indigo energy center is balanced, you avoid emotional extremes and can focus on the task at hand. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Third-Eye Chakra 

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Frequent eye strain or headaches
• Fear of success 
• Arrogance or overestimating one’s abilities 

Physical Activities to Balance Your Third-Eye Chakra

Ironically, physical activities to balance your third-eye chakra involve giving your peepers a rest. Take your eyes on vacation by heading to your nearest park or green space, where you can gaze at nature’s irregular lines instead of the sharp edges and glowing screens typical of modern life. Getting in nature also helps you clear your mind and center your awareness on your breath.

Other activities to balance this chakra include mindfulness ones like coloring and gardening. Also, try activating your third eye in child’s pose by gently rolling the center of your forehead against your mat. 

Meditation to Balance Your Third-Eye Chakra

The best meditation for your third-eye chakra involves no thought at all. Try to focus your awareness only on your breath, perhaps repeating a simple mantra like, “Breathing in, I am aware that I am breathing in; breathing out, I am aware that I am breathing out.” 

If thoughts intrude, note them and let them go, returning your attention to your inhales and exhales. You might also hold a piece of amethyst while sitting on your mat. 

7. The Sahastrara or Crown Chakra  

As your root chakra connects you to the earth, your crown chakra joins you with the Universal energy of life and creation. Although represented by purple, its true color is the white light of creation itself. It’s also your seat of divine wisdom. 

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Crown Chakra 

Symptoms of an unbalanced crown chakra include:

• Destructive urges 
• Undefined rage, frustration and melancholy 
• A sense of disconnection from everything and everyone 
• Self-destructive tendencies 

Physical Activities to Balance Your Crown Chakra

Physical activities to balance your crown chakra include taking the best possible care of your body and mind. That means starting and maintaining a moderate, low-impact exercise program and eating a diet rich in whole foods close to their natural forms. 

It also includes dedicating sufficient time to rest by getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try winding down with a restorative yoga routine, beginning with shirshasana or headstand if it is comfortable for you to take that pose. 

Meditation to Balance Your Crown Chakra

The most effective meditation for unblocking your crown chakra reminds you of your divine purpose here on earth. If possible, retreat to your favorite natural location for this activity. Then, ask yourself, “why am I here,” and let your mind wander freely. 

Everything in nature exists to serve a higher purpose — the trees give us oxygen, the rain, water. Open yourself to what the Universe has to say as your guiding light. 

How to Unblock Chakras 

Could the lyrics of the Harvey Danger song “Flagpole Sitta” describe you? You’re not sick, but you’re not quite well? If so, your chakras could be out of balance. 

Fortunately, you can balance your chakras using the above tips. Identifying and treating the problem can help you regain a sense of happiness and purpose in life.