How To Open Your Chakras: Meditations, Yoga Poses, & Activities For Each Energy Center

Are you looking for a holistic way to heal your body? If so, this article is for you.

We all have seven powerful energy centers running from the spine’s base to the head’s crown. These centers can be opened or closed, and their condition determines our health and well-being in many ways.

This article will reveal how to open your chakras through meditation, yoga, and other practices.

Ready to level up your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being? Let’s dive in.

How Do You Activate The Chakras?

Each of the seven chakras can be activated through yoga or meditation. 

Specific yoga postures stimulate life energy in a particular chakra. So if you’re working on one or more chakras, you can create a yoga sequence using asanas for those energy centers.

To open your chakras through meditation, you’ll need to use visualization techniques, mantras, and mudras for the specific chakras you’re working on. Moreover, as most of the chakras are associated with an element, doing activities that increase that particular energy in your body can also help.

So let’s look at how we can open each chakra.

How To Open The Root Chakra

The first chakra (Muladhara) is located at the base of the spine. It is responsible for our sense of grounding, safety, and security in ourselves and the world around us. It is also connected to our core needs, like shelter, food, and money.

As the root chakra is associated with the earth element, grounding, earthy activities can help to open and balance this energy center, such as:

Earthing (walking barefoot outdoors) Being in nature, particularly forests and woods Exercising outdoors, especially dense workouts like running or weight lifting Gardening

Root chakra meditation

For this meditation, sit cross-legged or stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart. If seated, become physically aware of the connection of your sitting bones to the ground. If standing, feel your feet firmly grounding you into the earth – you might find it helpful to shift your weight forward and back a few times to find your center.

Close your eyes and place your hands in the Muladhara mudra. To do this, bring the palms into prayer position, then interlace and bend the ring and little fingers. Next, join the tip of your index fingers and thumbs and turn them towards each other, creating a figure 8. Finally, point your middle fingers straight with the ends touching.

Bring your awareness to the root chakra at the base of the spine and envision a red ball of energy here. See the red energy flow around your lower spine and feel its power draw your physical body towards the earth. Maintain this visualization as you cant the mantra Lam three times.

Root chakra yoga poses

You can open the root chakra by choosing lots of grounding asanas. These include postures that focus on stability and the connection of the feet to the earth or those that lower the body toward the ground.

Tadasana (Mountain pose) Tree Pose Squat Pose (Malasana) Warrior 1 & 2 Humble Warrior Low Lunge Standing Forward Fold Chair Pose Seated Forward Fold

How To Open The Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra (Svadhisthana) is located in the lower belly, about two inches below the belly button. This center governs creativity and the senses. When energy flows freely, we can tap into maximum pleasure, sexuality, joy, and passion.

As the sacral chakra is linked to the water elements, water activities can help open it:

Swimming or bathing (natural waters like oceans and lakes are best) Drinking lots of water Meditating near water

Sacral chakra meditation

For this sacral chakra opening meditation, come to a seated position, close your eyes, and bring your hands to the Shakti mudra. With your palms together, straighten and touch the tips of the ring and pinky fingers. Then, curl the thumbs into the palms and wrap the index and middle fingers over them.

Hold the mudra close to the sacral bone and bring awareness to this region. Envision orange energy here, expanding and filling your entire belly. While visualizing, chant the mantra Vam three times.

Sacral chakra yoga poses

The sacral chakra is closely linked to the hip region, so asanas that open and stretch the hips are beneficial.

Lizard Pose Pigeon Pose Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana) Low Lunge Goddess Pose Squat Pose (Malasana) Wide Leg Forward Fold

How To Open The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra (Manipura) is located in the upper abdomen, a couple of inches above the belly bottom. This navel chakra is our inner fire, responsible for our confidence, self-esteem, courage, strength, and determination.

The element of the solar plexus chakra is fire, so activities that involve or build heat can help to open it, such as:

Vigorous exercise that builds up a sweat Sunbathing Walking outside in the sun Eating spicy food Sitting by a fire or fire gazing Energizing breathing exercises like Kapalabhati (breath of fire)

Solar Plexus meditation

For this meditation, sit on your knees or cross-legged. To increase yang energy, bring your right hand to the Rudra mudra by bending the index and middle fingers and touching them to the thumb. Then, extend and point the pinky and middle finger up.

Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the upper abdomen. Envision very powerful energy here, shining a vibrant yellow like the sun. See the powerful energy radiating and expanding to fill your entire lower body. Feel the warmth of this energy as you chant the mantra Ram.

Solar Plexus chakra yoga poses

Asanas that engage or stretch the core muscles or build internal heat are all excellent for the solar plexus chakra.

Boat Pose Plank Pose Forearm Plank Seated Twist Reclined Twist Bow Pose Locust Pose Revolved Triangle Pose

How To Open The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra (Anahata) is located in the center of our chest, serving as the bridge between the lower chakras and the upper ones. It is responsible for our ability to give and receive love. When open, you can access unconditional love, compassion, gratitude, inner peace, and joy and heal all emotional wounds.

The heart chakra is linked to the air element; thus, deep breathing is one of the best ways to open it. Try Nadi Shodhana or Square breathing to increase the air element and improve the flow of life force in the chest and upper body.

Heart chakra meditation

For this meditation, sit on your knees or cross-legged, ensuring a straight spine. Elevate the hips by sitting on a bolster or meditation cushion as the straighter the spine, the better the airflow in the lungs.

To invoke yin (heart-centered) energy, bring your left hand into Hridaya mudra.

Bend the index finger, tucking it into the root of your left thumb. Join the thumb to the tip of the ring and middle finger, pointing the pinky finger out.

Relax the mudra over your left knee and bring your right palm to the heart center. Close your eyes and envision emerald green energy in the center of your chest. Feel this green healing energy cleansing any emotional pain. Feel it transmute any negative patterns like judging, criticizing others, or holding grudges into unconditional love and compassion as the heart blossoms open.

Chant the heart chakra mantra Yam three times while continuing to visualize this healing green light.

Heart chakra yoga poses

Yoga poses that naturally open the chest are ideal for the heart chakra, so include lots of backbends like:

Camel Pose Wheel Pose Dancer’s Pose Bridge Pose Upward Facing Dog Wild Thing Bow Pose

How To Open The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra Vishuddha is located in the center of the throat at the top of the spine. It is our center of communication and self-expression.

When open, we express ourselves freely and confidently and are not afraid to stand up for our beliefs. However, if we have a blocked throat chakra, we may struggle to effectively voice our opinions, say what we really feel, or make our needs heard.

The element of the throat chakra is space/ether, but the best way to open this center is by using your voice, such as:

Singing Practicing affirmations out loud Chanting mantras Expressing yourself through writing and journalling can also be beneficial

Throat chakra meditation

For this meditation, sit on your knees in Hero’s Pose. You can place a small meditation cushion under your sitting bones to straighten the spine. Next, clasp both hands into Granthita Mudra with the left thumb underneath and interlace all fingers. Then join the tips of your left thumb and fourth finger, right thumb and index finger.

Rest the mudra on your lap while bringing awareness to the throat’s center. Visualize a light blue energy ball pulsating here, radiating its healing energy outwards. See this energy cleanse your throat and voice box, breaking up any blockages or stagnation.

Continue this visualization as you begin chanting the mantra Ham. Try to chant for at least one minute, feeling the throat clear a little more with each repetition.

Throat chakra yoga poses

Yoga postures that stretch the neck or open or compress the throat can help to activate the throat chakra.

Fish Pose Neck Rolls Neck Stretches Camel Pose Shoulder Stand Plow Pose Bridge Pose Cat/Cow Pose

How To Open The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra (Ajna) is located in between the eyebrows and is associated with intuition, inner wisdom, and imagination. When open, we experience total mental clarity, a solid connection to our inner voice, and the ability to “listen” to the universe through signs and omens.

Introspective activities like meditation, self-reflection, and journaling can help to open the third eye chakra. In addition, aromatherapy, crystals, and working with a reiki practitioner can help to prompt third eye activation.

Third Eye meditation

Come into a comfortable seated position and bring one or both hands to Gyan mudra, where the thumb and index finger touch gently and the remaining fingers point outwards. While holding this position, relax your hands on your knees and close your eyes.

Bring your awareness to the space between your eyebrows and envision an indigo-colored energy ball here. Then, see this energy expanding to fill your entire forehead and brain, clearing out any mental fog.

Chant the mantra Om three times then release the visualization and rest your awareness on your third eye. Notice any images or messages that naturally arise.

Third Eye chakra yoga poses

Any yoga pose that lowers the brain below the heart or adds gentle compression to the forehead can help to open the sixth chakra. Introspective yoga postures are also helpful.

Child’s Pose Standing Forward Fold Seated Forward Fold Dolphin Pose Headstand Lotus Pose Hero’s Pose Eagle Pose Legs Up The Wall Plow Pose

How To Open The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra (Sahasrara) is the last of the seven main chakras and the only one located off the human body, floating over the top of the head. It is the most spiritual chakra, associated with spiritual connection, enlightenment, and accessing higher states of consciousness.

When we open the crown chakra, we can let go of our egoic self and monkey mind. As a result, we feel connected to every being in the universe and experience a constant state of bliss.

Any spiritual practice is good for the crown chakra, such as meditating, chanting, yoga Nidra, or spiritual study. Finding time to be silent and do nothing, such as taking a retreat, is also beneficial for the seventh chakra.

Crown chakra meditation

For this meditation, sit cross-legged and take Gyan mudra, where the index fingers and thumbs touch gently, and the other fingers remain extended. Rest the back of the hands on the knees, so the palms are facing upwards, ready to receive from the universe. Drop your shoulders away from the ears and ensure your body is completely relaxed.

Bring your awareness to the top of your head and envision a bright white healing light coming down from the universe. See this white light penetrate your aura and physical body, entering through the crown of the head.

Watch as this white light fills your entire head, cleansing every cell. Then watch the energy move down to your shoulders, out to your fingertips, and down your spine to your hips, infusing every part of your body, including your internal organs, with powerful, high-frequency energy. Finally, see the light move down your legs to your toes.

Once the entire body is full of this white light, envision the energy moving back up, leaving through the top of your head, and returning to the universe.

Crown chakra yoga poses

Yoga postures that bring the top of the head to the ground, like the Headstand and Rabbit pose, are great for the crown chakra. Savasana and lotus pose can also help you access this energy center.

Final Thoughts On How To Open Your Chakras

Knowing how to open the spiritual chakras can help us heal our physical body, balance our emotions, and deepen our connection with the divine.

What’s more, energy healing is easier than you first think. By following the guided meditations above and including chakra-activating asanas in your yoga practice, you can enjoy a healthy, balanced chakra system with minimal effort.