Your chakras are the circular or centralized locations in your body where subtle energy channels converge. I am not an expert on chakras and am happy to share some of the basics of what I have learned about them to bring meaning to this week’s breath practice. There are seven chakras that are often associated with a color, shape, element, and crystal type:
The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is located at the base of your spine and is often shown as a red four-petaled lotus and is connected to the earth element. This is our life force energy and governs food, sleep, sex and self-preservation. Red jasper or black tourmaline are very nurturing for the root chakra and they ground and re-energize the body.
The Sacral Chakra (Svadhistana) is located at the pelvis and is often depicted as an orange lotus with six petals. It is associated with the water element for fluidity, adaptability, creativity, emotions, sexual energy, and the unconscious. The sacral chakra’s energetic function is to help us regulate our emotions and desires. Carnelian is a high energy and stabilizing crystal that is good for restoring vitality, stimulates creativity and encourages steadfastness. It is also known for helping with stabilization of shock and trauma.
The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) is located at the navel center and is often shown as a downward or upward facing yellow triangle and is associated with the fire element. A strong inner fire can help us digest both our food and our life experiences. Energetically, this chakra helps empower us to navigate our lives with strength and determination and to both process and eliminate what does not serve us, and let it go. Yellow jade, citrine or tiger’s eye energize and stimulate the body in a very mellow way to bring joy, happiness and stabilize your personality. They also help to release negative thoughts and soothe the mind.
The Heart Chakra (Anahata) is located at the heart center and is typically depicted as a green six-pointed star surrounded by 12 lotus petals. Spiritually, it is connected to the higher and indestructible self. It is associated with the air element and emotional qualities including peace, love and openness. Energetically is helps us tap into unconditional love. There are two crystals that are associated with this chakra: green aventurine which is a general harmonizer that heals and protects the heart and rose quartz for unconditional love where it purifies and opens the heart chakra.
The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) is located near the base of the throat. It is often shown as a blue downward-facing triangle inside a lotus with 16 purple petals. It is associated with the element ether (space) and connected to speaking one’s truth. Its energetic function is to help us find our authentic self-expression. Sodalight or blue kyanite crystals are used for communication and integrity to facilitate one to speak their truth and to bring emotional balance and enhance self-esteem.
The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) is located between the eyebrows and is often depicted as a transparent lotus with two white petals. It is the seat of the mind, the conscious and unconscious awareness. It is not associated with an element as it is considered “beyond” the physical elements. It is the center of intuition, vision, prophecy, imagination, inner knowing and self-assurance. This chakra helps us learn more about ourselves: emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Amethyst or lepidolite are very powerful protective crystals that cleanse the aura and balance the physical, mental and emotional self and help to alleviate sadness and grief.
The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) is located just above the crown of the head and is said to be the doorway into pure consciousness. It is often shown as a thousand-petaled lotus with a pinkish aura and is not associated with a physical element (considered “beyond”). It serves as a way of connecting to divine energy and is associated with our highest self as it helps us to function in a more enlightened way, cultivate self-mastery, and find a sense of connection with all. Clear quartz and selenite are master healers for many conditions and they have a cleansing effect on the entire body. They harmonize and align all of the chakras.
When was the last time you mindfully acknowledged each of your chakras? For me, I used to check in once in a while with my chakras that felt blocked and then I created a full chakra meditation as I made the decision to be more mindful of my chakras. For the daily practice presented below, I developed some quick breathing techniques aligned to common mantras for each chakra! This Practice can be enhanced by placing chakra healing crystals on your body as you perform this daily breathing ritual. You can choose one chakra per day or do each of these daily depending on how much time you have set aside for this Practice. I prefer to do one each morning, but they are easy and wonderful to do on a lunch break or to shift from work mode to evening activities.
The Practice:
1. Pick a place where you can BE authentic with yourself.
2. Get in the right Mindset! This means set time aside to transition from whatever you were doing to BE present with just you!
3. Sit comfortably in an upright position with your back straight. (If you have chakra crystals and have used them for healing you may want to lie down and place them on each of your chakras.) Although I am not a crystal healer, I thought it would be nice to add the crystal information in case you would like to enhance your experience…thank you Heather Honold for your knowledge on Chakra crystals!
4. Check in with your body and quiet your mind – take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth with a tone to release any negative thoughts or blocks. Repeat this at least 2 more times or until you feel as if you are in the zone.
5. ALL breathing below will be nasal (inhale and exhale through the nose only). If you choose to do one of these each day. Repeat the sequence three times and then journal your experience.
Root Chakra (Day 1)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I am grounded and connected to the earth
* I am open to new ideas
* I let go of my past
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color red and then exhale fully through your nose.
Sacral Chakra (Day 2)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I am kind and compassionate
* I feel good about my body
* I express my feelings in a positive way
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color orange and then exhale fully through your nose.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Day 3)
* Breathe in/out through nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I am enough and what I do is enough
* I love myself, I value myself, I trust myself
* I am powerful, magnificent and radiant
* I permit myself to fully enjoy everything that I do
* As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color yellow and then exhale fully through your nose.
Heart Chakra (Day 4)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I love and accept myself just as I am
* I deserve love, happiness, health and prosperity
* I give and receive love effortlessly and unconditionally
* I feel stronger, more alive and energized every day.
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color green and then exhale fully through your nose.
Throat Chakra (Day 5)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I easily speak my truth
* I easily express myself
* I own my power and I feel fully alive
* I am calm, confident and centered
* I trust that my life is unfolding exactly as it should
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color blue and then exhale fully through your nose.
Third Eye Chakra (Day 6)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I am passionate, powerful and productive
* I am guided by my inner wisdom
* I am connected to my highest truth
* I am at all times, safe, guided and protected.
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with the color purple and then exhale fully through your nose.
Crown Chakra (Day 7)
* Breathe in/out through your nose and then say the following mantras out loud.
* I honor my body as a temple of my soul
* I am love, I am joy, I am freedom, I am peace
* I am complete and one with the divine energy
* I am peaceful, whole and balanced.
As you take a deep breath in through your nose fill your body with white light and then exhale fully through your nose.
After each day’s Practice, reflect your experience in your breathwork journal.
Weekly Breath Challenge: Set aside at least 10-minutes each day this week to be with you…all of you and mindfully breathe to your chakra’s and journal all of it!
With love and gratitude …just breathe and let peace be your guide!
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