Communication. Authenticity. Integrity. Calm. These are the cornerstones of your throat chakra, the energy center that allows you to speak your truth with clarity and confidence. Below is the complete beginner’s guide to all things Vishuddha, or your throat chakra. Discover the signs of an imbalanced throat chakra, and learn methods to balance and heal. Plus, affirmations and journal prompts! (And if you need a refresher on what a chakra is, be sure to check out my overview here.)

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page for some awesome freebies! You’ll receive 35 free printable affirmations and 30 journal prompts to open and heal the throat chakra. Don’t miss these powerful healing tools!

Introduction to Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra

Have you ever left a conversation feeling like you didn’t really say what you truly wanted to say? Or maybe you were part of a team or group, and even though you had some really great ideas, you found yourself shrinking back, too fearful to speak. Do you want to be a better communicator, but you’re not sure how or where to start?

If you’ve consistently encountered these types of moments throughout your life, let me tell you: I absolutely, 100%, unequivocally get it.

This has been a big part of the narrative that has shaped much of my life.

Without a doubt, the one chakra I’ve experienced the most substantial imbalances in throughout my life has been the throat chakra.

The throat chakra is your energy center for communication. A balanced throat chakra allows us to speak with clarity and confidence.

But communication is only one aspect of this energy center.

Honesty, integrity, and authenticity are all integral components of a balanced throat chakra.

With a balanced throat chakra, you don’t just communicate.

You communicate your authentic truth while remaining true to yourself and your guiding principles, no matter what others may say or think.

Why Balancing the Throat Chakra is Important

Your voice matters.

You have a distinct set of skills and gifts combined with a unique history that nobody else on this planet shares. Because of this, you possess a perspective that only you can possibly have, as you’re the only one who has ever experienced what you have been through.

And there will be moments and situations that arise in your lifetime when your unique perspective is very, very badly needed.

Your voice is important. You can offer insight into situations that others may not see on their own. So for the world as a whole, your voice and your words are very much needed.

But it’s not just important for the world.

It’s important for you.

Because a balanced throat chakra means you live as your authentic, true self. It means staying true to your values and remaining centered, no matter how hard external forces may try to push you. It means living a life of integrity and abiding by your own moral principles.

And that is everything.

Because in all of these components comes joy, peace, freedom, and the courage and confidence to create the beautiful, wholehearted life you deserve.

Throat Chakra Attributes

• Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha (“Especially pure” or “Purest”)
• Location: Throat/Center of Neck
• Color: Light Blue
• Body Parts: Throat, Thyroid, Teeth, Mouth, Jaw, Neck, Shoulders
• Symbol: Sixteen-petalled lotus with a downward facing triangle inside a circle
• Element: Ether (Sky/Space)
• Mantra: HAM
• Gemstones: Blue Lace Agate, Turquoise, Sodalite, Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Topaz
• Essential Oils: Basil, Cypress, Peppermint, Chamomile, Coriander, Juniper, Eucalyptus

Signs of a Balanced Throat Chakra

Clear, effective communication is at the center of a balanced throat chakra, but this doesn’t only mean speaking your truth; it means being an engaged listener as well. When it comes to effective communication, there’s always a give and take, and that means understanding the balance between when you should speak and when you should step back and listen to what others have to say.

Authenticity is also at the foundation of a balanced throat chakra. Authenticity means staying true to what feels right to you, even when it’s not popular. It also means shedding the illusion of perfection and allowing your true, imperfect self to be seen. This can be scary, because it requires you to be vulnerable, but there is power and strength in living your truth and opening yourself up to others.

And most of the time, when others see you living your authentic truth, it gives them the courage and confidence to do the same.

Here are some of the signs of a balanced throat chakra:

• Communicative
• Calm
• Honest
• Peaceful
• Decisive
• Expressive
• Patient
• Authentic
• True to oneself
• Centered
• Good listener
• High level of creative expression
• Possesses high level of integrity
• Speaks with clarity and confidence

Signs of an Imbalanced Throat Chakra

An imbalanced throat chakra can go in two directions: it can become underactive, or it might even become overactive. (This is true for all of your energy centers.)

With an underactive throat chakra, you may become withdrawn and have difficulty expressing yourself. With an overactive throat chakra, you might talk over others and choose gossip over deep conversations.

These are some of the signs of an imbalanced throat chakra:

• Excessively Shy
• Withdrawn
• Difficulty expressing oneself
• Mumbles often
• Indecisive
• Dishonest
• Critical
• Impatient
• Moody
• Gossipy
• Loud
• Talks out of turn
• Inappropriate
• Interrupts
• Poor listener

Physical Signs of an Imbalanced Throat Chakra

In addition to spiritual, emotional, and mental blockages you may experience from an imbalanced energy center, you might also experience physical symptoms as well.

For the throat chakra, these physical symptoms most often are felt in the throat and mouth areas.

Here are some of the physical symptoms you might encounter with an imbalanced throat chakra:

• Chronic Sore Throat
• Overactive/Underactive Thyroid
• Hearing Problems
• Jaw Pain
• Neck Aches
• Dental Issues

Throat Chakra Affirmations

Affirmations for the throat chakra are rooted in effective communication, authenticity, integrity, courage, confidence, and knowing that what you have to say matters.

If you recite the affirmations below, or if you come up with your own empowering throat chakra affirmations, set the intention to really feel the words inside your body. An effective affirmation practice goes beyond simply reciting the words; it embraces the positive emotions within these empowering statements.

Normally, I’d say it’s totally fine to say your affirmations either our loud or silently in your head. And either one is still okay here. But because this is the throat chakra, I’d encourage you to find times when you feel safe to recite your affirmations aloud. Allow yourself to fully speak and breathe your truth.

Below is a list of affirmations you can use to activate, heal, and balance the throat chakra:

• I am able to calmly and effectively speak my truth.
• I live an honest, authentic, wholehearted life. 
• My voice matters. 
• I express myself clearly and openly.
• I speak with calm, clarity, and confidence.
• I find creative ways to communicate my self-expression.
• I embrace silence and know deep inner peace.
• I carry myself with integrity.
• I choose authenticity over perfection.
• I have the courage to be my true and authentic self.
• It is safe for me to speak my truth.
• My voice, words, ideas, and presence all matter. The world needs the magic inside of me.

For more powerful throat chakra affirmations, be sure to check out my post 35 Throat Chakra Affirmations for Speaking Your Truth. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Throat Chakra Journal Prompts

Journaling is a great practice to balance and heal all of your energy centers, but there’s something especially powerful when using it for the throat chakra. Journaling allows you to safely express your truth with clarity and confidence, and this is the cornerstone of a balanced throat chakra. When you journal, you’re free to be your authentic self in a safe, supportive space. By practicing using your authentic voice while you journal, you cultivate an understanding and inner knowing of authenticity and truthfulness in your daily life.

Below is a list of journal prompts to get you started on your journey to balance and heal your throat chakra.

• Write an open letter to somebody in your life: a current or past partner, friend, relative, boss, coworker, or even an acquaintance. What have you always wanted to say to this person but never found the courage or the right words? Write your truth in this letter. Allow yourself to release any negative emotions that your body may have been carrying from holding in your truth.

• In what situations do I hold back from speaking my truth? Are there any situations in which I withdraw, even when I have something to say? Do I feel unsafe speaking in these situations? Would my voice be welcome in the conversation? What can I do to feel more confident in these situations?

• What are my guiding principles and truths? How do I live my authentic truth in my daily life? In what situations do I feel like I fake or force myself to be someone or something I’m not? How do I feel when I do this? (Refrain from judging yourself here. Simply notice and observe.)

• Envision a day in which you are your highest and most authentic self, able to speak with ease, clarity, and confidence. Writing in the present tense, describe your day from the moment you wake up to the moment you lay your head on your pillow to fall asleep. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? How do you speak to the people around you? What makes you a good listener? How do your defining principles guide your actions throughout your day? Create situations for yourself in which you must communicate clearly and effectively, and write about how you thrive in these moments.

For more powerful throat chakra journal prompts, check out my 30 Journal Prompts to Open and Heal the Throat Chakra. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Activating and Healing the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Color Therapy

Immerse yourself in the color blue. Wear blue clothing. Paint with the color blue. Surround yourself with blue items. Eat blueberries, blue grapes, and blackberries. Write empowering affirmations on blue post-it notes. Find creative ways to incorporate the color blue into your life.

Nature

If it’s a nice day, find a quiet spot outside where you have plenty of space. Lay on the ground and watch the sky. You could also meditate outside, sketch the scenery, or write a letter. If you hear any nature sounds, like birds chirping or a babbling creek, allow yourself to close your eyes and just listen.

Sing

If you’re like me, you might cringe a little at this one. But you don’t have to be a good singer to engage in this practice for healing your throat chakra. Find somewhere you feel comfortable and choose some of your favorite feel-good songs. Then, belt it out! This practice is going to help you clear blockages in your throat as you become more comfortable using your voice.

Communicate

Call a friend. Set up a coffee date. Have a good dinner conversation with your partner where you both promise to set aside the phones. Listen to what he or she has to say. Ask your cashier or barista or mailman how their day’s going and really listen to their answers. And in all of these conversations, aim to speak your truth and be your most authentic self at all times.

Journaling

You can use the journal prompts above or even write a journal entry that’s full of empowering throat chakra affirmations. But definitely don’t feel like you need to follow a prompt. Allow this to be sacred time during which you speak your truth. Say whatever it is that you need to say. But as you do this, don’t let negative energy seep in. Release what no longer serves you. And then continue on your path, letting yourself be guided by love, compassion, and so much grace.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the most powerful ways to restore harmony among your energy centers. Below is a list of poses that are especially helpful when it comes to healing your throat chakra.

With any yoga routine meant to balance the throat chakra, pay special attention to the body parts associated with the throat chakra, including your neck and shoulders. One of the most important aspects to a balanced throat chakra is staying true to your authentic self. Allow this intention to guide you through your practice, even if that means altering poses and/or transitioning into poses you hadn’t planned.

• Cobra Pose
• Fish Pose
• Camel Pose
• Bridge Pose
• Rabbit Pose
• Shoulder Stand
• Seated Fold

If you want to get started today, here’s a great video from Yoga With Adriene on Throat Chakra Yoga.

Meditation

Visualize a peaceful, soothing blue light in the center of your throat. This light grows bigger as you inhale. As you exhale, this light grows brighter, loosening any blockages inside your throat.

You might also choose to do some guided meditations to heal your throat chakra. Here’s a few to get you started using the free Insight Timer app:

• Freedom of Expression Through the Throat Chakra by Carrie Suwal
• Throat Chakra: Activate Your Truth by Amy Patee
• Throat Chakra Balancing by Kelly Collins

Vishuddha Affirmations

Use affirmations while journaling. Set up phone notifications to pop up during the day with some inspiring affirmations on them. Write affirmations on post-it notes and stick them up around your house. When you’re stuck at a red light, recite a few empowering affirmations. You can use the ones I’ve written above, or come up with your own powerful affirmations that are rooted in your authenticity as well as your ability to both listen and speak clearly and effectively.

For more help on using affirmations, check out my post, How to Use Affirmations (So They Actually Work).

Vishuddha Gemstones

Incorporating crystals into your life is a beautiful way to restore positive energy into your mind, body, and spirit. You can wear crystals as jewelry, meditate with them, keep them in your pocket, or place them somewhere where they’ll be close throughout the day.

Here’s a list of gemstones you can use to heal and balance the throat chakra:

• Blue Lace Agate
• Turquoise
• Sodalite
• Aquamarine
• Lapis Lazuli
• Blue Topaz

In the posts below, I provide all the details you need on how to cleanse, program, and use your crystals to get all the benefits of their positive energy:

• 9 Best Crystals and Stones for Anxiety
• 11 Powerful Crystals for Manifestation

Vishuddha Essential Oils

When using essential oils for the throat chakra, first set the intention to activate, heal, or balance your throat chakra. Truly, this is an important step before doing any of the practices I’ve listed here. You don’t want to simply perform an action; you want to perform an action with the intention of doing something.

You can make this an even more powerful practice by combining it with other healing methods on this list. For instance, you can add your chosen essential oil(s) to your diffuser while surrounding yourself with crystals as you journal. You can even add some blue touches to your surroundings for color therapy.

Here are some of the essential oils you can use to balance the energy in your throat chakra:

• Basil
• Cypress
• Peppermint
• Chamomile
• Coriander
• Juniper
• Eucalyptus

Whatever methods you choose to use, just make sure it feels true to you. Healing the throat chakra starts with authenticity, so pledge to stay true to your authentic self on your healing journey.

If you’re like me and have experienced serious imbalances in your throat chakra throughout your life, I hope this overview of Vishuddha, or your throat chakra, helps you in your journey to wholeheartedly embracing your voice. Never forget, your voice matters. Your words matter. You matter.

And for more chakra resources, positive affirmations, self-love tools, and more, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!

Are you ready for your freebies? Enter your name and email address below for your free printable throat chakra affirmations and journal prompts! (Note that it may take an hour or two for the email to come through.) Plus, receive a weekly newsletter with resources, affirmations, and new blog post updates straight to your inbox. (Don’t worry, I hate spam, too! I only send one email a week, never share your personal info, and you can unsubscribe anytime.)

Zanna Keithley

Zanna Keithley is an author, poet, and social media content creator who writes short prose dedicated to inspiring readers to follow their dreams, trust their intuition, and create beautiful and fulfilling lives. You can find her original writing on Instagram @zannakeithley.

zannakeithley.com/

Want to learn more about Anahata, also known as your heart chakra? Discover how to heal, balance, and restore harmony to the energy center of love and compassion. Plus, don’t miss the heart-centered affirmations and journal prompts dedicated to aligning you with your pure, loving energy within. And be sure to check out the links to learn more about chakras below!

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page for some awesome freebies! You’ll receive 40 free printable affirmations and 30 journal prompts to open and heal the heart chakra. Don’t miss these powerful healing tools!

Introduction to Anahata: The Heart Chakra

Chances are, even if you know nothing about chakras, you at least have some understanding of the heart chakra and its primary emotions and attributes.

Your heart chakra, or Anahata, is the energy center for love, compassion, peace, and connection. The love you cultivate within your heart chakra is deep, pure, and unconditional. And this love extends throughout your whole self and beyond.

This love means having unconditional love for yourself, no matter where you are in life, and having deep compassion for your imperfections and mistakes. This love means knowing you are worthy of love, kindness, and understanding no matter what.

And this love also extends far beyond yourself. When your heart chakra is balanced, you feel a deep sense of connection with others. In fact, this connection may feel so deep, you know that you’re not truly separate from anyone else.

Instead, you know and feel that you are connected to all.

Why Balancing the Heart Chakra is Important

The primary emotions associated with the heart chakra – love and compassion – may not be super surprising. In fact, what may be the most surprising discovery about the heart chakra is that its primary color is green, not pink or red.

But when you think about it, the color green is kind of perfect for this energy center.

Green is the color of harmony and balance. It symbolizes nature and life. It is the color of renewal and growth. Of perfect harmony and perfect health.

And that’s what love is, too. Love is harmony. Love is renewal. Love is our foundation. Love is life.

So you can see why keeping the heart chakra in balance is important.

When the energy in our heart center flows freely in and out, we are in alignment with our highest, truest, most authentic selves. We know that love is more than just a feeling; it is our very essence. We are kinder, more compassionate, more understanding, and more forgiving. We love ourselves enough to know our inherent worthiness, and we love others enough to know that we are connected to all.

Love is not weakness. Love is not sacrifice. Love is not an afterthought.

Love is strength. Love is your foundation. Love is your superpower.

Heart Chakra Attributes

• Sanskrit Name: Anahata (“Unstruck”)
• Location: Heart/Center of chest
• Color: Green
• Body Parts: Heart, Lungs, Shoulders, Arms, Ribs, Breasts, Diaphragm
• Symbol: Twelve-petaled lotus with two intersecting triangles in the center
• Element: Air
• Mantra: YAM
• Gemstones: Rose Quartz, Jade, Green Calcite, Emerald, Rhodonite, Pink Opal
• Essential Oils: Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Goldenrod, Cypress

Signs of a Balanced Heart Chakra

As you might be able to guess, love is at the center of a balanced heart chakra. When this energy center is balanced, our thoughts and actions are aligned with the highest frequency of pure and unconditional love.

When the energy in your heart chakra is flowing freely, you feel loved, loving, and lovable. Your heart is open, and you feel a strong sense of connection to others. As mentioned in the intro, you may even feel like there is no separateness; you are one with all.

Here are some of the signs of a balanced heart chakra:

• Loving
• Lovable
• Peaceful
• Compassionate
• Connected to others
• Generous
• Kind
• Empathetic
• Trustful
• Openhearted
• Serene
• Understanding
• Acceptance for self and others
• Unconditional love for self and others

Signs of an Imbalanced Heart Chakra

Imbalances in the chakras mean they can become either overactive or underactive. While a balanced heart chakra means you feel connected to others and enjoy the presence of others, an overactive heart chakra means you may become a little too attached to the presence of others, sometimes becoming clingy and dependent on one or more people. On the other end, if your heart chakra is underactive, you may excessively self-isolate and feel fearful of intimacy.

Here is a list of signs that your heart chakra may be imbalanced:

• Depressed
• Lonely
• Feeling unloved/unlovable
• Self-isolates (excessively)
• Fearful of intimacy
• Possessive
• Jealous
• Defensive
• Judgmental
• Spiteful
• Selfish
• Co-dependent
• Clingy
• Smothering

Physical Signs of an Imbalanced Heart Chakra

In addition to experiencing emotional, physical, and spiritual ailments due to energy imbalances, you may also experience physical symptoms. With an imbalanced heart chakra, many of the physical symptoms you may experience correlate to the chest, areas around your chest, and your blood and circulatory system.

Here’s a list of the physical ailments you may experience with an imbalanced heart chakra:

• Heart Disorders
• High/Low Blood Pressure
• Circulatory Problems
• Asthma
• Chest Pain
• Muscle Tension

Heart Chakra Affirmations

Affirmations are positive, present-tense statements that uplift, encourage, boost your self-belief, and support your total wellbeing. I love using affirmations not only to help with balancing and healing my chakras but as part of a complete self-care routine.

When using affirmations to balance and heal your chakra, really focus on the feelings of love, belonging, acceptance, peace, and compassion. Go beyond just reciting the words and allow yourself to really feel the positive feelings that your affirmations bring.

Here’s a list of beautiful, empowering affirmations for your heart chakra:

• I am loved, loving, and lovable.
• I choose to be kind to myself and love myself unconditionally.
• I am aligned with the highest frequency of love.
• I fully love and embrace who I am, even as I continue to grow.
• My heart is open, loving, and pure.
• I give and receive love effortlessly and unconditionally.
• I am worthy of unconditional love.
• I am a beacon of love and compassion.
• I am able to live in love.
• I lead with love.
• I love and accept myself for exactly the person I am right now.
• Love and compassion are my superpowers, and they will carry me as far as I want to go.
• Every day, I love myself a little more.
• I am love.

For more powerful heart chakra affirmations, check out my post, 40 Heart Chakra Affirmations for Unconditional Love. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Heart Chakra Journal Prompts

Like affirmations, journaling is another powerful practice that supports your total wellbeing. I like to journal for thirty minutes first thing after I wake up to set a positive tone for the day (with a freshly brewed, hot cup of coffee, of course). However, I know a lot of other people like to journal in the evening to help them leave work behind and unwind for the night. There is no right or wrong place or time; the key is to find a time that works for you.

The journal prompts below are designed to help you get in touch with your heart chakra. I’m not a big fan of rules when it comes to creativity and self-care activities, so if you find yourself straying from the prompts at all, that’s okay! Your writing may take you to unexpected places, like a distant memory or a vision of the future. For the purposes of balancing your heart chakra, just remember to stay heart-centered and hold the intention of healing, activating, or even just getting to know your heart chakra a little better.

• Visualize your highest and most authentic self with a balanced and open heart chakra. Write about a day as your most loving and compassionate self. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? How do you treat people? How do you treat yourself? Imagine how you would react to obstacles and roadblocks. Discuss your core values and purpose, and write about how grateful you feel to be aligned with these values.

• Without judgment, reflect upon these questions: Are there any situations in my life where I excessively self-isolate and withdraw from others? Or do I depend on and need others to feel content? What can I do to help myself in these situations? How can I find a harmonious balance between feeling peaceful and content when I’m alone and when I’m with others?

• What does it mean to me to be compassionate? How can I show myself more compassion? How can I show compassion to others? Why is it important to me to be a compassionate being?

• Look within and reflect upon these questions: How can I be kinder to myself? How can I show myself more love? When my inner bully comes out, what can I do to show myself more kindness and love? How can I be more compassionate with myself when I make a mistake? What self-care practices can I do in my everyday life to show myself unconditional love?

For more heart chakra journal prompts, check out my post, 30 Journal Prompts to Open and Heal the Heart Chakra. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Activating and Healing the Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Color Therapy

Immerse yourself in the color green. Eat green foods, such as broccoli, spinach, green apples, and kiwi. Drink some tasty matcha. Write heart-centered affirmations on green post-it notes and stick them up around you. Wear green. Write with a green pen. Paint with the color green. Hang or sit some green objects around your workspace.

Walk in Nature

The color of the heart chakra is green, and its element is air. Combine these attributes by taking a long, cleansing walk in nature, breathing in the fresh air. If you live near a forest or a beautiful, green meadow, this is ideal, but just taking a walk and getting some fresh air can do wonders for healing your heart chakra. You might also go to the beach on a breezy day and let the cool wind dance across your skin.

Drive with the Windows Down

This may not heal your heart chakra on its own, but if you’re out driving and it’s a nice day out, lower your windows and embrace the feeling of the air blowing across your skin.

Journaling

You can use the journal prompts above or simply write about what’s going on in your heart. How does your heart feel? How can you open yourself up to more love in your life? What past wounds still need to be healed? I also love incorporating affirmations into my journaling. When working with the heart chakra, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply writing an empowering, soul-healing list of heart-centered affirmations in your journal. (In fact, this is 100% right.)

Yoga

Yoga is a beautiful way to restore harmony and balance among your energy centers. To heal the heart chakra, focus on heart-opening positions.

Here are a few positions that help with healing the heart chakra:

• Camel Pose
• Wheel Pose
• Handstand
• Fish Pose
• Extended Puppy Pose
• Bridge Pose
• Cow Face Pose

For more, check out this video from Yoga With Adriene: Heart Chakra Yoga for Beginners.

Meditation

Visualize a beautiful green light at your heart center. See that light growing brighter as you inhale and bigger as you exhale. You can also visualize a green rosebud at the center of your chest. As you inhale and exhale, the buds slowly unfolds and bloom.

And if you prefer guided meditations, or just want to give it a try, here are some free guided meditations for the heart chakra on the Insight Timer app:

• Heart Chakra Activation by Niajae Wallace
• Anahata – Help to Balance the Heart Chakra by Scott Hutchison-McDade
• Heart Chakra – Heal, Open, & Align by Naomi Goodlet
• Heart Chakra Opening by Ola Radka

Anahata Affirmations

You can use the affirmations above or come up with your own heart-centered affirmations. When you use affirmations for your heart chakra, focus on feelings and beliefs that are rooted in love, compassion, understanding, peace, kindness, and connection – both for yourself and others. You can choose to recite your affirmations in your head or out loud, or you can write them down in a journal or a notebook. No matter what method you choose, open yourself up to feelings of love. Know that you are worthy and deserving of being loved, and know that it is safe for you to show love. You might even place your hands out in front of you, palms to the sky, and gently repeat, “I allow love. I accept love. I receive love.”

Anahata Gemstones

Crystals support and promote balance and harmony within your energy centers. When working with your heart chakra, crystals help with healing past hurts, restoring your belief in love, and opening your heart again to love and trust.

One of my favorite methods of using crystals is through meditation. You can hold the crystal while meditating, or when balancing the heart chakra, you can lay down and set the crystal on your heart center. I also love wearing crystals as jewelry. Wearing an emerald necklace near your heart is a beautiful way to support balance and healing.

Here are a few gemstones associated with the heart chakra:

• Rose Quartz
• Jade
• Green Calcite
• Emerald
• Rhodonite
• Pink Opal

To learn more about cleansing, programming, and using crystals, check out my blog post about crystals here!

Anahata Essential Oils

Using essential oils is a really wonderful practice for balancing the chakras for so many reasons: they smell good, there are so many ways to use them, and you can incorporate essential oils with most of the other practices on this list. For instance, you can use any of the essential oils below in your diffuser while journaling or as you’re meditating. Just make sure to set aside some dedicated time for yourself, and set the intention to heal, balance, and restore harmony to your energy centers.

Below are just some of the essential oils you could use to balance the heart chakra. Also, be sure to check out what each individual brand offers, as some have lines specifically for the chakras!

• Lavender
• Rose
• Jasmine
• Geranium
• Goldenrod
• Cypress
• Bergamot

And there you have it: a detailed guide to all things Anahata, or the heart chakra. If you want to learn more about the chakras, be sure to check out the other posts in the Chakras series, linked at the top of this page.

And for more chakra resources, positive affirmations, self-love tools, and more, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!

Are you ready for your freebies? Enter your name and email address below for your free printables! (Note that it may take an hour or two for the email to come through.) Plus, receive a weekly newsletter with resources, affirmations, and new blog post updates straight to your inbox. (Don’t worry, I hate spam, too! I only send one email a week, never share your personal info, and you can unsubscribe anytime.)

Zanna Keithley

Zanna Keithley is an author, poet, and social media content creator who writes short prose dedicated to inspiring readers to follow their dreams, trust their intuition, and create beautiful and fulfilling lives. You can find her original writing on Instagram @zannakeithley.

zannakeithley.com/

What is the solar plexus chakra? Today’s post is going to answer that question and give you everything you need to know about this powerful energy center, including signs of imbalance, affirmations, journal prompts, and methods to balance and heal. For a refresher on chakras, be sure to check out A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Unblocking Your Chakras.

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page for some awesome freebies! You’ll receive 35 free printable affirmations and 30 journal prompts to open and heal the solar plexus chakra. Don’t miss these powerful healing tools!

Introduction to the Solar Plexus Chakra

Did you know that your solar plexus is an actual complex network of nerves and ganglia located in the center of your torso? If you’ve ever experienced getting hit by something hard in the stomach and feeling like you had the wind knocked out of you, it’s likely you were actually hit right in the solar plexus. (Ouch!)

I lead with this because it’s important to differentiate between the solar plexus and the solar plexus chakra:

The solar plexus is the physical network of nerves and ganglia located above your navel in the center of your torso.

The solar plexus chakra, located in the same region, is the energy center in your body associated with your confidence, self-esteem, joy, motivation, and integrity.

Why Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra is Important

Confidence is a fickle creature.

Have you ever experienced stretches of time – maybe days, weeks, or even months – where you felt invincible? During these periods, you felt confident, capable, and strong, and you undoubtedly knew your inherent worthiness.

And then one day, it all comes crashing down on you, and suddenly, you feel fearful, lack motivation, and lose sight of your purpose.

Personally, I’ve felt the highs and lows of all these experiences multiple times in the span of a single day.

And that’s one of the biggest reasons why balancing your solar plexus chakra is so important. Because confidence, high self-esteem, and radiant joy shouldn’t be fickle; these very attributes are your birthright.

Having a practice that allows you to balance and heal your solar plexus chakra means taking back your power. Instead of allowing confidence and joy to come and go like the ocean waves, you cultivate these powerful feelings inside of you. And maybe you’ll still experience moments of doubt, but I promise, they won’t last long because you know you have the power and tools inside of you to gain back the empowered beliefs and emotions you deserve to experience every single day.

In this post, we’re going to cover all things related to the solar plexus chakra: signs of balance and imbalance, affirmations, journal prompts, how to heal an imbalanced sacral chakra, and various associated attributes.

So let’s begin!

Solar Plexus Attributes

• Sanskrit Name: Manipura (“City of Jewels”; sometimes translated as “Lustrous Gem”)
• Location: A couple inches above the navel/Below the chest (You might associated this with the pit of your stomach.)
• Color: Yellow
• Body Parts: Pancreas, stomach, liver, gall bladder
• Symbol: Ten-petaled lotus with downward facing triangle in the center
• Element: Fire
• Mantra: RAM
• Gemstones: Citrine, topaz, tiger’s eye, yellow jasper, amber
• Essential Oils: Lemon, lemongrass, coriander, juniper, lime

Signs of a Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra

Have you ever met someone that just seemed to radiate with light? They walk with confidence, always seem to have a genuine smile on their face, and just seem like they have it all together. And on top of that, they’re really, really kind.

Chances are, they have a balanced solar plexus chakra.

Your solar plexus chakra is associated with all the self words: self-esteem, self-respect, self-image, and self-worth. Confidence is the word often associated with this energy center, but note that this is not cockiness, arrogance, or conceit. A person with a balanced solar plexus chakra will feel confident in themselves without demeaning or putting down others.

Here are some of the signs of a balanced solar plexus chakra:

• Confident
• Positive
• Empowered
• High sense of self-respect
• High self-esteem
• Joyful
• Driven
• Positive self image
• Aligned with purpose
• Aligned with core values
• Motivated
• Has integrity
• Collaborative
• Decisive/Confident in decision-making

Signs of an Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra

Imbalances in energy centers can go two ways: they might become underactive or overactive. (You might also hear the terms deficient or excessive.)

The underactive/deficient symptoms are associated with a lack of confidence while the overactive/excessive symptoms are associated with what happens when confidence turns into arrogance and a superiority complex.

Here’s a list of signs associated with an imbalanced solar plexus chakra:

• Low self-esteem
• Lack of ambition
• Unmotivated
• Lack of purpose
• Fear of rejection
• Sensitive to criticism
• Low energy
• Sense of worthlessness
• Superiority complex
• Arrogant
• Manipulative
• Domineering
• Power-hungry
• Competitive

Physical Signs of an Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra

In additional to emotional and mental symptoms, an imbalanced energy center also results in physical ailments. The solar plexus chakra is associated with the stomach, gall bladder, liver, and pancreas, so pay attention to these organs when you think you might be experiencing an imbalance. (For instance, have you recently experienced fatigue and/or poor digestion?)

Here are some of the physical ailments you may experience with an imbalanced solar plexus chakra:

• Fatigue
• Poor Digestion
• Liver Problems
• Low Metabolism
• Blood Sugar/Glycemic Issues
• Ulcers

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations

Affirmations are one of my favorite tools not only for healing chakras but for a total self-care routine. While it may seem difficult to come up with affirmations for some of the energy centers, there’s truly an infinite amount of affirmations a person could write for the solar plexus chakra.

Below, I’ve listed some powerful affirmations you can use to heal and balance your solar plexus chakra. But don’t limit yourself to this list; feel free to come up with your own awesome affirmations in which you assert your confidence, worthiness, joy, integrity, self-belief, self-esteem, self-worth, and limitless power to create the life of your dreams.

For more powerful solar plexus chakra affirmations, check out my post, 35 Solar Plexus Affirmations for Confidence, Motivation, and Positivity.

• I am powerful, strong, and confident.
• I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
• Today, I confidently welcome new experiences.
• I am competent, capable, and strong.
• I am aligned with my purpose.
• I am my highest and most authentic self.
• I am enough, just as I am.
• I have the confidence and power to take big leaps.
• I am enough. I have always been enough. I will always be enough.
• I will not settle for less than I deserve.
• I hold the key to my own happiness.
• Limitless joy is my birthright.
• I am worthy, strong, powerful, courageous, and always enough.

For even more empowering affirmations, check out 35 Solar Plexus Affirmations for Confidence, Motivation, and Positivity. And don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Solar Plexus Chakra Journal Prompts

Journaling’s another practice that helps restore balance to your body’s energy centers while also supporting your overall wellbeing. Some people swear by journaling in the morning while others like to save it for nighttime to help them unwind. Choose what works best for you, and if possible, try to set aside some uninterrupted time to be alone with your thoughts, even if it’s just ten minutes.

Below are four powerful prompts you can use for healing your solar plexus chakra. As you sit down to journal, hold the intention to activate, balance, heal, or just get to understand your solar plexus chakra a little better. Let this be a time when you pledge to believe you are worthy and deserving of unconditional love, joy, and peace. And allow your words to be a reflection of that worthiness. (Because you are worthy of all these things and more!)

• Visualize a day as your highest and most authentic self living your most confident and empowered life. Describe how you move about your day. Write out the positive words you speak to yourself. Discuss your core values and purpose, and write about how good it feels to be aligned with these values. How do other people see you? How do you see yourself? Remember, you are strong, confident, empowered, and have a high sense of self-respect and self-esteem.

• Write out a list of positive qualities you love about yourself, and describe why you love each of those things. For instance, “I love my smile because it lights up a room. When I smile, I notice that other people smile, too.” Focus on both your internal and external qualities. There’s no room for negativity here. Compliment yourself. Focus on the positive. Remember that you are worthy and deserving of unconditional joy and love.

• Think about your goals and dreams. Ask yourself these questions: How do I approach my goals? Do I step forward with confidence, or do I shrink back into fear? What are some ways I can cultivate more confidence? Do I believe I can create the life of my dreams? If you find yourself feeling any uncertainties or doubts, gently probe these feelings with kindness and compassion.

• Are there any situations or experiences in my life that cause me to feel low self-esteem? What makes me feel powerless? What makes me feel fearful? Describe these situations with an objective perspective: no judgment or emotions. Ask yourself: What can I do in these situations to raise my self-esteem, hold onto my power, and rise above fear?

For more powerful journal prompts, check out 30 Journal Prompts to Open and Heal Your Solar Plexus Chakra. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Activating and Healing the Solar Plexus Chakra

Color Therapy

Immerse yourself in the color yellow. Eat yellow foods such as bananas, pineapple, yellow peppers, and squash. Light yellow, lemon-scented candles. Wear yellow. Paint with the color yellow. Sit or hang some yellow objects near your workspace. You can even write some empowering affirmations on yellow post-it notes and hang them up around you!

Have a (Safe) Bonfire (or Cozy Up by the Fireplace)

The solar plexus chakra’s element is fire, so this is the perfect time to have a safe bonfire with friends or enjoy some family time by the fireplace. You could also combine some time by the fire with other practices on this list, like doing some journaling by the fireplace.

Get Out in the Sun

If it’s summer and you’re not keen on starting the fireplace, another powerful practice to balance your solar plexus is to go for a walk or have a picnic in the sun. Spending some time in nature while immersing myself in beautiful sunshine is one of my favorite ways to bring balance to this energy center. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Journaling

The journal prompts above can help you get started here. Another incredibly powerful method is to incorporate affirmations into your journaling. You can use the affirmations above or come up with your own empowering solar plexus affirmations. Gratitude journaling is also an awesome practice. Write about all the positive associations with the solar plexus chakra that you’re grateful for: your high self-esteem and positive self image, your sense of worthiness, your alignment with your purpose, and so on!

Just remember, as you sit down to write, set the intention to balance your solar plexus chakra and see where it takes you.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the most powerful ways to heal the chakras as each energy center has associated poses to help restore balance.

For the solar plexus chakra, here are some of the best poses to balance this energy center:

• Warrior I
• Full Boat Pose
• Bow Pose
• Reverse Triangle Pose
• Warrior III
• Plank

And here’s a great video by Allie – The Journey Junkie that guides you through using yoga to ignite your power with the solar plexus chakra.

Meditation

For an unguided solar plexus chakra balancing meditation, find somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. You can choose whether or not you want to set a timer. If you’re on the floor, sit cross-legged with your back straight. If you’re on a chair, don’t cross your legs. Keep your feet on the floor. Close your eyes. Relax your eyebrows. Relax your shoulders. Slowly relax each body part as you take deep inhales through your nose and slow exhales, either out your mouth or through your nose.

Now, imagine a bright, yellow light just above your navel, below the chest. You might also see this as a yellow sun or a yellow, ten-petaled lotus. As you inhale, visualize the light growing brighter. As you exhale, visualize the light growing bigger. Repeat this throughout your meditation. If you want, at the end of your meditation, you can recite some powerful affirmations for balancing your solar plexus chakra.

For guided meditations, here’s some awesome (free!) ones from Insight Timer:

• Solar Plexus Chakra Balancing by Loula Love
• Cleanse the Solar Plexus Chakra by Leah Vermeeren
• Solar Plexus Chakra – Heal, Open & Align by Naomi Goodlet

Affirmations

I’m a big believer in using positive affirmations to cultivate confidence and assert your worthiness, and luckily, there’s an endless amount of positive affirmations you can use to balance your solar plexus chakra. Some of my favorite methods are to write them in my journal and to stick post-it notes with affirmations written on them on my work space or on my bathroom mirror. I also love to choose the normally mundane moments of life to silently repeat affirmations to myself, like when I’m driving to work or waiting for the oven timer to go off.

Gemstones

Some of the gemstones associated with the solar plexus chakra are citrine, topaz, tiger’s eye, yellow jasper, amber. If you’ve never used crystals before, don’t feel intimidated! Some simple practices to use gemstones and crystals are to hold them during meditation, carry them in your pocket during the day, or keep them somewhere nearby while you’re working.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a perfect way to restore balance to the solar plexus chakra, and you can easily find ways to combine using essential oils with other practices on this list. For instance, you can use them in your diffuser while journaling with some beautiful crystals nearby. Just remember, as with everything on this list, be intentional with your actions. So before you sit down to do all of these practices, set the powerful intention to balance and heal your solar plexus chakra first.

Here are some of the essential oils associated with the solar plexus chakra:

• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Coriander
• Juniper
• Lime
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Grapefruit

And there you have it: the slightly long but detailed answer to the question, “What is the solar plexus chakra?” Have any other questions about the solar plexus chakra? Leave a note in the comments below! And for chakra resources, positive affirmations, self-love tools, and more, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!

Are you ready for your freebies? Enter your name and email address below for your free printable solar plexus journal prompts and affirmations! (Note that it may take an hour or two for the email to come through.) Plus, receive a weekly newsletter with resources, affirmations, and new blog post updates straight to your inbox. (Don’t worry, I hate spam, too! I only send one email a week, never share your personal info, and you can unsubscribe anytime.)

Zanna Keithley

Zanna Keithley is an author, poet, and social media content creator who writes short prose dedicated to inspiring readers to follow their dreams, trust their intuition, and create beautiful and fulfilling lives. You can find her original writing on Instagram @zannakeithley.

zannakeithley.com/

Ready to learn all about the sacral chakra? Then this post is for you! If you missed my post on the root chakra, you can read more about the body’s first energy center here. And for even more information on chakras, including what a chakra is and an overview on the seven main chakras, check out A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Unblocking Your Chakras.

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page for some awesome freebies! You’ll receive 35 free printable affirmations and 30 journal prompts to open and heal the sacral chakra. Don’t miss these powerful healing tools!

What is the Sacral Chakra?

Located below your navel in your lower abdomen, the sacral chakra is your energy center for creativity, passion, joy, and pleasure. When we experience blockages to this energy center, we often become withdrawn, tense, insecure, and needy.

And unfortunately, blockages to the sacral chakra aren’t uncommon, especially if you live in a culture that prioritizes work, efficiency, and practicality over creativity, fun, and play.

Even as someone who has always embraced creativity, I’ve experienced blockages to my sacral chakra for months at a time. A few years ago, I remember having the thought that I didn’t daydream anymore. It was an unexpected and stunning realization, and I couldn’t quite pinpoint when and how it happened. I just knew that I no longer lost myself in my imagination like I used to, and at the time, I wasn’ t sure if I ever would again.

Back then, I didn’t understand that my body had powerful energy centers or that, when balanced, energy flowed freely throughout my body. But in hindsight, I can clearly see how my sacral chakra had been blocked from this energy flow.

I had “grown up,” and as a result, I traded in my inner child for responsible adulthood – something I thought I was supposed to do now that I was out of school, paying bills, and supporting myself.

But since then, I’ve discovered one of the greatest lessons of my life (something that I actually knew inherently as a child but had lost sight of in the confusion of becoming an adult):

Play is not irresponsible. Creativity is not impractical. Fun is not frivolous.

In fact, it is irresponsible not to prioritize these behaviors and pastimes in my everyday life.

Why Balancing the Sacral Chakra is Important

Joy is your birthright.

Is that hard to say?

I know it used to be for me. It was hard for me to believe that anything good was my birthright. And to think that I deserved good stuff? Absolutely not. It felt all kinds of wrong.

But these aren’t the kind of thoughts we have when we act out of a place of love.

These are the kinds of thoughts we have when we’ve been conditioned to believe our worth is tied to our achievements.

Because the truth is, you do deserve joy. And pleasure. And you deserve to feel good in your skin. And to love yourself fully, without conditions.

And if that still doesn’t cut it for you, a balanced sacral chakra is associated with being more open, honest, forgiving, and compassionate.

If you live in a western culture that prioritizes work over play, hustle over relaxation, and being a responsible adult over embracing your inner child, then learning to recognize the signs of an imbalanced sacral chakra – and how to heal this energy center – is pivotal for embracing lifelong happiness.

(Note that I’m definitely not saying work and being a responsible adult are bad things! It’s all about balance!)

In this post, we’re going to cover all things related to the sacral chakra: signs of balance and imbalance, affirmations, journal prompts, how to heal an imbalanced sacral chakra, and various associated attributes.

Sacral Chakra Attributes

• Sanskrit Name: Svadhishthana (Sva = “self”; shthana = “place”)
• Location: Lower abdomen (below your navel)
• Color: Orange
• Body Parts: Womb, Kidney, Bladder, Lower Back, Reproductive Organs
• Symbol: Six-petaled lotus with a moon crescent in the center
• Element: Water
• Mantra: VAM
• Gemstones: Orange Calcite, Jasper, Carnelian, Red Tiger’s Eye, Coral, Fire Opal
• Essential Oils: Orange, Tangerine, Cinnamon, Bergamot, Neroli, Cypress

Signs of a Balanced Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is the energy center for creativity, joy, sexuality, and sensuality. While the root chakra is associated with safety and stability, the sacral chakra is associated with seeking pleasure. While these seem unrelated from one another, this is one of the many examples of how the chakras aren’t just seven separate energy centers; rather, they’re one complete system in which energy flows freely (when balanced) among all energy centers.

You see, when our root chakra is balanced, we feel safe, secure, stable, and centered. Feeling safe in our body and in our physical place in life is one of our most basic needs. But as you can imagine, if the root chakra was blocked, it’s likely that the sacral chakra would become imbalanced as well. When we don’t have a steady foundation, we may overcompensate by becoming more controlling, manipulative, and fearful, and it would be difficult to engage in creativity, play, and joy.

Below are some of the signs and characteristics of having a balanced sacral chakra:

• Creative
• Joyful
• Playful
• Prosperous
• Sexual
• Sensual
• Passionate
• Energetic
• Compassionate
• Forgiving
• Open
• Honest
• High self-esteem

Signs of an Imbalanced Sacral Chakra

When the sacral chakra is balanced, we feel joyful, creative, open, passionate, and honest. But when our energy is blocked from flowing freely through this energy center, our joy and passion shrinks. We become withdrawn, tense, and insecure.

It’s also possible for this energy center to become overactive. When this happens, we’re more prone to becoming controlling, manipulative, and aggressive.

Here are some of the signs associated with an imbalanced sacral chakra:

• Withdrawn
• Tense
• Insecure
• Needy
• Codependent
• Irritable
• Controlling
• Manipulative
• Overdramatic
• Aggressive
• Materialistic
• Fearful
• Judgmental
• Prone to addictive behavior
• Lack of creativity
• Fear of pleasure

Physical Signs of an Imbalanced Sacral Chakra

An imbalance in our energy centers affects not only our emotional and mental health but our physical health as well. As the sacral chakra is associated with our reproductive organs, the common physical ailments are correlated to these organs. Other affected body parts include those in neighboring areas of the body, such as the lower back.

These are some of the physical ailments you may experience with an imbalanced sacral chakra:

• Constipation
• Urinary problems
• Lower back pain
• Kidney issues
• Yeast infections

Sacral Chakra Affirmations

Affirmations are a powerful tool in your total self-care routine. When reciting affirmations to balance your sacral chakra, remember to embrace your joy and creativity. Have fun with it!

For example, take the affirmation, “I embrace life with vigor and passion.” You don’t have to recite this statement with the pep of a high school cheerleader, but the affirmation itself won’t help you if you recite it with tension, monotony, or lack of enthusiasm. So whether you’re saying it silently or aloud, make sure to really feel the words in your being. In this example, you want to actually feel vigorous and passionate.

Affirmations

• I am open to the flow of creativity.
• I am creative, passionate, and inspired. 
• My emotions flow freely in a balanced and healthy way. 
• I live a creative, vibrant, passionate life.
• I deeply respect and honor my sacred body.
• I honor my own divine sensuality.
• I am a sensual and passionate being.
• I am cultivating a beautiful life free of stress, worries, or fear.
• I deserve absolute and unconditional bliss.
• I make space in my life for play.
• I radiate passion and prosperity.
• I embrace life with vigor and passion.
• Limitless joy is my birthright.
• I embrace intimacy with others.
• I honor my desires.

For more powerful sacral chakra affirmations, be sure to check out my post, 35 Sacral Chakra Affirmations to Live a Passionate, Fun, Creative Life. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Sacral Chakra Journal Prompts

Journaling is a powerful method for healing your body’s energy centers. There are no hard-and-fast rules for when to journal or how long you should spend journaling. Just allow yourself time to consciously consider the journal prompts. Don’t try to give the “right” answers to questions. And also, don’t feel like you need to stick with the prompts. If you start out writing about all the opportunities in your life for play, and this drifts off into a memory about making sandcastles when you were a child, let it! Embrace your inner child and see where your imagination takes you.

Journal Prompts

• What can I do in my daily life to add more opportunities for play?
• How do I express my creativity? What are my favorite creative activities? How can I make space for more creative outlets in my life? Have fun with this. Make a list of all the possible creative practices you can think of, no matter how far out there they sound, and see what resonates.
• Write a love letter to your sacred body. Express appreciation, respect, and reverence in your words.
• Envision a day as your highest and most authentic self. Write about a day as your highest self, emphasizing your joy, creativity, passion, and vigor. Be sure to write in the present tense!
• What types of situations and experiences make me feel tense, insecure, and withdrawn? What can I do to help myself in these situations? Are there any frequent experiences like this in my daily life that I can change?

For more powerful sacral chakra journal prompts, check out my post, 30 Journal Prompts to Open and Heal Your Sacral Chakra. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Activating and Healing the Sacral Chakra

Below are 11 powerful practices for sacral chakra healing. For deeper insight into how to open, balance, and heal the sacral chakra, check out my post, Sacral Chakra Healing: Open & Balance the Sacral Chakra.

Color Therapy

Immerse yourself in all things orange! This could mean eating orange foods, such as mangoes, cantaloupe, and oranges; wearing orange clothing; surrounding yourself with orange items; painting with the color orange; and lighting orange candles, among other things. If you don’t generally have a lot of orange around, see if you can pick up a few small items to have around for moments when you feel an imbalance in this energy center.

Swimming

The sacral chakra’s element is water, so a fun and relaxed day at the pool, lake, or beach is a perfect way to restore balance to this energy center. If you’re not big on swimming, relaxing near a body of water will still get you these same benefits.

Take a Bath

If you’re not able to go to any pools or lakes, create a relaxing water environment right at home. Draw a warm bath, turn off the lights, and maybe even light an orange-cinnamon scented candle.

And if baths aren’t your thing, take a nice, warm shower. You can even close your eyes for a few minutes and do a mini-meditation, visualizing a bright orange light below your navel.

Create!

The sacral chakra is the energy center of creativity, so one of the best ways to heal this energy center is to create! Paint, draw, write, cook, bake, or choose your activity of choice to express your divine creativity. Try not to follow an outline, template, or recipe. Simply allow your inner creative to flow freely! This can be especially helpful if you’ve noticed your life has revolved around work, deadlines, and other stressors of daily life.

Journaling

Find a quiet place where you can focus on writing, and set the intention to balance your sacral chakra before you begin. If you want, you can use any of the prompts above. You could also incorporate affirmations into your journaling by writing down powerful sacral chakra affirmations in your writing.

Dancing

Some of the signs of an imbalanced sacral chakra are feeling tense, withdrawn, insecure, and fearful. Dancing is a beautiful way to release tension and embrace flow. Find somewhere you feel comfortable, put on some music that makes you feel good, and let yourself flow without judgment. Light some candles or use some essential oils if possible. You can make this an even more powerful practice by immersing yourself in the color orange while dancing.

Yoga

Each chakra has associated yoga poses to help heal imbalanced energy. For an imbalanced sacral chakra, choose hip-opening positions.

Here are just some of the poses for healing the sacral chakra that you can incorporate into your yoga practice:

• Pigeon
• Butterly
• Cobra
• Frog
• Goddess squat

Here’s a great video from Allie – The Yoga Junkie on cleansing your sacral chakra.

Meditation

A powerful practice to heal your sacral chakra is to visualize a bright orange light just below your belly button. See the light growing brighter as you inhale and bigger as you exhale. You might think of this light like a beautiful orange sun.

Here are some root chakra guided meditations using the free Insight Timer app:

• Sacred Sacral Chakra Balancing by Loula Love
• Sacral Chakra Meditation by Sarah Da Silva
• 2nd Chakra Svadhisthana Sacral Meditation by Amelia Lina Sawyer

Affirmations

Affirmations are a great tool to help heal any of your energy centers because they can be recited (either silently or out loud) almost anywhere. To make the most of affirmations, see if you can combine it with another practice. For healing the sacral chakra, you might repeat them while you’re in the shower or bath. You could also incorporate them in your journaling or recite them as you hold your crystals.

Gemstones

Some of the gemstones associated with the sacral chakra are orange calcite, jasper, carnelian, red tiger’s eye, coral, fire opal, moonstone, amber, and orange amethyst. You can hold these crystals during meditation, carry them in your pocket during the day, or keep them nearby on your desk as you work.

Here’s a few more posts to help you get started with using crystals and gemstones to heal the chakras:

• 7 Chakra Healing Crystals to Restore Inner Harmony
• How to Use Crystals: Grids, Pendulums & More

Essential Oils

To open and activate the sacral chakra, you can use the essential oil(s) of choice in your diffuser, add them to your bath, or apply to your skin below the navel. (If applying to your skin, please make sure to use high-quality oils and always follow directions for dilution. Also note all other safety instructions, such as amount of time you should wait before going out in the sun. I am not a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, so if you have any questions about safety, please make sure to refer your questions to a professional. Always err on the side of caution.)

Here are some of the best essential oils for healing the sacral chakra:

• Orange
• Jasmine
• Rose
• Geranium
• Clove
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon

For more information on how to use essential oils to heal the chakras, check out my post, A Guide to Essential Oils for Chakra Healing.

As always, with all the practices listed above, make sure to be intentional with your thoughts and actions. Whether you’re reciting affirmations, going swimming, using essential oils, or utilizing any of the other practices on this list, set the powerful intention to balance and heal the sacral chakra, and let that intention guide you as you move forward.

For more more chakra resources, plus uplifting affirmations and self-love encouragement, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!

Are you ready for your freebies? Enter your name and email address below for your free printables! (Note that it may take an hour or two for the email to come through.) Plus, receive a weekly newsletter with resources, affirmations, and new blog post updates straight to your inbox. (Don’t worry, I hate spam, too! I only send one email a week, never share your personal info, and you can unsubscribe anytime.)

Zanna Keithley

Zanna Keithley is an author, poet, and social media content creator who writes short prose dedicated to inspiring readers to follow their dreams, trust their intuition, and create beautiful and fulfilling lives. You can find her original writing on Instagram @zannakeithley.

zannakeithley.com/

This post is dedicated to all things root chakra, your body’s first energy center. This is the first of a seven-part series on the seven main chakras. For more information on chakras, including what a chakra is and an overview on the seven chakras, check out A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Unblocking Your Chakras.

Also, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page for some awesome freebies! You’ll receive 35 free printable affirmations and 30 journal prompts to open and heal the root chakra. Don’t miss these powerful healing tools!

What is the Root Chakra?

To begin a series on chakras, it’s fitting to start with the root chakra for many reasons.

For one, it’s often called the “1st” chakra. Located at the base of your spine, the root chakra is the lowest energy center on your body. When you hear someone refer to 1st chakra, 2nd chakra, 3rd chakra, etc., this means they’re usually starting with this lowest energy center and working upwards.

But even deeper than that, the root chakra is your foundation. You can think of this like a foundation of a house, holding the house up and keeping it safe and secure. You might also compare it to the roots of a tree, keeping the tree steady, stable, and supported.

Without this strong foundation keeping these structures upright, any strong gust of wind could knock it down at any moment.

This is the same for us.

Why Balancing the Root Chakra is Important

We may not think of ourselves as having foundations because we are constantly moving.

However, even though we’re on the move, most of the time, we have one or more body parts, most often our feet, connected to the ground. This is our physical foundation.

Beyond our physical foundation, we have a foundation of basic needs we need to survive. You might think of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs here. At our most basic level, before anything else, we have physiological and safety needs, such as food, water, warmth, rest, security, and safety.

So without a solid foundation to support us, it would be difficult, likely even impossible, to fully meet our other needs such as intimate relationships and creativity.

This is why it makes sense to start with the root chakra. Because without a balanced root chakra, it would be nearly impossible to find balance in our other energy centers. Likely, some would become overstimulated while others would become understimulated.

It’s important to remember that even though these seven main chakras are all separate energy centers, they act as one complete system. When one is out of balance, it’s likely this will affect one or more of the others.

In this post, we’re going to cover all things related to the root chakra: signs of balance and imbalance, affirmations, journal prompts, how to heal an imbalanced root chakra, and various associated attributes.

Root Chakra Attributes

• Sanskrit Name: Muladhara (Mula: “root”; Adhara: “support” or “base”)
• Location: Base of spine
• Color: Red
• Body Parts: Legs, tailbone, kidneys, prostate, bladder, colon
• Symbol: Lotus with four petals
• Element: Earth
• Mantra: LAM
• Gemstones: Obsidian, Hematite, Bloodstone, Red Jasper, Black Tourmaline, Garnet, Onyx, Smoky Quartz
• Essential Oils: Cedarwood, rosemary, sandalwood, basil, and patchouli. (Earthy scents.)

Signs of a Balanced Root Chakra

A balanced root chakra is associated with feelings of steadiness, security, safety, and ease. Again, you can think of yourself as a tree with your roots firmly holding your place in the ground. The wind may come, but it will not bend or break your solid foundation.

We also associate a balanced root chakra with how our mind and spirit feel inside our body. Generally speaking, there’s a sense of safety in one own’s body. You can move with ease and feel secure just as you are.

Here’s a list of signs and feelings attributed to a balanced root chakra:

• Secure
• Grounded
• Centered
• Stable
• Feelings of safety and security
• Feelings of being at ease in one’s own body
• Strong
• Supported
• Peaceful
• Rooted in the present moment
• All basic needs are being met
• Firm in your place in life

Signs of an Imbalanced Root Chakra

As we associate a balanced root chakra with feelings of safety, stability, and ease in our bodies, an imbalanced root chakra results in feelings of instability, restlessness, and fear. This can manifest in many ways. For instance, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, one of the main news headlines was how people were hoarding items such as toilet paper. While this seemed unreasonable and greedy, believe it or not, it actually makes sense.

You see, the pandemic shattered a lot of people’s safe and stable foundations. Because of this, many overcompensated by trying to gain back a feeling of stability. Hoarding and greed are two ways we overcompensate when our foundations are shattered. So by hoarding extra toilet paper and food items, this was an attempt by many to restabilize their shaky foundations.

Here’s a list of signs and attributes of an imbalanced root chakra:

• Insecure
• Anxious
• Excessively negative
• Depressed
• Scattered
• Disconnected
• Restless
• Fearful
• Unmotivated
• Apathetic
• Cynical
• Greedy
• Lazy
• Indecisive

Physical Signs of an Imbalanced Root Chakra

An imbalanced root chakra doesn’t just affect our emotions; it affects our physical body as well. As this energy center is located at the base of the spine, an imbalance of energy most often affects the body parts and organs in the surrounding areas.

I just want to note that I often see “eating disorders” listed under the physical symptoms, and I listed it below, but as many of us know, an eating disorder is much, much more than a physical thing. This also involves our mental and emotional health. When our foundations aren’t stable, food is often used as a means for taking back control. Undereating and restricting food is often a way for one to exercise control over their lives, especially when it feels like the external world is completely out of control. Overeating can also be a result of an unsteady foundation, especially overeating comfort foods, as one looks for an easy way to bring themselves comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

But no two stories are ever the same, and I don’t want to oversimplify something as complex as an eating disorder. Here is more information about eating disorders from the National Eating Disorders Association.

These are some of the physical ailments you may experience with an imbalanced root chakra:

• Constipation
• Digestive Issues
• Eating Disorders
• Lower Body Pain
• Sciatica
• Anemia
• Numbness

Root Chakra Affirmations

I absolutely love affirmations and try to incorporate them into as many areas of my life as possible. And luckily, it’s really pretty easy. Affirmations can be used pretty much anytime: when you first wake up, while you’re in the shower, as you’re commuting to work, while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, or before you go to bed at night.

To make the most of root chakra affirmations, first set the intention to balance your root chakra, and be intentional with your words. One of my favorite ways to use affirmations is to incorporate them into journaling, or even by keeping a journal solely for affirmations. The key here is to always use the present tense and to feel the positive emotions associated with the words as you repeat or write them down.

And for more grounding root chakra affirmations, check out my post, 35 Root Chakra Affirmations to Remain Strong, Steady, and Grounded. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Affirmations

• I am safe and secure.
• I am rooted in this present moment.
• I am grounded.
• I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
• It is right to be exactly as I am.
• It is right to be exactly where I am.
• I have everything I need.
• I feel safe in my body.
• My body takes care of me.
• I inhale trust and exhale fear.
• I am always supported and protected.
• I feel peaceful, grounded, and secure.

Root Chakra Journal Prompts

Journaling is one of my favorite self-care practices, and it’s a great method for healing chakras and realigning your energy. I like to journal for thirty minutes first thing after I wake up so I can set my intentions for the day and start the day off with some positivity. However, everyone’s journaling practice is different and personal to them. Choose the time that works best for you, and allot as much or as little time as you can allow, even if it’s just ten minutes.

And for more powerful journal prompts, check out 30 Journal Prompts to Open and Heal the Root Chakra. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this page to get your free printable affirmations and journal prompts!

Journal Prompts

• What in my external world helps me to feel safe? What about in my internal world?
• What does it mean to me to be grounded? How can I cultivate the feeling of being grounded in my life?
• In the middle of a busy and hectic day, what can I do to help myself to feel centered?
• Reflect on this statement: “I am exactly where I am meant to be.”
• Describe yourself as though you are a tree, with roots that keep you secure to the ground no matter how the wind blows.
• Are there any situations, places, or common experiences in my life that don’t make me feel rooted, secure, safe, and/or grounded? What can I do to help myself in these moments (or change the situation)?
• Visualize your highest self walking through a beautiful, open field with your bare feet touching the ground. Describe this experience, including how it makes you feel.
• Write a compassionate love letter to your body. Use affirmations to affirm that you feel safe, supported, and at ease in your body.

Activating & Healing the Root Chakra

Below are 8 powerful practices for root chakra healing. For deeper insight into how to open, balance, and heal the root chakra, check out my post, Root Chakra Healing: Open & Balane the Root Chakra.

Color Therapy

When you feel like one of your chakras is imbalanced, color therapy is one of the most common and prominent ways to bring that energy center back into balance. Color therapy is immersing yourself in the color associated with that chakra. For the root chakra, this means immersing yourself in all things red. Eat red food. Wear red clothes. Light red candles. (If they’re earth-scented, that’s even better.) If possible, surround yourself with as many red items in your immediate environment as possible. You could even have some painting materials on hand for these moments. Let your inner creative come out and paint an image entirely in the color red.

Journaling

Affirmations journaling is especially powerful in these moments. Affirm to yourself that you are safe and secure and exactly where you are meant to be. You can also use any of the journaling prompts above. I also like to visualize that I’m my highest and most authentic self and write as my highest self. For the root chakra specifically, you can write as your highest and most centered self living your safest, most grounded life. Describe the feelings of being secure in your body as well as feeling secure in the present moment.

Walk Barefoot in the Dirt

The root chakra is associated with the earth, so this is the perfect time to immerse yourself in nature and let your bare feet touch the ground. Of course, this may be more difficult for some depending on where you live. If possible, try to find a place to immerse yourself in nature for a bit. Our nature is truly our foundation, so this allows us to (no pun intended) get back to our roots.

Yoga

Each chakra has associated yoga poses to help heal imbalanced energy. For an imbalanced root chakra, choose poses that allow you to feel balanced and safe. Some poses might include Mountain Pose, Downward Dog, Tree Pose, Lunge Pose, and Warrior II.

Here’s a great video from Yoga With Adriene specifically dedicated to the root chakra.

Meditation

For an unguided root chakra meditation, visualize a glowing red light at the base of your spine. See that light get brighter as you inhale and bigger as you exhale. You might also visualize a red lotus flower at the base of your spine.

Here are some root chakra guided meditations using the free Insight Timer app:

• Root Chakra Love by Hannah Devries
• Root Chakra Therapy by Cory Cochiolo
• Root Chakra Meditation by Sarah Da Silva

Affirmations

I mentioned this one in the journaling section, but if you’re unable to sit down and write, repeating affirmations either silently or aloud is a powerful practice. You can do this while you’re getting ready for the day, showering, commuting to work – anytime, really. You could also combine this with other practices on the list, such as taking a walk in nature.

Gemstones

Use crystals associated with the root chakra to activate this energy center. A powerful way to receive the healing power of the crystal is to hold it during meditation. You can also carry crystals around with you during the day. A few examples of gemstones associated with the root chakra are obsidian, hematite, onyx, bloodstone, red jasper, black tourmaline, and garnet.

Here’s a few more posts to help you get started with using crystals and gemstones to heal the chakras:

• 7 Chakra Healing Crystals to Restore Inner Harmony
• How to Use Crystals: Grids, Pendulums & More

Essential Oils

Use earth-scented essential oils, such as cedarwood, rosemary, sandalwood, basil, and patchouli.

With any of the practices above, don’t forget to be intentional with your actions. For instance, if you light candles or use essential oils, do so with the intention to heal or activate your root chakra. Then, let these intentions be your guide as you take the next right step in balancing your energy centers.

For more information on how to use essential oils to heal the chakras, check out my post, A Guide to Essential Oils for Chakra Healing.

And there you have it: how to activate, balance, and heal the root chakra, plus journal prompts and affirmations to help you on your journey! Have any other questions about the root chakra? Leave a note in the comments below!

For more more chakra resources, plus uplifting affirmations and self-love encouragement, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!

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Zanna Keithley

Zanna Keithley is an author, poet, and social media content creator who writes short prose dedicated to inspiring readers to follow their dreams, trust their intuition, and create beautiful and fulfilling lives. You can find her original writing on Instagram @zannakeithley.

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