How to Activate Your Chakras

Chakras are areas of energy described in Hindu and Buddhist traditions that run through your center from the base of your spine to the top of your head. The word chakra (pronounced “CHOCK-rah”) is Sanskrit for “wheel,” referring to the idea of spinning energy in each one. Each chakra has its own symbolism and is traditionally associated with different aspects of your physical, mental, and spiritual self. Chakra energy can be thought of as low, high, or anywhere in between—it exists on a spectrum rather than being simply “open” or “closed.” The chakras are thought to work best when balanced. Keeping that in mind, you can work with your chakras one at a time, starting wherever you feel needs attention. If you’re unsure where to start, begin at the foundation with the Root chakra and work your way up.

The energy of chakras is a fascinating system of self-exploration that ties in well with yoga, aromatherapy, crystals, meditation, and sound. Each chakra has its own symbol, color, element, food, and even day of the week! Here, we’ve pared it down to a simple guide to activating each chakra. If you want to learn more about the colors, symbols, and meanings first, check out our chakra chart and meanings guide.

These symbols have inspired our art at Soul Flower for years. Being mindful and in tune with your soul are a couple of our core values. We love the positive messages and mantras behind chakra-inspired art, and we hope learning more about chakras inspires you to slow down, check in with yourself, and find a little more balance along the way.

1st Chakra: Root

The red Root chakra is located at the base of your spine and is all about your roots, your history, survival, and the material world. When this chakra feels balanced, it is traditionally associated with feeling connected to the earth, safe, grounded, and in control. All other chakras build from this one, so the Root is a natural place to start: all good things come from a solid foundation.

Activate the Root Chakra

1. Get in tune with your physical body through exercise, yoga, dancing, or walking.
2. Connect with nature by taking a barefoot walk through the grass, taking a nap in the shade, or spending time relaxing at the foot of a tree.
3. Use aromatherapy to reconnect with comforting memories. Smell is closely connected to memory, so recreate some of your favorite scents from childhood—chocolate chip cookies, anyone?!—and see what warm, fuzzy feelings come up.
4. Explore earthy scents such as cedarwood, sandalwood, or patchouli. You can find more grounding aromas in our essential oils and incense collection.

2nd Chakra: Sacral

The orange Sacral chakra is located below the navel in the hips and is traditionally associated with your emotions, desires, creativity, and pleasure. When this chakra feels balanced, you may feel alive, open to your emotions, comfortable in your body, and able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Activate the Sacral Chakra

1. Indulge in some sensory pleasure by savoring your favorite dark chocolate or fruit tea. Or bite into a sweet, ripe mango or some melt-in-your-mouth roasted vegetables. Savor each morsel; food is one of life’s simplest pleasures!
2. Tap into the elemental energy of water by going swimming, taking a bath, or relaxing next to a body of water, fountain, or waterfall.
3. Connect with your body through massage, dancing, stretching, or a balancing yoga flow.
4. Explore sweet or floral scents and take a few moments to simply notice and enjoy the aroma.

3rd Chakra: Solar Plexus

 The yellow Solar Plexus chakra is located in your belly and is traditionally associated with personal power, confidence, and motivation. When this chakra feels balanced, you may feel outgoing, happy, relaxed yet energized, with a little extra zest for living your best life.

Activate the Solar Plexus Chakra

1. Tap into the elemental power of the sun and fire: soak up some sunshine, stoke a campfire, or simply light the flame of a candle.
2. Ignite some heat in your belly by enjoying spicy foods or ginger tea.
3. Do something that makes you feel powerful: practice core strength with Pilates or yoga, wear something that makes you glow, or jam out to some rock music.
4. Brighten the atmosphere with an uplifting citrus scent such as lemon.

4th Chakra: Heart

The green Heart chakra is located at your heart center and is traditionally associated with love, compassion, empathy, and connection. When this chakra feels balanced, you may find it easier to connect with yourself and others, nurture your relationships, and practice loving kindness.

Activate the Heart Chakra

1. Give hugs! Show your love for others and express your gratitude for your closest friends and family members. Lock eyes and smile at the barista.
2. Practice self-love daily. Whatever that means for you—dancing, listening to music, candlelit baths, yoga, or playing with your furbabies.
3. Soak up some green: walk among trees, start a garden, or add a few houseplants to your home.
4. Explore scents traditionally associated with relaxation and love, and give yourself a few quiet moments to simply breathe them in.

5th Chakra: Throat

The blue Throat chakra is all about self-expression and finding your voice. When this chakra feels balanced, it is traditionally associated with feeling empowered to speak your truth, communicate with others, and listen with intention. You may be inspired to make noise—with your breath, in song, or by expressing yourself through writing.

Activate the Throat Chakra

1. Get some energy flowing through your throat, literally! Sing along to your favorite songs, hum with the radio, or practice the freeing yogic lion’s breath.
2. Spend time journaling your whirlwind thoughts. Understanding yourself a little better can make it easier to communicate with others.
3. Connect through the power of communication by teaching your niece a recipe, having a heart-to-heart with a friend, or simply focusing on really listening when someone is trying to connect with you.
4. Make space for another form of self-expression that feels like you—writing, art, music, clothing, movement, or anything else that helps your personality come through.

6th Chakra: Third Eye

The indigo Third Eye chakra is located at the center of your forehead at the brow and is traditionally associated with inner vision, insight, imagination, intuition, and clarity of thought. When this chakra feels balanced, you may feel focused and steady or find yourself looking at things from a different perspective.

Activate the Third Eye Chakra

1. Practice entering states of flow: those moments when you’re so engaged in an activity that you lose track of time. Whether it’s drawing a mandala, practicing yoga, gardening, making music, or coding software, give your full attention to the activity at hand.
2. Make a vision board for your future, or practice free-writing by putting pen to paper for a set amount of time without stopping to edit yourself. See what treasures you can unearth.
3. Free your mind: read books, ask questions, dig deep into topics that interest you, meditate, explore, and stay curious.
4. Try making your own mandala and combine creativity, concentration, and a little time with nature.

7th Chakra: Crown

The violet Crown chakra is located at the top of your head and is traditionally associated with consciousness, spirituality, wisdom, and connection to something larger than yourself. In chakra traditions, the Crown is often explored after working with the other six chakras.

Activate the Crown Chakra

1. Meditate. Practice bringing your attention back to the present moment. If you struggle with sitting still, try a walking meditation and sync your breath to your steps.
2. Let your mind ride the waves of sound by listening to classical music or om chanting—or voice the ommmm yourself.
3. Continue your journey. The symbol for the Crown chakra is the thousand-petal lotus, a reminder of the vast beauty that can unfold when you keep learning and growing. Do something every day that helps you move toward the person you want to become.
4. Make space for whatever helps you feel connected—to nature, your community, your spiritual practice, your creativity, or simply a quiet moment of gratitude.

Finding Your Own Chakra Practice

There isn’t one perfect way to work with your chakras. Start with the area that speaks to you, try a few of these ideas, and notice what helps you feel more grounded, creative, confident, loving, expressive, focused, or connected.

Want to dig a little deeper? Explore our complete chakra chart and meanings guide for the colors, symbols, mantras, and traditional meanings of all seven chakras. And if scent is part of your practice, wander through our current collection of hippie essential oils and incense.

Further Reading

The Key to the Chakras by Vicki Howie
Chakra Workbook by Pauline Wills
Awakening the Chakras by Victor Daniels, Kooch N. Daniels, and Pieter Weltevrede