How to Unblock Lower Chakras

Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: March 7, 2022 References

The root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras are the foundation for balance among all 7 major chakras. They govern your physical and emotional identity and connect you to the material world. If you’re experiencing fear or anxiety, creative or sexual inhibitions, or a lack of confidence, it’s likely that one or more of these lower chakras is blocked or out of balance. Luckily, there are a variety of simple remedies for this problem. Read on for a comprehensive guide to unblocking your lower chakras and achieving inner balance and peace.

1

Spend time in nature.

The lower chakras thrive with exposure to the natural world. The root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras are related to the natural elements earth, water, and fire (respectively). Make time to go outdoors and feel the earth under your bare feet, swim or play in a body of water, and feel the heat of the sun on your bare skin.
- For a quick recharge, go somewhere where you can experience all 3 elements at once. A sunny day at the beach is a great (and fun!) example—you can take in the sand, water, and sunshine at the same time.

2

Use positive affirmations.

These phrases soothe negative emotions caused by blocked chakras. For best results, repeat these everyday to help open your lower chakras and increase your confidence, creativity, and sense of security. Repeat these phrases out loud to yourself as a mantra, journal about them, or focus on them while you meditate.^{[1]
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Research source} Try these affirmations when you feel blockage, or experiment with creating your own:
- If you feel insecure or anxious, try a root chakra affirmation like “I deserve to be safe at all times,” “I am at home in my body,” or “I have a right to be here.”
- If you feel creatively or sexually blocked, target your sacral chakra with phrases like “I attract people who treat me with respect,” “My emotions are free-flowing and balanced,” or “I embrace my vibrant sexuality.”
- To stimulate confidence and personal growth, unblock your solar plexus chakra with affirmations like “I give myself permission to be my authentic self,” “I forgive myself for past mistakes and I grow from them,” “I have a lot to offer the world.”

3

Try deep breathing exercises.

Breathing with intention effectively rebalances the lower chakras. As you inhale, direct your air and energy down to one of the chakras. Allow yourself to relax as your lungs expand and gently push against the muscles and organs in your abdomen. Slowly exhale and focus your awareness on the connection between your body and the lower chakras.
- Use deep breathing in combination with yoga, meditation, Reiki, or another chakra-clearing method to amplify its effects.
- Deep breathing is an easy and subtle method you can do at home, at work, or even while you’re traveling whenever you feel blockages.

4

Expose yourself to the colors red, orange, and yellow.

Seeing the color of a blocked chakra helps you reconnect to it. The root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras are represented by red, orange, and yellow (respectively). Fill your home with items or decor in these colors, wear clothes and accessories in these colors, or look at art featuring reds, oranges, and yellows. You can also try:
- Buying or growing red, orange, and yellow flowers
- Working on an art project or craft with these colors
- Using colored light bulbs, lampshades, or curtains in your home

5

Add fresh produce to your diet.

Your chakras thrive on an unprocessed, largely vegetarian diet. Cut back on processed foods, alcohol, and excess sugars, and eat more fruits, vegetables, roots, and spices (and drink lots of water). Try eating less meat or going vegetarian for added benefit. Your energy level will skyrocket as your lower chakras open up.^{[2]
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Research source} Try these chakra-specific foods:
- Root chakra: root vegetables and red foods like tomatoes, beets, radishes, strawberries, parsnips, chili pepper, and red onions.
- Sacral chakra: bright orange foods like oranges, bell peppers, pumpkins, carrots, mangoes, and papaya.
- Solar plexus chakra: yellow foods like bananas, pineapple, apricots, and corn.

6

Work with crystals.

Certain crystals will help you reconnect with and balance your chakras.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.} Find crystals that match the colors of your lower chakras, or use a clear quartz to soothe all three. Wear a crystal as jewelry, hold one in your hands while you meditate, or place them on your body over your chakras during Reiki or meditation.^{[4]
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Research source} Some crystals to look for include:
- Root chakra: black or red crystals like ruby, red jasper, or obsidian.
- Sacral chakra: orange stones like bloodstone, garnet, orange calcite, or carnelian.
- Solar plexus chakra: yellow crystals like yellow calcite, yellow quartz, citrine, and tiger’s eye.

7

Move your body.

Mindful movement opens the root chakra. Make time in your daily schedule to get up and move, being mindful of all the parts of your body that work together harmoniously. The more you enjoy an activity, the better you'll feel while you're doing it. Try things like:
- Dancing (out with friends or alone at home)
- Going for a walk or run in nature
- Taking a shower and really feeling the water hitting your skin

8

Work on creative activities.

The sacral chakra clears when you're making or building things. Work on an art project or craft, play a musical instrument, or go see a stimulating live show. Anything that gets your creative or emotional mind working will help unblock this chakra. Other ideas include:
- Creative writing or journaling to connect to your emotions
- Reading a novel or fictional work
- Lying still and allowing your mind to daydream and wander

9

Get out there and try new things.

The solar plexus chakra responds to novel experiences. Make a goal to try something new everyday, whether it’s something small like a new potato chip flavor or something striking like a different hairstyle or outfit. As your self-confidence grows, your chakra will unblock. Try:
- Exploring new hobbies or areas of interest
- Playing a new game or sport with unfamiliar rules
- Traveling to a place you’ve never been before

10

Use essential oils.

Each chakra responds to certain essential oils. Your sense of smell connects you to the physical world. Since your lower chakras also ground you, essential oils are a great way to help ease the chakras open. Treat yourself to some aromatherapy candles or use an oil diffuser in your home.^{[5]
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Research source}
- Root chakra: cedarwood and cypress for the root chakra.
- Sacral chakra: grapefruit, orange, jasmine, or rose.
- Solar plexus chakra: lemon, ginger, peppermint, or sandalwood.
- You can also rub a few drops of oil into your palms before meditating or performing Reiki to activate your skin and sense of touch.

11

Do chakra-strengthening yoga poses.

Yoga is a fantastic method to physically realign your lower chakras. It strengthens your core and straightens your spine, which allows energy to flow freely up and down between your chakras. Start with poses that unblock your root chakra, and then work your way up to the solar plexus.^{[6]
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Research source} Here are some chakra-specific moves to try:
- Root chakra: focus on poses that ground you to the earth like Child's pose, Bridge pose, or a standing forward bend.
- Sacral chakra: do poses that express openness and creativity like Cobra pose, Pigeon pose, and Frog pose.
- Solar plexus chakra: end with moves that strengthen your core muscles like Warrior pose, Spine twists, and Bow pose.

12

Meditate on your lower chakras.

Meditation lets you look inward and identify chakra blockages. Sit or lay in a quiet place, close your eyes, and focus your mind on the root, sacral, or solar plexus chakra. If you want to target all of them in one session, begin with the root chakra and move your way up along the spine to the solar plexus. Use mantras, crystals, essential oils, or soft background music to supplement your meditation.^{[7]
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Research source}
- To target the root chakra: visualize a red ball of energy at the base of your spine that makes you feel safe and grounded.
- For the sacral chakra: imagine an orange ball of energy over your sacrum that makes you feel creative and sexually uninhibited.
- Unblock the solar plexus chakra: picture a yellow ball of energy just underneath your rib cage that makes you feel powerful and confident.

13

Perform a Reiki healing session.

Reiki activates natural healing abilities through the touch of your hands. Visit a trained Reiki healer or perform the ritual on yourself at home by placing the palms of your hands over each lower chakra and meditating on them for several minutes.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.} Visualize a river of healing energy flowing from your hands, through your palms, and into your chakras. A typical session can last 10 minutes or up to an hour.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Let the weight and warmth of your hands relax the skin and muscles around each chakra. The goal is to be loose so your healing energy can flow freely.
- Don’t worry about placing your hands in the exact spot of each chakra. As long as you’re in the general area and focused, you will feel the healing results.
- If you’re performing Reiki on all 3 lower chakras in one session, begin at the root chakra and work your way upwards.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I choose a Reiki master?

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Emily Christensen is a Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and the Founder of Rainbow Raaja based in Southern California and now King County, Washington. Emily has over six years of experience as a Massage Therapist and in using tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), and shamanic healing. She received Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Emily Christensen

Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Answer

Reiki originated in Japan, so finding a Master who has knowledge of the traditional practice is a plus — they will teach respect for the culture this healing art originated from, as well as teach the discipline, versatility and simplicity of the practice as well.