What are chakras?

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According to Eastern spiritual philosophies, chakras are specific energies that run along the spine. Each chakra is believed to be connected to an individual’s emotional, mental, and physical health. When these chakras are balanced, Eastern philosophers argue that a person achieves an optimal sense of wellness (Schneider, 2019).

According to Eastern philosophy, there are as many as 114 chakras in the human body, but the seven main chakras run from the base of the head down to the base of the spine. The focus is on these chakras during chakra meditation (Schneider, 2019).

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Chakra meditation is a blanket term for any type of meditation that seeks to clear blocked chakras and harness the power of these energy centers located throughout the body. They can be used for everything from promoting calm and relaxation to encouraging spiritual awakening (note that those meditations devoted to spiritual awakening should be guided by a certified teacher—not a YouTube video). Basically, if your goal is to feel more balanced or relaxed, or even just to have an easier time falling asleep, a self-monitored practice should suffice. If your intentions are a little deeper, your best bet is to learn from the pros.

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The types of guided chakra meditations you can do yourself at home are often meant to promote a sense of contentment, peace and a greater connection to your sense of self (including these chakra meditations from Chopra). If you try a guided chakra meditation for sleep, like I did, it goes something like this: A soothing voice will tell you to lie down in a comfortable position on your back with your eyes closed. The voice will then walk you through each of your chakras, detailing how to focus on and harness the power of each one.

Regardless of the type of chakra meditation you try, the goal is ultimately to ensure that your chakras are wide open, allowing energy to flow freely throughout your body and allow for a strong connection between your mind and body.