Chakra Breathing Techniques

Chakra Locations

The term Chakra in Sanskrit means “wheel”. Chakras are centres of Prana (life force) or Vital Energy and correspond to vital parts of the physical body, for example, major plexuses, nerves and arteries as well as the metaphysical counterparts of the endocrine system.

There are 7 main Chakras in the physical body;

7:Crown, 6:Brow, 5:Throat, 4:Heart, 3:Solar Plexus,

2:Sacral, 1: Root.

Before practicing Chakra Breathing Techniques the first thing to do is bring awareness to the Chakras. This is done by focusing attention on a Chakra and simply noticing any feelings in the area and the energy centre. This may include subtle sensory perceptions and feelings of warmth, tingling and buzzing. By becoming mindful of what is already there, you are engaging the mind/body connection. By doing this you develop the ability to perceive subtleties and insights.

After bringing attention and awareness to the energy centre, you can begin with simple breathing techniques to energize the Chakras. A good starting point is a technique known as the ‘Direct & Guide Method,’ i.e., the in-breath is directed to one of the Chakras. When we direct the in-breath to a Chakra it becomes the energetic anchor allowing you to vitalize the body and concentrate the mind. The ‘Direct & Guide Method’ is a very simple and straightforward practice that helps develop concentration while paving the way to deeper states of meditation.

The Direct & Guide Method Bring awareness to any single Chakra Inhale then direct & guide the energy of the in-breath to the Chakra Exhale and allow awareness to settle into the Chakra

The ‘Direct & Guide’ technique can be done for any of the Chakras but it should be practiced on one Chakra at a time. In time, as your comprehension deepens, you’ll be directing & guiding prana into multiple Chakras at a time. Whilst inhaling, focus on the Chakra with single-pointed attention and direct & guide the energy of the breath deep into the Chakra. On exhalation, allow Awareness to remain and deepen, becoming aware of any sensations present in the Chakra as you build up the breaths. This may include feelings of warmth, tingling, or other subtle vibrations.

Horizontal Chakra Breathing This technique aims at moving energy through and between the Chakras. A basic technique for the Third Chakra (Solar Plexus) is to breathe in through the navel and consciously direct prana (life force) and Awareness to that point on the spine opposite the navel (like threading a needle between the two points). Following the inhalation, the breath can be retained while Awareness is centred on the Third Chakra at the spine. On the exhalation feel prana return from the point on the spine to the navel. As the exhalation lingers, focus on exhaling out of the navel.

Horizontal Chakra Breathing for the Navel Breathe in through the navel while guiding prana to the point opposite the navel on the spine. At the end of the inhalation, hold Awareness & Prana at that point on the spine. Exhale and feel prana coming back from the spine to the navel.

This exercise may be done with the exception of the root and crown points. Since the Root Chakra is located at the perineum, it is not possible to direct prana from front to back with the inhalation in the same way that we can for each of the other Chakras. However, we can practice a similar technique by moving prana from the perineum, to the coccyx at the tip of the spine. This movement of energy upwards is very common in more advanced chakra breathing techniques.

Horizontal Chakra Breathing for the Heart Breathe in through the centre of the chest while guiding the energy of the breath to the opposite point on the spine. At the end of the inhalation, hold Awareness and prana at the Heart Chakra point on the spine. Exhale and feel the energy move forward from the point on the spine, returning to the centre of the chest. The Heart Chakra is expanding.

Always follow your intuition and practice what feels right at the time.

Like a needle-pulling thread, breath goes in forwards to backwards,

breath goes out backwards to forwards.

Biblio: Anatomy of the Spirit, C Myss: Kundalini Yoga, Saraswati: The Chakra System, J Anodea: Chakra Bible, P Mercier: J S Wren personal notes, experience & observance