Chakra Breathing Meditation is a powerful and transformative practice that integrates breath with mindful awareness of the physical body’s energy centers, or the chakras. This meditation method, drawing from Osho’s teachings, has as its goal the activation and harmonization of the seven major chakras, with breath acting as the means to channel energy to each center. By purposefully breathing into every chakra, we are able to release blocks, disperse stagnating energy, and activate increased circulation of life force (prana) within the body.
This meditation not only works on the physical level by improving lung capacity and oxygenation, but it also works on the energetic level, facilitating healing and awakening within the chakras. It helps us become more aware of the subtle energy currents in the body, allowing us to cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and the universe.
The seven major chakras are centers of energy in the body, each controlling particular physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. During Chakra Breathing Meditation, each chakra relates to a distinct pattern of breath that assists in stimulating and balancing its energy:
Location: Base of the spine
Color: Red
Sound (Bija Mantra): LAM
Breathing Technique: Deep, slow abdominal breathing
Area of Influence: Stability, survival, physical grounding
Location: Lower abdomen
Color: Orange
Sound (Bija Mantra): VAM
Breathing Technique: Rhythmic, soft breathing into pelvis
Area of Influence: Creativity, emotional balance, sexuality
Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra):
Location: Solar plexus
Color: Yellow
Sound (Bija Mantra): RAM
Breathing Technique: Breathing deep into solar plexus, perceiving warmth
Area of Influence: Personal power, self-esteem, digestion
Location: Heart center
Color: Green
Sound (Bija Mantra): YAM
Breathing Technique: Deep open heart breathing
Area of Influence: Love, compassion, self-acceptance
Location: Throat center
Color: Blue
Sound (Bija Mantra): HAM
Breathing Technique: Deep, slow breathing through the throat
Area of Influence: Communication, self-expression, truth
Location: Third eye (between the eyebrows)
Color: Indigo
Sound (Bija Mantra): OM
Breathing Technique: Concentrated, deep breathing between the eyebrows
Area of Influence: Intuition, wisdom, clarity
Location: Crown of the head
Color: Violet/White
Sound (Bija Mantra): Silence/No Sound
Breathing Technique: Light, natural breathing, no force
Area of Influence: Spiritual connection, enlightenment
The Phases of Chakra Breathing Meditation
The Chakra Breathing Meditation is generally done step by step, one chakra at a time. Each chakra will be stimulated using certain breathwork techniques that are attuned to its energy.
Phase 1: Preparation (5–10 minutes)
Goal: To establish a peaceful, concentrated atmosphere and prepare the body and mind for the meditation.
Get a quiet, comfortable place where you will not be interrupted. Sit in a relaxed manner—either on the floor with crossed legs or in a chair with feet firmly planted.
Close your eyes and start by taking deep breaths to relax the body. Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth, letting the body release any tension or stress.
Create an intention for your practice. You can say to yourself, “I am open to healing and transformation” or “I am aligning my energy centers with the flow of life.”
Imagine a light that is bright surrounding you, creating safety and protection while you practice. This light assists in generating an energy field where the meditation can occur.
Phase 2: Chakra Breathing (30–40 minutes)
Objective: To energize every chakra using specific breathing exercises, stimulating the flow of energy throughout the body.
Muladhara (Root Chakra) – LAM
Breathing: Start by breathing deeply and slowly into your belly, filling your abdomen while you inhale and emptying it while you exhale.
Place your attention at the base of your spine, imagining a red light emanating from this point. As you inhale, imagine energy flowing from the Earth up into your root chakra. With each exhale, let go of any sense of fear, insecurity, or instability.
Chant the sound LAM silently or out loud, feeling the vibrations travel through your root chakra.
Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra) – VAM
Breathing: Now bring your attention to the space just below the navel. Breathe deeply and rhythmically into your lower belly, filling out the pelvic region with each breath.
Imagine an orange light radiating from this chakra. As you inhale, imagine the energy of creativity, happiness, and emotional equilibrium filling this center.
Chant the sound VAM silently or aloud as you continue to breathe into this space, opening your sacral chakra.
Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra) – RAM
Breathing: Guide your breath into the solar plexus, slightly above the navel. Breathe deeply and steadily, and sense the heat growing in your upper belly.
Imagine a vivid yellow light radiating from this region. Every breath charges you with individual power, confidence, and energy.
Chant the sound RAM, emphasizing the development of your inner willpower and self-worth.
Anahata (Heart Chakra) – YAM
Breathing: Pay attention to your chest, where the heart chakra is. Breathe in deeply, opening the chest, and breathe out with a feeling of release.
Imagine a gentle green light emanating from your heart. As you breathe, imagine the energy of love, compassion, and peace moving through your heart.
Sternly or out loud repeat the sound YAM, letting it vibrate in the heart chakra, making you receptive to greater emotional equilibrium and self-love.
Vishuddha (Throat Chakra) – HAM
Breathing: Focus your breathing on the throat region. Take slow, deep breaths, filling up your chest and throat with each one.
Imagine that there’s a blue light shining in your throat. As you inhale, fill this space with the energy of unclouded speech and self-expression.
Chant the sound HAM, with the vibration of truth and communication opening up the throat chakra.
Ajna (Third Eye) – OM
Breathing: Center on the middle of your forehead, between your eyebrows. Breathe deeply into the area between your eyes, so that your breath slows down and becomes even.
Imagine a profound indigo light at your third eye. As you breathe in, notice your intuition and inner knowing opening up.
Chant the sound OM, letting the vibration open your third eye, bringing more clarity and spiritual awareness.
Sahasrara (Crown Chakra) – Silence
Breathing: Next, bring attention to the very top of your head, where the crown chakra is. Breathe gently and freely, without conscious effort.
Imagine a violet or white light emanating from the crown of your head. Sense the energy linking you to higher consciousness and universal awareness.
During this phase, there is no noise. Just lie in the quiet and calmness and let the energy move freely and easily.
Phase 3: Integration and Relaxation (5–10 minutes)
Goal: To let the energy settle and integrate the meditation effects into your body and mind.
Once you’ve completed the breathwork for one chakra, sit quietly for a few minutes. Pay attention to the physical sensations in your body, feel how the energy has changed and balanced.
Make a few good deep breaths, letting the energy integrate and stabilize.
Visualize a gold light surrounding the whole of your body, binding together the energies of all of the chakras.
Feel balanced and stable, taking the calm energy of the meditation into your life.
Chakra Breathing Meditation has many advantages, both physically and energetically. These are:
Balancing and Aligning the Chakras: The aware breathing brings to life, balances, and harmonizes the energy centers, leading to universal wellness.
Emotional Release and Healing: Breathing into each chakra helps release emotional blockages, allowing for deep emotional healing and inner peace.
Increased Vitality: As the breath carries life force (prana) into each chakra, it revitalizes the body and mind, promoting greater energy and vitality.
Enhanced Mental Clarity: With focused breathwork, this meditation clears mental fog and enhances concentration, intuition, and creativity.
Spiritual Awakening: The practice makes the practitioner more receptive to higher levels of consciousness, and it encourages spiritual evolution and unity with God.
How did the breathing feel as you transitioned through each chakra? Did you experience any particular sensation or emotion associated with a specific chakra?
Was there one chakra that felt more blocked or energized during the meditation? How did the breath assist in releasing or energizing the area?
What transformed or shifted in your mind or body once you finished the meditation? How are you feeling now, in emotional and physical terms, as far as energy is concerned?
How can you incorporate Chakra Breathing Meditation into your life for increased balance and harmony?
Conclusion
Chakra Breathing Meditation is a dynamic practice that uses the breath to balance the body’s energy centers and enhance overall health and vitality. By breathing consciously into each chakra and imagining its related light and sound, we access profound reservoirs of healing energy and establish a sense of balance and inner peace. Regular practice can release emotional blockages, enhance spiritual awareness, and build vitality, leading to a more centered and harmonious life.