As a wellness devotee, it’s likely you’ve heard of sound baths and chakras, but it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of them used in unison with meditation.
But we can confirm it’s officially a thing—with ahead of the curve yoga brand Alo Yoga releasing a series of sound bath meditations with Phyllicia Bonanno—yoga teacher and reiki healer—that are specific to unlocking each chakra and designed to awaken, enliven and release the chakra that has been holding you back.
And before you say, ‘But what chakra blockage? I don’t have one of those…’ with seven chakras, it’s likely you may have one you just haven’t made space to really feel or recognise it.
But before we jump ahead, for those that aren’t across it, what does this involve exactly?
As you may know, sound bath meditations involve using a singing bowl to create a mellow humming sound that resonates through the room instilling a sense of inner peace, thanks to the vibration of the sound and its ability to balance the body and energy centres (aka chakras).
Of course, like a human voice, singing bowls have varying levels of tone, pitch and vibrational frequency, so essentially depending on the sound bath meditation and it’s rhythm it can be curated specifically to tap into a chakra you need to hone in on and release.
In short… it’s a customised meditation that will crack open a stubborn chakra (in the best possible way!) and allow you to live more freely and happily.
But how then do you know if you have a blocked chakra? By reading our Sporteluxe chakra guide! We’ve compiled a basic guide to the seven chakras and what common symptoms manifest as a result of a blocked chakra, to help you identify the right sound bath meditation for you.
7 Chakras And How To Know If They Are Imbalanced
1. Root (Muladhra)
The root chakra is situated at the base of your body and is governed by your ‘base’ survival needs such as need for house, warmth, stability, food, security, emotional support and social connection.
Symptoms of an imbalanced root chakra include:
Someone with a blocked root chakra may feel unsafe, anxious or worried by a lack of security—whether it may be in a job, house, relationship or own self-worth.
If your root chakra feels imbalanced, try the Root Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
2. Sacral (Svadhishthana)
The sacral chakra is situated just above the root, below the navel at the centre of the lower belly and is said to be the energy centre that drives enjoyment and pleasure, associated with emotion, sexuality and sensuality, creativity and fantasy.
Symptoms of an imbalanced sacral chakra include:
For someone with a blocked sacral chakra, they may be ruled entirely by emotions—or not feel anything, lack in libido or conversely be fuelled by sexual obsession or may just feel ‘stuck’ and unable to shift a feeling or mood.
If your sacral chakra feels imbalanced, try the Sacral Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
3. Solar Plexus (Manipura)
The solar plexus chakra is situated just above the sacral and covers the upper belly area and is the energy centre that rules willpower, self worth and the ability to assert ourselves in the world.
Symptoms of an imbalanced solar plexus chakra include:
For someone experiencing a blocked solar plexus chakra, they may act controlling or competitive, overeat, be tired all the time, feel insecure, anxious or fearful, have a low body weight or no appetite, be lacking in confidence or a healthy body image or unable to focus. It also may manifest through stomach issues such as ulcers, indigestion etc.
If your solar plexus chakra feels imbalanced, try the Solar Plexus Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
4. Heart (Anahata)
The heart chakra is situated as you can probably guess—at the heart centre (middle of chest)—and is the energy centre that regulates love but also corresponds to connection with others, compassion and empathy, forgiveness, transformation, awareness and spirituality and contentment.
Symptoms of an imbalanced heart chakra include:
For someone experiencing a blocked heart chakra, they may feel defensive, closed off, unable to be intimate or open, dependent on approval of others, isolated or anti-social, bitter and unable to forgive or let go.
If your heart chakra feels imbalanced, try the Heart Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
5. Throat (Vishuddha)
The throat chakra is situated in the throat region and is responsible for inner and outer voice, be it speaking, expressing truth, communicating with others and connecting to the spiritual intuitive self etc.
Symptoms of an imbalanced throat chakra include:
For someone experiencing a blocked throat chakra, it may show up as—being unable to speak, or speaking too much, not listening to others, fear of speaking, inability to keep secrets, lacking purpose, lying or being shy and introverted.
If your throat chakra feels imbalanced, try the Throat Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
6. Third Eye (Ajna)
The third eye chakra is situated between the eyebrows and is known as the energy centre that houses inner wisdom, intuition, perception, creativity and inspiration and other subtle energies such as psychic ability.
Symptoms of an imbalanced third eye chakra include:
For someone experiencing a blocked third eye chakra, they may feel stuck and unable to see the bigger picture, be unable to find a clear direction or vision, resistant to spirituality or lacking in clarity.
If your third eye chakra feels imbalanced, try the Third Eye Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The crown chakra is located at the top of the head and is the energy centre associated as the place of higher consciousness and transcendence that works to transport us beyond limitations and into a higher state of being and bliss.
Symptoms of an imbalanced crown chakra include:
For someone experiencing a blocked crown chakra, they may feel disconnected spiritually or negative towards spirituality or conversely too attached to the spiritual realms, spend time living within the head and thoughts and are less connected to body and nature or be close-minded.
If your crown chakra feels imbalanced, try the Crown Chakra Sound Bath Meditation from Alo Yoga.
