It’s a scenario you may have seen play out at the movies: The protagonist stands in front of a mirror just before a massive moment in their life and repeats an empowering phrase over and over again until their confidence visibly improves and they stride away, ready to take on the world.
In real life, affirmations — which are simply affirmative (supportive) phrases repeated over and over again — are a self-help technique used to develop empowering beliefs, dispel negativity, and let go of resistance.
They’re also used by some to balance and heal the chakras.
The chakras have long been a part of Hindu, Buddhist, and other spiritual systems.
They’re believed to be wheel-like energy centers distributing throughout the body that influence physical, emotional, and spiritual health, though there’s no scientific evidence to support this.
Proponents typically consider the seven chakras distributed along the spine to be the main ones, but some systems list hundreds of chakras.
According to energy workers, these energy centers can become blocked. Blockages are believed to amplify negative qualities that can manifest in many ways, from difficulty communicating to feelings of hostility.
Some believe that repeating affirmations can help unblock the chakras and allow the energy to flow freely again. Chakras can also be overactive, meaning that too much energy is flowing or accumulating at that particular center.
“Affirmations offer a potent alchemical synergy of intention, spoken word, and the mindfulness to harness the power of the present moment,” says Adora Winquist, a self-defined modern alchemist and expert in vibrational medicine.
“Our intention directs the flow of energy within our physical and nonphysical bodies, known as our energy field,” she says. “This field of energy contains our chakras, also known as our energy centers.”
Winquist says these centers receive and transmit information and experiences through the mind-body connection. By working with affirmations, she believes you can enhance the energy flow in your body.
Do affirmations actually work? Some research suggests the answer is yes.
A 2015 research article found that self-affirmation alters the brain’s response to health messages and subsequently prompts behavior change.
However, another research article published in 2009 concluded that affirmations may not be effective for everyone.
Researchers found that participants with low self-esteem who repeated a positive self-statement felt worse than those who didn’t repeat the statement. Participants with high self-esteem, on the other hand, felt better than those who didn’t repeat the statement — but just to a limited degree.
The only way to discover whether affirmations work for you may be to give them a go for yourself.
There’s no scientific evidence of the existence of chakras, but they’re present in many spiritual and alternative healing traditions the world over. There’s likely no harm in giving chakra affirmations a try.
You can include chakra affirmations in your life in many ways. You can incorporate them into your meditation practice, listen to a recording, or add them into prayers.
Don’t expect parting clouds and trumpeting angels, though.
“Sometimes the shifts in our awareness are subtle,” says Winquist.
She suggests journaling your affirmations and your response to them.
“There are moments when you’ll catch yourself responding in a healthier way to a person or a situation,” Winquist says.
You can note this down in your journal to deepen your awareness of your behavior and reconnect to the affirmation.
The root chakra is the first chakra in the human body. It’s linked to:
- strength
- safety
- grounding
- community
- nourishment
- stability
“Our root chakras represent our connection to the Earth, our bodies, our tribe or family of origin, and our communities,” says Winquist. “How we care for our physical body and nourish our beings is directly related to this chakra. Our sense of feeling safe, secure, and financially stable are also connected to our roots.”
Negative aspects, or shadow issues, associated with the root chakra include:
- aggression
- indecision
- anxiety
- insecurity
- greed
- attachment
- fear
Root chakra affirmations
Some possible root chakra affirmations include:
- I am healthy and vibrant.
- I am deeply and safely connected to my body and the Earth.
- I feel the ground firmly beneath my feet.
- I honor the temple of my body with deep care and reverence.
- I’m open to life’s opportunities.
- I am committed to fulfilling my life’s purpose.
The sacral chakra is the second chakra in the human body. It’s linked to:
- creativity
- sensuality
- sexuality
- pleasure
- emotions
- intimacy
“The sacral chakra in part governs the flow of life, the emotional body and soul, and also the creative process,” says Candice Covington, author of “Essential Oils in Spiritual Practice: Working with the Chakras, Divine Archetypes, and the Five Great Elements.”
“Our sensuality and sexuality are also connected to this center, which desires authentic and intimate communion with another,” says Winquist.
A blocked or overactive sacral chakra may manifest as:
- overindulgence
- codependence
- lack of sexual desire
- feeling numb
- disconnection
Sacral chakra affirmations
Some possible sacral chakra affirmations include:
- I accept the flow of life.
- I use my energy for creative expression.
- I’m free to express my emotions in a healthy way.
- I honor my sensual expression.
- I am an empowered sexual being.
- My creativity flows effortlessly.
The solar plexus is the third chakra in the human body. It’s said to influence:
- personal power
- mental abilities
- decision-making
- self-discipline
- influence
“The solar plexus rules, in part, the mental body, including the ability to make decisions and act logically. It also houses personal power and is a protective source for self and others,” says Covington.
Shadow issues associated with an imbalanced solar plexus chakra include:
- feelings of helplessness
- an unhealthy need to control
- acting obsessively
- lacking clear direction
- low self-esteem
Solar plexus affirmations
Try these affirmations for opening the solar plexus:
- I am decisive.
- I make clear choices.
- I take healthy risks.
- I commit to my direction in life.
- I am open to possibilities.
- I am empowered to live my best life.
The heart chakra is the fourth chakra in the human body. It’s associated with:
- love
- beauty
- compassion
- transformation
- connection
- relationships
“Our heart connects us to all of humanity and kingdoms of life around us,” says Winquist. They “desire wholeness and harmony and… to connect in intimate loving relationships.”
An imbalanced heart chakra may manifest as:
- fear of intimacy
- defensiveness
- jealousy
- antisocial behavior
- holding grudges
- guilt and shame
Heart chakra affirmations
Try these affirmations for opening the heart:
- My heart is open to give and receive love.
- I feel compassion for myself and others.
- I am a conduit for love and peace.
- I am full of gratitude for my ability to love.
- My heart is full of unconditional love for all beings.
The throat chakra is the fifth chakra in the human body. It’s linked with:
- communication
- self-expression
- honesty
- speech
- truth
- clarity
“The throat chakra is, in part, about elegant speech used to create environments internally and externally. It’s about recognizing truth and finding clarity,” Covington says.
“A balanced throat chakra allows us to speak with both grace and also the strength of our convictions,” says Winquist. “The throat is also a center of higher creativity and the self-expression of our personal freedoms.”
Negative aspects associated with the throat chakra include:
- inability to speak your truth
- telling lies
- difficulty communicating
- lack of purpose in life
- lack of creative expression
Throat chakra affirmations
A few affirmations for the throat chakra include:
- I listen to my own inner knowing.
- I speak my truth.
- I let my voice be heard.
- I trust my conviction and act on my truth.
- I do no harm with my words.
- I speak with authenticity, grace, and courage.
- I express my creativity with ease and joy.
The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra in the human body. It’s associated with:
- intuition
- foresight
- psychic vision
- mysticism
- spiritual knowledge
“The third eye relates to inner and outer vision, intuition and the mystical aspects of nature and our physical relationship to the natural world,” Winquist explains. “It is from here we can envision ideas and even sophisticated mental constructs to be materialized in the physical world.”
Shadow issues associated with the third eye chakra include:
- a lack of clarity and vision
- feeling stuck
- an inability to see the whole picture
- disconnection from spiritual perceptions
Third eye chakra affirmations
Try these affirmations to enhance third eye energy:
- I see my life’s purpose clearly.
- I am connected to the spiritual world.
- I am open to the truths of the universe.
- I am connected to the divine within.
The crown chakra is the seventh chakra in the human body. It’s connected to:
- higher states of consciousness
- nonduality
- enlightenment
- self-realization
- universal awareness
“The crown represents our connection to Divine Source and a myriad of levels of consciousness for understanding the cosmic and universal nature of life and our multifaceted place within it,” says Winquist. “We can access expanded levels of consciousness through the crown and immerse ourselves in a far greater comprehension of connectedness of the great web of life.”
An imbalanced crown chakra may manifest as:
- disconnection from spirit
- closed-mindedness
- subject-object consciousness
- apathy
- materialism
Crown chakra affirmations
To activate the crown chakra, try the affirmations below.
- I experience unity with all things.
- I surrender myself to the divine.
- I am aligned with the highest aspect of my being.
- Divine light and love flow through me.
Aside from affirmations, other items or practices are believed by some to heal and balance the chakras. Just a few include:
You can explore some of these practices online via YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming media services.
There’s some evidence to suggest that repeating affirmations can positively impact behavior, though it may not work for everyone.
Some people also believe these statements can rebalance energy centers in the body known as chakras.
Covington says you’ll know that your affirmations are working when the principle you’ve been working with becomes active in your life.
While there isn’t scientific evidence for chakras, you may find that chakra affirmations are a positive addition to your wellness routine.
Victoria Stokes is a writer from the United Kingdom. When she’s not writing about her favorite topics, personal development, and well-being, she usually has her nose stuck in a good book. Victoria lists coffee, cocktails, and the color pink among some of her favorite things. Find her on Instagram.