A Sound Journey Through the Chakras
© 2011 Oona McOuat

This exercise is magical. An amazing singer and voice teacher, Ralph Cole, taught it to me a long, long time ago. He said it was rooted in the traditions of Tibet. Over the years, I have shared it all over the planet with folks of all ages, and we always emerge with soft eyes and open hearts.

It is done in sets of seven but if time is a constraint, you can do it in sets of three.

• 1. Lie or sit comfortably. Take seven deep in and out breaths, watching your belly rise and fall.
• 2. Breathe into the root chakra (energy center) located at your tailbone. I like to feel and visualize lava and the colour red. Tone “oo” like “good” seven times.

Photo by Leigh Hilbert

• 3. Take seven resting breaths
• 4. Breathe into the 2nd chakra (energy center) located just below your belly button. I like to feel and visualize fire and the colour orange. Tone “u” like “true” seven times.
• 5. Take seven resting breaths.
• 6. Breathe into the 3rd chakra (energy center) located in your solar plexus. I like to feel and visualize the sun and the colour yellow. Tone “o” like “hope” seven times.
• 7. Take seven resting breaths.
• 8. Breathe into the 4th chakra (energy center) located in your heart. I like to feel and visualize a field and the colour green. Tone “aw” like “awe” seven times.
• 9. Take seven resting breaths.
• 10. Breathe into the your thymus, along your breastbone between your heart and throat. I like to feel and visualize a rose and the colour pink. Tone “ah” like you are sinking into a warm bath, seven times.
• 11. Take seven resting breaths.
• 12. Breathe into the 5th chakra (energy center) located in your throat. I like to feel and visualize a waterfall and the colour blue. Tone “ay” like “play” seven times.
• 13. Take seven resting breaths.
• 14. Breathe into the 6th chakra (energy center) located in the middle of your forehead (your 3rd eye). I like to feel and visualize a starry night sky and the colour indigo. Tone “i” like “illuminate” seven times.

Photo by Leigh Hilbert

• 15. Take seven resting breaths.
• 16. Breathe into the 7th chakra (energy center) located at the top of your head on your crown. I like to feel and visualize heavenly light and whatever colour feels right – iridescent swirling rainbow, gold, silver, white….. Tone “ee” like “free” seven times.
• 17.  Gently open your eyes.