Sound healing works with vibration, frequency and resonance. In chakra traditions, each of the seven energy centres along the spine responds to particular tones, and sound is used to help clear what feels stuck and settle the nervous system.
Use this guide to learn where each chakra sits, what it’s linked with and how sound is used to support it. Then press play and listen.
A seated figure in meditation. The seven chakras sit along the centre of the body: the root at the base of the spine, the sacral in the lower belly, the solar plexus in the upper abdomen, the heart in the centre of the chest, the throat, the third eye between the brows, and the crown just above the head.
RootBase of the spine
Tap a point on the body to explore it.
What is a chakra?
A wheel
Chakra is Sanskrit for “wheel”. In yogic and tantric traditions, chakras are described as turning centres of energy that run along the spine.
Seven along the spine
The seven most often named rise from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each is linked with a colour, an element and parts of our emotional and physical life.
Why sound?
Each centre is traditionally paired with a seed sound and a tone. In a sound bath, low notes tend to feel grounding and higher notes lighter and more spacious.
A seated figure in meditation. The seven chakras sit along the centre of the body: the root at the base of the spine, the sacral in the lower belly, the solar plexus in the upper abdomen, the heart in the centre of the chest, the throat, the third eye between the brows, and the crown just above the head.
RootBase of the spine
1 of 7
Root
Muladhara · “root support”
Presence, grounding, physical safety, stability and connection to the body.
Sits at
Base of the spine
Colour
Red
Element
Earth
Seed sound
LAM
How sound is used
Low, deep tones are used to help the body feel grounded. Many people find them settling when they feel anxious, unsteady or tense.
Instruments you might hear
Drums
Deep crystal bowls
Low-frequency tuning forks
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “LAM” low and slow, letting it hum through your base of the spine. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
Where in my body do I feel most at home?
2 of 7
Sacral
Svadhisthana · “one’s own seat”
Emotional flow, pleasure, creativity, relationships and sensual expression.
Sits at
Lower belly
Colour
Orange
Element
Water
Seed sound
VAM
How sound is used
Warm, fluid tones are used to encourage emotional release and to soften tightness held in the lower belly.
Instruments you might hear
Chimes
Water-like bowls
Gentle humming
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “VAM” low and slow, letting it hum through your lower belly. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
What would I make if nobody was watching?
3 of 7
Solar Plexus
Manipura · “city of jewels”
Self-worth, boundaries, personal power, motivation and inner strength.
Sits at
Upper abdomen
Colour
Yellow
Element
Fire
Seed sound
RAM
How sound is used
Bright, clear tones are used to meet self-doubt and to support a steadier sense of confidence.
Instruments you might hear
Mid-range singing bowls
Bells
Hand drums
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “RAM” low and slow, letting it hum through your upper abdomen. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
Where am I ready to take up a little more space?
4 of 7
Heart
Anahata · “unstruck”
Compassion, emotional healing, connection, openness and forgiveness.
Sits at
Centre of the chest
Colour
Green
Element
Air
Seed sound
YAM
How sound is used
Soft, expansive tones are used to hold grief gently and to make room for opening up, at your own pace.
Instruments you might hear
Harp-like tones
Flute
Gentle bowls
Vocal toning
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “YAM” low and slow, letting it hum through your centre of the chest. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
Who, or what, am I ready to soften towards?
5 of 7
Throat
Vishuddha · “especially pure”
Authentic expression, speaking up, honesty and creativity through the voice.
Sits at
Throat
Colour
Blue
Element
Space
Seed sound
HAM
How sound is used
Vocal tones are used to ease tension around speaking your truth, and to loosen what’s been held back by fear of being heard.
Instruments you might hear
Voice
Chanting
Chanting bowls
Harmonic instruments
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “HAM” low and slow, letting it hum through your throat. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
What have I been wanting to say?
6 of 7
Third Eye
Ajna · “to perceive”
Intuition, imagination, clarity, inner vision and spiritual insight.
Sits at
Between the brows
Colour
Indigo
Element
Light
Seed sound
OM
How sound is used
Soft, high tones are used to quieten mental noise and make space for intuitive awareness.
Instruments you might hear
High-pitched bowls
Intuitive vocal tones
Crystal pyramid
Chimes
A moment to try
Sit comfortably with a long spine. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, sound “OM” low and slow, letting it hum through your between the brows. Repeat three times.
To reflect on
What do I already know, underneath the noise?
7 of 7
Crown
Sahasrara · “thousand-petalled”
Spiritual connection, purpose, inner peace and higher states of consciousness.
Sits at
Crown of the head
Colour
Violet
Element
Consciousness
Seed sound
Silence
How sound is used
Very light, airy tones are used to widen awareness and to support meditation and a calm, present state.
Instruments you might hear
Crystal bowls
Angelic tones
Tuning forks
Soft vocal harmonics
A moment to try
Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Let the breath slow. Rest your attention just above the top of your head and stay with the quiet for a few breaths.
To reflect on
What helps me feel part of something larger?
The whole scale
Root to crown, in sound.
Touch each bowl to hear its tone, or play them rising one after another, the way a sound bath often moves from grounding notes to lighter ones.
Root
Sacral
Solar Plexus
Heart
Throat
Third Eye
Crown
Feel it in the room.
A recording is a taste. In a Solace Space sound bath, real crystal bowls fill the room and you feel the vibration as much as hear it. You don’t need to know anything about chakras to come. Just lie back and listen.
The chakra system is a spiritual framework rather than a medical one. Sound baths can be deeply relaxing, but they are not a treatment for any condition or a replacement for care from a health professional.
