Chakras & Acupuncture: Bridging East and South Asian Energy Wisdom

The Chakras represented on the ear

In the worlds of holistic healing and ancient medicine, two powerful systems stand out: the chakra system from Indian yogic tradition and the meridian system from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes acupuncture and acupressure. While they come from different cultural lineages—chakras from India and acupuncture/acupressure from China—they both point to a deep truth: the body is not just a physical structure but a vessel of energy.

Let’s explore the similarities between these two traditions and how they both aim to restore balance to body, mind, and spirit.

Energy Centres & Pathways

In chakra theory, energy flows through seven main centres aligned along the spine—from the Root Chakra at the base to the Crown Chakra at the top of the head. Each chakra corresponds to physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. When these centres are open and balanced, energy, or prana, moves freely through the body, promoting vitality and well-being.

The Chakras

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Location: Base of the spine

Colour: Red

Element: Earth

The Root Chakra represents stability, security, and our basic survival needs. A balanced root chakra helps us feel grounded and safe. Signs of imbalance include anxiety, financial insecurity, or feeling disconnected from the body. Grounding practices like walking barefoot in nature or mindful breathing can help restore balance.

2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Location: Lower abdomen, just below the navel

Colour: Orange

Element: Water

This chakra governs creativity, sensuality, and emotional expression. A healthy sacral chakra allows for joyful expression and intimacy. Imbalance might show as creative blocks, emotional instability, or issues with relationships. Dancing, flowing movement, and connecting with water can help activate this centre.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Location: Upper abdomen/stomach area

Colour: Yellow

Element: Fire

The Solar Plexus is the seat of personal power, will, and self-confidence. When open, it fuels ambition and clarity. When blocked, we may feel powerless, insecure, or overly controlling. Core-strengthening exercises and affirmations like “I am strong and capable” can be empowering.

4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Location: Centre of the chest

Colour: Green

Element: Air

The Heart Chakra bridges the physical and spiritual chakras. It governs love, compassion, and forgiveness. An open heart chakra fosters connection and empathy, while a closed one may lead to bitterness or isolation. Practices like loving-kindness meditation and acts of service help this chakra thrive.

5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Location: Throat

Colour: Blue

Element: Ether

This chakra rules communication and self-expression. A balanced throat chakra supports honest, thoughtful speech. If blocked, you might struggle to speak your truth or feel misunderstood. Singing, journaling, and speaking mindfully can help clear this space.

6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Location: Between the eyebrows

Colour: Indigo

Element: Light

The Third Eye is linked to intuition, inner wisdom, and vision. When open, it enhances clarity and insight. Blockage may cause confusion or over-reliance on logic. Meditation and mindfulness strengthen intuitive awareness.

7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Location: Top of the head

Colour: Violet or white

Element: Thought/Spirit

The Crown Chakra connects us to universal consciousness and higher states of awareness. When balanced, it brings peace, spiritual connection, and a sense of purpose. It’s nurtured through stillness, prayer, and time in nature.

In acupuncture/acupressure and TCM, energy is known as Qi (or chi). Instead of being concentrated in specific points like chakras, qi flows through a complex network of meridians—channels that run throughout the body. There are 12 primary meridians and several secondary ones, each connected to specific organs and functions. When Qi becomes stagnant or blocked, illness or imbalance can occur. Both systems recognize that the free flow of energy is essential to health—and that blockages can lead to emotional or physical distress.

Acupuncture model showing the meridians and many acupuncture points

The ear is a microsystem of the body similar to the foot in reflexology and has many many acupoints on the ear also. This means that the ear can be used to treat the whole body.

Model showing many of the acupoints on the ear

The body can be represented on the ear

Interestingly, this also then means that the chakras can be represented on the ear.

Why not try balancing your chakras by placing Ear Spheres on the chakra points of the ear?

Shop Ear Spheres

Emotions, Energetics, and Healing

Both traditions understand that emotions are not just mental experiences—they live in the body. Chakra imbalances may show up as emotional distress (like grief in the heart chakra or fear in the root chakra), while in TCM, each organ and meridian is linked with a specific emotion (like the lungs with grief or the kidneys with fear). In both systems, treatment aims to restore harmony, whether through acupuncture/acupressure, breathwork, meditation, or yoga.

Chakra healing and acupuncture/acupressure may come from different cultures, but they share a profound truth: we are energetic beings, and healing means supporting the natural flow of energy. Whether you lie on an acupuncture table or sit on a meditation cushion, both practices invite you to reconnect—with your body, your breath, and your inner wisdom.