Chakras for Athletes

We are made up of subtle layers of vibration and frequency. In the past, athletes have tended to focus solely on the physical body—the densest of these layers—and on mindset, which, of course, is extremely important

Now that energy work is finally stepping out of “woo-woo” territory, science is increasingly showing that we are vibrational beings with measurable energies and frequencies. So it's logical that, if we want to perform at our highest level, we need to nurture and harmonize all the layers that make up our remarkable being.

Many sports are already weaving in practices like yoga, qigong, meditation, and tapping—and seeing impressive results.. With that in mind, I wanted to share a bit about the subtle energy body, especially the chakras, and how harmonising them can support and elevate your athletic performance.

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Chakras

Muladhara - Root Chakra

The root chakra represents our grounding—our connection to our roots and foundation, much like the roots of a tree. When this energy center is out of balance, it can influence every other energetic layer. Just as a tree with weak or shallow roots cannot grow tall and strong, we too struggle to rise to our full potential without a solid energetic base.

A balanced root chakra provides stability, strength, and resilience. It fuels good health, vitality, and endurance. It supports a steady, focused mind and helps us stay present in the moment—an essential skill for any athlete. When this chakra is strong and harmonised, we show up consistently in our training, which, as every athlete knows, is one of the biggest determinants of long-term success.

With a healthy root chakra, we feel deeply at home in our bodies. We develop a grounded confidence and a strong sense of trust—trust in ourselves, in our training, and in our ability to perform when it matters most.

Svadhistana - Sacral Chakra

Associated with the water element, the Sacral Chakra is all about movement, flow, and adaptability. It supports emotional balance, helps us connect with passion and pleasure, and brings a sense of playfulness and enjoyment to our activities and environment. When we truly enjoy what we’re doing, we’re far more likely to show up consistently—and that consistency naturally leads to greater success.

The Sacral Chakra also enhances our fluidity and flexibility, not only important for our physical body as it leads to less injuries, but also qualities that become essential when we’re juggling training with work, family, business, and social commitments. When this chakra is balanced, we can move through life’s demands with greater ease and resilience.

It also empowers us to set healthy boundaries, protecting our energy and ensuring we don’t pour ourselves into things that drain us or distract us from what truly matters. With a strong Sacral Chakra, we’re better able to prioritise our well-being, nurture our relationships, and stay aligned with our aspirations and goals—all while flowing gracefully through the rhythm of daily life.

Manipura - Naval Chakra

Representing the fire element, the Manipura Chakra is a powerhouse within the energy body—and especially significant for athletes. This chakra governs our inner fire, supporting healthy digestion, efficient metabolism, and overall vitality. When it’s balanced, we experience a steady, reliable source of energy—fuel essential for training, performance, and recovery.

A harmonized Manipura Chakra keeps us proactive, motivated, and confidently moving toward our goals. It strengthens our discipline and reliability, helping us follow through on commitments and maintain consistency in our athletic practice. This chakra also sharpens our clarity of vision, allowing us to define what we truly want and see the path ahead with purpose and direction.

Within Manipura, we step fully into our personal power. We cultivate the courage to face challenges head-on and the resilience to keep going when things get tough. When this inner fire burns steady and strong, we not only perform better—we lead, grow, and transform, both on and off the field.

Anahata -Heart Chakra

Ahhh… Anahata—the Heart Chakra. This is where everything begins to elevate and expand. As the air element, Anahata opens us to a broader perspective, allowing us to see the bigger picture and connect with the more subtle, intuitive layers of our experience. We become attuned to the gentle ebb and flow of our inner world and more sensitive to the energies around us.

Anahata nurtures compassion, empathy, and unconditional love—not only for others, but also for ourselves. This self-love is crucial for athletes, helping us avoid overtraining, harsh self-criticism, and the burnout that comes from pushing beyond our limits. A balanced Heart Chakra brings a sense of peace, equilibrium, and contentment that reflects in everything we do.

This chakra is also the gateway to the flow state. When Anahata is harmonized, our heart and brain enter coherence, and our electromagnetic energies settle into balance. In this elevated state, the boundaries between ourselves, our activity, and our environment dissolve. Movement becomes effortless. Awareness becomes spacious. There is no strain, no separation—only pure presence.

This is the state of oneness where performance feels natural, intuitive, and fully aligned with who we are at our core.

Vishuddha - Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra, or Vishuddha, opens us to a powerful sense of spaciousness—within our bodies, our minds, and our daily lives. In a world where schedules are bursting and responsibilities pile up, it’s easy to feel boxed in or overwhelmed. Finding time for the activities we love can start to feel like an impossible task.

Yet, we often expend more energy worrying about how to fit everything in than we do simply beginning. Vishuddha helps dissolve this tension by restoring a feeling of freedom and openness. With this energetic space comes a more relaxed, stress-free attitude toward our training and commitments. We move with greater ease, clarity, and flow.

Vishuddha is also the center of creativity and communication—especially the way we speak to ourselves. Our thoughts and words carry powerful vibrations that shape our internal world and influence our external reality. For athletes, positive self-talk isn't just a nice idea—it’s a performance tool. When we speak with encouragement, optimism, and confidence, we support a healthier mindset, boost enjoyment, and strengthen our ability to perform under pressure.

If you’re preparing for an event, make it a non-negotiable practice to speak positively to yourself—both out loud and silently. Repeat uplifting phrases that reinforce strength, excitement, and self-belief. For example:

• “I’m excited to challenge myself, and I know I’ll do my best, whatever the outcome.”

• “I’m proud of myself for taking on this challenge. I know it will help me grow as both a person and an athlete.”

• “I’m looking forward to meeting like-minded people and becoming part of a supportive community.”

  
  

These words aren’t just affirmations—they’re energetic shifts. They reshape your inner environment, elevate your mental state, deepen your enjoyment of your sport, and ultimately enhance your performance.

When Vishuddha is balanced, your voice—inner and outer—becomes a source of empowerment, alignment, and flow.

Ajna - Third Eye Chakra

The Third Eye Chakra, or Ajna, is the center of focus, clarity, intuition, and higher perception. It’s the energy that allows us to look beyond the limits of our current beliefs and see the wider landscape of possibilities available to us. When Ajna is balanced, we gain the ability not just to look ahead—but to envision with precision and purpose.

Many great achievements begin as a spark of intuitive insight born in the Third Eye Chakra. This is the realm where dreams form, where ideas crystallize, and where we begin shaping our reality long before it appears in physical form. When we visualize success and deeply connect to the feeling of accomplishment, we prime our mind and body to perform at a higher level. Trusting our intuition helps us dream beyond the ordinary—and make those dreams attainable.

Truly extraordinary accomplishments stem from the clarity and vision of the Third Eye. If we cannot imagine something for ourselves—if we cannot see it—then it becomes nearly impossible to manifest. Visualization is not wishful thinking; it’s energetic rehearsal.

This is why practices like meditation and visualization are so powerful. Don’t just picture yourself performing well on your big day—feel it. Engage all your senses. Imagine the sights, sounds, emotions, and sensations as if the event has already taken place and you’ve succeeded.

See the details. Feel the confidence. Sense the triumph in your body. Let the vibration of success settle into your energy field again and again.

Return to this feeling often—before training, before sleep, and whenever doubt appears. The more you embody the energy of success, the more naturally your actions align with it.

Listen deeply to your inner wisdom. Trust the intuitive nudges, the inner guidance, the quiet knowing that points you toward possibility. With a clear and activated Third Eye Chakra, you’re able to dream boldly—and step forward in the direction of those dreams with confidence and clarity.

Sahasrara - Crown Chakra

Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra, is the energy center of higher perception, clarity, and awakening. It governs our ability to process information, understand deeper truths, and integrate wisdom on a level beyond the intellect. When this chakra is balanced, we gain the capacity to release limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering, expansive ones. It opens the doorway to universal consciousness—the sense that we are part of something vast, intelligent, and deeply interconnected.

The Crown Chakra invites us to listen to our higher wisdom and trust in a greater guiding force. Even if many athletes don’t speak about it directly, this is often what they seek through their pursuits: the feeling of unity, freedom, and transcendence that comes from pushing the limits of the body and mind. These moments—where everything aligns and the world seems to dissolve into pure presence—are glimpses of Crown Chakra energy.

By working with the subtle energy system, we strengthen our ability to access these profound states of connection, flow, and higher awareness. We begin to experience training and performance not just as physical acts, but as spiritual pathways—ways to elevate our consciousness and align more fully with our potential.

And truly, what greater joy is there than reaching these states of belonging, fluidity, power, connection, and wisdom through the activity we love? When Sahasrara is open and harmonised, our sport becomes more than a practice—it becomes a pathway to unity, a gateway to our highest self, and a celebration of what it means to be fully alive.

I hope you've enjoyed this short trip through the chakras, if you have any comments or questions I would love to hear from you! 

Thanks for reading

Debs x